I know it's not a truck, but I'm seriously considering getting a new Taurus SEL once we relocate back to GA. I've searched the web and it seems to get pretty good reviews...everyone talks about it being a lot of car for the money. I'm leaning towards the 200HP Duratec engine. Anybody out there own one? So what do you think of them? They "say" they've got the bugs worked out of the transmission as well as the heads, but I'd probably still get the extended warranty package...just in case. A lot of knowledgable folks come to this site and I really respect and value your opinions. So tell me what you know about the new Taurus.
REX

 

The Taurus is nearing the end of it's run. It will be replaced with the 500 in 04. From what I understand Ford will keep producing Tauruses for fleet accounts. The 500 will be the new more updated Taurus fro the family with a CVT as an option. Hmmmmm. I wonder if is 2 pedals like my John Deere, one forward & one reverse.

 

I'd spend a few more dollars and buy a Mercury Grand Marquis. Can't go wrong with V-8 and rear wheel drive. The Mercury Marauder is bitchin' if ya got that kind of money.

 

I sure like my 00 taurus with the vulcan 3.0L motor.

I almost got the duratec motor, but decided on the push rod vulcan because of it's insane durability in the Taurus.

both are good motors, but the vulcan will last longer.

Even though it's a few less ponies, it will still set you back in the seat really good, and I got about 34 mpg @ 75mph on the freeway last weekend!

I am real happy that I bought this car.

Not to mention its cabin space to boot!

 

I owned 2 Sables before my current '97 Taurus. IMHO, the Sable/Taurus is a well-designed car overall, and a great sedan that easily makes the transition from zipping around and parking in tight city traffic to looking good and cruising comfy on the highway. There are legit reasons why it has been such a big slice of Ford's bread and butter since 1986. I also have the 3.0L vulcan engine in my Taurus and reliability is one of the buzzwords that you always hear associated with it.

 

my dad owns a 95' taurus with the vulcan v-6 I beleive 3.0L

it has about 90k on it now and is still running strong
the only thing that needed replaced was a tranny seal blew when we went down to virginia about 2 years ago. We did some investigating and found numerous reports for that same seal to be a huge recall. they replaced to seal at no charge (they had to drop the tranny tho)

I drove my cousins 00' taurus and it was the same exact car which I have except a different well, everything except for the engine. it sounded the same, performed the same, and I recommend this car for anyone

 

Get a black one and tint the windows, they really are nice looking cars now.