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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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NOTE: I think the manual menu works only with IE; last I tried with Netscape, it won't open the menus properly when you pick year/make/model.
i never read the manuals!
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Jeannine Fallon
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There was a woman on a SUV board lamenting the stupid way Ford did something in her new Expedition. She was comparing it to the way her former GM car worked. A fellow member of the board had to tell her that if she looked at page 123 of her manual she'd find that she could make her SUV act exactly like she wanted.
Makes you wonder about all the complaints some people have and how much veracity you should give these complaints!
manuals are all filled with crap.
just like IRS publications, who has time to read them?
Let's just move on, okay?
(said the host who is IncomeTaxAPhobic .... )
Only a suggestion.
Funny I checked the manual on my other vehicle and I found out I have a low windshield washer light.It was in the manual! The manual maybe incomplete for certain maintenance schedules etc. But they are pretty complete when it comes to options on the vehicle!
It is true about believing what youread on the net.
Thanks for the help
You can also get an adaptor that takes the CD changer input and converts it to an auxiliary audio input so you could plug anything you want (such as an IPOD, XM radio or portable CD player) and have it play through the factory stereo without resorting to an FM antenna or cassette adapter. This will also give you much clearer sound than using those other two methods.
It is super easy. You don't even have to pull out the radio from the dash because everything is in the trunk underneath the trunk liner in the left rear fender well.
You plug RCA cables into the CD changer adaptor and have the cables run from the trunk to the front seat for convenience and you simply plug it into the headphone jack of the portable device (MP3 player, XM or whatever). You then plug the device into one of the power ports so you don't have to rely on battery power.
When you want to hear the device you simply press the "CD" button on the radio either once or twice depending on whether the car had a built in single disc CD and then you will hear the music playing from the portable device.
This is better than a 6 CD changer that you would have to keep going to the trunk to swap CDs.
The AUX adaptors are available at multiple retailers online and maybe some local stereo shops.
Likes:
-Good value: paid $15,370 for new 2002 with leather, 24V, ABS, Side Air Bag, power pedals- everything but 6 disc CD, moonroof, and auto climate control. A comparable camry would likely have run me 23K or so.
- Duratec - plenty o' power , especially on the hwy where 60 to 80 happens real fast
- Bucket Drivers seat with manual lumbar is comfortable for me, and its a big seat
- Tons of headroom
- adjustable pedals lets U change the angle of your leg on a long drive, lets wife sit farther from airbag
- firm ride. While bumps can register, the car always feels in control. Such a contrast to a Buick I rented recently
Dislikes -
-dashboard reflects glare
-low end interior materials and switchgear but what do ya want for 15.4K
-no headrestraints on back seat
depreciation -- amazing how little a one can get for a 3yr old taurus. If I have to sell before 5 years, a lot of my cost advantage will be lost. I plan to hold the car into its dotage tho. Still I lose some flexibility here
- large turning circle. A minor item
- the heavily sloped windshield tends to make one feel like the car has less headroom than it actually does
- the front passenger seat could go back farther, it tend to feel a bit more cramped than it should (I am 6'4") There must be a reason for this, as there is plenty of space behind the seat
- short range. I am getting 19-22mpg and with the 18 gallon tank, my fillups come too often. My 5sp '94 camrywith a 18.5 gallon tank spoiled me. I got 28-29mpg and would usually go 430miles between fill ups.
Agree/disagee? Please add your comments.
Just drive it, and wait 5 years before worrying about trade in.
The rest is what you can expect for the price. I don't see better interior materials in similarly-priced competing vehicles, so it's fine in that area.
Haven't noticed glare from the dash or a problem with the windshield.
Mileage and turning circle could be better, but are not out of line with competing cars.
Side curtain airbags would be a nice feature, but it is more likely to into the Taurus replacement in a few years.
24 valve Duratec engine is coupled with better and more reliable transmission.
Interior materials, at least in my Premium Sable, are pretty good. Workmanship is not up to Japanese, right, but feels and looks good nevertheless. But there ARE squeaks on rough road.
Didn't notice glare or other problems with dashboard. At night integrated control panel with climate control looks beautiful. I like sloped windshield as more dramatic. And there are things like compass and auto dimming mirror that have proven to be very useful.
You may consider Sable too. It has the highest initial quality among midsize sedans from JDPower and is recomended as the best buy. And I can confirm that, I have about 25K mile without any problems or complaints except of before mentioned squeak somewhere in dash.
I can advice you to look for good deals on new 2003 Taurus/Sable. Dealers are desperate with previous year models, so you can buy a new car for the price or used one. One year old used ones with warranty are very cheap if you can live with previously owned car. But most likely it will be from rent or fleet.
I enjoyed reading it though. One caveat; How come you don't mention bumper strength when you talk about NHTSA and IIHS evaluations of these cars?
The rear brake pads on my 97 Sable are shot at 65k miles. Oddly, my fronts are fine and have rust on the rotors like they're not even being used. I know this is not correct but how do I fix it (after I replace the rear pads and rotors)?
Thanks!
The factory CD Changer (97 Sable) in the trunk started an intermittent problem...work then not, work then not. Now, finally, the head unit shows "NO CD" (or something else indicating it's not working) when I try and select a CD and this has been showing consistently now so it's no longer intermittent. Is is shot or are there some troubleshooting things to check before I get a new one? If I need a new one, any recommendations?
Thanks all!
My '02 SES is still very much impressing me after purchasing it last summer. However, recurring paint quality and window issues leave me wondering if any of you are experiencing the same. The dealership has been great and has stood behind the car so far. Tomorrow I'm returning to the dealership for the window issue, and Tuesday, I'm returning to the dealership for more repaint.
My front two windows, when rolled up, make noises when they're done rolling-- like they're not aligned properly. However, no leakage occurs. It just seems that the windows don't know how to stop rolling. The driver's window had this problem before, and the dealership promptly fixed it. But it bothers me that it is recurring, and I know it's not "normal" persay, because my back windows don't do it.
The paint quality issue is mostly with peeling sealant, and also with the side molding on the two driver's side doors-- the paint is coming off of it. I only handwash my car, and I handdry it with a chamois every time too, so I don't think this could be the cause.
Is anybody else experiencing these problems or does anybody have any ideas/thoughts about these problems?
Thanks.
If you need one, you can get a cable for around $40 at www.radiosandmore.com, who sell OEM radio equipment. That's quite a bit cheaper than the dealer. I have no connection other than being a satisfied customer.
(If you check the cable, the other end goes to the Rear Control Unit of the radio, which is bolted to the fenderwell on the left. Pull back the trunk carpet at the fender, and you will see it.)
My wife's 2001 SEL has the same front window problem as you describe. My 89 Taurus wagon did the exact same thing!
My dealer is great and when I reported the problem to him he said that they'd probably just have to adjust the window stops. Problem...no stops. So he went to order a repair set from Ford. Problem?...Ford doesn't make them for the Taurus. They had a zone guy in to look at it and he had no solution either. Windows don't rattle or make any other kind of noise but just keep on going after they are closed! When I told my service manager that my 89 did the same thing he said that Ford was probably using the same window guts on her 2001 that they used on my 89!
What ever you do, DO NOT LET THEM LUBE THE WINDOW MECHANISM. My guys tried this and the result is that after I put a clean window up and down 3 or 4 times I end up with roller streaks on the glass!
Mary
Take care
Steve
One thing that I wonder I thought Duratec engine came with knock sensor. If it is your car should not ping. I know that vulcans don't come with knock sensor.
Almost bought one, until on a whim I stopped at the local Ford dealer. He had in an Former Exec Taurus (2003 SES Deluxe) 17K miles with duratec, leather, moon roof, spoiler, mach stereo for 13,750. Car drove perfect, great ride, attractive exterior, nice pick-up and snarl, buttery tranny and comfy seating. Not sure how anyone could bash this car, it is great! I test drove a lot of mid-size cars and was impressed with most of them (exception - Impala) and the import buying crowd is missing the boat. For the price you cant come close to getting a comparably equipped import. This is a mature design and had all the kinks worked out. Because it is not the newest design, doesn't make it bad, only a very smart buy!
Badgerfan, could you possibly check your front windows next time you're in your car and let us know if they do the same? It's an odd problem. Rather small in the grand scheme of things, but something I'd like permanently fixed in my remaining 9K of warranty. If your windows do it, they will make all kinds of creaking noises even once they're all the way up.
zslick, did you mean you had heard this noise while driving in cabin, or you hear it outside of car when it is idling ?
Regarding pinging, there is no pinging on Duratec on regular.
Sounds like there is something misadjusted or broken in your power window mechanism. I would think if it shows up consistently every time you close your window, one would hope your dealer service and Ford should be able to diagnose the problem.