1997 Ford Taurus SHO review from North America

Transmission replaced at 165,000.

Transmission replaced at 215,000.

Full front end replacement 200,000.

All struts and shocks 200,000.

Alternator 235,000.

I am the third owner of this car, buying it from a good friend before the required 120,000 service that I knew would cost $1000, so that was figured into the selling price. According to the owner of the dealership where she bought it with 5,000 as a "program car", when the dealership got it, the key fob and paperwork indicated it had been driven by William Clay Ford, Jr. as one of his personal vehicles.

The 120,000 service was expensive as expected, but the dealer indicated no signs of excessive wear. The tires (already replaced) were half-worn at 105,000 and replaced at 120,000 with the Goodyear models it came with. Went through those in 40,000. Replaced with another set with full alignment, but they wore badly again. Did all struts, shocks and tie rods at 200,000 and put on Fuzion tires. 45,000 later, tires wearing good and probably will make it to 60,000 at half the price of Goodyears.

The wife didn't drive the car much, and loves loud music, so she didn't notice when she put it in second gear instead of drive and drove 110 miles until the tranny seized up. Replaced. It lasted fifty thousand and began to howl. Rather than be stranded, I did the numbers... no rust, everything works, all other systems good... put another $2,500 in a tranny because Nebraska's sales tax and property tax on a new car would be $1000 the first year and $600 the second. If I got 50,000 out of the tranny, I would feel good. Seems like I will get there.

Alternator failed on the hottest day of the summer last year, stranding me 2 miles from town, and took four days to get the special order alternator.

But, ride is solid, doesn't shake, rattle or roll (yet) and all other aspects of the car show great integrity.

Down-side of the car is all parts are special and expensive to replace... not your normal Taurus parts, so maintenance costs are much higher.

Upside is having a stock "sleeper" that, until 200,000 I felt very confident in dragging Mustangs and Grand Prix's away from red lights. Didn't always win, but gained respect from the "family car".

Power curve of the engine is best experienced at highway speeds... see that semi-truck in the windshield... he is now in the rear-view. Nice to have the confidence of power.

Topped it out at 128 mph right after the full-front end replacement... was a real rush.