2002 Ford Taurus SES 3.0

Summary:

FORD - Toyota's best salesman

Faults:

New transmission at 40,000 miles.

New air con compressor at 35,000.

Dash lights work half the time (at night).

Auto door lock does not function properly.

Spent 400.00 for a new airbag sensor - airbag light on again after 90 days.

Drivers electric seat doesn't work right.

Cigarette lighter will not stay in the receptacle and the vanity lights decided to stop working.

The column shift has so much play while in "D" that it makes my wife nervous and she refuses to drive the car.

The rear left passenger window will not roll down from the driver's seat console button and there is a strange white oxidation on the black trim around the doors and windows.

The dealer is useless, covered NOTHING under warranty and rarely can figure out what the problem is. It is no wonder Ford lost 12 billion dollars last year.

General Comments:

I will walk barefoot to work before I buy another Ford.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th February, 2007

28th Feb 2007, 11:02

Ouch! Damn! Not very flattering. You'd think car manufacturers would wake up and smell the coffee when things like this happen.

28th Feb 2007, 16:44

Go ahead and get yourself a Toyota. You can trade the problems with your Taurus for a seized engine due to sludge, a front end that self destructs, a body that rots away in just a few years due to inferior sheet metal, an arrogant dealer network, and faulty emissions control equipment that led to have a federal judgement against Toyota because their cars could not pass inspection.

I agree with you that Tauruses are garbage (I know from personal experience), but please for your own good, do not assume that a Toyota made these days will be any better, and especially do not assume that one particular model is representative of all American cars. All manufacturers produce lemons. Problems with Japanese makes are just not as widely publicized because of the biased automotive press, and people who buy them under the misconception that it would be the answer to all of their automotive problems, not wanting to admit that their vehicles are not infallible.

2002 Ford Taurus SEL 3.0

Summary:

Good, but too hot inside in summer

Faults:

Great car except for poor cabin air quality. 2 problems with most Taurus models:

#1: Cabin air in vehicle does not get replaced unless the windows are opened. No allowance for venting stale air from the cabin. The car gets very warm even on cool days. A small amount of cabin air escape is engineered on most cars in order to keep air fresh, but not here.

#2: Under hood heated air penetrates into the fresh air/heater grille compartment, making the cabin air very warm when the knob is set on vent. Very poor design of fresh air compartment at firewall ie. made of plastic and gets heated from high under hood temperatures, thus heat transfers into fresh air intake.

General Comments:

On cool and hot days, the heater fresh air vent is useless and only brings in hot engine compartment air into the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th July, 2006

2002 Ford Taurus SEL Premium 3.0L Duratec

Summary:

Great car for the money

Faults:

Nothing at all.

General Comments:

I think the Taurus often times gets a bad rap. I am sure that some owners have had problems with their cars. I can honestly say that mine has been very good from day one. In 2001 I rented a Taurus SES (mine is the SEL with the Duratec engine) and I really liked the comfortable ride, it is a big car without being overly big. I decided to buy one in 2002 when I paid off my other car (Escort). I decided on the SEL Premium because it had so many options (puddle lamps, lol) and I wanted to try the Duratec engine which was rated at 45+ horsepower than the vulcan engine. Relatives who happen to drive much more luxurious cars than me complimented me on the ride and overall look of the car.

This car in my opinion has plenty of "get up and go" and is very safe. I opted for the traction control (safety package) which has been quite handy on a few occasions during snowy weather. I have three kids so safety is important as well and, it had high safety ratings. The only drawback is the resale value on this car. I intend to keep this car for a very long time so, resale value is not much of a concern to me. This is the first car that I have owned in which I catch myself inadvertently going 80 mph on the highway (when I am alone) ; it is that comfortable in my opinion. Also, I believe that the Taurus is no longer available as a new model for 2006 (fleet and rental sales only) so, a real bargain can be had by getting a used one. If you do consider one, I would recommend the Duratec over the Vulcan engine. That of course, is just my opinion.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th July, 2006

3rd Aug 2007, 18:16

The 200hp Duratec V6 is far better than the 155hp Vulcan V6. It also revs higher and has a better exhaust note.

I love my 2002 Taurus SEL Premium as well!