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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Comments
There was another post about oil leaks and getting rid of the car. It could be something minor, like a valve cover gasket or the oil drain plug not being tight.I would say the ssartori's problem is not common. Although it does seem the DURATECs are the engines that fail on this board. I don't recall reading about engine failures with the Vulcan.
Low beams are for street driving only . If you are driving country road you have to use high beams.
The dealer did NOT have the owner's manual or security code info. I found an owner's manual .pdf here on the net ( http://www.fleet.ford.com/) and downloaded it, where it mentions the factory security code for the keyless entry option is on the computer module.
I can't find the computer module in this car! There is a fuse box below the dashon the driver's side, also another under the hood up front , but nothing that looks like it has a 5-digit security code taped to it.
Can someone tell me where to look for the factory security code on this car?
Thanks!
This feature is one of my favorites on the car. I am notorious for leaving my keys in the ignition. How wonderful to just punch in a code. It can also open the back doors and the trunk.
Couldn't the dealer point out where the factory code is, or, isn't there a way to use the VIN # to get the matching door code? Seems that there should be some way. I'd ask the former owner, if available, what it was.
my expectations were low and they stay that way. the engine is an absolute dog. the new four bangers from the accord and camry are much better. for those of you who say theses engines get buzzy at illegal highway speeds haven't driven them.
the interior decor is yucky and cheap looking. this is one area where it really shows how old the design is.
the window sticker was in the glove compartment and to my astonishment this car is priced higher than an accord lx 4 cyl. the "real" selling price of the taurus is most likely lower though.
it's no mystery to me why these cars sell at such huge discounts. what is a mystery is ford's new slogan: have you driven a ford lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised (or something like that).
But again Jetta being small econobox costs the same as middle class Taurus and it is not paragon of quality or sport sedan eigther. And it doesn't worth it. Just yesterday my friend rolled down power window on her Jetta to pay on San mateo toll bridge and it didn't come back. She get frozen while commuting and car was out of warranty. Not being major failure it still was expected and very unpleasant one, so you may think twice before buying VW - do you want your car stall on freeway or you get frozen when power window fails suddenly. Both happen 100% on Jettas and repeatedly.
Why would anybody put put down a brand name that every one owns here. But what is more, what is the motivation and what pleasure does he get out of it? Perhaps is gloating or a boost to his inflated ego.
This is a Taurus/Sable thread. Take your junk yard jetta and get out of here! Get help and take a hike as far as your jetta can take you, when it gets out of the shop.
my next car will likely be an accord and my comments were pertaining to how the taurus is lacking compared to an accord.
But again Taurus also has solid feeling and quiet and is comfortable, powerful and a much bigger in size. Ford was lagging in engine development keeping engines like Vulcan. I think Vulcan powertrain is one of the reasons why Taurus turn to be rental car darling. It is not sophisticated enough to be desirable for many people. But chassy is pretty good and feels more sophisticated than really is. Steering also seems okay, but again some people like lighter or heavier feeling, more or less sharp. I prefer road feeling of my Sable to overkill smoothness of Camry or harshness of Altima.
Still talking about Jetta it is better to compare it to Golf-class vehicles. I don't remember that Jetta or Golf won any comparo test lately mainly because of its high price and aging platform. Such an old design cannot cost so high. There are newer (and more reliable) cars in this category that cost much less.
Did you guys sell your Taurus/Sables? )
Don't forget that a thread without activity will be closed by the people at Edmunds.com
Please come back and keep discussing our chosen brands of automobile!
We rented a Mitsubishi Galant ES 4 cyl. National Car Rental had a lot of them. It was OK, but I prefer having headlight switches on the dash instead of the left stalk, and prefer the wiper switches on the left stalk instead of a stalk on the right. Cruise switch was also a bit funky, and trunk was too small, but since this car is much smaller overall, I suppose I should expect that. Otherwise it had acceptable acceleration--you really had to stomp it and get it revved up to get much out of it.
On another note, I have begun to detect a slight suspension clunk(ir maybe exhaust system?) on my 2000 Taurus when going over bumps. It seems to be worse when starting out cold and then becomes almost nonexistent after a few miles. I cannot determine if it is coming from the front or rear. Anyone else have anything like this and get it fixed? I am still under warranty until October, so have time to get it fixed, but it might help if there is a common issue that I can direct them to.
They will only be sold to fleets (car rental agencies, government agencies, large businesses for company cars etc.).
So, if you start hearing suspension clunks, the connecting links may be the culprit.
Service was fast and professional and service department has excellent hours, 7AM-11PM weekdays and 8AM-5PM Saturday. I got the car in for service on the same day I called.
The question itself may seem a bit ridiculous at first, but I honestly didn't know how to answer it. Because I've only driven GM's I've have grown sour of ANY American manufactured automobile. Being that this is the Taurus forum, how have your experiences been, in regards to reliabilty, w/ your Taurus'.
THX
sdiori
By the way the other car he might want to consider is a used Grand Prix. I put 100,000 miles on my '97 in two years and it truly ran like a top. I would have put it up against any foreign car in terms of reliability and performance (comparing apples to apples). My 2000 Taurus is a little more hum-drum than the G.P. but it's also cheaper, easier to get into/out-of and a bit roomier than the G.P. (and certainly the Accord). Tell him to go with the Ford.
My opinion,
Rob
The Taurus does seem like the wiser choice of the two, and that's what I think I'll recommend.
THX AGAIN
sdiori
- Rob
The 04's get some mild stlying tweaks. Saw a spy photo in Road and Track.
the midsize sedan segment is a big piece of the automotive pie. ford has the engineering talent to do a lot better than the current taurus to go into to battle with. if i'm not mistaken, ford will eventually replace the taurus with the ford 500 and a car similar to the mazda6. but to have the taurus go to the model year 06 is way too long. the 2 door escort needs to be put out of its misery too.
Problem with Taurus and Ford in general is developing time is too long, manufactirung is not flexible enough. Having this you have to play catch up with imports forever. VW designed Passat so good that it is still best in class even after 5 years. But Ford did the same with Mondeo and Focus. New Mondeo and Focus just smashed competition. Why European and NA Ford are disconnected, don't ask me. When Futura will come will not be too late again ? Futura should be on market yesterday. They have to smash Camry with new Futura this time, or it will be the same story again with rebates and etc. It is not easy I know, but they were able to do it with Focus against Golf.
It is ironic that Japanese companies better understand needs of American customers that American companies.
I raced down there to find that, now for the 3rd time, I need another brake light switch. Of course, they didn't have one. I did learn how to unplug the switch. (For instructions, post me on that - don't want to waste space if no one but me has had this annoying occurance.) The mechanic told me that they get a lot of cars in with this SAME problem over and over!
The service manager was pretty decent though. I'm bringing it in after work today and he's giving me a loaner for the next day until they get a light switch. I got another recall recently concerning another aspect of these adjustable pedals. Since I wasn't having trouble with the arrangement of the spacing of the two pedals, I ignored the recall. I think I'll have them look at it and see if I really need "whatever" done to them.
I posted this problem in Jan. 2002 asking if anyone had any problems but no one responded. Is no one else having trouble but me?!
Futura and 500, not just a "one size fits all" car.
Some say the Futura will be "dated", how do they know? It will be considered an "updated" Mazda 6. And how high can HP go for the Accord? No way will they sell 300HP FWD cars at 20 G's.
People "wish" for coupes, and admire them in pictures. But, when they lay down hard earned money, guess what they buy? Sedans, trucks, SUV's, vans. If they really want a 2 door, they get a performance model or a ragtop.
A Taurus coupe would collect dust and have to have $5000 rebates, why bother? It's on the way out anyway.
The adjustable brake pedals also haven't been a problem - I RARELY adjust them. Typically only after my wife has been in the car fiddling with things. I did get a notice about the spacing between the two pedals but didn't pay any attention to it. I think the dealer may have checked/adjusted them the last time I had the car in for service but I don't recall hearing anything major coming of that check.
Regards,
Rob
They make some kits that make it easy to remove the oil without removing the drain plug, but if the filter is difficult to remove, it will still be easier to just go to Jiffy Lube, Walmart or the dealer.
Does anyone think there is a correlation between this accident and the recall?
:-)
Sorry, couldn't resist,
Rob
Seriously, since you have to get under the car to get the filter on either Vulcan or Duratec and it is easier to put the car on ramps to do that, I think I will continue to let Mother Nature (gravity) drain my oil. I have a rectangular container that acts as a drain pan when set on its side. This can hold two changes, and I haul it to my local city recyclable yard and dump it into their container.
It is survey on owners loyality. Mercury Sable is in the top in Midsize Car segment with 31.5% (average is 21.0%).