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we dont want a free ride we just hope that the car will not become expensive for at least a year. it is for a lady in our family who just cant catch a break. I would hate to see the ac or the transmission go out soon after we get it. Or have a intake gasket leak soon after we get it... If we do indeed get it....
I know the rubber items hoses, belts gaskets ect... are a concern but I also know you do not get much for 3000.00
as for the odometer I doubt it was broke. This has been a Florida car for 16 years and I was told the owners are snow birds and that explains the low mileage.
I am still hopeful that the previous owners will call the dealership back so I can speak to them, But I dont think that will happen and its been a week and I need to make a move because the dealer wants to sell it.......... cant blame them.... and yes, 3000.00 sure isn't much for a good car....
ALL used cars are hit or miss, as to if it will be trouble free or a major headache a few months down the line. Take the car on a test drive, let it warm up and drive it hard, floor it to redline in 1st and 2nd gear and if you dont feel any major clunks the transmission should be okay, but just check the color and fluid level after the test drive. Get it up to 60 and a clear road and slam on the brakes fully to make sure they are okay. GO in a parking lot and drive it in a cricle and listen for any pops from the cv joints you will know . If the intake manifold gaskets go bad on those because you will start to get p0171 and p0174 and it will idle rough but drive fine.
Put the AC and heat on full blast to make sure they work.
Taurus are mystery cars that either self destruct after 100K or last you 250K.
Personally, if I were in the market for a $3k car, I wouldn't be looking on dealership lots.
There are also $3k cars that offer more value than this '99 Taurus.
Taurus are mystery cars that either self destruct after 100K or last you 250K.
That sums it up just about right.
Funny, like every model, some of the darn things just won't quit. I personally know of two first generation Taurus that are still motoring along around here. Ugly as can be but still going.
As stated above - some can have automatic transmission issues.
There were two engines offered. The OHV Overhead Valve Vulcan engine and the DOHC Duratec. The OHV Vulcan engine is the original Taurus engine and has a cast iron block. As a result, if radiator is not drained on a maintenance schedule the heater core can get clogged with rust and an expensive repair.
Sadly, too many skip this maintenance item.
Also, too many skip the changing of the automatic transmission fluid.
You need to take this car to a qualified private independent mechanic shop and have all checked out including signs of body panel repaints.
Did you do a Carfax? Opps . . . I already stated that.
Taurus are mystery cars that either self destruct after 100K or last you 250K.
Pretty much. I have a few coworkers here that own early-mid 2000's Taurus's with 200K miles or so. All reliable, and more important cheap as hell to maintain. Parts are everywhere, and if you can DIY most repairs, won't cost much to keep on the road.
Buy it. If the transmission goes it can be swapped out with a rebuild reasonably enough, but I suspect that it would have gone by now if it was a weak one. The 3.0 engine was the preferred engine on these as the 3.8 was almost 100% failure rate.
The mileage and color and option package on that car screams older owner that likely was a snow bird as stated and simply never put a lot of miles on. The other thing you can ask the dealer for is a complete service history from their shop. See if that matches the story they are telling you.
I had the DOHC Duratec in my car and ran like a top.
BTW the Sable wagon is better than Taurus wagon in many cases. As Taurus came in a few bare bones models and the lesser engine. The Sable was the more optioned version of the Taurus.
My sable came with leather seats and the better engine standard.
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