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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Comments
we had an engine service lite go on at 140k on our 93 cougar and it was due to either the dealer replaced oxygen sensor ($300job) or the lost gas cap ($10)...stupid us for not trying the gas cap replacement first; poor comm betw wife and i.
No word on the Intrigue. Hmmm, I wonder why?
http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/gmfairfax.htm
But it say:
move out existing production of the larger Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Intrigue
the automaker has yet to decide whether it will keep the Intrigue
"Fairfax is expected to get the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac Grand Am, both based on the Epsilon platform."
Make sure you get the newer "superjumbo" packaging as the older ones are even bigger (just about suitable for an rv).
I have leased SHO's for the last 10 years, using the Red Carpet lease from '89 on. Since they will not offer me the product I want in the future I am getting out of Fords and moving on to something else.
I am meticulous about my cars, servicing them every 3K miles, do not allow smoking in them, wax them once a year, use only 91+ octane, etc.
Should you ask, I live 30 min east of Harrisburg, PA.
Ford will be bringing back a v6 SHO soon, maybe in 2001 or 2002. About 225-230 hp by the rumors of it in car mags, etc.
Your 99 SHO is tropic green like mine. I'd hate to see you give up on such a nice car. Worse yet, you may get stuck in a GM.
Try out a Lincoln LS to stay with Ford for a couple years, is what I'd recommend. I guess I couldn't fault you for going with an LHS or Aurora but I'll take it personally if you unload your SHO for a Pontiac Bonneville or Grand Prix. I may have to find some extra income in my budget just to take it off your hands, so it has a good home.
And I hope you don't get an Accord, Camry or Saturn.
For those of you who have purchased a 2000 Taurus, have you had any mechanical problems?
Thanks in advance for the info!
I have totally missed any substantive rumors on another SHO. Can you tell me where to read them? So you think it will have 225-230 hp?
I don't know what previous SHO's you have had but I think I liked the 24 valve 1995 about the best.
That old '89 SHO was a tank. But the 0-60 was something like 6.7 or so. Which years have you had?
And thanks for your comments warning me of the Saturn, Grand Prix, and Bonneville. Right on!
btw, i hit 100mph along the rincon on 101 and the rpms settled at about 4000 with 3 coworkers on board. dont get the 24v if you have a family w/ kids...too easy to zip up in speed and not notice it. i am going to hate getting my first ticket in over twenty years playing w/ speed like this. i dont see how the porsche/corvette/camaro, etc drivers can avoid raising their insurance rates with high speeds so easily attained with these fast cars.
I was just making sure a fellow Ford man had not fallen off the wagon to try a plasti-mobile from GM.
I owned an 89. I thought it was a fabulous car. Fast, fast fast. Always a neck snapper. Loved the steering, power and 5 speed. I thought the car looked fabulous in black. Now I own a green 99 like you. A different animal, but I like it just the same.
My brother-in-law had a red 93 automatic that was nice and he now has a black 97. It has 74000 miles on it and he just got his first set of new tires for it so it looks like he is ready to go another 50k miles with it.
The TL, Max and Passat are all good. Passat is a bit small, and the TL a bit plain looking. But none of these are bad cars. I will try to find where it was I read about the higher hp Taurus for you.
taurus sel 2000-yes even the 3.0 v6 duratec is fast and is a good motor that you will obtain tickets with if you aren't careful!
engine is indeed peppy. I have to constantly
check the odometer or I will end up getting cops
on my tail ready to give me tickets.
and I every day I like it more. The Duratec engine is very capable indeed. Suspension absorbs
most imperfections on the road well, transmission is smooth, spacious inside. A lot of equipment and
all automatic works so far flawlessly. If this
car is reliable is a great value for the money.
Did I answer your question? Ill be happy to tell you specifics.
the flat spot...is that the rpms below about 3500, where the acceleration is not that quick and then the blast of power above that to say 5500?
my taurus is winning me over with its overall performance (engine, suspension) and design features. wish that it had memory seats for when the wife starts to use it.
There are two sets of intake runners. A short set that are used to improve low end torque. At about 3-3.5K RPMS the secondary runners begin to open to improve high RPM performance.
Well, at least that is the way the 2.5L works, if the 3.0L works in a similar fashion, that may be the explaination.
Cheers,
TB
We needed room for the 2 kids, Golden Retriever, bikes, groceries, etc, etc. But we wanted something more sporting (i.e.; better handling, acceleration) than a minivan.
My wife now drives a car with an all-aluminum 3.0 liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 with 200 hp and 200 lb-ft torque, 6500 rpm redline, 4 wheel independent suspension, front & rear stabilizer bars, gas shocks, 4 wheel disk brakes w/ABS, dual exhaust, aluminum wheels.
Acceleration and handling are great for this class of car.
So you ask what high-dollar, imported sportscar does she drive?
A 1998 Ford Taurus SE Wagon.
It's a great car: not only does it carry everything we have to, but it's fast and handles
superbly.
We've had our 2000 SE for about 3 weeks, and have put over 1100 miles on it. The more I drive it, the better I like it. I'm really kind of a boring car owner; go for funcionality, economy, reliability. But I'm enjoying the engine and handling performance tremendously. I like the way the controls and steering is laid out; pretty intuitive. We opted for the side air bags, traction control, 24 v engine. Could have gotten by alot cheaper without those options, but for the main family car, the safety features are important.
I consider the bigger engine a safety feature. Several times yesterday I was impressed with the acceleration when I needed to pass trucks or re-position in bunced up cars on a busy four-lane road.
I have noticed some flat spots during acceleration as others here have mentioned. But overall, it doesn't present any problems for me.
Anyway, if you like the style and price of a certain car, I would recommend you go with your instincts and not be swayed by other peoples resommendations.
I have also checked out the safety issue and the Taurus/Sable seem to be at the tops of their class and now have the new dual stage air bags, self tensioning belts and adjustable pedals to reduce the chance of an airbag hurting the occupants.
Good luck and happy shopping!
I had to order my new SEL back on April 1, because every SEL in stock has the optional power moonroof, which I don't want. At 6'4" tall, I don't want to sacrifice any precious headroom. Why are they all equipped that way?
Anyway, the car was supposedly built on May 1, and I can't wait to get it. The car was targeted to be delivered to the local distribution center on 5/15, but it's not there yet according to the dealer. All I'm told is "we're still waiting for it." How long does it take to get a new car from Chicago to New Jersey?
Couple days and 32 miles after a strange sound in engine, like a sewing machine, and the oil light. It turned to be the main bearing. This time they replaced the block (take it from a junk yard), and it take a whole month |could not find a good block for long time). The second repair cost about $1600-1700. Given I bought the car itself for $1500...
Also, while waiting for being repaired at summer hot, the air condition died. I think it would die anyway, but somewhat later: old gaskets etc. It is very expensive work, about $1000, so I am driving without air. Bad in summer, pretty tolerable other time (in Connecticut).
On other hand, after this there were no problems with engine for two years. And, keeping repair to minimum, it does not eat much money.
It is our second car and we do not use it much, about 3000-4000 miles a year only, all in city (5 days/week 6 miles to work and back, plus sometimes 4+4 miles driving our kid to school). And it is a great car for shopping: scratches from carts is nothing for the old clinker, and nobody would have fun to key it.
http://www.alldata.com/includes/honda_notice.html
It's difficult to gauge a car's reliability from the Town Hall posts, because problems seem amplified by anecdotal evidence. Apart from the obvious 3.8 L headgasket issues on older Tauruses how do the actual statistics look and what is the prognosis for 2000 models. Anyone have any info at their fingertips?
Any help would be appreciated. Also, any comments regarding how you like the car and if you have had any problems would be great as well.
Thanks!
I also have a 1996 Taurus SW. It has been great except for one thing--a "clunk" I get from underneath. 3 dealers have looked at it and haven't a clue. Everything looks tight. It seems worse on warm days--very intermittent. Started at about 30K and has stayed about the same.
I don't think Ford would go supercharged, but at least this may show that there is still some interest out there for jazzing up the Taurus.
http://www2.ford.com/default.asp?pageid=423
Taurus Flexible Fuel Vehicle
Highlights:
New look for 2000
More headroom, legroom and trunk space
Vulcan engine refinements include more responsive passing power
5 star crash test rating for driver and front passenger
The Taurus Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) is a prime example of Ford’s leadership in the development of alternative fuel vehicles. Ford’s most popular AFV, the Taurus FFV continues to offer states and municipal fleets with an effective answer to EPAct.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles can operate solely on ethanol (E-85), unleaded gasoline, or a mixture of the alcohol fuel and gasoline from the same tank. Ethanol (E-85) is an alcohol fuel made from corn. Ethanol has a higher octane than unleaded gasoline, and offers a reduction in certain types of emissions, and slightly increases performance. Inside the fuel system, a sensor determines the content of the fuel mixture and sends a signal to the engine controller. The engine controller then recalibrates to run on that specific fuel mixture. This means operators can travel outside of a refueling infrastructure on vacation or on a sales call. Special oil is no longer required on the ethanol Taurus. Taurus engineering - more than comfort and pleasure - it’s peace of mind
Your post was very much appreciated.
100mph at 3700rpm...leaves room to go faster, but I dont trust the steering agility that much as it seems to take some effort to point it precisely. it this typical for front drive? i am not dissatisfied really, as i knew it wasn't a real sports car.
Mach "mock" stereo system is a bit weak in the treble area...or is it my 46 yr old ears?
I drove a rental '00 Taurus with the FFV Vulcan V-6 from LA to Phoenix and set the cruise control for 85. Did 95 to 100 a couple of times. The car is still quiet and stable at those speeds.
ADKD, may I urge you to check if the timing belt was changed at or prior to the 100K miles. If you are still set on one or the other, at least have a mechanic go over. An alternative would be to consider a used Honda,Toyota, etc if you are willing to consider an import. Best wishes.
Boy, was I disappointed in the Taurus. Given, it had the inferior 2V/cylinder engine and not the duratec, but when used to the Camry or the old faithful 626, the Taurus felt way behind in noise, vibration, harshness, sophistication and more importantly the quality of workmanship! Everytime I braked, the steering column vibrated and when I asked the salesperson why that was so, he told me that all Tauruses do that to some degree. My conclusion was that after getting used to my two cars there is NO WAY that I would buy a Taurus even if it were much cheaper than comparable japanese/german sedans.
I would like to add though to Fords credit that my experience test driving the new FOCUS was much different. Now, this is a much more sophisticated piece of engineering. My two cents :-)
Also, what are you gauging workmanship from? My '97 Taurus is one of the best cars I've ever been in, and definitely the best I've ever driven.