1997 Ford Taurus

Summary:

Wish I had never bought it

Faults:

Rust.

"Check engine" and "ABS" lights.

Power locks/windows getting stuck.

Bottom radiator pipe rusted out.

Plastic coolant duct on top of the engine fell off.

Vacuum connector broke while driving - lost brakes.

Transmission solenoid died.

Right side muffler rusted out.

Get less than 200 miles in the city on a full tank.

General Comments:

Space not bad, frame strong.

Otherwise absolutely horrible piece of junk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd April, 2009

5th May 2009, 17:40

Update: brake line leaked while driving, car is gone to garbage where it belonged in the first place.

1997 Ford Taurus SHO 3.6 V8

Summary:

Fun to drive a stock "sleeper", but expensive to maintain

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 165,000.

Transmission replaced at 215,000.

Full front end replacement 200,000.

All struts and shocks 200,000.

Alternator 235,000.

General Comments:

I am the third owner of this car, buying it from a good friend before the required 120,000 service that I knew would cost $1000, so that was figured into the selling price. According to the owner of the dealership where she bought it with 5,000 as a "program car", when the dealership got it, the key fob and paperwork indicated it had been driven by William Clay Ford, Jr. as one of his personal vehicles.

The 120,000 service was expensive as expected, but the dealer indicated no signs of excessive wear. The tires (already replaced) were half-worn at 105,000 and replaced at 120,000 with the Goodyear models it came with. Went through those in 40,000. Replaced with another set with full alignment, but they wore badly again. Did all struts, shocks and tie rods at 200,000 and put on Fuzion tires. 45,000 later, tires wearing good and probably will make it to 60,000 at half the price of Goodyears.

The wife didn't drive the car much, and loves loud music, so she didn't notice when she put it in second gear instead of drive and drove 110 miles until the tranny seized up. Replaced. It lasted fifty thousand and began to howl. Rather than be stranded, I did the numbers... no rust, everything works, all other systems good... put another $2,500 in a tranny because Nebraska's sales tax and property tax on a new car would be $1000 the first year and $600 the second. If I got 50,000 out of the tranny, I would feel good. Seems like I will get there.

Alternator failed on the hottest day of the summer last year, stranding me 2 miles from town, and took four days to get the special order alternator.

But, ride is solid, doesn't shake, rattle or roll (yet) and all other aspects of the car show great integrity.

Down-side of the car is all parts are special and expensive to replace... not your normal Taurus parts, so maintenance costs are much higher.

Upside is having a stock "sleeper" that, until 200,000 I felt very confident in dragging Mustangs and Grand Prix's away from red lights. Didn't always win, but gained respect from the "family car".

Power curve of the engine is best experienced at highway speeds... see that semi-truck in the windshield... he is now in the rear-view. Nice to have the confidence of power.

Topped it out at 128 mph right after the full-front end replacement... was a real rush.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2009

1997 Ford Taurus LX 3.0 DOHC

Summary:

This is a very good car, inside and out!

Faults:

Car has been pretty much trouble free.

Had the issue with the dome light, door ajar light, but spraying WD-40 in the lock mechanism cured that.

Did replace all the brake lines in 2007.

ABS module needs to be replaced. (3/2009)

General Comments:

This car has been in the family since almost new.. Never any problems with it. It has been a very reliable car.

The 3.0 DOHC V6 engine, which is rated at 200HP and 200 ft/lbs of torque, is very quick and responsive.. reminds me of the old 289CID V8 of old.

The 4 wheel disc brakes stop on a dime.

The fit and finish is excellent. After 12 years and 143000 miles, there isn't a squeak or a rattle anywhere on the car. Looks as good as it did new, and has never been garaged.

The handling is excellent. It tracks like a go cart.. hugs the curves, stays glued to the road.

The ride is very comfortable, especially on long trips.

Still has the original exhaust!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2009