1987 Ford Taurus review from North America

The car was already in poor condition, having previously belonged to my great-aunt who had passed away. She didn't drive, so it sat in her yard for about 5 years and was driven only once or twice a year. The first repairs cost me about $5000 (I got the car for free) & just about everything needed to be replaced.

Now I have at least 2 auto shop visits per year for costly repairs.

Alternator: replaced 4-5 times since I've owned the car.

Starter: Replaced twice.

2nd part to battery/alternator (can't remember name) : Had to be replaced.

Breaks: had to be replaced.

Coolant: always leaks, replaced the tubes too many times to count, usually have to do so at least once a year.

Steering column: needed to be replaced after it had locked up & new steering seems to be on it's way out as well.

Headlights: frequently burns out before a month has passed.

Body: Paint peeled quickly. Parts of car (mainly cosmetic) are starting to fall off for no apparent reason (I've never gotten into an accident or anything enough to cause said body damage).

A/C: long since broken when my great-aunt had it & was too expensive to repair.

Interior: Inside handles are falling off (I've tried screwing them back on, but they keep coming off), windows sometimes don't respond to the electric buttons, dashboard is way past being shot.

Driving: Smooth enough, but gets bumpy whenever it goes above 60 mph (not sure what's causing this)

Radiator: replaced once, will probably have to replace again.

Transmission: On it's way out, hopefully I can replace it before then.

This car is expensive to own. If not for the emotional significance, I'd have junked it ages ago. Luckily I know a good mechanic & he's kept it running for me, but now it's to the point where a brand new car would be cheaper & more sanity saving.

Unless you want a practice car to work on, I do not recommend this car.

This car was good when I first got it & had the repairs done, since my needs were small & my travel was all within one city. Now that I'm traveling about 20 miles away from the house to work, it's not even close to being reliable.

This car ultimately is only good for a few years, then goes kaput.