Is the 96 Ford Taurus a great car or what?

Question

I got mine last year for 1400 and never had a problem after putting about 15000 miles on it in 9 mos. It just goes and goes without a problem. I think they put a special effort into the new model that year. It no has almost 200,000 miles and going strong. What a workhorse.

Answer 1

They are a great car, new design in 1996, proven powertrain, and because there are so many of them (with fleet rentals everywhere), they are a great buy for the money. We sell a lot here, since you could buy one 2-3 years old for less than half the price of a new one. You still have a lot of life in her, so keep enjoying it.

Answer 2

I own two Ford Tauruses since the were new. My 1988 model has 200,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. Granted, I have replaced the struts, water pump, alternator, clutch and several sets of new tires. But the car still rides and drives like its new. My 1998 model has 117,000 miles on it and besides tires, the "only" thing I have replaced on it is the oil sending unit. It developed a slow leak. They are great cars and I don't know why Ford decided to shut down the assembly plants that produced them! In my book, this wasn't a good decision.

Answer 3

I very own 2 Ford Tauruses via reality the were new. My 1988 style has 2 hundred,000 miles on it and it is nonetheless going physically powerful. Granted, i've got replaced the struts, water pump, alternator, grab and a pair of instruments of latest tires. whether the vehicle nonetheless rides and drives like its new. My 1998 style has 117,000 miles on it and different than for tires, the "simplest" element I truthfully have replaced on it is the oil sending unit. It better a slow leak. they are amazing automobiles and that i haven't any theory why Ford determined to close down the assembly vegetation that produced them! In my e book, this wasn't a sturdy selection.

Answer 4

I have to say, or what.



I worked for Ford at the time the 96 was introduced, and I hated the oval styling. As a matter of fact, that styling was the begining of the end for the Taurus as America's best selling vehicle.



Mechanically, the drivetrain for the Taurus has been essentially the same, so I can't really knock it because it is awesome. You should easily get 250 to 275K out it without major problems with reasonable maintenance.



But that body style and interior styling.....OR WHAT?!!!!



But I'm glad you like your car. I was a mantenance supervisor at the plant that built your transmission in the final assembly and test area for your transmission at the time it was built.



Many more happy motoring miles to you...but I hate the styling cues. (I said that already, didn't I?)

Answer 5

I'll bet the Lower Manifold gaskets for the Chevy 3100 and 3400 fly off the shelves. Almost bought a pontiac grand am until I realized that I'd be doing the gaskets every 15 to 50k. I've been spoiled by ford, I thought you weren't supposed to have to service internal engine components. (except for 3.8 head gaskets).



BTW, I've heard some complaints about the gen 3 AXOD having plastic parts that break. Aparantly ford replaced an aluminum part that was prone to cracking with a plastic one???? Sounds whack to me... but I've owned 3 of the Gen 2 (92 to 95) and all 3 were awesome. No major problems at all in any of the 3. Worst problem was a bad PCM relay module. Hard to diagnose, but I could spot a bad one from about 100 miles away now. It's the relay module that controls everything from the engine fan to the ignition system, fuel pump, etc. if it goes bad, you can crank the engine for eternity and not have any spark or fuel pressure. Napa fixed me up for about $80 though. Let me see.



I guess that driving 3 cars for about 130k that cost me 6800 was a pretty good deal for all 3 cars. one car was only about 4 or 5 years old when I bought it!



I spent about $400 in parts (waterpumps, belts, lightbulbs, transmission filters, PCM relay module, shocks, 2 drive axles (turned out it didn't need them anyways), 1 rear brake caliper, brake parts (rotors, pads, shoes, drums, etc)) mufflers!, tires, rear brake lines at 12yrs old.



And did I mention 2 of the 3 are still on the road and the 3rd was totaled when some crazy old lady rear ended it! 1 left me stranded when the waterpump seized and the belt broke. (my fault, I thought I could nurse it home from the next town) And of course, the one that was totaled didn't drive away from that either. The woman hit it going about 45mph and blew out one of the rear tires, crushed the trunk, and skidded around my car across the oncoming traffic lane, through a patch of grass, and across annother street before stopping. One of her front tires on her honda stopped turning after it was crushed by the back end of my car. then she skidded sideways. It was about a 75 foot circle her car made. Anyways, there was no one in the back seat of my car, but if there had been, they would,ve been unharmed. Although the tire was popped and driven forward out of position, the rear pasanger compartment was 100% intact and not crushed at all. The woman in the Honda went to the hospital for bumps and bruises. No one in my car was hurt.



One other thing about the Taurus. I saw footage today of an accident somewhere in an icestorm. a fed-ex truck skids sideways and the 2 trailers crush what appears to be a ford taurus into a police car. It looks pretty bad, but aparantly some guy was in the car, and walked away!



I have to say that I'm kinda glad that all these idiots bash the taurus, it drives potential buyers away so they are even cheaper for me to snatch up every 4 to 5 years when I wear one out.



I "trade mine in" when they hit about 200k, but the new owners keep driving them. From what I've seen the 3.0L pushrod engine and AXOD transmission will go more than 250K if you do regular maintenance and transmission fluid and filter changes. It would appear that the 2 remaining ones on the road will probably be retired to rust before they die.



I did more than 600 miles last week in my '94. Not bad for a 13 year old car.



BTW, don't every buy the 3.8L taurus. Engine blows head gaskets like they grow on trees, and the transmission is prone to catastrophic failure between 100 and 130k. Same with Windstar and all other 3.8's. There's a reason that only 30% of taurus made were 3.8's but 95% of the ones on used car lots are 3.8's.



Other than the head gasket problem, the 3.8 is actually a pretty reliable engine. It's definitely got some get up and go too. The transmission is still junk though. I've never tried it, but if you buy performance gaskets, they may work better. Best bet with the 3.8 is to pawn it of on some sucker before it blows it's lid. ;-D

Answer 6

I'm working on a 1996 mercury sable (same car, different badge) at SAIT, the car is in good shape, and its in for brakes, and rear springs. The car over all is in good shape. I know people who have them and they just go forever. I was going to buy one, but I bought my Ranger instead. I would buy a Taurus if i needed a car. Either that or a Crown Victoria.

Answer 7

It's good to hear a complement about Fords every once and awhile. Chevy people always come into the parts store complaining when they have to work on Fords yet what they don't understand is that we sell many more parts for Chevy's than any other vehicle.