1998 Ford Taurus SE review from North America
"A decent car; just don't expect a BMW for the little money you spent on a Taurus"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Right front wheel bearing went.
Interior lights don't go on when the door opens (usually).
Rear hatch leaks a bit.
Nothing too major besides maintenance items.
General comments?
I like the car, and it's nice to have the extra power and decent handling. But it gets about the same mileage as my Astro (16-20 MPG), and I sold the Astro because it was so dang expensive to run.
But my wife loves it; she like the looks and comfort, and doesn't feel the "minivan stigma".
The only things I don't like about it are the noisy tires (I know it's not Ford's fault, but I know why Michelin names the tires "Harmony" - they really SING!) ; the cheapo pleather seats, the bumpy ride, and the steering wheel position (it seems positioned too far back and awkward).
It doesn't feel like a 200 horsepower machine; in fact, my 140 horsepower Pontiac Tempest feels like it has better pickup. Of course, the highway is where the Taurus's engine shines.
And this transmission, the AX4N, feels FAR superior to the other Taurus tranny. And from what I understand, it's far more reliable.
But it's a good car for what I paid; that's for sure. But it's nothing to write home about. Maybe no car really is.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 Duratec Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 105000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 116000 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Astro |
| Date of Entry | 16th February, 2005 |