Faults:

The main problem is the rust on the sheet metal, especially on the trunk and the edges of the roof; in the early years it wasn't kept in a garage and the car suffered quite a bit because of that.

Brakes were changed at 60,000 km, and although they were good, they wore out quickly. The new brakes lasted until I sold the car.

The clutch was replaced at approximately 150,000 km, not bad for a car that, while it hadn't been driven much before I bought it, was still a used car.

General Comments:

A beautiful and spectacular car. It was very popular and sold well here since it was made in the old Ford factory in Genk, Belgium.

I remember it fondly; the car was very well built. The Ghia version I had was the top of the range, with corduroy seats and leather carpeting, all in light brown. Superb quality. I never had to service the air conditioning in all the years I owned it, and it worked perfectly. Very easy to drive thanks to the power steering; taking a drive was a real pleasure.

The engine was a 2.3 V6, with plenty of power and great torque, a perfect engine for a large car like the Taunus. It wasn't slow, but it wasn't particularly fast either.

However, what it lacked in performance it made up for in reliability. It was an extremely dependable engine, the kind you don't see these days. With almost 300,000 kilometers on the clock, it never had the slightest problem. It took me everywhere without a hitch.

The worst thing about it is the fuel consumption. Yes, it's a car that guzzles fuel, especially noticeable in city driving.

If you want to drive it faster than 150-160 km/h, be prepared because it consumes more fuel than an American V8.

By far the best and most reliable car I've ever owned. I envy anyone who has one in good condition today.