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I’ve been looking for a new car to buy.
Mind you, it’s not for me…it’s for my mother!

As I’ve been researching cars for this special person in my life, it got me thinking about the actual process I’ve been going through in deciding on what car best suits her.

As a handful of you know, this site is more related to topics that are about the cars aesthetics. Following in this theme, I will hopefully provide a practical buyers guide from this slightly alternative point of view.

First: What do you need, what do you want?
Usually (and I use this term loosely) mothers are no-nonsense, so functionality is key! Keeping it simple would make more sense, so determine what your mother NEEDS as opposed to what you want.
What activities does your mother do? Does she drive the two big dogs to the local park?
What distances does she drive? Just the quick trips to the store or to the farm?
Is your mother good at parking? (Be honest!)

Second: What can you afford?
There is more to owning a car than buying it. There are, taxes/stamp duty/fees when you purchase it, not to mention insurance, repair, maintenance and running costs! If you are using finance keep in mind any rates and fees.
For new cars, basic models will have some safety features, but for increased levels of safety, the cost will also increase.

Third: Compare vehicles in the same genre/class
Different car makers will offer different options for cars in similar classes, so if there is one you are keen on that is missing something, take a look at what else there is on offer. If safety is a key factor in your decision making, comparing the options on their safety rating would be a good idea.

Fourth: Test driving
All cars drive differently, so this is why you test drive them! Try and best simulate the areas and conditions that your mum will be driving in the most. For example, your mother may be living in an area that has steep inclines, so check out how well the engine will perform up the hills.
It’s important that your mother tries the car out as things may not fit her dimensions. She may not like the small rear window or she may not be able to reach up high enough to close the boot door.

Fifth: Choosing the right one
In the end, there may be an obvious stand out that she is keen on buying. But more often your mother may be divided between the options to choose from so this is when you try to get opinions from others. This is good to see how people who own the car, feel about it since their purchase. You may find that there are common issues with a certain model of car, or even find tips on what to look out for on faulty models.
If all these check out and your mother is still spoilt for choice, making a decision from how a car looks does no harm as it is an item you will be seeing and using on a regular basis! Just remember when doing the research, its for your mother, not you!

Links:
www.euroncap.com – how your next car rates in safety
www.carsurvey.org – people who have cars have written comments about their experiences with it, maybe they have written about a car you are thinking of buying

Ever since I saw the new Ford Mondeo (no, I didn’t make a mistake here) on James Bond – Casino Royale, I couldn’t help but feel Ford had made a positive turn for this rejuvenated model. Similarly with the Taurus, a similar approach has been taken in the endeavor to bring some new life to an otherwise aging model, along with all its slightly duller connotations.

Front 3/4 view - New life like the Mondeo?

Aesthetically, compared to the past models that tried to be ground breaking, I think this 10th generation Taurus has hit closer to the mark. In the past, they took risks of being a ‘hit or miss’ but for this, they have taken the positive reaction to the Mondeo concept and tried to put that same energy into this model.

A design that emphasises the width rather than the height.

Evidence of the influence from the Mondeo can be seen from the rear of the car with the accented ‘hips’ over the tail lamps. This is not just a ‘copy’ from it but a quite different approach to a similar elemental idea. Interestingly different, the rear fascia and deck lid blend in as one and besides one horizontal crease, there seems to be no literal interpretation of a ‘standard’ bumper that usually has a more ‘flatter’ horizontal surface. Nothing comes to mind of vehicles that has approached this with a similar solution. As a result, there is a cleaner appearance of the rear and the focus is on the details of the lamp and badge. On the other hand, the lower part of the fascia/nappy has a lot going on. A mirror image of the accented hips of the deck lid show a visual connection and continuity of design, however the area for the name plate dominates and steals the attention from the upper rear, even to the point of it appearing to push the exhaust pipe to the side. In context of the whole rear, the necessary crease of the bumper, thin lines and sculpted out surface of the lower fascia and skirting minimize the potential for a heavy looking rear due to the flatter clean surfaces.

Even lines that aren't dynamic.

The following theme from the rear to the body side is the lower concave section that evenly flows. There is an issue with things that are visually even, that being a result of something that lacks emotion. This unfortunately is also reflected on the upper half of the body side that features the connection to a front fender vent. Unusually this element does not fade away into the rear fender, but continues with a similar intensity to the other side of the fender, then rudely stops. Further up to the beltline, a long spear/accented edge does a few things, one being the visual connection between the front and rear lamps, secondly creating a crisper edge on an otherwise softer surface, but most importantly, has a character that alludes to a feeling of elegance. Together, these three horizontal lines do create the appearance of length, so the reasoning to my negative opinion can still be argued that this would appeal to an audience who is not looking for something that is ‘dynamic’, but rather.length…

Perhaps a bit too aggressive for a somewhat more elegant side and rear

Unlike the boring interplay of lines on the body side, the front is slightly more exciting with spears across the lower section of the fascia and above the left and right escutcheons. There is still evidence of the emotionless efforts of styling, but what is more displeasing is the relationship of the overall design the front end has to the rest of the car. Connotations of elegance across the side, and chrome details at the rear don’t match the front that hints of aggression through the sporty bonnet bulge and barbeque front grille, both of which are suited to something that is more utilitarian.

Proportionally tough and sturdy

Proportionally, the Taurus is very balanced, with generally shorter overhanging front and rear, and a low cant rail and high belt line that creates a slim DLO – very concept car-like. The body masses are placed in the right areas, specifically the tall body sides alluding to a car that is weighted down and not appearing top-heavy. Efforts to reduce what could possibly look like and chubby car from the body side though a sculpted section is a bit obvious because of its emotionless clinical nature.

I’m not sure how I feel about a ‘utilitarian-elegance’ for this Ford. It does have place for the likes of a Subaru, but in this case, I’m left more confused. As an evolution from its predecessors, I think it’s still a positive move, but if Ford could be a bit more specific about what their aesthetic aim was for this car, and did it with a bit more passion, I would be better. Perhaps a face lift would help?