Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

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#481 of 3389 Prior Rental by s852

Oct 11, 2000 (1:32 am)

I see the weekend papers loaded with Ford dealership ads 1999 Taurus SEs and Sables GSs for about $11500 to $11999. They usually have about 30K miles and the most typical options plus power drivers seat, aluminum wheels and ABS. I prefer the 2000 models and I assume rental returns on 2000s should be coming out anytime now.
I assume the 2000 body styles will probably go for a grand or so more even with the same mileage, but hopefully not. A 2000 Taurus with 30K miles for well under $13K should be a good buy. Otherwise I'll be satisfied with a 99 under $12K.

I know all about stories of people who abuse rental cars, but there are so many of these to choose from that I'm sure they all can't be bad. I doubt a Sable is the the type of car that atttracts the crazy drivers. They would mostly either be people renting sporty cars and SUVs or very young people who end up renting the cheapest economy rentals to save $8 a day.
There are literally dozens of 99 Tauruses to choose from in my area and I'm sure I can pick one out that had minimal abuse.
The new house will be within 10 miles of work, so I would hope a 99 Taurus ex-rental can handle a 20 mile round trip commute for 2-3 years.
I plan to sell it and move on to another car before it reaches 60K miles. I just need to get 30K miles of trouble free service out of it before getting rid of it and getting another later model used car in 2003.
Thoughts and opinions on 1999 and 2000 model rentals?

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#482 of 3389 2000 SEL problems by seldriver

Oct 11, 2000 (2:28 am)

I've had my 2000 SEL for two months, 1200 miles, and the airbag/PSS light is always blinking or steady on. Then today I get a letter from Ford stating that the powertrain control module needs recalibrated and it should take less than half a day. The vehicle also pulls to the left since new, and I'm getting wind noise from the rear passenger side door. Seems like a lot of little bugs for a new car.

This leads me to my question. I go to the dealer tomorrow and he has already estimated at least 24 hrs for the repair. I don't have the extended warranty, but if I did, that would include a loaner car. I think this is B.S. I wouldn't need to take the car in at all if it were right to start with. I'm there for warranty work, and I need a loaner car, I can't believe they are even hesitant. I've been told by the service writer he 'may be able to help with a loaner if it's a major deal'. What do you think?

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#483 of 3389 2000 SEL problems by seldriver

Oct 11, 2000 (2:40 am)

I've had my 2000 SEL for two months, 1200 miles, and the airbag/PSS light is always blinking or steady on. Then today I get a letter from Ford stating that the powertrain control module needs recalibrated and it should take less than half a day. The vehicle also pulls to the left since new, and I'm getting wind noise from the rear passenger side door. Seems like a lot of little bugs for a new car.

This leads me to my question. I go to the dealer tomorrow and he has already estimated at least 24 hrs for the repair. I don't have the extended warranty, but if I did, that would include a loaner car. I think this is B.S. I wouldn't need to take the car in at all if it were right to start with. I'm there for warranty work, and I need a loaner car, I can't believe they are even hesitant. I've been told by the service writer he 'may be able to help with a loaner if it's a major deal'. What do you think?

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#484 of 3389 ex-taxi units by occupant1

Oct 11, 2000 (5:25 am)

Well, I drove the other two Sables he had and one Taurus. The Taurus had the same problem (at 225K) and was much filthier, but had new tires and an engine rebuilt at 190K. The two other Sables had miscellaneous problems, but none serious, little things like a whining power steering pump, broken seats, missing knobs, and the one speedometer didn't work (but the odometer registered miles???). P.S. all these are 3.0 pushrod engines, no flex fuel, no 24V, no 3.8's. The taxi mechanic says they do well except for transmissions, which he also says about the Chryslers. They run Concordes, Intrepids, and minivans.

The Aspire I bought will continue to do until the insurance guy tells me he can't insure it. Seems the company I am with will not insure any car that ever had a salvage title. This Aspire was a flood car (looks/drives/smells fine to me) so it may be uninsurable and I may have to sell it back to the dealer. I'm sure I'll get my money back (hiccup).

If none of these are available when I go back, I may simply buy one of the 96-97 Astro vans for sale for $2500 each. Those have 220-280K on them, too, but have rear drive and more reliable powertrains.

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#485 of 3389 s852 by occupant1

Oct 11, 2000 (5:29 am)

I have seen 2000 Tauruses for sale NEW around $14,500 if you can deal with a basic LX or SE, no gadgets. A used white 2000 SE sedan with 21K at Budget's used car lot is $15,995, but should be cheaper. I don't understand why they think they can sell a used car for as much as a new one. I also saw one on Excite Classifieds for $13,800 in Arizona, but I don't remember the miles or anything.

I would think a 2000 model with under 30K should be $13K. That sounds like a good price. I won't be able to afford them for years now, but I do like the new model. When 2000 Tauruses are five years old they'll be for sale as taxis because the D/FW Airport doesn't allow cars older than 5 years or over 400K. That's why you see so many small cars (Kias, Elantras, Focuses)...because cabbies can't afford new $22K Crown Vics or $18K Tauruses (or Impalas, which I rode in in Chicago and make nice cabs).

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#486 of 3389 2000 PCM Problem Update by tcengia

Oct 11, 2000 (5:52 pm)

Received the same recall as seldriver. This recall
is Program # 00B55 and is to reprogram the PCM.
In effect Ford didn't get it right on the previous reprogram, 00B38, and is attempting to correct it's mistake. The previous reprograming decreased MPG and acceleration. With the recall notice they also sent me a complementary Mag Lite for my inconvenience.
In regards to seldriver's rear door wind noise, I had a similar problem with both rear door windows.
After FORD replaced the window channel / gasket which go around the top and the sides of the windows, the noise decreased dramatically.

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#487 of 3389 Laoner car? by 99taurus

Oct 12, 2000 (9:31 pm)

Seldriver: I have had my Taurus in for a couple minor warrenty items (door trim, resurfaced rotors, lumbar support) and I have found if you make enough stink.... you'll get a loaner. From what I have herd, Ford is not required to provide loaner cars, but they do recommend dealers to provide them. I could have herd a lie, but I have had a loaner car 3 out of six times I have visited the dealer. Just a word or two, hope it helps.
Prestone: Thanks for the reply, were you able to get a hold of a dealer to answer your question about running 85 octane?

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#488 of 3389 2000 PCM "2nd Recall" by newtaurusowner

Oct 13, 2000 (1:52 am)

I had the original PCM recall (campaign #00B38) done, and after reading tcengia's posting (#524)I called my local FORD delear, because I did not recieve a notice on the latest PCM recall (campaign #00B55). I was told that I won't get a recall notice because it is not a "safety recall". I want to have the recall done, but I should probably wait until I see if anyone has had a problem with the new recall?

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#489 of 3389 Pulling to the left by Jeramie

Oct 13, 2000 (3:54 am)

Seldriver:
My 2000 SES pulled to the right for several months. No matter what the alignment tech did, the pull didn't go away. I checked tire pressure and they were exactly the same. Just for the heck of it, I swapped the front wheels from side to side. The car has tracked straight as an arrow ever since. Go figure.

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#490 of 3389 Pulling to the left (Jeramie) by hughiem38

Oct 13, 2000 (4:55 am)

That usually means you have a bad belt in one of your front tires. Have them check soon as possible.

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