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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

3389 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

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

Messages Page 161 of 340

#1595 of 3389 by regfootball

Jul 07, 2002 (4:08 pm)

WHITE GAUGES...YES...oooo but now we can have "chronograph style" gauges, or "electroluminescent" ones.....have also seen body color gauge faces (2004 GTO).
 
SVT should just make simple SHO, yes I love my cam-busting v8 motor, but if they are saying they can't make the v8 anymore I would be happy with the Duratec v6, tuned by SVT for more hp (260 shouldn't be a problem). Then, a six speed manual option (and also for auto fans make a decent shifting auto)and good SVT suspension.
 
Just the HO motor, tranny options/improvements and sport suspension tire option shouldn't be more than 2-3 grand over a basic Taurus.
 
Imagine being able to check "SVT", "SHO" or "SVO" option on a base Taurus......you could then have a low priced canyon carver with high HP for low price!
 
Then maybe a couple of luxury package options, and maybe just alacarte choices of stuff like sunroof and leather/sport seats. I would even buy leatherette if it was available.
 
A body kit ground effects sports package could be standard or optional.
 
Can you imagine a 260hp, 6 speed Maxima killer with basic equipment, ABS, and sunroof, for around 20 grand? That would put Taurus back on track with Taurus sales.
 
If Ford just got those basics right, they sure would send the Taurus out with the spirit of the original SHO.

#1596 of 3389 sableowner2/CD changers by ehenness

Jul 08, 2002 (6:03 am)

Try Radios and More in NY State. (www.radiosandmore.com). I have the Ford CD changer from them in my '98 Taurus. They will carry the exact Ford unit, magazines, and the cable needed to hook up the system. I believe this will also work with the Ford Mach system, but they are very knowledgeable and would be able to say for sure with a quick call or email. They are friendly, helpful, and have great customer service. Free overnight shipping for orders over $100 too. I recommend them highly.
 
The ST-6 changer package is what you want to add a changer.

#1597 of 3389 Current Generation Exhaust Sytem by badgerfan

Jul 10, 2002 (9:07 am)

Does anyone know if the current generation '00 and newer Taurus have a stainless exhaust system?
 
I hope they do, as my '90 Taurus did and I never had to replace it in 10 years--and in northern climate with lots of winter road salt, cold startup vapor condensation etc. I hope they didn't abandon the stainless exhaust as a cost cutting measure.

#1598 of 3389 Thanks by sableowner2

Jul 10, 2002 (1:46 pm)

Jeffrey15 and Ehenness your suggestions were very helpful. I am a little uneasy about installing the changer myself but at least this is a start.

#1599 of 3389 exhaust by sculldog33

Jul 11, 2002 (10:31 am)

2000 Sable at least has the stainless steel exhaust.

#1600 of 3389 sculldog 33 by badgerfan

Jul 11, 2002 (11:58 am)

Thanks, my guess is Taurus likely is also stainless, as I would imagine they share the same exhaust components. Sheet metal and option packages has been typically the main difference between Sable and Taurus. My guess is they share the same assembly plants, right?

#1601 of 3389 Muffler and Tail pipes by fdthird

Jul 16, 2002 (6:03 am)

How do muffler shops stay in business these days? I had an '80 Honda and a '87 Ford van that ate exhaust systems. Every two years you were back getting the system replaced. Had my '89 Taurus wagon for 11 years and never a problem. Ditto with our '97 Ford E-150 van. Our present cars (2000 Mustang, 2001 Taurus and 2001 Focus) are too new to get a handle on but I imagine we'll have the same results.

#1602 of 3389 Muffler Shops by badgerfan

Jul 16, 2002 (6:35 am)

It appears most of them have branched out to do other services such as brakes, shocks and struts, alignments, tires, batteries etc. Relying only on mufflers and tailpipes would result in a dying business. Stainless systems sure are great from the consumer standpoint. Especially since the typical aftermarket exhaust systems were so cheap the pipes and mufflers would tend to go after about 2 years, even though the muffler had a "lifetime" warranty.
 
Auto reliability has come a long way from the "good old days" when you had to have a tuneup every 10,000 miles and tires went 20,000 miles at most.

#1603 of 3389 '01 Taurus Dash Rattle by gtyates

Jul 16, 2002 (10:53 am)

Has anyone else had a dash rattle in their 2001 Taurus? Mine seems to be coming from the left side of the dash, between the steering wheel and the driver's door. The car is still under warranty, but I am looking for ideas before I take it in. The rattle initially was intermittent, but has now become pretty steady when driving. Other than this rattle and the crappy Firestone Affinity tires, I am totally satisfied with the car, and after 19k miles have not had any other issues with it.

#1604 of 3389 Dash Rattle by badgerfan

Jul 16, 2002 (11:21 am)

I don't have any suggestions, haven't had it on mine. Can you try to stop the rattle by pressing on various areas on the dash surface? Sometimes that can help isolate the problem if it is a surface panel or A-C vent.
 
On another subject, I am surprised Ford is using any Firestone tires, after the big Explorer/Firestone tire fiasco. I thought they had cut ties completely with Firestone. My '00 has Continentals that are fair. They seem to work very well on snow, fair on dry pavement, but have very little wet pavement traction. It is easy to spin the wheels on wet pavement. The 200HP Duratec makes this show up more.
 
I will upgrade to something better when they wear out.

Messages Page 161 of 340

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