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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons
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Comments
All these problems are probably running some of you to buy new, but remember, big payments, high insurance, and a car in the shop for covered repairs is no treat either. You will have to make your best quess, I think I will be able to fix most of my problems without major cost. God willing and a little help from you kind people here.
Also, have you considered selling privately? Here are some articles from Edmunds' Selling Tips Section that you may find helpful. Lastly, please be aware that car ads are not allowed in these discussions. Here's a page from Edmunds that can direct you to some online selling sources. Good luck. ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
It might make sense for anyone who wants to drive late model cars all the time to get into leasing rather than purchasing. Even then, however, you will never beat the person who buys new and drives the car a long time, or who buys slightly used cars where a lot of the initial depreciation has been paid for by someone else.
And more importantly, when you went to buy this car, did you not see that there were 5000 Tauruses on the lot!?!? Where did you think those cars were going to end up? In the Hudson River? It's a well known fact that the used market for Tauruses is horrible. But guess what? That's why they're so d**n cheap in the FIRST place! I hate to say that $15k-$20k buys you a throwaway car, but in the case of the Taurus, $15k-$20k buys you a throwaway car. Don't get me wrong, my Taurus is a fine car but it's not going to win many prestigious awards. It's a point-A to point-B type car that looks "ok" in your driveway or at the golf course.
I'm so tired of people complaining about their cars w/no logic behind their thoughts. Do a little RESEARCH upfront my friend. Best of luck in your next search. I'm sure Ford will miss you.
- Rob
Thank you for repointing out what I've already admitted to...and in a very rude manner. I'm sure Ford won't miss me...and that will be their ultimate downfall.
To sosborne301- Other than the depreciation factor, just curious to know how the vehicle has been for you overall...?
If anyone else here would like to share some details about their Taurus or Sable wagon, I posted a template in Post 243 that you might want to use for detailed vehicle report. Thanks for your participation! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I haven't really had any problems with the car. It has been a reliable workhorse. I don't love the way it drives in city traffic. The steering is a little soft and I end up having to brake a lot compared to other cars I've driven. When I lived in the suburbs, it was fine, but now that I'm in the city I want something a little more nimble and easy to park. I'll keep it for a while though as I can't seem to get rid of it. Needless to say, my parrallel parking skills have improved.
Sorry you feel that way, but I feel the same way with Toyota...who's wrong???
I got a Saab 9-5 wagon, which is in fact smaller and more nimble -- you'd probably love it for where you live now. I live in the burbs or Orange County Calif. and I actually miss my boaty Sable with the soft steering and brakes.
Anyway, private sale may be the way to go, and I'll tell you a good resource --- find a local Mom's Club or something similar in your area. Maybe post ads at some of the local daycares or preschools. The Taurus/Sable wagon is a great family car, especially with 2 or 3 small kids. And I hear they're actually quite popular back east.
Good luck.
And now, back to the subject of the Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable Wagons!
Revka
Host of Hatchbacks & Wagons
Of course, God bless those of you prefer vans. Long may you live in Stepford.
MPG: 22/25 (city/hwy)
The mpg has stayed pretty steady over the years.
Maintenance/repairs:
$400: To fix the mount holding pressurised device holding up wagon rear hatch when it broke.
$3000 for transmission job this summer.
Thankfully, both covered by Extended Warranty (National Warranty Direct).
We have taken this car out on long drives from Minneapolis to Mt Rushmore and Chicago. This has been a great car overall.
THis is our second Ford Wagon. Earlier, we had a Taurus wagon that was sadly totalled in a crash.
We have had this car since Aug 1997, bought it new and paid about $20K. I just checked and found that this car is worth $4000! Bit of a shock to see it this low but I guess that's the way things are!
We really like this wagon. We believe it is still the only one with a rear folding seat to add 2 extra passengers in a pinch. Very useful to transport kids to games!
The ride is really smooth..this is important because my wife is very sensitive to vibration...she got carsick during the ride when we tested the Chrysler minivan!
I am glad I took out a 0 deductable extended warranty. I would recommend this to all Ford owners. I would replace this car once this gets to the end of the warranty period..and possibly buy another Ford Wagon with rear fold-down seat!
Roger
I'll keep you all informed how things go.
SanFranDan
SanFranDan
Roger
I'm in need of the interior front drivers door panel for a 1996 Sable Wagon. Grey interior. Electronics not needed, but will take if you dont want to part it out. The mounting bosses, towers stancions...whatever you want to call them...have broken on mi wagon. Previous owner was heavy handed on slamming the door. Anyone know of a place I can find one?
Thanks,
Jon
Airbag indicator is on 90% of time, Low Coolant indicator flashes intermitantly. Both check out ok.
Suddenly, my battery went dead, had it jumped started and it was fine. When parked, my wife noticed that the rear break lights had come on, this after we had left the car for about 15 mins.
Some how by retarting and then shutting the engine, the lights shut off but came on again after some time. This apparently is how the battery became dead the first time.
Any thoughts on this peculiar problem?
Thanks for any info.
NMK
AS
The third vehicle (a 2004 Mercury Sable wagon) I have is a replacement for a lemon 2003 (Mercury Sable wagon) that I had. The replacement vehicle, which was gotten with only a few month's delay, has less than 4000 miles on it and I've just survived a caliper bolt/caliper/wheel failure. It was replaced with no charge and I'm thankful that I was off the expressway when the car froze up!
As I said before, never again for a Ford/Mercury product...and I've had them since 1970...problems since the late 1980s.
t
BTW, I find no merit on your post since I can't understand what you mean by
"caliper bolt/caliper/wheel failure" and
"car froze up!"
Bought the Mercury Sable wagon used in July 00 for 16.2K with 24K miles. Bought extended warranty too to 4/03 for added 1.2K. NEVER USED IT.
1. This 98 now has 90.6K miles on it.
2. Two drivers, 6-2" male & 5'7" female. "Normal" mix of highway & city; maybe slightly biased to highway. Overall 22 MPG when carefully measured on long trips with 70-75MPH sustained speeds.
3. Normal accessories. Make excellant use of power driver seat, reclining front seats, fold down split rear seat. Sound system w cassette is outstanding. Controls on sound system and heat/AC are great. Cruise control great. Wish we had tilt wheel.
4. Maintenance issues to date. Total maintance cost to date (ex extented warranty) = $1457. Major items: brakes ft & r @ 77K miles = %571; replace coolant overflow tank @ 65K miles = $126; replace heater bypass tube & hose @ 81K miles = $135 plus $44 to flush cooling system. Veru easy on tires: 2 Goodyr Viva Touring tires @ 60K and 2 more of same @ 77K miles, total cost $340 @ Walmart. Only other costs for oil changes & bulbs (had to replace upper brake light twice; first time @ dealer cost $91; second time DIY cost $4.60. This car still has it's original battery.
6. Overall impressions pro/cons: Has been a very comfortable, inexpensive vehicle to own. Am considering a second one (but also looking at the Dodge Magnum, which has better fit for 6'-2" driver).
7. All this after very BAD experience with earlier Ford Taurus Wagon (transmission and more).
Replaced by Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle wagon/suv which are on the market now and are bigger than Taurus. Also in 2006 model year Ford Fusion will be introduced which likely will be just a bit smaller than current Taurus but may have about the same amount of room as current Taurus sedan. I don't know if they will have a wagon version of Fusion available.
Right after we got the car, the driver's door window motor broke. That was about $300, and I was very worried. Since then, no troubles. We've put 15,000 miles on the car this last year, and everything runs fine. My daughter and I drove to Washington State and back (1800 miles round trip) without any problems and while getting ~27 mpg. My brother and I drove to eastern Nevada earlier this month and likewise everything was great (worse mileage, but we were going ~85 mph most of the way).
My wife is 4'10", and even when the seat is at its highest position, she's like the "Where's the Beef" lady, peering over the top of the dash. She prefers her '02 Civic.
I like that I can reach the roof rack without a ladder - unlike with minivans. I also like the fold-flat seats, which are only now being surpassed by vans. Given that we paid $5000 for the vehicle, I'm a very, very satisfied driver. I wish the rental car companies bought more wagons, so there'd be more of 'em floating around used....
I'm sure people have gone faster - what's the fastest you've gone in your Taurus or Sable wagon?
I stopped doing those high speed runs many years ago. Too much risk involved, not to mention the mucho dollars in fines, points, and insurance premiums if you get caught. Just not worth it.
Go get your thrills in an amusement park instead!
kcram
Host - Wagons
wagon did. I know driving fast is no joke - that kinetic energy is proportional to velocity squared (accident @ 110 mph is FOUR times as bad as one @ 55).
I-50 between Fallon and Ely is as straight, well-paved, and sheriff-ignored a stretch of road as exists anywhere. Before the trip, I had checked everything on the car, including tire wear and pressure. The weather was cool, but well above freezing. It was as safe an environment as one could hope for to go fast.
There are many driving maneuvers, such as going 60 in heavy traffic or in the rain, or making cell phone calls, or changing the radio station, or reading a billboard, that are more dangerous than paying TOTAL attention to your driving as you go 110 mph on dry, straight, isolated I-50.