It seems like the Taurus started out as an excellent, almost revolutionary design, but in 21 years the world changed and the Taurus didn't. Pair that with the 3.8l engine debacle and the positioning of the 24v engine as an option rather than a standard (necessity) and you're left with a car that defined the state of the art and became a great bland nothingness which the state of the art has long since passed on by.
It is bland by modern standards. About as bland as everything else on the road these days. But what I like about them is that I can fit in it.
I'm 6'3", and if I wanted to buy any other car I could fit into, it would cost me about twice as much or more.
I used to call it the clitaurus becasue it had no balls.