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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
#2648 of 3389 dako_tian by alpha01
Jan 28, 2004 (10:49 am)
IMO, a used Taurus, specifically one certified under Fords program, is a very solid buy. I dont find the new ones very competitive with the better offerings in the mid-size class, but a 2001 or so Taurus with a moderate amount of miles and Duratec engine can sticker in the $9000-$10,000 range. Its a competent car, not spectacular, or having any distinct comparative advantages, but by buying used, you avoid the biggest downside of the Taurus- insane initial depreciation. By going Ford certified, you also get a strong warranty to back a good product, which should set your mind at ease.~alpha
#2650 of 3389 Dako: by hansienna
Jan 28, 2004 (12:45 pm)
For what it is worth, all people ( that I know ) who had owned a Ford Taurus now drive another brand. RELIABILITY was the stated reason to switch.Toyota Camry was the most popular brand to replace the Ford Taurus. Honda Odyssey was next with Nissan Altima a distant 3rd choice.
I don't know any former Ford Taurus owner who now drives a Taurus.
Does the phrase "Ya gets what ya pay for" ring a bell?
#2651 of 3389 Hansienna by badgerfan
Jan 28, 2004 (12:50 pm)
Well, I know one and that is me! See my previous post.#2652 of 3389 by tomcat630
Jan 28, 2004 (1:07 pm)
"Toyota Camry was the most popular brand to replace the Ford Taurus. Honda Odyssey was next with Nissan Altima a distant 3rd choice."What source is this from?
Sure the 3.8L cars had problems, but not all Tauruses are lemons. And again, 2002 and 2003 Tauruses were rated "recommended" by Consumer Reports.
#2653 of 3389 by danielj6
Jan 28, 2004 (2:24 pm)
According to CR, Taurus has since its inception achieved an "Average Reliability". Some years the car attained an "Below Average reliability" and they could not recommend it. CR always said that the Taurus was a good car. Sable has been consistently "Average Reliability".My Sable's most salient features are safety features, solidity, engine power, comfort and cargo hauling capacity. I don't really know how to define refinement.
I wouldn't call it reliable, though. I don't know anyone who ever owned a Taurus or Sable and didn't have the car repaired several times over the years. I'm not talking scheduled maintenance.
Those who sold their cars didn't buy the same brand. My car is not a lemon at all, but build quality is lacking in miss aligned pieces inside and out.
#2654 of 3389 re: snowman and re: Taurus buying by chicagosky
Jan 28, 2004 (3:05 pm)
Snowman, first of all, an overdue thanks for your recommendations on stuff to check with my tires. I'm going to finally get to the dealership on Friday.Re: Taurus repeat buying. One of my influences in buying my 2002 SES was that I grew up with an '89 Taurus. To be sure, the car was not infallible, but it lasted us well through family growth and on many roadtrips as well as daily commuting around the Chicago area. We parted with it around 100K, due to the infamous Taurus transmission issues, but my mom parted with it with no regrets of having purchased it.
I've been extremely happy with my used 2002 SES purchase so far (six months so far, so not that long, but still). Granted, I'm coming to the Taurus from an economy subcompact ('95 Saturn SL1), but I did my research, and there was nothing used that I could buy that was better, that would fit into my budget and criteria. I find my car comfortable, fast (I only have Vulcan and am fine with that), reliable so far, and in some ways downright luxurious compared to the Saturn, though that was a good car. In a heartbeat, I would do it all over again, though I can't say that I'd buy a new Taurus because of depreciation and all. All's been well so far (knock on wood). I guess you could say, in answer to your question, dako_tian, that I would definitely buy another Taurus, but it would probably have to be a used one so that I wouldn't take the depreciation hit.
#2655 of 3389 Hansienna by fdthird
Jan 28, 2004 (3:09 pm)
How can I say this nicely...your post is pure bunk! More Taurus bashing from the typical accorcamryanyJapanesecar lovers out there!We own a great 2001 SEL that we love. I owned a 1989 wagon before (oops..forgot, I wasn't supposed to buy another, sorry) and that 89 Taurus was such a garbage car that we've bought 4 more Ford products since then! That 89 is still going strong being owned by a person I work with...it was such garbage that he too bought a new Ford recently. Boy, I must really hang around with some dumb people!
My Mom owns a 2000 Camry LE and its a nice car, but to me it is a cheap tin can compared to our Taurus. I would compare it to my son's Focus before I'd say its the equal of the Taurus. Personally, I think the Camry is over rated and what it really is is a good toaster...you know an appliance but instead of making toast it gets you from point A to Point B.
I know I'm very dumb and obviously stupid in the cars I have chosen to buy but hey, someone has to be a dope, right? At least I hang around with the Taurus people and don;t go on the Toyota boards and tell people that their cars are junk...and believe me, one of the worst cars I have ever had was a Toyota...and it was so bad I ran back to Ford!
#2656 of 3389 Did not mean to ruffle your feathers by hansienna
Jan 28, 2004 (4:32 pm)
Dako is thinking of a Taurus for 2nd car. Why not present him with the facts that I know?Reason for all the people to switch? For most, it was because the transmission failed. One friend had owned 2 Taurus and had NO problems but decided to try Camry. Liked the Camry so well she got another Camry when the 1st one was a couple of years old.
The friend who got the Nissan Altima had her 2nd Taurus after the transmission went out on the first Taurus. After the last Taurus transmission went out, she decided to try the Altima.
I do not question the fact that many Taurus have provided the owners with no problems. My friends just happen to be the unfortunate ones.
#2657 of 3389 dako by regfootball
Jan 28, 2004 (5:02 pm)
for how you described how you will use the car, the Taurus would absolutley be a good choice.reg
99 Taurus SHO
89 Taurus SHO
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