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Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

2996 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2012 at 9:47 AM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 52 of 300

#510 of 2996 badgerfan recent quality. by mrdetailer

Jun 07, 2002 (1:36 pm)

Have you seen a difference in quality in the newer Taurus? In some of the press I have been reading, and internet sites Ford has been taking a real beating.
 
My Dad used to be a Chevy man, but the last 4 cars he purchased were all Fords. He is enjoying his 1995 and has recently put a lot of miles on it.
 
I have started to get interested in them since my favorite mechanic is a Ford/Mazda man, and they can be gotten for a good price. I definitely favor domestic repair costs.

#511 of 2996 Ray by mullins87

Jun 07, 2002 (2:09 pm)

My wife and I have been looking at the Taurus wagon. You can get a "lot" of car for the money, considering todays prices. I almost refuse to do the minivan thing, and SUV's are way overpriced. So that leaves the station wagon, which is a fairly small market from the number of wagons available. I tend to buy the car that is "not in vogue" at the time. You can get a lot more car for the money that way. My wife currently has a '95 Cougar. We bought it new, fairly well equiped, for well under $20k. But the bodystyle was aging at the time. Didn't bother me one bit.
 
I just hope that Ford doesn't drop the Taurus wagon before time for us to buy again.

#512 of 2996 Jim by riswami

Jun 07, 2002 (5:47 pm)

I wasn't disagreeing with you, it's my way of adding further info and backing you up.I also had a 93 Escort Wagon that was a solid car.
 
I get ticked when I read the Japanese superior line being thrown out. I have a 98 Mercury Villager. It's amazing how some people knock it because they know it has a Nissan drive train but Ford supplies most of the rest of the vehicle.
 
I don't care where they are made or who is designing them. I try to get good value for my money. That is subjective and it's nice we live in a country that allows free enterprise and choice!

#513 of 2996 Mike. by mullins87

Jun 08, 2002 (5:36 am)

Oops. I apologize. I must've just read it wrong.

#514 of 2996 as can be seen everyone is entitled to their own by gsleve

Jun 08, 2002 (12:23 pm)

opinion's just as I am, however it has been my experience that over the years (given my short time on this earth) and of all the people I know the frequency of repairs on the american cars has been over and above those of japanese cars (barring a few exceptions) yet I've seen these same people who upon the purchase of their second car (japanese)have way fewer breakdowns and remark how nice and pleasant it is not be plagued by frequecy of repairs. Yes I own a nissan and to my knowledge my particular year was not assembled in the states (could be wrong) additionally have owned a toyota and have owned a ford and have owned a mitsubshi, only one american car have I owned and it constantly needed repairs every other month. Additionally have seen many people who've owned american switch to a japanese vehicle then back to a american and have complained that the american car is constantly at the shop whereas the japanese hardly is with exception routine maintenance. (OPINION)
 
Those who speak of owning their fords with very few repairs kudos to you, its appears that you are among the few who have experienced such fortune nonetheless when compard to the same number of toyotas or honda's nissan's, the fequency and or calibur of repairs for these vehicles are considerably less to that of fords chevy's chryslers yet I have to confess I do like buicks and oldsmobiles. Of interest too is the fact that some of these manufacturers have had foreknowledge of componets failing ie: head gaskets, transmission and other item some of which they had no awareness of yet proved to be a engineering flaw that needed correcting, I guess this is referred to as a recall yet maybe (planned obselencse)sorry spelling, again I feel that the amount of recalls are way too many and too frequent for these particular vehicles over the years when compared to a japanese vehicles. (OPINION)
 
IE: Friends 95 taurs cv joint, 2 tranny repairs, head gasket repair, steering rack, ball joints, tie rod ends (the latter are a given wearable items) at 75,000 miles these items I feel failed prematurely and unnecessarily (FACT)
 
On the contrary 90 Honda Accord 106,000 miles battery; timing belt(maintenance)no tranny no head gasket no cv joints no struts no water pump no steering rack (FACT)
 
However I will concede to the fact that the gap is slowly and I mean slowly closing, again my OPINION not the GOSPEL OR LAW and I feel just as everybody else is entitled to theirs and with due respect. I'm not here to start a controversy just stating what I know or think or feel however absurd it may be to you. To quote you partially "it's nice we live in a country that allows free enterprise and choice!" this applies with equal force to one's opinion. (OPINION)

#515 of 2996 gsleve that by riswami

Jun 08, 2002 (4:56 pm)

last post was pretty well stated. I don't agree with some of your points; but I understand were you are coming from.
 
As far as head gaskets; Ford should be ashamed for the 3.8 and the problems with head gaskets. Then again, Toyota had a silent recall on head gaskets on the six that powered the four runner. I know first hand, my brother in-law had it done. And it was a documented problem. On top of that, that Toyota engine is a gas pig. So my point is Toyota, Honda and Nissan aren't perfect; no car is.
 
I'd like to know if Ford trannies fail more than other makes? I work with someone who has the same year as my Taurus. That tranny went out at 70k. I asked her if she ever changed the fluid. She looked at me like I had two heads! Maybe it would have failed anyways.
 
I was told by my Ford dealer that there are two manufacters (suppliers) of Taurus trannies. One supplier is good, the other more subject to break down. This came from a few people working the service desk in the repair bay. Anyone else ever here of this?

#516 of 2996 Mike by mullins87

Jun 08, 2002 (7:27 pm)

Like I said in an earlier post: "What does matter is the quality of the parts supplier."

#517 of 2996 riswami I feel that any car for the most part by gsleve

Jun 09, 2002 (7:20 am)

be they american korean japanese with proper maintenance fluids changed regularly perhaps more often than the manufacturer recommends the vehicles in question will provide good life, I concur that japanese cars are not without their faults and flaws ie: Toyota v6 motors with the sludge, occuring due to their design I feel that should never occured, perhaps engineering was at fault for producing higher combustion for better performance yet, overlooked the conventional oils limitations.
 
No car is perfect and we subjectively buy cars based on past performance and value some, differ in this regard which is fine. I'm of the mindset that buicks and olds are a little better built, and if I were shopping I would probably purchase one of them ,my neighbor loves buick's while growing up I've personally seen he has always had good success.
 
As to you're tranny question I can't remember the website, however this rebuilder commented on the quality of transmissions he felt through his years, as a rebuilder were best better and worse I'll have to find were that was, his comments if memory serves me correct is that he favored the chevy tranny's the most, and felt as a whole the ford's were way under par too many rebuilds came across his table.
 
Perhaps some years are better than most, yet again I feel if a person uses a good petrol atf and changes every year it'll probably see a good life, if he uses a premium synthetic and changes every other year or perhaps longer probably it'll see and extended life beyond it's intention.

#518 of 2996 Hey by riswami

Jun 09, 2002 (7:03 pm)

if you think of that web site please post it here.
 
I thought the same of GM trannies, that they wee more durable than Fords. Have a relative who owns a repair shop. He doesn't notice a difference in # of problems. Who knows which one is more durable.
 
Good care and reasonable driving should make em last.

#519 of 2996 riswai I had read some info on tranny care it was by gsleve

Jun 10, 2002 (9:49 am)

suggested due to the severe driving most of us do that if one used a good petroleum product tranny drain was recommeded 12-15000 fluid change or annually however if one used a premium synthetic the life of the fluid was about triple 45,000 or every two yrs to ensure goog long tranny life. Additionally the article brought out that for every degree the tranny heated the longevity of the fluid was decreased immensley causing it's cleaning and lubricating properties to diminish, however the premium synthetics lasted somewhat longer prolonging tranny and fluid life.

Messages Page 52 of 300

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