Summary:
Big, comfortable car that handles well
Faults:
I have owned this car for almost two full years, and haven't had to make any major repairs after 35000 miles of driving.
When I purchased the car, the used car dealer replaced the brake pads and rotors. The tires were at about 50% tread wear, and are now nearing the end of their life.
I did replace a rear tail light bulb about 6 months ago.
Otherwise, I've done nothing but change fluids.
General Comments:
The 3.5 liter engine has plenty of power. Mated with a six speed automatic, the gas mileage is much better than I had expected; about 28 MPG highway at 80 mph.
The interior is very large front and back. I'm 6'-3" and have tons of head and leg room. The power driver's seat has plenty of travel, although I don't need to put it all the way back. This is the first car I have owned where I don't need to put the seat all the way back to find a comfortable position. The seating position is quite upright, much to my liking. My previous car, an Intrepid had me sitting on the floor. The Taurus seating position is more like that of a minivan. This improves visibility greatly.
The rear seat area is huge, accommodating six footers with ease. It's a very comfortable 5 passenger car.
The interior is nicely appointed. The inside door panels have a brushed or textured appearance rather than the flat plastic that is common in many newer cars. From the rear seat, there is a pass through to the trunk. As well, the rear seat backs fold forward in a 60/40 fashion to allow for more trunk space. A 50 inch TV goes right in. The front seat will fold flat forward. This allows a rear seat passenger to use it as a foot stool, a very comfortable position when making long trips with two or three on board.
The stereo with 6 CD changer is adequate. This car has 4 speakers, one in each door. It could use two more in the rear window shelf to round out the sound.
The online Taurus owners forum indicates that some owners have had trouble with transmission failures. Before purchasing a used Taurus, I would suggest having the transmission inspected. It's possible for the owner to easily change the transmission oil on this car. I strongly suggest that this be done once a year as preventative maintenance.
In summation, this is a large comfortable car with a good ride quality and decent reliability. Sure, it looks a bit funny, but that will allow you to get a better deal from the previous owner.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th November, 2012
