Taurus SHO, Maverick, Breakthrough Cars!

[Thrillhouse]

Now that Ford has no little cars, pople will be looking for something else. People (like me) who probably wouldn't be pickup shopping will be looking at them pretty seriously when they realize they get better gas mileage and utility for the same price as a Civic or other CUV.

Unless the Maverick is a maintenance disaster, I think they will sell as many as they can produce within a couple years.

In their heyday, the Focus and Fusion combined sold about half as many F150's. The Maverick may recoup some former Focus and Fusion owners like myself, but it has a long way to go to supplant the F150.

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[TacoHolder]

In their heyday, the Focus and Fusion combined sold about half as many F150's. The Maverick may recoup some former Focus and Fusion owners like myself, but it has a long way to go to supplant the F150.

Technically all F series trucks combine to make up that 900K, 5% of all US auto sales by volume and 6% by total revenue. That being said, no one ever bought a Focus or Fusion when they needed a truck. The Mav might be different. If there is enough demand in the fleet sales market for smaller trucks, this could all change faster than we think.

 

[BMCGC]

Ford sold slightly more than 500k Rancheros in 22 years of production.

From a utilitarian point of view, The Maverick is the new Model T.

I don't see the Maverick as ground breaking, I see the Maverick as bringing back a vehicle concept that was popular in he past, fell out of favor and is back in favor again.

 

[Sweet Willie]

I had a SHO.

The Yamaha V6 was a maintenance nightmare unless you had deep pockets, dropped it off and said "do whatever it needs."

They competed with BMW's and just like the BMW they were a great car until the 100k maintenance kicked in.

Ford has never done a good job competing with European sports cars.

Did Americans ever embrace the 4-door sport sedan?

Here's my ideal Sports sedan.

57 Chevy!!!

 

[Arukoru]

The similarities don't end there, the SHO and the Mav have about the same 0-60

 

[BlueSnake77]

I used my Focus more like a utility vehicle. The back seats were usually down. I would not have ever considered a Ford Escape or Ridgeline. My previous vehicle was an F-150. The Maverick is pretty much my perfect vehicle. If it was never released I would likely have an ugly Santa Cruz now instead.

Don't know what year Focus you had but mine was a Mk3 2012 hatchback. The whole process of getting the rear seats down flat was a pain. Could fit a surprising amount in there though. I once put a 7 foot ladder in there by moving the front passenger seat up. Loved my Focus. Good amount of power, great highway mpg. I almost traded it in for a brand new left over 2017 Focus ST. I really wanted one of the new ones but then Ford Axed it for North America. They get all the good stuff in Europe. My Focus was Sterling grey ... a nice medium metallic grey. They should bring back that color.

 

[Eagle11]

Ford sold almost 900,000 F150's in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The Maverick isn't even going to be Ford's best seller. The F150 has been the best seller in the US for over 40 years now.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens, when the truck is out and the buying public sees it and the virtues of the truck. last I say, 85% of F150's are used as a commuter, not its intended purpose.

 

[zakstang]

In 1994 I had a 89’ Mustang GT convertible. A Taurus SHO came along side me and we gave it a go. I stayed ahead of him but not by much. I was surprised how quick they were.

I believe Yamaha made the engine on those.

yes yamaha engine

 

[Delzona]

The Autobahn is great isn't it? I was stationed in Germany in 1985-86 when I was in the Army. I ordered a 1986 Dodge Omni GLH through the PX. It was built in (Detroit I think) and shipped to me. Had to take a train up to Bremerhaven to pick it up when it came off the boat. I was stationed right at the West/East border, so my first long drive on the Autobahn was to Cologne (Koln). The catalytic converter was in the trunk and a straight pipe in it's place since Germany was still using leaded gas at the time. The GLH i had was the non-turbo version so it only had the 110 hp 2.2L motor. Top speed was only 110 mph, but it was a blast to drive top speed legally. I'd be in the left lane doing 110 and here would come a Mercedes behind me flashing it's lights to geddahellouddatheway! at about 130+ mph. Had a great time in Germany. When I saw your avatar I instantly recognized it.

So in 2002 I was living in Germany (thanks Army!) and a friend asked if I wanted to buy his 1991 Taurus SHO for $2k. I said YES!!!!!!! I had always liked them, had read about them, I had owned two regular Taurus and my family had a Taurus wagon for a long time.

That SHO was Amazing! Got it up to about 138mph on the speedo a couple times (legally!) and even though it was old by then, buddies knew it was a fast car. Then unfortunately it spun a rod bearing on Autobahn A6 coming home from Kaiserslautern (with full acceleration in between hills or traffic) with 172k miles on the odometer.

I Bring up the SHO because our (hybrid) Maverick will be the first Ford I've owned since then. The VALUE of great gas mileage for a low purchase price for this pickup is unbelievable! The original SHO also started just under $20k.

I think the Maverick will sell WAY more than the SHO was sold. Possibly as much as the regular Taurus? It was America's top selling car from 1992 until 1996.. I just can't see the Maverick NOT selling like crazy!!!!

For your reading pleasure: Tested: 1989 Ford Taurus SHO Shocks the World (caranddriver.com)

I was stationed at Spangdalem AB near Trier from 98-01. I had an 88 BMW 325i that was lowered and had engine work done on it, not all together sure what because I got it off a guy rotating back to the States. That car could cruise the Autobahn at 120mph with ease and top out near 140mph! Yet, there was still times when damn Porsches would blaze by like I was standing still!! Such a great thrill to drive the Autobahn. When I got station back in the States I had the opportunity to pick up a used Porsche Boxster S. Great car to drive, but I only pushed it to 120 because I was too worried about getting pulled over and still being in the AF at time, I didn't think it would go over well with my Commander if I did get busted for speeding.

 

[BlueSnake77]

Took a CUCV on the autobahn once. Got it up to about 109 mph. Had the diesel in it. I had 2 magnet mount orange gumball emergency lights on the roof. When i got like over 80 mph, the lights blew off the top of the roof, lol. Luckily the wires that went from the lights to the inside power source kept them from ending up in the road. The lights were banging against the side windows in the air stream until I pulled over and got them inside.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Took a CUCV on the autobahn once. Got it up to about 109 mph. Had the diesel in it. I had 2 magnet mount orange gumball emergency lights on the roof. When i got like over 80 mph, the lights blew off the top of the roof, lol. Luckily the wires that went from the lights to the inside power source kept them from ending up in the road. The lights were banging against the side windows in the air stream until I pulled over and got them inside.

Lol! I had a trunk mount bike rack on the SHO and first time I took Autobahn with bikes- they started to lift up so we slowed down so they wouldn't get torn off...

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