Taurus question (non SHO)

[BoatSHO]

Okay - quick question for all you Taurus gurus. It's not about the SHO, but any help or advice/opinions would be welcomed.

My father is looking at buying a 2014/2015 Taurus Limited. I can't talk him into the SHO, and he really isn't a speedster, so it's totally fine.
He is seeing listings for 3.5 V6s... which is what I had in my prior Taurus SEL (before the SHO). I thought it was a great engine. Had plenty of pep... great fuel mileage, etc.
But he is also seeing listings with an ecoboost 4-cylinder! The 2.0... Not the larger SHO engine.

So how would you compare the 3.5 non-turbo to a 2.0 EB? Do you think the 2.0 EB is too small for such a large car? Would it be totally beat to death by the time the car hits 125k miles? (My dad keeps his cars forever... he has a 2000 Taurus now with like 194k miles...and his mechanic told him time to buy a new car or you will be looking at large repair bills in the next few months) So I'm wondering long term... would the 2.0 hold up as well as the 3.5? And later on down the road ... 10 years... will the EB cost more to fix because of the turbos? He is going into retirement any year now... so wanting it to be cheap for him to fix if/when he has problems.

Give me your thoughts on the two engines for the Taurus...thanks!

 

[Crazyeights]

BoatSHO- Don't know anything about the 2.0 EB, but had a couple of non- SHO Taurus with the 3.5 non turbo and never had any issues. Put 135K on one and no complaints. Stick with what he knows, 6 cyld. better than 4.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

The 2L is going to struggle to get the same economy or throttle response that even the 3.5L TiVCT will get. Many guys that opt for the 2L call or email us complaining about the lower than advertised MPG's and lazy feel. Unfortunately, we do not have remote tuning support for that 2L and ECM combo. The 3.5L TiVCT however...RIGHT HERE!

 

[rubydist]

the 3.5 was 268 hp and the 2.0 EcoBoost was 240 hp. I agree, the 3.5 is a much better choice for that large of vehicle.

 

[brucelinc]

We have a 2014 Taurus with the 3.5 in addition to the Ecoboost MKS. I would highly recommend it over the 2.0 ecoboost. Regardless of EPA ratings, I think real world mileage is better with the 3.5. I have had the 2.0 in rentals cars and was very disappointed in the fuel mileage, performance and overall smoothness and sound quality compared with the 3.5.

 

[SHOdded]

The 3.5 is a sturdy, proven engine. Too bad we cant put the 6f55 behind it If the Taurus had the new CGI 2.0EB, I would snap it up. As it stands, 3.5L for the win!

The real attraction for the EB engine would be the torque off the line. Again, with the new gen 2.0EB, as Edge owners will testify, big difference.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

Ready, set, 9 pages....GO!

 

[BoatSHO]

Ready, set, 9 pages....GO!

Hey...this has nothing to do with the engines

 

[BoatSHO]

Thanks for the responses... that is my thoughts totally. Go for the 3.5.

I mean part of me was thinking - that's the point to the ecoboost right? Fuel economy of the 4, power of the 6. But I just wasn't sure how that real world application applied to such a big car...

 

[Pintony]

Yep my vote is for the 3.5 also.
Keep us posted with photos when you get the NEW Limited...

 

[BamSHO]

Yeah I agree with everyone, get the Limited with AWD and 3.5 motor. Now if they had stuck in the 2.3L EB like in the Explorer. Now that is another story. Your dad will love it.

 

[Pintony]

also make sure your Father can get in and out easily... Just a thought...

 

[SHOdded]

Hey...this has nothing to do with the engines

LOL

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

My vote is 3.5 paperwise the mileage difference is 2 and a 19 gallon tank means only about 38 more miles per tank. Limited is basically a luxury version of the SHO. Limited Luxury and having come from a SEL V6 trust me the 3.5 is no slouch. If this was a brand new purchase the 2.0 would be $1000 so YES you would be paying $1000 to DOWNGRADE your engine, I just don't see the benefit of that. Other than SHO specific items like the Performance Package, 3,.5 E/B Engine, the Limited and SHO are identical as far as luxury and convenience items go.

My vote Limited with 3.5 and a 301A Package............below list is for 2016 models but I am pretty sure it is the same for 2013-16. 2013 had the Pushbutton Keyless I/A start as part of package and 2013 had 301A and 302A. 2014 consolidated the two packages into 1 and I believe made I/A start and Camera standard. 2015 made back up cameras standard all models in preparation for pending federal requirements.

FYI Ordering packages are SE 1XX SEL 2X Limited 3XX and SHO 4XX Those are the Ford Rapid Spec ordering codes 2010-13 had 2 packages for SEL and above. 2014 and above took some key components of both into one package.

I am not sure of his financial plan but since it is going to be a retirement car I would say load up a Limited if possible. 2013 and above models with navigation went to a Secure Digital (SD) card instead of the DVD. Easy updates by just swapping out the card. MFT has a few quirks but you probably know that and can help him through that. Also if you can get a model with the 20" wheels that will be better. Limited had 19" standard but they are a off size tire. 18 and 20" are more common and easier to find.

Find a low mileage Limited with 3.5 V6, fairly decently equipped and he should be set. I would recommend a darker interior color to help keep clean. Yes I know hot in summer but overall I think easier to keep clean. There are two interior colors Dune (Light) and Charcoal (Dark)

Hope this helps

Below list is for 2016 models but I am pretty sure it is pretty much the same for 2013-16 models definitely 2014-16

Features include:

• Audio System from Sony®
• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert
• Second-row heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Auto high beams with rain-sensing wipers
• HD Radio™
• Rear power sunshade
• LIMITED branded front floor mats
• Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror

 

[Flylow11]

Not sure about the performance in a Taurus but I had it in my ST(2.0 EB) and it was great but it was tuned a little hotter and the car was about 900lbs lighter. My friend has the 3.5L in her mustang. Over 100k and no problems at all. So for your dad I would recommend the 3.5.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

Not sure about the performance in a Taurus but I had it in my ST(2.0 EB) and it was great but it was tuned a little hotter and the car was about 900lbs lighter. My friend has the 3.5L in her mustang. Over 100k and no problems at all. So for your dad I would recommend the 3.5.

The Taurus has a completely different 2L than that found in the FoST. The Mustang likely came with a 3.7L BTW...the Cyclone motor is like the V6 staple for Ford.

 

[Greg9933]

None of the posts here apparently include anyone who has actually owned and routinely driven a Taurus with the 2.0 Ecoboost, so I thought I would take the opportunity to fill in the void.

I bought my 2013 SEL in November of 2012, fairly good option load, well equipped except no navigation. I didn't order it, the dealer had it, 2.o Ecoboost included. It had everything I wanted including the color combination, so after I test drove it and found the 2.0 EB at least palatable, I went ahead and bought it. May I mention I had a 2011 Taurus 3.5 prior to that, so I had a good baseline to compare to.

3 years and about 57k miles later, I traded for the 2015 SHO PP. To the gentleman trying to help his dad (kudos to you by the way), here is the real world story on the 2.0EB in my 2013 Taurus.

Those who think the car is underpowered, think again. The low end torque curve in this engine (mine anyway) far and away compensates for any horsepower reduction. So, in that regard, let's just put that to bed. My experience, from my one car, was daily operational power was an absolute non issue. As was reliability, never an issue the whole way along.

My good friend 2011Taurusell and I used to spar about his 13 SEL w/ the 3.5 and mine with the 2.0. Now we both have SHO's, so that daily fun is gone. I digress..............

In any event, I found no performance reason to rule out the 2.0EB. What I did find, however, was the highway fuel economy did not meet expectations. While around town or mixed was quite good for the heavy weight of the car (consistently 22 to 23 on my 36 mile work commute, the SHO is averaging about 17), highway mileage was another matter. About 60 mph or so steady cruise, the car returned 30 to 31 easily. Over that, 27, occasionally a nudge to 28 was the order of the day. From watching the admittedly small tach on the display and throttle position, it seemed pretty clear that at higher speeds the aerodynamics of the car were such that the 2.0 was working pretty hard to maintain speed.

So, my comment would be this. If this car is a daily long term driver, especially if being purchased pre owned where you are not paying the $995 price of admission, I would never hesitate to own another. Buying new? Not remotely worth the $995 premium.

Greg9933

 

[BoatSHO]

Thank you so much for all your replies. One thing that I keep thinking about for my dad... in retirement... I don't know how expensive work would be for a turbo vehicle later on down the road? If he needs gaskets and such. Does the turbo add any time and labor to the work? Or is that a non-factor?

Thanks for the real world 2.0 review Greg! He has a 2014 white SEL he is looking at today with the 2.0. He really wants the Limited trim, and he may be leaning towards the 3.5 though. He said with my moving back to Michigan...he would be driving the Taurus between Atlanta and Detroit quite a few times...and wants the higher MPGs. Oh and BTW, I am a female (not a gentleman)

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

When I suggested the 3.5L I did not mean the 3.5L TT. I meant the 3.5L NA or TiVCT platform.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Echoing Gregg9933 other than the color, NAV, and his 4 hamster our cars were identical. We both had 202A with Charcoal interior I believe he scored some Limited rims but also had a set of dedicated winter tires and rims or at least tires. We traded several technical, mechanical and cosmetic tidbits with each other. My first project was the speakers with the tech assist and photos courtesy of him.