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IntelliChoice Value Rating
The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.
One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.
What is a good car value?
A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.
But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?
For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.
This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)
Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.
Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.
So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.
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Review From Motor Trend Magazine
Much like the Five Hundred, which became the Taurus, Ford decided to play the name game with its Ford Freestyle crossover, which became the Taurus X. In addition, the 2008 Taurus X borrows multiple interior and exterior cues from Ford's well-received Edge in an effort to help bring the Taurus X more in line with the latest in Ford design. The Taurus X -- available in SEL, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trims -- is equipped with a 3.5L Duratec V-6 engine that generates a respectable 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque, mated to a newly-added six-speed automatic, which replaces the old continuously variable transmission. Available with all-wheel drive, the Taurus X has standard anti-lock brakes and Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability-control system, a nifty safety feature that uses a sensor to detect oversteer and yaw by cross-checking speed, throttle position, and steering wheel angle. If the system detects any loss of traction, it makes the correct adjustments by reducing torque and applying brakes to a specific wheel to make sure you don't lose control.  This six- to seven-passenger crossover SUV has plenty of space, offering over 85 cu ft of cargo room behind the first two seats after the second (which has a one-touch flip and fold feature) and third rows lie flat, and Ford claims the Taurus X can store items up to nine feet in length. This family-friendly Ford also boasts of being rated the safest seven-passenger crossover in America. The new Ford Taurus X starts at $27,030 and has multiple available options, including the much-hyped Sync entertainment system, navigation and entertainment features, and a power rear lift gate. The Taurus X is EPA rated at 16/24 mpg in FWD drive trim and 15/22 in the AWD configuration. Like the Taurus on which it's based, the name change hasn't helped Taurus X sales and the vehicle's future is uncertain. But if you're looking for more of a station wagon feel to your crossover and safety is a big concern, the Taurus X may be worth a closer look. | 2008 Ford Taurus X | | Base Price | $27,030 | | Vehicle layout | Front engine, 4WD and AWD, 7-pass, 4-door CUV | | Engine | 3.5L/263-hp/249-lb.ft - DAMB 24-valve V-6 | | Transmission | 6-speed automatic | | Curb weight | 4033-4203 lbs (mfr) | | Wheelbase | 112.9 in | | Length x width x height | 200.3 x 74.9 x 67.6 in | | EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 15-16/22-24 mpg | | CO2 emissions | 1.03-1.11 lb/mile | | On sale in U.S. | Currently | ... >>next page
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