1994 Ford Taurus GL review from North America

My original article was "I hope I didn't buy a lemon.." but now I know this car is one.

Originally after 80,000 miles is when all these problems started happening.

Car was eating a quart and a half of oil every 1,500 miles. (the car didn't smoke either and no visible leaks)

Car idled high (1500 Rpms) when it was cold and the engine would whine when it was cold too.

My belt also squeaked on start up but I replaced that.

Car is also sluggish and can't maintain speed well going up an incline. Engine would have to be at 4,500 Rpms just to go 55 mph and very rarely 60 mph.

And now to top it off the car is losing coolant (no visible leaks). I think the heads or the head gasket is going bad (a common problem with this 3.8L engine).

My check engine light won't stop flashing (especially when I am taking off).

I liked the car until I started having major problems with it. I changed all my fluids, spark plugs and wires, air and fuel filter when I first bought it. I change my oil and oil filter at least between the 2,500 to 3,000 mile mark. Obviously the guy who sold me this car didn't maintain it well, because it is having problems at low miles.

I have a 1989 Jetta with over 400,000 miles on it that still runs and drives pretty well (that's just with regular oil changes and tune ups too). I am not sure if this car is even worth fixing.

But yeah it is comfortable and I will be driving around town only. I will now use my Jetta to commute the 100 miles to work every day.