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AR15.COM
7/18/2004 6:21:34 PM EDT
How do they hold up?  Our second car has a leaking head gasket and the car is not worth that to replace.  I can pick up a 97-99 Taurus with reasonable miles for cheap.  Any normal problems I should expect?  
7/18/2004 6:26:46 PM EDT
[#1]
My buddy used to work at a Ford dealership as a salesman, and he says that Ford still had random problems with their fully-automatic transmission in '99. IF it breaks down, it could cost you something like $2,500.
7/18/2004 6:31:25 PM EDT
[#2]
That's the kind of info I'm after, thanks much.
7/18/2004 6:35:52 PM EDT
[#3]
Medicmandan
I work at a Ford Dealership so I can give you a good insight on that car. The Taurus is a good car, if you have a choice go for the 3.0 DOHC motor. It has more horses and is stronger(longevity).
Just keep up on the maintainance and it will run forever. There are 2 recalls on that vehicle that I know about now, 1 for the air filter and 1 for the brake light switch, both are no big deal but that may or may not aply to your vehicle based on year. I hope this helps.
7/18/2004 6:38:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Check the Ford Forum at www.cartrackers.com

I have inside knowledge on quality during warranty periods

send me an im if you have questions
7/18/2004 6:46:16 PM EDT
[#5]

Just keep up on the maintainance and it will run forever


No, the transmission is a piece of shit and will fail. Sorry, I speak from experiance. All I'm saying is that it will not run ofrever, no car will.

The AX4N pump has a problem that makes it crater, most likely the pump drive shaft bearing failing, and the VSS wil fail causing glitches.  Also they still have a problem with the forward clutch piston cracking.

No, it's a pos.
7/18/2004 7:15:14 PM EDT
[#6]
What years does the transmission problem apply to?  How high of an occurance is there?
7/18/2004 7:32:57 PM EDT
[#7]
I've driven a 2000 Taurus since it was new.  It's been a very good car. The primary thing I would warn new Taurus drivers about is getting good front tires.  With good rubber up front they will corner well and handle safely in the rain.  Without decent tires or with worn rubber, they are an accident waiting to happen. The ass end doesn't wash out, the front end just steps out on you and you're done.  Stay away from Continental radials. They don't get it even when new. I've had good luck with Goodyear and I imagine that Michelins would work well. The Tarus is a very good deal because you get a car that should cost a lot more, but doesn't because Ford sells so many of them.  2005 may be the last year for them.
7/18/2004 8:13:53 PM EDT
[#8]
The wife drives a '99, great car, we just had the tranny flushed @ 98k, it needed it,
7/18/2004 8:37:03 PM EDT
[#9]
Wife had a Taurus Wagon, but I don't remember what year it was. About 96 I think. I only buy Goodyears, so we had no trouble with tires. The only thing we had trouble with was oxygen sensors. Had it in the shop three or four times for that, but it might have been the "tire + auto" place we took it. Things had a way of "going wrong" there.
7/18/2004 8:39:49 PM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:
What years does the transmission problem apply to?  How high of an occurance is there?




Not sure if they changed the auto trannys or not get in the FWD ford cars.  But they were so bad that the auto shop I used to run in the late 90's would not longer service them.  The tranny shop across the street from us got 50% of their business from Ford FWD cars...mostly the Taurus with an average mileage of just 50K


Unless they changed the trannies I would stay  far, far away.

Everything else on the car was okay.


SGtar15
7/18/2004 8:53:03 PM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
My buddy used to work at a Ford dealership as a salesman, and he says that Ford still had random problems with their fully-automatic transmission in '99. IF it breaks down, it could cost you something like $2,500.



I have a '98 the Trans just went out at 92K.  Had to fix it ($2600.00) later.

It has been a pretty trouble free  car for the most part.

This is the first thing I have had to do to it, other than brakes and oil changes.
7/18/2004 8:56:42 PM EDT
[#12]
Ford Taurus Tweak