Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons
474 messages, Last post on Jan 19, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
We're thinking of buying a '99 Sable Wagon (or possibly a Taurus...the dealer has one of each for the same price). We particularly want a wagon with a third seat (basically we want a workhorse that can haul a few kids on field trips -- or a couple of kids and a few adults to a restaurant...and we DON'T want a van!). Does anyone out there own a '99 Sable (or Taurus) wagon? Do you like it? Would you recommend it? These cars are both retiring rental cars, loaded, with about 20K miles on each. The dealer is asking $16,500...says they were originally purchased for $22,000. Any input welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
First of all, I think this topic will be frozen soon. Secondly, we own a '92 Taurus wagon and it is a total piece of crap. It was a lemon from day one. They didn't even have the original keys available! The replacement keys didn't fit correctly, so we couldn't get in the car half the time. Also, we've had to replace the transmission, a/c compressor broken, engine mount broken, coolant leaking, and numerous other problems. All of this with less than 60K miles on the odometer. We thought we could trust the Ford dealer we bought it from, but we were mistaken. So far, we've spent over $2000 on repairs in less than 2 years. But we're not done, there are other problems creeping up every month. We hate this car!!!!!!!!! |
|
|
According to my research, the model years '92-'97 had all kinds of problems, most of which were supposedly addressed in the newer models. Consumer Reports is now listing the Taurus/Sable as a "recommended" model, which is why I'm wondering about the experience of people who have 1-3 year old versions of this car. Thanks, Erbie
|
|
|
|
|
Well, my contention is that it takes more than 2-3 years for a problematic model to suddenly become reliable, if ever. There are decades old models that continue to be problematic, even after several redesigns and reengineering. Taurus has never achieved the world renouned reliability of its competitors like the Accord and Camry, and probably never will. I would definately deter anyone from buying a new Ford, let alone, a used one. Our family has owned several Fords, all problematic..... and we have vowed never again. I would definately recommend an older Accord or a Camry wagon over the newer Taurus. As for the CR, it's nothing new for them to recommend a new or restyled model, regardless of reliability. When the new Dodge Intrepid/Concorde/Vision debuted in the early 90's, they were recommended, but within a year, they were not. CR explained alot of owners were reporting problems with them. So, not all CR recommendations are based on reliability, especially newer/remodeled cars. |
|
|
The Taurus has a bad reputation because Ford decided to not fix the problems it had.Some manufactures improve their cars year to year correcting complaints from previous years but the typical American manufacture just throws some new sheet metal on and calls it new.I just saw where Ford is settling a class action lawsuit regarding the blown headgaskets on 3.8ltr engines. It should not take a court order to make you do the right thing.I understand your plight you want a wagon with a v6 and room and there was only one (TAURUS) until the Saturn L came along.Unless you wanted a 5 year old Camry. |
|
| The problem is the Saturn won't do because it doesn't have the optional third seat, which is one of our primary reasons for wanting a wagon. Otherwise I'd be giving it serious consideration because we have a Saturn SC (1992) and we love it. A van also isn't an option...I live in the Santa Cruz mountains and I see vans lying on their sides all the time because they can't negotiate the steep turns with acceleration required by our mountain roads (I drove my parents'minivan here this summer and it was terrifying...I had to go well below the speed limit). An SUV is out of the question...aside from the fact that most of them don't seat more people than my Tercel, they're big, unstable gas guzzlers (and expensive!). The only other wagon I've found with a third seat option is a Volvo that's also well out of my price range (really, close to double what I can afford to pay). I'm kinda stuck...go with the Ford or continue to try to muddle through with two carring it everywhere (four adults and a child in a Tercel or Saturn SC is laughable, and forget being able to bring anything home from the hardware or applicance store!). It's very frustrating. Does anyone know of any other wagon out there that offers the third seat option? I guess I could get a really old Volvo, but the idea of paying $16K for a 10 year old car goes very much against the grain. Any suggestions? | |
|
Have you considered this possibility? They made quite a bit of mechanical changes and options availbility for 2000. Obviously, this would be more than the $16,000 being asked for the 99's but certainly reasonable, being within the low $20,s. If this is the vehicle that would fit my needs than I would forego the 99's and pay extra for the 2000 models. Just my .02. Stephen |
|
|
Hi! Just bought a 1999 Taurus (my second Taurus - the first was a 1987) and am very happy with it. Like you, I live in a mountainous area of Los Angeles and need something that won't choke going uphill. I also wanted to get a car that would fit my passenger and cargo needs (I have an infant so there is all of THAT gear to haul around). I found a '99 Taurus at a Ford dealer with 12.5K miles on it listed for $500 below used Blue Book ($15+K). The car had been part of the "courtesy car" fleet and was loaned out to service customers when their cars were at the shop. It had one small ding in the door, but other than that was in great condition. Coming from a 1987, I found things to be quite different. The front seat has an interesting configeration in that it is a quasi-bench seat, meaning that there is a little seat in between the driver and passenger for an older child-sized butt to sit on. And of course there is a safety belt for that "jumpseat". The cargo area has the optional 2 person seat (which I initially didn't want, but got stuck with anyway) that I have found really doesn't take away from having that extra room in the well under the floor panel. The 1999 handles nicely on narrow mountain roads that were built just after the turn of the century and takes nice, steep, blind hairpins smoothly. FYI, my sister lives in Half Moon Bay, so this car should do fine going over the hill from the 101. Bottom line, good deals are out there just keep looking. |
|
|
Today Im going to a Mercury dealer to see, test- drive and maybe buy a Sable wagon (also considering sedan). I almost purchased a Saturn LW2 nicely equipped for $22.820 with transportation minus MV fees and tax. My wife did not quite like the Saturn and learned later that It costs $400 a year more to insure than the Sable wagon. Why? Sable did much better in Gov, crash tests and comes with more safety features than the Saturn wagon. Also I learned that prices are almost equivalent for both vehicles. The Merc SW is bigger though. If anyone purchased a Sable (sedan or wagon) Id very much appreciate your input about it because Im ambivalent and concerned re:reliabilty. Thank you in advanced Daniel NYC |
|
|
I purchased a Mercury Sable LS Premium wagon with all options except the Chrometec wheels for $22,538 before taxes, tags and title. Tags and title were about $120, taxes 5%. Its a great car, really smooth and have had no problems after 1000 miles. Of course I wouldn't expect any. If you live in the Washington DC area, the dealer I went to was East West Lincoln Mercury. The mileage has been better than I expected also. About 24 mpg with 70% highway and 30% city. Hope to get better as it breaks in. Good luck. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Ford Taurus
2009 Mercury Sable
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
