I finally did it
- Thread starter MC5W20
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Congrats, I think!
Which engine? V-6 Vulcan or V-6 DOHC Duratec? Both are excellent in terms of durability. Unfortunately that cannot be said for the transmissions. The 3 speed is OK. The 4 speed O/D is trouble prone. If you don't know it's maintenance history (and perhaps even if you do) I would recommend a complete flush, including filter, and refill with Mercon-V. And since you are in AZ I would also recommend an additional external cooler.
I speakth from sorry experience. Had an '03 Duratec with 4 speed O/D and at only 82K miles the tranny developed a rough shift 1st to 2nd gear.
Which engine? V-6 Vulcan or V-6 DOHC Duratec? Both are excellent in terms of durability. Unfortunately that cannot be said for the transmissions. The 3 speed is OK. The 4 speed O/D is trouble prone. If you don't know it's maintenance history (and perhaps even if you do) I would recommend a complete flush, including filter, and refill with Mercon-V. And since you are in AZ I would also recommend an additional external cooler.
I speakth from sorry experience. Had an '03 Duratec with 4 speed O/D and at only 82K miles the tranny developed a rough shift 1st to 2nd gear.
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
I finally jumped on the band wagon. I just got an 02 Ford Taurus SE.
I didnt know too many people owned one here.
I finally jumped on the band wagon. I just got an 02 Ford Taurus SE.
I didnt know too many people owned one here.
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
Poor choice of words on my part. I didn't mean "flush". I meant timely fluid changes as you state. And there is no drain plug on Taurus automatics so you will have to install one.
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
Poor choice of words on my part. I didn't mean "flush". I meant timely fluid changes as you state. And there is no drain plug on Taurus automatics so you will have to install one.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there..
Agreed. Comfortable, safe, economical, nothinng fancy. A lot of car for the money. Nice thing about the AX4N transaxle is the reusable trans pan gasket. I'd do a pan drop & clean ASAP.
Joel
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there..
Agreed. Comfortable, safe, economical, nothinng fancy. A lot of car for the money. Nice thing about the AX4N transaxle is the reusable trans pan gasket. I'd do a pan drop & clean ASAP.
Joel
Congrats!
We own a 1993 Mercury Sable with 194K miles on the clock (second automatic transmission) and the Vulcan V6. Every year (for the past 4 years) we've said "this is the last year for the old girl". Every year she makes it another year. These are very capable cars, ours hit a deer, lost the AC in toasty NC and replaced just about every option. We even bought a 1 year battery from Autozone because we thought it was the last year...that was 4 years ago!!! Battery is still good and the car regulary gets 25 MPG.
Make sure you change the tranny oil regulary and you'll be fine. I routinely flush it (through the cooler line) every summer. Except this summer, because this is the last year.
Good luck!
We own a 1993 Mercury Sable with 194K miles on the clock (second automatic transmission) and the Vulcan V6. Every year (for the past 4 years) we've said "this is the last year for the old girl". Every year she makes it another year. These are very capable cars, ours hit a deer, lost the AC in toasty NC and replaced just about every option. We even bought a 1 year battery from Autozone because we thought it was the last year...that was 4 years ago!!! Battery is still good and the car regulary gets 25 MPG.
Make sure you change the tranny oil regulary and you'll be fine. I routinely flush it (through the cooler line) every summer. Except this summer, because this is the last year.
We had a 90 Mercury Sable wagon for over 10 years, and put a bit over 100k miles on it. Had the Vulcan V-6. Had several machine flushes of the trans. This was an outstanding car. Despite the 12 years between ours and yours, I don't think all that much changed under the more aerodynamic sheetmetal of the newer cars. Good choice, IMO.
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
Thats cool...not my kinda taste but thats me.
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
Thats cool...not my kinda taste but thats me.
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one.
Use a RotaCut - sheet metal hole cutter:
http://www.hougen.com/cutters/sheetmetal/Rotacut.html
When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one.
Use a RotaCut - sheet metal hole cutter:
http://www.hougen.com/cutters/sheetmetal/Rotacut.html
Originally Posted By: MC5W20
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
In my opinion, I could think of dozens of cars much better looking than a Taurus, but it's what you think that matters, since you're the one that owns it
Hope it turns out to be a nice reliable ride for you. I know a lot of people that have them and don't really have any complaints about them, and they have tons of miles on them.
It is the vulcan. I haven't looked up the trans code on it yet. When the time for tranny service comes I will install a drain plug onto the trans pan if it doesn't have one. I don't believe in flushes, just timely fluid changes.
I think the Ford Taurus is the best used car deal out there. Plus they are so much better looking then those ugly imports. Yuck.
In my opinion, I could think of dozens of cars much better looking than a Taurus, but it's what you think that matters, since you're the one that owns it
Hope it turns out to be a nice reliable ride for you. I know a lot of people that have them and don't really have any complaints about them, and they have tons of miles on them.
I have the best looking car out there. And at $4500 with 47k miles on it, not that bad of a deal either.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I'm hoping the 2008+ Tauri have the same resale feature. Love the 500 look.
Joel
Joel
Originally Posted By: JTK
I'm hoping the 2008+ Tauri have the same resale feature. Love the 500 look.
Joel
It doesn't appear that this is the way it will go. The used 500's have higher resale then I was expecting. If the resale on the one you mentioned is low I will jump on one. I really would like to have one with the 3.5 duratec. The price on a brand new one is out of my league, and the used ones are equally as well out of my league.
I'm hoping the 2008+ Tauri have the same resale feature. Love the 500 look.
Joel
It doesn't appear that this is the way it will go. The used 500's have higher resale then I was expecting. If the resale on the one you mentioned is low I will jump on one. I really would like to have one with the 3.5 duratec. The price on a brand new one is out of my league, and the used ones are equally as well out of my league.
Congrats on the new car. I think newer Tauruses have better transmissions than the ones of the '80s and '90s. Frequent changes should keep it healthy.
I think a lot of Tauruses have transmission problems due to a lack of maintenance. Mid '90s ones are a favorite beater around here. People beat the snot out of them and do little to no maintenance, so I think that kind of brings down the general opinion people have of the car.
My dad has owned everything...Hondas, Nissans, etc... and his second favorite sedan is still the Taurus (1st is the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis).
I think a lot of Tauruses have transmission problems due to a lack of maintenance. Mid '90s ones are a favorite beater around here. People beat the snot out of them and do little to no maintenance, so I think that kind of brings down the general opinion people have of the car.
My dad has owned everything...Hondas, Nissans, etc... and his second favorite sedan is still the Taurus (1st is the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis).
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