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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons

475 messages,  Last post on Dec 16, 2010 at 6:27 AM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 48

#8 of 475 For the money - get the '99 Taurus by misssam1

Apr 02, 2000 (7:57 am)

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.

#9 of 475 Considering Merc Sable by danielj3

Apr 15, 2000 (1:54 pm)

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

#10 of 475 Re: Considering Merc Sable by greg32

Apr 18, 2000 (4:19 pm)

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.

#11 of 475 by danielj3

Apr 20, 2000 (2:14 pm)

Thanks for answering Greg32! I was quoted a $21,
425 for the Premium wagon well equipped indeed.
No CD changer, moonroof or sideairbags. Dealer
wanted to sell me one in stock gold color with
passenger powerseat. He was reluctant to order
from factory and said that it would take some 6 to
8 weeks for it. So we agreed on putting a locate
for a gold or silver wagon equipped as we want it.
Two days later received call from dealer with a
silver found in New Jersey with side airbags.
Dealer is willing to share the cost of the bags
with us. Wife doesnt want more than 10 to 15 miles on the odometer. So we are back to the original gold wagon in stock which dealer wants
$270 more due to having more equipment in it.
Wife still objecting due to 50 miles on odometer.
Tomorrow we are going back to horsetrade and get
something because Im tired of this and want the
car. To me 50 to 100 miles is no problem.
One thing I noticed was that dealer had a huge
selection of vehicles in general. Mercurys, Jeeps,
Chryslers. Its a buyers market no doubt.

#12 of 475 Got it by danielj3

Apr 23, 2000 (2:02 pm)

Well yesterday we went back to the dealer and after a pretty heated discussion we were able to get the Mercury Sable LS Premium wagon they had in stock.
Apparently this car has additional features that
I really didnt want that the car comes with. Power passenger seat and side airbags. But I got them anyway after putting up with the managers crying and complaining that he was giving the car awaybla bla bla. We (wife and I) were armed with
dealer invoice price and holdback so we neutralized this manager real good.
I got a $21,525 price + MV fees and tax. Trade is $15,300. The Saturn SW I was considering wouldve
cost me $22,820 much less equipped than the Merc
SW. So I got more car for less $$$$.
I really learned I great deal from this experience.
If anyone reads this and has questions contact me.


 
  

#13 of 475 Re: Got it by shilly77

Apr 27, 2000 (3:39 am)

Daniel's experience illustrates a good example of how to successfully shop for a car. Go "armed" with all the pertinent information that you can find about dealer prices (the dealers must HATE the internet..w.e.g.) and, IMHO and experience, a straightforward, businesslike approach will get you a straightforward, businesslike salesman. I went on a rainy Saturday, thinking the first salesman out the door of the dealership would be the one who really wanted to earn his keep. Drove out in a 2K Taurus, purchased at a mutually acceptable price. Good Luck!!!

#14 of 475 After three days of ownership by danielj3

Apr 28, 2000 (3:13 am)

Ive had my Merc SW for 3 days. Very roomy for cargo, nice space for three adults in the back with leg room. Comfortable front seats but the
middle seat is very cramped, very!
Clever storage room for stuff under the cargo area
and away from prying eyes. Two seats in back for
just little kids or thin adults.
No headrests for rear passengers? How did I not
see this before?? Also Im 5ft. 7in tall but can
feel my head touching the roof.
Very lively Duratec engine! Has pickup, merging
and power. Motor purrs under the hood. Nice storage areas in general. Hate leather seats,
find them slippery and cold in the morning.

#15 of 475 96 Sable Wagon by ahoffmann

May 08, 2000 (3:18 am)

I was just cruising the board and thought I would say my 2 cents. My 96 Sable Wagon, loaded with the Duratec engine, currently has 89,000 miles. It has been almost completely trouble free. It was in the shop for a minor recall early on, something needed to be inspected in the transmission; to replace the center brake light cover that came unglued; and to replace a relay that was keeping the air conditioning compressor from kicking on. I suppose this last item does qualify as a mechanical problem and I had it at about 85,000 miles. By the way, this is my second Sable wagon, the first being a 92 I think. It had the electronic dash and was essentially trouble free until I ran over something on a dark road one night and took out the oil and transmission pans. When they put it back together, the transmission had an intermittent shifting problem so I traded it for the new one. I would have NO problem getting a third one except that I am financially better off now and will probably opt for something more upscale. I am sufficiently happy with the Duratec engine that I am considering a Lincoln LS with the Duratec V6. Hope this helps someone.

#16 of 475 terrible reliablity by danni454

May 29, 2000 (5:44 am)

I have replaced 3 transmissions at great expense in my Taurus wagon. Every one at a different transmission shop just as they go out of warrenty. The shops say that these Fords have defective transmissions and that is where most of their transmission work comes from. The car has 105,000 easy miles. If it's not the transmission it's some other problem. The seats are very comfortable which is great while waiting for the wreaker driver. This car is so terribly unreliable. It has left us on the side of the road so many times! We are scared to drive it across town. I would never ever buy a Ford again. For what we have spent in parts and labor we could have had a Mercedes or other high end car. I wouldn't wish one of these cars on my worst enemie

#17 of 475 reliability by psc2

Jun 08, 2000 (5:53 pm)

I have had two a 92 sable 3.8L and a 94 taurus 3.0 vulcan both have had trans replacemnts at about 60K both were purchased because of size and price and lack of other choices. I believe overall reliabilty is OK and I obercmae fears by purchasing extended drivetrain warranty to 75K for about $500 at time of purchase.

Messages Page 2 of 48

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