OK – I hate the traditional Ford Taurus.  So much that I added it to the cars I will not drive with Hertz.  Someone told me the new ones are “comparable” to the new Ford Edge (fun to drive).  That someone is mistaken.  I will admit the “new” Taurus is a dramatic improvement from the traditional ones that resemble a sperm whale.  I was kinda fun to drive.  Reasonable pickup (not reasonalble to put it in the “fun to drive category”), cornered well and wasn’t terrible in the fuel consumption realm.  Had the boyz and I had a desire to head into NYC this weekend we could have easily fit 6 into the thing.  Once I am confident the old Taurus’s are out of service with the rental companies, perhaps I will remove it from my “do not drive” list.

Fun to drive.  Takes lotsa gas, not easy on the pocketbook.  It was nice to be able to see out of the car, the traffic in front of in front of in front of the car in front of me.  I really wanted to drive over a bunch of curbs, berms and off road obstacles but lack of opportunity prevailed.  Definitely have one again as a rental, not sure I would own one personally.  Did not have an mp3 player input.

OK, ok.  I’m waaaay behind in my car reviews.  Bleh!  I was really sick a couple weeks ago and as a result, uninspired.  I had an Impala that week.  For a big boxy sedan, I kinda like the Impala.  I probably would not own one myself, however, I enjoy them more than most of what Hertz sees fit to inflict upon me.  Good pickup, cab forward, plenty of room if you gotz passengerz.  Did not seem to consume a horrible amount of fuel and it cornered very well.  If they give me one again, I won’t ask for another car and add it to my “I won’t drive this” list.

Last week’s car was the Toyota Prius.  I had high hopes since my mom drives a hybrib and raves about it.  I’ve even driven her car and it was pretty cool.  I did not enjoy driving the Prius.  And the gas mileage was not so stellar.  The onboard monitoring system had the average at around 37 mph.  Come on – a Honda Civic was getting this 20 years ago and it’s more fun to drive.  Sorry, but I can’t dignify this review with a picture.

I’ve always been a fan of the Ford Mustang, I guess this goes with the territory of having one as your first car.  The late model versions maintain a lot of the original charm I remember from my 1965 model.  You can hear the motor growl from the driver’s seat, the shape of the hood from the driver’s seat is familiar, glint’s of chrome reflect light from the outside of the round gauges, and it gets up to “crusin speed” quickly.  Other features retained are perhaps not so great, it has little creaks (which remind me of the 1965 version, the doors are still bulky and rattle when they close, the back end is still very light, and the car is noisy.

I have not completed an official “ratings scale” at the moment so bear with me as I gin one up.  For the Mustang, I think I’d have to say it’s fun to drive, easy on the eyes but I do not think I’d own one.