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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

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Comments

  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    While my wife has a 2001 Taurus SEL, my car is a 2000 Mustang convertible. One of the big reasons I bought this car is loving a 1999 Mustang rental from Hertz in Las Vegas. Well, we've been to Vegas 3 times since then and have rented a car from Hertz at the airport every time. The first two years we had a Pontiac Grand Am and this last year a Nissan Maxima. Funny...the company is owned by Ford but seems like they're doing all they can to spread the "rental car" image to other brands too!
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    If I was Billy Ford, I'd order Hertz Co. to fill the lots with the competition's cars and then make them have bigger "Hertz" stickers on them.
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Why is Honda misrepresenting the MSRP on Taurus? When you use Honda's Web site feature to compare a 2003 Ford Taurus SES Deluxe with 2003 Honda LX V-6 Sedan, they list MSRP for the Taurus of $22,120 and $650 shipping charges which is ok so far, but they end up with the total MSRP of $23,520 rather than $22120+650=$22770. Where did this extra $750 come from? My guess, they lied!

    When you list the 2003 Honda Accord LX V-6 Sedan, the MSRP for that car with shipping is listed at $23,460, conveniently for them slightly less than the faulty MSRP they list for Taurus.

    They also conveniently didn't list that the Taurus has alloy wheels standard. Yes, this particular Honda model has a few features the equivalent Taurus doesn't, like rear disc brakes and a 5 speed automatic. But, I think misrepresenting the Taurus MSRP is inexcusable.

    Of course, real world purchase price would make Taurus much more attractive, but Honda shouldn't start out with an erroneous MSRP.
  • danielj6danielj6 Member Posts: 285
    That may be called what is known as "deceptive advertisement" by Honda perhaps.

    That's okay I'd still buy Ford ;)
    Let people deal with Honda's and Toyota's arrogance and supercilious attitudes.

    I'll keep my Merc or buy another one or a Ford.
  • pondiouspondious Member Posts: 1
    We own a 1999 SE, 12V. We bought it because it was cheap. We purchased it in 2000 with 25K miles for $11,000. We have had it for slightly more than 2 yrs/20K miles and nothing major has happened, except for :
    1. there seems to be some electrical problem somewhere. Sometimes when I turn the steering wheel, my wipers go on and then off on their on. This also happens sometimes when we use the turn signal.

    2. Engine rattling/pinging under acceleration. This is really not a big deal for us but our other automobile (which I will not mention because I do not want to offend anyone) is just so smooth under acceleration, you can't help but notice it. I can live with it on an $11,000 car though. I wonder how the

    This is my wife's car so I do not know when it actually started. I have driven it for the past 3 weeks and it happened twice. My guess is it's the multifunction switch. I'll try that before going to the dealer, I know they'll want "an arm and a leg", just for the switch.

    Here is one thing I discovered last weekend: PLEASE SERVICE YOU TRANSNISSION!! if you don't want problems. I have 45K on mine (I know, 15K overdue), and decided to change my own ATF just to see if this is one of those rip-offs by the dealer/Ford. Here' what I found out:
    1. Fluid very dirty.
    2. So many metal pieces on the the magnet.
    3. Oil pan bottom dirty.
    4. Filter, I don't know, I didn't look, it had to be dirty as well.

    Here's how much it cost me, I was doing it for the first time:
    1. Time 2hrs
    2. Haynes manual $15.00 (Autozone)
    3. Oil $16.50 (8 qts Ford ATF, got scared to add synthetic after seeing all the little metal pieces)
    4. Filter ($20 NAPA - Ford wanted $37).

    ** Ford, a drain plug to allow us to empty the pan before removing it would make the job a lot cleaner.
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    Had mine done at about 31k miles at the dealer. Cost something like $70 or $80 dollars.

    Next repair is a brake job. Pads and rotors turned. Anyone have this done lately? How much $$$?
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    The pinging could be that the ECM (engine computer) needs to be reset/reprogrammed.

    I negotiated a brake job at Merlin's for $220. Front pads and rotors. Sometimes you can haggle for repairs, too
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    Only because IMO your tranny is not 15K overdue, but 30K overdue. I've owned mostly Chrysler and Ford vehicles over the years. Both are notorious for fussy transmissions. If maintained meticulously they work forever. Don't maintain = overhaul.

    After replacing one transmission I always service automatics every 15K by doing what you did. Draining and replacing the fluid and filter. Never had a serious problem since. I've talked my Dad into getting that service done at least annually on his 95 Taurus.

    Drive it for about 5000 miles and then see if you still see dark fluid, or smell a slight burnt smell. Just draining out the fluid takes about half of it away. A second time will remove 75% of the old fluid.

    My Son's Mazda with a Ford Transmission was sticking when it needed to shift between 1st and 2nd. A drain and fill, and adding Lubegard took care of the problem within a few days. However, when he took it in again for its annual service this summer the fluid still smelled burnt, so it was replaced again. With the second drain and fill it looks and smells just about as good as new. Certainly better than when he bought it.

    It's funny, given the cost of a replacement, how the transmission is so seriously neglected.

    PS. Check out www.lubegard.com It helps reduce acids and heat that harm transmissions. Helped stop further damage on at least 4 friends vehicles. They will send the manufacturers recommendations and TSBs if you want.
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    My dad is looking at a 96 LX with Leather interior; according to a New Car Test Drive review, a CD changer wasn't even an option for 96 Tauruses, but in pictures of an LX interior from Edmunds, there is a button for "CD" and "tune 1-6 disc" on the faceplate.
    I was wondering if anyone has a 96 taurus with the cd changer or was it not available for 96. Or if not does anyone know of a way to retrofit a "normal" CD player in the pod ( I know there is an aftermarket accessory to do this for escorts with the pod). Thanks
  • sarowsarow Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone have an opinion on the Sable vs. the Taurus? I found good reviews of both of them on the New Car Test Drive website. http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?ReviewID=1226
  • ezaircon4jcezaircon4jc Member Posts: 793
    I have a 96 Sable. There was an option for a console mounted CD changer. Foolishly, I didn't get one as the dealer wanted $600. I added an aftermarket, FM modulated CD changer in the trunk. It is adequate, but that's all. As it is now the wifes car (and she doesn't care), it is fine. Try www.radiosandmore.com or www.crutchfield.com for add-on CD changers. They should be able to set you up.

    sarow,

    The Sable and Taurus are virtually the same car. The Sable is decked out a little better, but mechanically they are the same. It basically comes down to styling. Which do you like better?
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Well, we have had two Caravans (1985 and current 1996) and Two Tauri(1990 and current 2000) and have had no transmission problems on any of them and did not baby them with frequent fluid & filter changes. We sold the 85 Caravan with 78,000 miles and only changed fluid and filter once at 60,000. Same with the 90 Taurus, which we sold at 98,000 miles and it had one fluid and filter change at 60,000 miles. The current 96 Caravan is at 60,000 miles now and running fine-it is due for it's first transmission change soon (manual says you could go to 100,000 but I don't wait quite that long). The 2000 Taurus has nearly 20,000 miles on it and running fine and I do not plan on any transmission fluid changes for quite a while. So am I just lucky or what? I certainly have not found that either Ford or Chrysler transmissions need babying.
  • roadrascalroadrascal Member Posts: 35
    I just bought a 1999 Taurus SE with the Mach stereo system. The front speakers seem to only have mid-range and bass (no treble). The rear deck speakers sound good. I'm assuming the little black speakers mounted on the doors next to the side mirrors are tweeters only. And yes, I have messed with the bass/ treble controls along the fader. Anyone else come across this problem? It's still under warranty but I'm hoping it's just a quick fix. Thanks.
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    Well I've been having my 01 SES for 8 months now. It has 34k miles and I have no complaints at all. I'm really a Toyota person, but I'm not getting rid of my bull until it gives me a good reason too. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised!
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    You put on a lot of miles. At that rate over 50K a year. My 00 SES is now just over 2 years with 19K. No problems at all so far.

    Glad to see yours is doing fine. Is it a Duratec or Vulcan engine?

    Keep us posted as the miles add up.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    no problems aside from the fact that the sound basically sucks. I would love to replace my Mach system and speakers but there is no way to replace a MAch system. I haven't looked into just replacing the speakers.
  • whamerskwhamersk Member Posts: 2
    Purchased new in '99... 60K miles .....no problems until 6/02.
    When cold, especially parked a day or two on uphill driveway....very difficult starting...all codes read OK at dealer...Can anyone offer some help in diagnosis????
  • ehennessehenness Member Posts: 92
    What's the condition of the battery? On a '99, it's possible it could be on the way out. Maybe stop by a parts store like Auto Zone or Pep Boys, who will usually be able to do a check while you wait.

    One other thought--fuel quality problems and things like that don't come up with codes, but yet can still mean trouble. Did you just have a cold snap after filling up in the hot weather? I'm in New England, and late last spring we had a week of 70+ degree weather and then it dropped into the 40s for a week. I filled up on the last day of the hot spell, and then my '98 Taurus was harder to start. They blend gasoline based somewhat on the outside temps. Warmer weather gas is less volatile, because it burns easier at higher temps. The cold weather made my car with that gas grumpy--longer cranking times, a bit of a stumble when it first fired, and really bad gas mileage. Next tank the weather had stabilized, and all was well. No codes came up because there wasn't anything the computer thought was wrong.

    Could this be the problem?
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    On my old 90 Taurus, when you turned the key to start but before you actually turned it all the way to engage the starter, the electric fuel pump mounted at the gas tank would start to run (you could hear a low level whine). I noticed that if I paused briefly to let the fuel pump get up to speed, the starter did not have to crank as long, as the pressure was full up.

    It might be possible your battery is not getting the pump pressure up quickly, thus causing the delay in firing up. Maybe this phenomena is more pronounced if you park going uphill?

    You might also want to post in the Edmunds Taurus/Sable maintenance board also.

    I am just speculating on these ideas, anybody else have any experience?
  • ndfarndfar Member Posts: 19
    What is the best recommended way to chang oil?? Most shops offer a fluid exchange for $60-$80 but it doesn't change the filter. Then for about $60 I found one that chaged the filter but then the oil in the torque converter doesn't get changed. I also heard some that the fluid exchange puts pressure on all the seals and can cause them to leak. So what do I do?
  • hutch7hutch7 Member Posts: 88
    I have a '98 Sable with the 12V Vulcan. I was going to change the coolant this weekend but I can't find the drain. Anyone done this job?
  • jdefries1jdefries1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 sable with the duratec engine. On acceleration under load, hills, high gear without downshift etc. I get a vibration that shakes the whole car. It is not wheels rather engine/transmission induced. Has been there awhile and getting worse. 46,000 on odometer. Anyone else experience this?
  • ezaircon4jcezaircon4jc Member Posts: 793
    whamersk,

    Let me guess. The car is pointed with the nose up on the driveway? You also show more/less (depending on which end is up) gas than you thought you had? How much gas is in the tank?

    Editorial: If you want your fuel pump (which is in the tank) to last a long time, don't go below 1/4 tank unless you have to. The fuel in the tank cools the pump. End of editorial.

    I'm not totally sure, but I believe the pump is in the front of the tank. If you're "low" on fuel and the car is at such an angle that the fuel runs away from the pump, you could have a hard starting problem. I have never had a starting problem with my '96 Duratec Sable with 112K miles. Except for when the battery died.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    I just bought new 2002 Camry XLE with tons of options for my friend who panics over haggling with dealers and can tell you than we got it $4000 below MSRP. I wrote previously that I bought new 2002 Sable Premium for $5,000 below MSRP for myself. I just like Sable style inside out more than any other car, esp Camry and quality-wise it is still high quality car.

    Now I bought Sable for 18,700 (20,700 with taxes and fees) and we bought Camry XLE for ~$25,500 (28,000+). Camry has more options like power passenger seat, traction control, side airbags, more leather accents, better audio system with more features and even embedded garage opener. All these ontions probably worth about $2,000, so we get about 5,000 difference here. Does it worth it? Probably yes considering quality of interior more in Lincoln territory, higher quality engine, better transmission and brakes. That issues should be met by Ford in next Taurus and 500 or it will loose.

    What I want to say that not only Ford sells cars in discount price. All new Camry is still was sold below invoice.
  • whamerskwhamersk Member Posts: 2
    ehenness, badgerfan,ezaircon4jc..thanks for the ideas...Battery is 12.6V, fuel is usually 1/2 tank or more....I've used several different brands..quality seems OK....I'm still crankin' and hoping for a warm winter.
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    I'm sorry my post #1714 was misleading. I have 34k miles on my 01 SES, but I purchased it 8 months ago with 26k miles, so I only average 1k miles/month or 12k miles/year. Pretty average.
  • moondawgmoondawg Member Posts: 24
    I've been looking at many cars lately,to replace my '99 Toyota.I like the looks of the Taurus/Sable.When,at two different dealers,recently,I tried opening the driver side doors.Both cars(Sables)had doors that stuck,seemingly,at the catches.Anyone have this problem?Also,my father-in-law,who happens to own a transmission shop,said,that the Mercury makes a better engine/transmission than in the Ford.I gave him a very strange look.So,is this a fact,or a falsehood?
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    I doubt very much any difference between Taurus and Sable transmissions. The cars are basically twins, except for sheet metal and trim.

    There are however two different engine options on both Taurus and Sable, and thus also two different transmissions that accompany these engines. I do not know if one or the other transmission is "better". Anyone else have any knowledge? Is the transmission on the Vulcan pushrod engine vs the Duratec DOHC engine any less or more reliable?

    As far as stuck doors, I have no experience-it has not happened to me. Perhaps it was the rubber seals sticking slightly if the cars had sat on the lot a long time without being opened.
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    when my dad had his '96 LX, the driver's door would stick when it was damp out. You'd pull on the handle a few (4-5) times and then it would unlatch. Never did get that fixed, 'cause it didn't happen very often.
  • g1994stsg1994sts Member Posts: 26
    These cars are an excellent value for what they cost new or used. Seen a couple '99's In dealer advertisements for as low as $7,000 (30-50K miles). My wife's car is a '99 Taurus. Excellent car, Rides very smoothly and feels well connected to the road. I think will be dumping my '94 STS (109K miles) for a used 98-99 Taurus. The Cadillac Is basically worthless used, It seems nobody Is interested In these wobbling extra long Sedans, The jittery electronic road sensing suspension causes the car to constantly vibrate. If I'm lucky to get at least $4,500 for It, I'll dump It for a Taurus or Sable.
  • flyingmouseflyingmouse Member Posts: 3
    Hi Guys, I just bought a 1999 Taurus SE with 39000 miles on it. I like the car very much except one thing: I found that the MPG is only a little less than 20 Miles per Gallon, while I noticed that the specs says it can go to 20/28 MPG. I used it for commuting to work and the traffic is local/highway mixed.
    So is the 20- mpg abnormal? Anything I should do to check it out?
    Thanks!
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Your mileage sounds a little low, but it really depends on how much of your mix of city and highway is city. Sitting idling at stop lights can really kill mileage. I have occasionally gotten as low as 19 driving to work and back, which is also a mix of city and highway, but normally I get about 21. Mileage pops up to 27-29 strictly highway. I don't think there is much difference between the Vulcan and Duratec mileage, however with the Duratec, my tendency becomes to punch it more, as the acceleration is available. This of course, is not best for mileage!
  • ohio7ohio7 Member Posts: 67
    I have a 2000 SEL which of course has the Duratec engine. On straight highway driving I've gotten 31 mpg. In the city with the AC on, I get 17/18. Without it on I get 19/20.

    Have just barely 14,000 miles on it now and still am very happy with the car. My only complaint was that after I took it in for a recall concerning the grease from the asjustable brakes slipping into the brake light mechanism, about 8 months later I couldn't start the car. I called the Road Assistance number and a female (good for her!) told me how to start it and not be stranded anymore. Of course I had to take it in to have another light mechanism installed - their cost, but my loss of time.

    I also called an 800 Customer Service number that the dealer provided, and complained about the incident. They seemed very concerned about the failure of the first recall fix. Hoping this is the last episode.
  • ppetrickppetrick Member Posts: 1
    I am looking to purchase a wagon to replace a Toyota Camry wagon for carpool up to 7 passenger(mostly preteen children). Am considering the sable wagon, but it appears that the rear door only opens from the outside. Is this what is meant by child safety lock door? Any thoughts on other wagons, short of the Mercedes?
  • haris1haris1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 95 Taurus LX Wagon with 3.8 engine. When I drive 45mph or higher, a buzzing noise is coming from the dashboard, and the odometer is pointing to a higher speed than I am actually driving. When I slow down to under 45mph, the noise is gone. The noise stays on most of the time that I am driving above 45-50mph, it is very annoying. Anyone experiencing with such a problem or with a possible solution to this problem is very much appreciated. Thanks.
  • jenningsmjenningsm Member Posts: 8
    Mouse... I have a 98 Taurus SE with Duratec (80K miles with NO problems and NO unscheduled dealer visits except for a broken trunk mounted CD Changer).
    In our case the mileage depends on who is driving... In our mix (80% highway, 20% city) I will get 22-23 and wifey gets 25-26. Attributed to me just driving it harder than she does. Worst case is 15mpg in heavy Vegas traffic in summer. Best case is 28 during a holiday week commute when there was no traffic to speak of...

    So, you are actually right about where I am...
    best, MDJ
  • ehennessehenness Member Posts: 92
    Sounds like your speedometer cable is in need of lubrication or replacement. If you are handy, you may be able to get the end of the cable out of the speedometer, bring it down under the dash, and lube it with a very light mineral oil or graphite. If you're not handy or comfortable doing this, I'd suggest a speedometer shop, dealer, or other shop you trust to lube and/or replace it. If the shop says they can't get at it well, you may want to have it replaced. Lubing it may or may not completely cure the problem, but replacement should. There's a chance the speedometer is going bad, but that's less likely.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Both rear doors have a child safety setting that can be turned either on or off via a lever on the door jam. Obviously, the one you tried was on!
  • 427435427435 Member Posts: 86
    First: 1996 Sable, 43,000 miles (Grandmother's car). Bought when Mom stopped driving and my wife has been driving it. When she locks it, the alarm will frequently go off sometime after she has left the car. I tried setting the alarm and shaking the car and all the doors, hood, and trunk lid and alarm wouldn't go off. Ford service didn't have any other suggestions.

    Anyone else ever experience this? Manual doesn't have any directions to disable. Any suggestions?

    Second: 2002 Sable, 23,000 miles (my commuting car). Since new, the shift into 4th shudders. I know this used to be a problem until Ford developed a better transmission fluid. The 1996 shifts fine (both have the 24 valve engine). Finally taking it back to the dealer this week---waiting to see if any other problems developed so I wouldn't have to go in multiple times.

    Anyone else have this problem on an '02 or '03?
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    I have 94 Taurus with 140,000 miles and Vulcan 3,0L engine and new 2002 Sable with 3,000 miles and Duratec engine. I'm commuting on both of them and it is about 65 miles round trip. Several miles in city and weekends it is mostly city. On both of them it is pretty close to specs. In average both get 26 mpg, AC is on most of the time.

    About speedometer. If speedometer shows higher speed it sounds wierd. It is better to go to dealer. Failed speedometer or speed sensor will affect transmission.

    There is no shudder on my cars at any speed.
  • jlaszlojlaszlo Member Posts: 60
    Looking to buy a '99 SHO. Does the engine only take premium fuel of can it run on 87 with lower power?
  • g1994stsg1994sts Member Posts: 26
    My wife's '99 taurus runs strong and ping free on 89 octane. Today she filled up with 87 and the thing sounds so horrible, It feels like you're driving a 70's jollopy blowing blue smoke out the back.

    These cars simply dont run well on 87 octane as specified In the owner's manual. I could care less, It's just that the owner's manual does not make any provisions for bumping up to 89 octane. It only warns you to use only 87 octane, this is asinine. While the car was still under warranty I would periodically complain during routine service. All I would get Is the usual dog and pony show answers: oh, everything Is factory sealed and theres nothing we can do. Or, using higher octane will not resolve the problem. Oh yes It does, If put 93 octane the car screams like I have a V8 under the hood.

    The point here Is, no car should sound like junk. It Is my understanding that most other car companies like GM, In the owner's manual usually says that your car was engineered to run on 87 octane, but It's ok to use a higher octane for better performance. My manual says exactly the reverse, It tells you not to use a higher octane or your engine could develop performance problems. Any thoughts on this on going Ford joke Is greatly appreciated.
  • ezaircon4jcezaircon4jc Member Posts: 793
    My '96 Sable with the Duratec and 113K miles runs just fine on 87. And that's with the garbage gas that the environMENTALists make us burn.
  • banddexpressbanddexpress Member Posts: 63
    Can get a 02 for 12,000 with 16,500k on it is that a good price? I think its a program but its in my price range. Was wondering how they are running? Would appreciate feedback. Thanks
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    And that's pretty low mileage too. I paid 13k for my 01 SES with 26k miles 9 months ago and it's been perfect.

    The only regret I have is not holding out for a 24v 200 hp engine. But that wasn't an option at the time of my purchase.

    Make sure you get the VIN and get a CARFAX history report.
  • 427435427435 Member Posts: 86
    2nd post. Anyone ever have any problem with false car alarms like I'm having with a '96 Sable? Does anyone know where the control module for the alarm and door lock system is located?
    Thanks for any feedback.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    Hi, g1994sts. I am using 89 (performance plus) on my '94 Taurus with Vulcan for almost three years just because it doesn't move on 87 regular. And nothing bad had developed yet, it just going on with all that high milage with no harm to engine. I would be more carefull though with premium, because higher octane means higher temperatures. But anyway Vulcan is very reliable engine, but is a too old and it is shame that Ford is still using it instead of modern four banger. I think that even Toyotas old 2.2 L four is much better engine, weighs less and feels more like V6 compared to old-tech Vulcan. I had choosen Duratec for my new car and it is a blast, it btw weighs less, whats good for handling, 87 is enough.

    I wouldn't recommend Vulcan to anyone, I have experience with both engines and after driving Duratec and even Japanese four bangers (esp new ones from Camry and Altima) you will regret to have Vulcan under the hood, just ignore it and move forward to the modern engine.
  • kw_carmankw_carman Member Posts: 114
    My grandmother's 1997 Taurus LX had the same problem. After locking it, it would go off at all hours in the middle of the night. The old crabs at the retirement center she lives in kept calling and calling, and by the time she got down to it, it had stopped.

    I don't really know what happened, because I never really got a clear answer to the problem. On her Taurus, the problem seems to have disappeared for the time being, so I'm not complaining any.
  • danielj6danielj6 Member Posts: 285
    You guys are happy because late model Tauruses are a good deal to purchase. The other side of the story is that they devalue rapidly and a lot.

    My fully equipped 00 Merc. Sable will not produce more that $12000 on trade. It's a station wagon LS Premium. Selling it to a private party will give me $1000 more, that's it. If I were to buy it from a dealer, I'd be paying $14000+. All this according to Edmunds.com TMV assessment.
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