Faults:

Difficulty starting or engine stalling when cold.

Dried-out spark plug wires, worn-out contact points, and problems with the ignition coil and distributor.

Excessive heat inside the car and wind noise. Taunus models tend to let heat seep from the engine bay into the dashboard area.

Clutch replacement—if I recall correctly, shortly after 100,000 km.

General Comments:

As I just described in the introduction to the review, it is the best and most reliable car I have ever owned—even more so than my previous Volvo 164 (which is hard to beat in terms of reliability) and superior even to the cars I owned after it.

The Ghia version I owned was the best and most well-equipped of the Taunus models. I remember it had an excellent heating system and even air conditioning—features that were scarce back then. The only thing it lacked was power windows, but that was an unnecessary luxury.

As for handling, even though it lacked power steering or any form of steering assistance, I would say it was easy to drive; the steering wasn't heavy, it parked well, and it maneuvered with ease and agility. It was also very quiet on the open road, offering a silky-smooth ride—provided you didn't exceed 140 or 150 km/h.

Mechanically, it was rock-solid and incredibly reliable. I never had any serious issues—no engine trouble or oil leaks—just spark plug changes and a couple of batteries. The engine was indestructible; it wasn't fast, but it just needed gas (and lots of it)—otherwise, it just kept on running. Wouldn't it be great if today's cars were like that?.

Its design was also quite elegant; I’d go so far as to say I liked it better than its successor, the Sierra, even though it was an older model.

The seats were light-colored, with chrome accents on the dashboard and around the gearshift—I remember it as if it were yesterday; back then, it was the height of luxury.

Great memories, great car!

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.