Ford Taurus

[crashz]

My neighbor is selling her Taurus. I think she said it was an 05, loaded. Not sure of the engine, but I think it's a six. It has 68k miles and she only wants $2000. It needs a speedometer cable as far as I can tell.

I've been barking about how many miles I'm racking up on my new truck as well as the poor mileage. Can anyone tell me if it would make a good commuter car, mostly hwy miles? Is it reliable? Decent fuel mileage?

 

[Peacock]

Ehhh. Fairly reliable. Terrible NVH. The earlier models had terrible reliability from a mechanical standpoint. The later ones aren't bad, just not nice.

 

[Peacock]

It has no speedo cable. Either a VSS or speedo head problem.

 

[milkman636]

I had an '04 with the 3.0L v6. It's was an all cast iron engine. It was a very reliable car with mileage in the 26-27 mpg range. Only tires and brakes in the first 100,000. Unfortunately it was totaled when we were rear ended on the freeway a couple years ago or I bet I would still be driving it every day. My niece has an '06 with the 3.0L also. The most common issue I have heard of with these cars is ball joint trouble when they get higher mileage. I would be surprised if the speedometer used a cable in an '05 though. I never had a lick of trouble with mine so I couldn't say for sure.

 

[George2615]

My wife had one a few years ago. Think is was an 03 or 04.
Mileage was poor only about 19-20. It was terrible in snow. Couldn't get out of its own way. She's now driving a 4x4 Escape that gets 22 mpg.
Never had any trouble with it. Just regular oil and filter changes and a brake job.

 

[skipmarcy]

As peacock stated, does not have a speedo cable. We've seen alot of cooling system problems with the 3.0L Ford engines - severe deterioration of metal components in the system - water pump impellers being a very important one. We have a 1999 Sable at the shop now that has had 2 water pumps in the past 3 years with impellers completely gone, heater hose assemblies replaced twice, heater cores completely stopped-up and now the freeze plugs rotting out from inside. Have seen several even newer cars like this over the past few years as well as a couple of Ranger pickups with the 3.0L with exactly the same problems in the cooling system. The '05 Taurus you describe might be just fine with only 68K miles - especially for only $2K, that's a great price for most any used car that will get you back n' forth to work and the grocery store !!

 

[Peacock]

As peacock stated, does not have a speedo cable. We've seen alot of cooling system problems with the 3.0L Ford engines - severe deterioration of metal components in the system - water pump impellers being a very important one. We have a 1999 Sable at the shop now that has had 2 water pumps in the past 3 years with impellers completely gone, heater hose assemblies replaced twice, heater cores completely stopped-up and now the freeze plugs rotting out from inside. Have seen several even newer cars like this over the past few years as well as a couple of Ranger pickups with the 3.0L with exactly the same problems in the cooling system. The '05 Taurus you describe might be just fine with only 68K miles - especially for only $2K, that's a great price for most any used car that will get you back n' forth to work and the grocery store !!

It's the crap Ford coolant. I remember doing litmus tests that were bad on cars 2-3 yrs old.

 

[Travelover]

DW has a 2004. 96,000 miles with just tires, brakes and battery replaced. I change the trans fluid every 30,000 miles. I think that it is a fine car for the money.

 

[Code54]

For 2K that sounds pretty decent. Heck if you can get a year or two out of it and scrap it you would be way ahead....

 

[dgl24087]

I had an 05, purchased new. It was totaled in an accident at about 77k miles. It had the original brakes, I had replaced the original Continental Contitracs at about 64k. Mileage- about 25-26 highway and 19-20 city. That car would go for about $5-6000 around my area.

 

[clemsonfor]

doubt it has a speedo cable, its prolly an electronic sensor, but at that price I would buy it in a heartbeat!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure where the bad comes from. We have had no less than 10 in our family and all had a gazillion miles on them. Only one now is my MIL's 2010. Rear brakes are crap. I replaced them at 35K but other than that its a nice car.

Not fast. Not flashy.

Chris

 

[Peacock]

Not sure where the bad comes from. We have had no less than 10 in our family anf all had a gazillion miles on them. Only one now is my MIL's 2010. Rear brakes are crap. I replaced them at 35K but other than that its a nice car.

Not fast. Not flashy.

Chris

The bad comes from working at the dealer and fixing the things.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The bad comes from working at the dealer and fixing the things.

You would know, not doubting that. We had one my father drove and I want to say it had a 3.6L or so. It was a great car for what it was. I never cared for it but it never gave us a day of trouble for the 5 years we had it.

Chris

 

[crashz]

I routinely put 100+ miles per day lately and it looks like it will continue. All highway miles. I carry tools with me, but could use the truck when needed. Ideally I'd like something that could get 35 mpg or better.

But this car is super cheap, very clean, and low mileage. I think I'll look it over this weekend more in detail. The owner (an elderly lady) told me that the only thing it needs is the speedometer fixed. It's currently not registered, so a test drive outside of my neighborhood is not possible.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I routinely put 100+ miles per day lately and it looks like it will continue. All highway miles. I carry tools with me, but could use the truck when needed. Ideally I'd like something that could get 35 mpg or better.

But this car is super cheap, very clean, and low mileage. I think I'll look it over this weekend more in detail. The owner (an elderly lady) told me that the only thing it needs is the speedometer fixed. It's currently not registered, so a test drive outside of my neighborhood is not possible.

Best you will see in a Taurus is 25 mpg or so.

Chris

 

[crashz]

25 mpg is a strike against it. Leather interior and a comfortable ride, as well as automatic transmission are a plus. The wife could drive it then.

I think it will be worth a closer look anyway.

 

[Dr Dave]

My wifes is an 05 with 280k, at 147k, installed a used trans due to the torque converter splines stripping out, other than that,just rutine maintenance. Gets 25mph, and she loves the car. As for the speedo issue, check the wiring for the speed sensor, its located on the right, top of trans, critters will set up there and chew the wires. That car would sell for 5k here.

Dave

 

[clemsonfor]

id buy it just to resell if you don't want to keep it.