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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Thanks.
xu
Thanks
Car history:
Bought in Feb 03
ex fleet car from Michigan
16k miles, already have had a rear coil spring break and puncture a tire, egr sensor component replaced (Ford extended warranty for this part), power seat motor replaced, and battery died while driving down the road (no kidding!) I hope that this gets better soon, otherwise I feel like I am driving a :lemon:
I was only really wondering if I could sell the car for that much. I think I'll just keep it because I LOVE the car and I did get a great deal on it. Besides that, I don't want to deal with getting another car loan anyway. The payment on this car is $182.96 a month. I bought the car 1/24/05 with 57,000 miles and my payoff is only $6,950 as of today. My loan is 4 years and have 3.5 left to go (assuming I make minimum). I may start paying $200.00 a month and that will shave off about 9 months of payments.
The only thing on this car that don't work is the front passenger seat belt is locked up and only pulls out so far. I don't know if someone yanked it too hard or what, but I just don't feel like fixing it (unless I sell it). I'll just haul people in the backseat.
Not to mention, I use this car daily for PIZZA DELIVERY on backroads,rough terrain, and curves (Southeastern Ohio area). This car has proven to handle well in these conditions and the suspension seems very tough. At idle, this car is SILENT and everything mechanically is fine. I have done routine maintenance (especially the flushes) to keep this baby at its top.
I feel I can easily get this thing to 150,000 with no drama. If I can make it there, I will continue to buy Ford.
Thanks for any input!
- Alex
"Basically the same" in dealer-speak does not mean the same "same" as a reasonable person would mean by "the same."
IOW, their "basically" is a qualifier meaning (in human speech) "close enough for me to sell it to you without having to think that I'm really lying to you, though probably even that is permissible in order to sell a car." :P
Now, the 2005 feels cheaper than it is and the backseat looks like it came out of a late 1970's domestic. The door panels are awful and nothing is intuitive on the dash. What did Ford do to this once great nameplate?
By contrast, I owned a fairly base 1990 Taurus L, bought new and drove ten years, and I now drive a 2000 Taurus SES again bought new (One notch below the SEL which was the top of the line Taurus in 2000).
Actually between the ten years, my cost for the 2000 SES was not all that much more than the 1990 Taurus L, certainly increased much less than the general inflation in that time period.
Here is what my 2000 SES has that the 1990 L did not:
Dual front Airbags ( the 1990 only had a drive side)
Dual Visors
The optional 200 HP 3.0 Duratech (plenty of power for all but the leadfoot-my old Taurus had the 3.0 V-6 Vulcan, a very good engine for the time but nothing like the Duratech)
Split folding rear seats
Power Windows
Low fuel indicator
ABS brakes
Remote door unlock and trunk unlock
Alloy wheels, 16" vs old Taurus had steel 15" wheels
Flip fold center console (yes, my 2000 Taurus has a column shift, I don't need to impress anyone with a merely cosmetic floor mounted shifter.)
Power drivers seat with manual lumbar adjust.
Better mileage by my own measurements
Time delayed accessories power until door is opened
Dual map pockets on the back of both front seats
Much quieter operation
Sturdier, more versatile front cupholders even though they do not pop out of the dash-they are in the flip fold console
Rear cup holders
Smoother ride with no loss of handling-actually the 2000 has better handling, in my opinion
I am sure I missed a few things on this list, but nothing of much importance. I can't think of any single thing that my 1990 Taurus L had that was missing on my 2000 SEL.
Ford dropped all the mid level Tauri for 2005, I believe all that has survived is a stripper base model and the top model SEL. This is a result of tapering off Taurus production and ending it all together very soon, Fusion is introduced this fall and Five hundred was last fall. These two models together are intended to fill the Taurus void.
Complaining about what Ford did or did not do to Taurus is soon to be a moot point. My only wish is they continued the Taurus name on Fusion, but Ford wants all their cars beginning with letter F, so out goes Taurus.
The good? It looks like they have finally worked out the tranny problems. It's been trouble free. The car doesn't corner too bad. It has 28,000 miles on it. I am in sales and do LOTS of driving!
When the first Taurus came on the scene it was a fresh new look at building a mid size sedan. It looked strange for only a few minutes to some and then flew out of the doors of Ford dealers at record numbers. Ford owned the segment for many years and made lots of owners happy and sales made lots of money for FoMoCo.
My first Taurus was a 1989 LX Wagon. What a great "futuristic" way to add a wagon to the family motor pool. Like many folks, I ended up having the tranny re-built, but Ford was still selling lots of Tauri and still making lots of money.
Our second Taurus is my wifes 2001 SEL and she loves the car. I think the 2000 re-do of the disastrous "oval" Taurus left a good looking car and when we bought it we thought we got lots of value for the money. Problem was that Ford had already given up on the Taurus. Like a first wife that stays with you through school and the hardships of early life, Ford ditched "old faithful" and spent millions on the new "trophy wife" (SUVs)...much of that money having been made for them by the Taurus.
While the 2005 looks almost identical to my wife's 2001, Ford has continued to de-content the car taking a little every model year and turning the car into little more than a fleet special.
As a multiple Taurus owner I think Ford should be ashamed that they abandoned a car that did so much for them. The fact is that the Taurus name is a detriment to Ford now and the blame for that goes right back to them. The car paid back many many times on their investment and instead of using some of that money keeping the vehicle current and at the top of it's game they diverted funds to other areas. They are paying the price now and while the Accord and Camry solder on, the car that exploded the segment back in the late 80s will be put out to pasture.
Whoever decided to put all their eggs in the SUV basket left the Taurus and all of Ford's other car lines out in the cold. Now it looks like they are paying the price for that decision as the Taurus goes out the door and the 500 trys to win an uphill battle against the anti-Ford automobile (not truck) tide. Perhaps this is poetic justice for the way Ford turned it's back on the Taurus but it is still a shame that the nameplate that meant so much all through the 90s leaves the car market with it's tail between it's legs.
Shame on you Ford
I couldn't have said it better myself...... :shades:
After reading all of the troubles on the maintenance site I'm just holding my breath and hoping NOT to see that icon again. The mechanic did say that my problem is from NOT driving the car too much (only 6 miles a day).
Took the opportunity to have everything that the manual suggests for 30,000 miles done. Only had the fuel filter changed by the mechanic (not into gas spraying all over me ). Hoses and belt were all fine and so was the transmission fluid. Since I put less than 6000 miles a year on the car, mechanic said to check it in a year. Came home and changed air filter and cabin filter for the first time. Air filter didn't look that dirty compared to other cars that I've driven when I was in a carpool and drove 60 miles twice a week.
My 2000 SES Duratech is approaching 50K miles and I will be replacing the OEM tires soon as I want more tread for the coming winter. Thinking of going with BF Goodrich Traction TA as it appears to be a good tire at a reasonable price.
I will have them take a look at the brakes as well when I get the tires changed, and check alignment. I have noticed just a slight amount of shudder coming down from high speed stops. I must have a slightly warped rotor.
Other than routine maintenance, all else is well. Not a single squeak or rattle to this day.
Does this all sound correct? Are Tauruses from the '90s notorious for bad transmissions? (I notice others on the forum have had the solenoid code come back). Is a remanufactured transmission necessary (as opposed to solenoid replacement)? Is the price in line?
Are the Honda/Toyota folks happy with their cars?
Do you also have a Camry and Accord that you take the time to read their sites or are you just curious?
I was opening my mouth too soon when I posted last time - last night that darn engine light reappeared on the way home from the commuter lot!! :mad:
I guess I'll be back at the mechanic's early Sat. morning after all. Another Sat. morning shot.
I agree with you...but here is another angle. My wife goes on vacation and rents a Nissan Altima. She comes back and says what a nice car it is. Conversely, someone rents a Taurus, (and we all know how time has past the Taurus by) and says to him/herself, "What a piece of garbage."
The bad thing is they may NEVER CONSIDER ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT based on their encounter with the "fleet special" rental Taurus. You see, this is the danger when a car maker "decontents and neglects a car for years". At least on this one, I think GM has it right-just manufacture one primary car (the Malibu Classic) for the rental market!
I have an '05 Taurus SE (company provided vehicle) and at 28,000 miles the passenger side wheel hub (i.e. wheel bearing) was replaced and now the drivers side is whining! Where is the excuse? They have been making this car for years!!!!!
As far as lack of Taurus posts, I am sure it is mostly apathy on the part of owners, as Taurus is coming to a soon end as Ford is replacing it with 500 and Fusion. I am looking forward to when Fusion hits the showrooms and gets into owners hands, even though I will not be in the market for another 4-5 years, assuming my Taurus doesn't get totalled!
Like I posted, however, the statistics of frequency of posts can become blown way out of proportion to experience with a particular car, good or bad, just by a few zealous posters.
However, if there is something serious affecting a lot of a particular model, you can be assured there will be a ton of posts (like the Camry sludging in the past, or current transmission recalls on most Honda models with V-6 engines).
I am seeing little or none of that for the current (and final, allas) generation Taurus, so my assumption is that there are no glaring reliability faults and most owners are happy even if apathetic.
The last I read was the Taurus was going to be stopped the first quarter of '06.
A low end 500 can be had for under $20K, and Fusions will likely sell for in the $16k-$22K range depending on equipment level, so Ford is not exactly walking away from the midsize sedan market.
Likewise I am estimating Fusion actual negotiated pricing starting at $16K, or maybe even closer to $15K.
As far as Fusion base model having a 4 cylinder engine, that is appropriate for this classification, as Camry and Accord and most of the other competition has base 4 cylinder engine. I would bet Fusion with 4 cylinder will be approximately similar in performance, or may even be better than Taurus with the base Vulcan pushrod V-6. If it has good fuel efficiency, given rapidly rising gas prices, the 4 will likely be fairly popular.
I do lament the loss of the Taurus name, but in my opinion, Fusion will be a worthy replacement, and for those who want something bigger, with an enormous trunk, 500 is available.
Sable feels little bit outdated and underpowered compared with Focus. Almost everything in Focus is better – steering, suspension, engine, seats, acceleration 2.3L I4 Duratec runs smoother at idle that Sable’s 3.0L V6 Duratec – how it can be?
Still Sable has some advantages - leather trim, more upscale features and more premium feel. And yes it is roomier and more comfortable.
I am looking forward for Milan. If Focus is so good – Fusion/Milan must be impressive, especially if they refined 3.0L Duratec.
You seem to know much about the Taurus, so Im hoping that you can help me with a question. My 2002 SEL is equipped with the "MACH" sound system. Ive heard that this same system is used in GT Mustangs. Is it really the same sound system with the watts and stuff? It is much louder than my mothers standard 99, and has 2 additional speakers. Also, my car has every available option except for the wood trim, do you know if Ford offers it on cars already sold?? Do you know any good wood sites and do you even think its worth it??
As far as fake wood trim, I don't care much for it, and can't say I am all that enthralled with some or the recent trends toward fake metal, chrome, or brushed aluminum either. A little goes a long way, in my opinion and many times too much just ends up looking too fake.
I believe there are some aftermarket outfits that sell fake wood, or maybe even real wood trim kits. You might want to do an internet search.