[Shotimes] First look at the new 500

[Donald Mallinson]

Replacement for the Taurus?

Huge step forward from the Taurus?

Well my first look up close at the new 500 was underwhelming 
to say the least.

At first impression the car seems HUGE!  Very tall, long and 
wide.

First impression at getting into the car is "where did they 
hide all the extra room?".

Less headroom by far than in the Gen III SHO at least, seats 
in front are very narrow compared to any year SHO, and 
positively skinny by typical Taurus or any other mid/full 
size car I can think of.

Overall fit/finish inside is not a big step forward, but it 
does seem at least as good as my '96.

Outside, my '96 has much better fit/finish than the 500. 
Usually after 2-3 years of stamping you start to see waves 
in the bodies as the dies get wear/tear.  If that is so, 
then the new 500 will look like a lake surface on a windy 
day after a year or two.  Rear quarter panels have massive 
waves (compared to the quality you would expect today).

Paint quality was iffy, with much more orange peel than I 
remember in any Gen III Taurus (I am not that familiar with 
the Gen IV Taurus, or gen III if you count they way Ford does).

The trunk was huge, and if I could play 8 games of golf at 
once, I would love the new car.

For now I am waiting to see what else Ford comes up with, 
because this isn't the big step forward that I was led to 
believe.

Didn't get a chance to drive the new one today, so I will 
have to reserve that evaluation for later.

Others get a chance to see this car yet?

Don Mallinson