partsman01

Can buy a Taurus up here used at a dealer for 2,000 they wanted 3,339 it has 176,000Km on it, appears to be very nice, a check through our insurance company shows it had a collision claim in 2006 so will talk to the dealer and ask why they did not know that.
It is for the wife to drive for short trips and will replace her 1980 acadian, so it is an upgrade in that way.

Are they worth it?

dac122

I currently have about 145K miles on my '97 Taurus GL 3.0L Vulcan engine. It was around 100,000-110,000 miles that I started to pour money into it. Not just a few hunderd dollars mind you but more like serveral thousand dollars.

While I like the car in many ways, it has been hands down the most expensive car I've owned (somewhere around $7000 for repairs) and severely soured my taste for Ford products.

On the plus side I've learned a ton of new backyard mechanic tricks.

From what I've read and learned, IMHO, the 1996-1999 model years did not live up to the Taurus name very well. I'd look for a 2000 or later model if you're set on a Taurus.

360ci

My 99 has served me very well. I'm nearing 160 000 kms with it and keep it well maintained - synthetic fluids everywhere, alignment every couple years etc etc. I'd rather spend a few dollars now than a few hundred down the road. Be sure to get previous maintenance records of the car. The 2000 and up models are the same mechanically as the 96-99 cars except no more SHO. The 2000+ models also have a larger fuel tank and obviously different int/ext styling. It comes down to personal preference. Shop around carefully and try to get maintenance records!

__________________
'00 Durango R/T 360ci 290hp (modded); 138,500m
'06 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L 220hp; 44,000m
'12 Chrysler 200 Limited 3.6L 283hp; 13,000m
'99 Taurus 3.0L 2V Vulcan 145hp; 154,300m - Traded
Amsoil in all vehicles!

venusfan

Bought my 2000 Taurus for $3600 May 2006 116K, came loaded with evertyhing including leather,auto climate control, cd changer.. only missing sunroof and trac control.

Problems:

1- From day 1 it had a flashing check engine light. Turns out it was a misfire in Cylinder 1. Had friend checked and said it maybe the ignition coil. Bought coil on ebay $60 had friend changed coil, plugs, spark and payed $100.


2-A year later, yes, a year without any problems. car would not crank one day at work. A coworker gave me a jump then I head to walmart bought a battery $60. Replace battery and problem solved.

3- low collant light coming on and off.. determine the sensor is messed up as nothing wrong with my coolant.

4- Check Engine Light error code statig ignition coil problem. Turns out squirrels went to the hood and bite a wire on the engine. Got wire repaired for $25.

So in 17 months of owning my Taurus and 11K miles I've put less than $300 into repairs of the car. I think If I were to put $1000's of dollars into a car I would just replace it and done.

SHOZ123

$1000 doesn't buy much car.

partsman01

Well bought the car in November, have not done anything to it yet, got it for just over $2000.00 as I paid to have it inspected and I have to fix an oil leak from the oil pan and I want to change the serpentine belt, but it seems to be a good car.
Now looking at a 96 Contour for the wife.

SHOZ123

Put a tranny cooler on it and change the fluid every 30k. Also change the coolant every 2 years.