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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Sounds like mostly an appearance package.
As for the car, for the Sable LS Premier at least, they did do shock/spring recalibrations as I recall as part of the 2000 model after receiving complaints with the '99. My 2000 isn't some autobahn cruiser, but it handles and rides very well.
FYI to those shopping these cars, when I was purchasing the 2000 Sable, a salesman indicated that Ford offered better deals on the Sable sedan (over the Taurus sedan) and vice versa for the wagons. I did in fact find this to be the case back then at least. Not clear why this is. One nice feature on my Sable and not on the top end Taurus at the time was integrated fog lights, and I also think the trunk and hood lines on the Sable are nicer. In the Northeast, and some other selected areas, Mercury also offers free leather, moonroof and ABS on the high end Sable's which might not be the same for the Taurus. This version is the Sable LS Premier Touring Edition. I've seen ads in the Boston area for these with everything but the Mach audio and side airbag/traction control options for $19399 after rebates. Lot of car for the money!
Get all the options and you could be driving the Sable LS Premier Platinum Touring Edition! That's a mouthful!
Jeff
Agreed more horsepower would be needed to earn a SHO badge.
And, of course, the now obligitory white gauges...
SVT should just make simple SHO, yes I love my cam-busting v8 motor, but if they are saying they can't make the v8 anymore I would be happy with the Duratec v6, tuned by SVT for more hp (260 shouldn't be a problem). Then, a six speed manual option (and also for auto fans make a decent shifting auto)and good SVT suspension.
Just the HO motor, tranny options/improvements and sport suspension tire option shouldn't be more than 2-3 grand over a basic Taurus.
Imagine being able to check "SVT", "SHO" or "SVO" option on a base Taurus......you could then have a low priced canyon carver with high HP for low price!
Then maybe a couple of luxury package options, and maybe just alacarte choices of stuff like sunroof and leather/sport seats. I would even buy leatherette if it was available.
A body kit ground effects sports package could be standard or optional.
Can you imagine a 260hp, 6 speed Maxima killer with basic equipment, ABS, and sunroof, for around 20 grand? That would put Taurus back on track with Taurus sales.
If Ford just got those basics right, they sure would send the Taurus out with the spirit of the original SHO.
The ST-6 changer package is what you want to add a changer.
I hope they do, as my '90 Taurus did and I never had to replace it in 10 years--and in northern climate with lots of winter road salt, cold startup vapor condensation etc. I hope they didn't abandon the stainless exhaust as a cost cutting measure.
Auto reliability has come a long way from the "good old days" when you had to have a tuneup every 10,000 miles and tires went 20,000 miles at most.
On another subject, I am surprised Ford is using any Firestone tires, after the big Explorer/Firestone tire fiasco. I thought they had cut ties completely with Firestone. My '00 has Continentals that are fair. They seem to work very well on snow, fair on dry pavement, but have very little wet pavement traction. It is easy to spin the wheels on wet pavement. The 200HP Duratec makes this show up more.
I will upgrade to something better when they wear out.
I,too, was surprised that the car came with Firestone tires. I also plan to upgrade to either Bridgestone Potenza's or possibly Michellin Pilot's, but am holding out until I can't stand it any longer.
Now, if I can just find the rattle, I will be happy again with the car. By the way, mine is an SES model, black, with gray leather and the rear spoiler. I still get compliments on the car, and even some questioning just what exactly am I driving.
I think Ford would sell a ton more of them if they promoted it more. Great bargain compared to the major foreign competitors. (Accord and Camry, of course)
Would like to put in a nice aftermarket speaker, but don't know how this would effect the overall sound. Would I need to replace all 6 speakers for best results? Would the amp and equilizer settings still work with the new speakers? Is this something a car stereo novice could tackle?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
4 - 5 dots, huh?? Wow! You do like it loud if the radio works the same as in our 2001 Taurus SEL!
Have trouble making a smooth acceleration from a stopped position.
I asked awhile back, anyone with high mileage yet on their 2000 and newer Taurus? How are they doing, any problems other than routine maintenance?
This board is pretty quiet. Guess everyone is happily, quietly enjoying their Tauri.
I posted here a (long) while back explaining that the factory alarm on her '97 Taurus LX was randomly going off at all hours of the nights. Well, as mysteriously as it started, is seems to have stopped (at least for now). It sure had her scared to lock her doors (ok, she is an extremely timid and anxious little woman), and she still refuses to lock them. I don't like the idea of her car sitting in a parking lot for days (like it often is) unattended and unlocked. It's a good thing that the car's ignition needs the chip in the key to start.
Was just showing my 10 year old nephew the SEL. He got a big kick out of the keypad on the door,
the power seat and extender pedals. Wants his Dad to get one like it.
Locked the car with my wife in it at a shopping center the other day. When she got out the alarm sounded but by the time she found me it had quit.
Won't do that again.
Time will tell, but it is way too soon to predict better reliability for this generation. I'm not sure Ford cares and eventually that will lead to their downfall as younger generations continue to buy Japanese and European nameplates because of a perception they are more reliable.
Any recommendations?
I go by the book on maintenance, so I should be able to pass this car down to the girls as a good car in a couple of years. Will I buy another Ford? I am not sure. I am not thrilled at all the problems encountered with this vehicle. I am surprised that with all my problems in the past, that Ford has never contacted me, with concerns, comments or critisisms that I might have regarding the vehicle, the service. I have to believe that they keep a data base on their automobiles and the number of problems that occur. If they saw my file, they are probably too embarrassed to contact me.
Also, what kind of mileage are you getting with all your driving?
I get approx. 27 miles on the freeway. Approx. 40 of the 220 miles is mountainous. In the city, I get approx. 18 miles, sometimes less depending on my driving habits.
If you ever get new set, get them balanced in the dealership. 3rd party shops are cutting corners on lead weights and they are pretty much small compare with dealership weights. I had this problem. I took it to dealership they balanced it since then they are excellent.
One other suggestion that I read here, wash your alloys with dish detergent before you take it in for balancing, this way weight will stick to alloy like glue and you won't loose them, otherwise surface dirt may cause loss of wheel weight.
Mine is built in Georgia plant which is considered risky plant in terms of quality. I got 30K, so far power steering pump was replaced, other than that, it's been good. Got the trany. flushed at 22K. and before the summer, got all fluids replaced. Keep an eye on brake fluid. It must be like champagne color, if it is darker get it replaced asap.
My 97 had the "service engine soon" light go on last week. I thought it was emmisions. My mechanic told me the code stated excessive slippage in the transmission. Tranny seems fine to me. The light was reset and I've driven approximately 150 miles since and no Service Engine Soon" light has gone back on.Hoping it was something with a bad sensor signal; although I've heard these trannies go without much warning.
My mechanic also stated he liked the old Vulcan motor over the DOHC. Thinks it is built better and will last longer. Who knows? Just his opinion.
I didn't read anything where Ford states that significant improvements were made to the new (2k and on) trannies.I was told at my Ford dealership that there are two suppliers of transmissions; one is much better than the other.
I too am curious as to what symptoms the car had before your transmissions failed.
Like I said before, way too early to tell if Ford has improved reliability on the Taurus/Sable. This is the same company that keeps cranking out 3.8 liter engines. I wouldn't want that piece of head gasket eating junk!
Excessive slippage may be not with transmission by with torque converter. It has piston clutch that can slip when for some reason transmission fluind leaking from internal sealings. But you have to feel hash engagment at 15 mph. It doesn't work normally when there is excessive TC slippage, because computer increases trans fluid pressure. Another sign is a harsh engagment when you go from parking to drive.
I had a similar problem with my '97 Sable in which the alarm would go off for no reason at all. It turned out to be a faulty sensor in the engine lid that was affected by moisture.
You can still lock your doors without setting the alarm. All you need to do is push down on the lock instead of using the electronic buttons or remote. This should lock the door, but not set the alarm.
After driving all those cars I would say, without question, the imports are far superior to the domestics. I remember driving the taurus and then going to the Toyota dealer, driving the '02 Camry and being shocked at how much smoother, more refined and better designed and engineered it is than the Ford or any of the domestics.
My favorite out of all cars I drove? It was the Passat. I thought it provided the best driving experience. There really is something to that German heritage. The car I actually bought? My second favorite. A 2002 V6 Honda Accord. Why? I keep my cars a long time and I just didn't trust VW's long term reliability. I know with a Honda or Toyota product one is virtually assured bullet proof quality and reliability for years and years, and hundreds of thousands of miles. In the final analysis that can't be said for American or German cars.
So coming over here and possibly many other subscriptions and expressing your taste is pointless.
To me, having a car with big radio knob or a little loud engine is better than paying $600-$800 for timing belt and water pump or dumping bagfull money to expensive service calls and maintenance items or most important paying inflated sticker price.
We don't care your taste. However you are most welcome to discuss technicall issues and differences between cars. I believe this is more realistic. If I have enough time, I can generate a big Accord problems or Camry problems lists too.
Good luck your purchase, and if you decide to discuss technical and performance related issues, you are welcome.
I have a 2001 Sable LS without the Mach audio too. I found the system to be a little "weak" so I made several modifications to the audio system one of which was component speakers(pillar speakers) I used Infinity 605cs two way components. These retail for about $180 a pair but you can find them much cheaper on the internet. These speakers will require you to remove the sail panel (black triangular plastic) and cut a round hole that allows for the installation of the component tweeter. The mid-woofer will fit in the existing factory speaker door opening but will require two new holes to be drilled. You are correct in assuming that the wiring already exists. It is inside the door panel. The problem is there is no signal to the wiring without the Mach system. The Infinity speakers include a crossover unit that bypasses the factory setup. The difference in sound quality is very, very noticeable with the component speakers BUT keep in mind that you will still be using the non MACH amplifier which only puts out 6 watts per channel, so the whole musical experience won't be that dramatic. The installation is pretty straight forward and can be done using the existing wiring. If you would like any information on this please let me know as I have replaced all four speakers, installed front components, and added an external amp to the factory system.
Good luck,
Scott
inflated sticker price - that's funny. that's something you'll NEVER have to worry about with a taurus. or anything remotely resembling decent resale value. the most amazing thing is that this car won't be redesigned for years. YIKES!
One other comment - Does anyone else on this board ever wonder the purpose of certain post? Earlier this week a post was made that a 2k Taurus has gone thru 3 transmissions. Is this possible, yes. But when you ask for specifics you get silence. I sometimes wonder if some of the postings are from people who don't even own the car and are looking to slam, why I can't tell you.
As for the post that tells us how inferior a Taurus is to a bunch of other cars, what was the point of posting it here. I agree with some of what was said in that post. But most of us have our reasons for the purchase we made.
I find it distasteful that this guy posted here that he purchased a car other than Taurus or Sable.
The comparison he makes is interesting although he doesn't elaborate much but boasts that he bought a Honda Accord? Please post it in the Honda thread.
I'm not denying that Camrys and Accords are good cars but wouldn't attempt to insult my fellow Sable/Taurus owners by informing them that I purchased a different make.
I really don't have brand loyalty. However, I not only like my Sable but also I can think of several advantages of owning a Taurus/Sable over the Japanese competition. This thread, however, is not for comparisons. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I love my Mercury Sable and would rush out to purchase another one bypassing others. It offers advantages that others don't even come close to offering. Sometimes I think that Ford doesn't capitalize on
it.