Where better to come for this question??

I'm looking to buy a used car (looking between `05's to `08's).

Please, as many people as possible, fill me in on EVERYTHING you know as far as the ups/downs/in's/outs, of:

Fusions, 500's and Tauruses (Tauri'??).

'Tanks', in advance ...

 

If you're considering a Taurus - how are you at swapping out trans axles?

That was the one weakness of older ones.

IT CAN BE DONE, but a bit of specialised abilities is needed, else it's about a $900.oo R&R job.

BUT...

That won't happen with a newer one with relatively low miles on it. I can say to the positive that a Taurus wagon with overdrive is one of the cleanest and best interstate cars I ever had in my life! Around 40 MPG loaded to the roof and running 75-85 all night long on cruise control....

Mine was a 1989 3.8 auto with OD, and nothing on earth could slow it down. Not the rockies, not the desert, not the winds in Oklahoma... That car was like driving a land bound airliner.

 

I've got 2 Taurus currently. They are generation 4s. I can drive 600 miles in a day and not be worn out at the destination. I haven't needed any yet but parts are plentiful. I take that back. I haven't needed any parts because they broke down. But I did hit a car at about 40mph and neither my daughter or I got a scratch. We were wearing our seat belts. The Taurus rebuilt beautifully and is a daily driver once again.

 

I suspect it would get even better mileage highway with the roof racks gone. It has very well executed streamlining as its signature contour.

They can be un-clipped (the crossbars) and stored in a closet.

 

Thanks gentlemen. So ........

Good info, on the Tauruses. I guess the Taurus has sort of been my 2nd choice. Actually, it sort of shares second place with the Five Hundred (don't know why Ford didn't just call it "500" and save time and ink?) - so I have "2a & 2b".

I'm "thinking" (Warning - DANGER!) that I really like "the looks" of the Fusion - but then I like the looks of Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and ALL of the Ladies on Dancin' wit `da Stars too - but I ain't exactly gonna be "gettin'" any of `em.

Let's see if I can get Honest (with myself FIRST) here, and dig deep into this li'l cranium of mine (again - sCaRy - I know) ...

I'm most likely waaaay over-thinking this (welcome to MY world).

I'm thinkin' the Fusion is a more "modern" (up-to-date/current) design, would be "lookin' forward" on my part, and maybe a safer bet - in the long run.

For 2010 the Fusion is available in a Hybrid. Lets say gas goes back to $4/gal (which is obviously a possibility) or (God forbid) - beyond ... only THIS time, it STAYS at $4 (or $5, or $6, or ...).

I tend not to be one one who trades or gets rid of a vehicle very quickly/easily. I've always put time, energy, etc. (like everyone here) into maintaining a vehicle ... ok, I "get attached" (much too easily). And naturally, my pride has choked me more than once during this lifetime. I'm thinking - if the worst occurs (crippling fuel prices), and I happen to "get attached" - and really like the vehicle, it wouldn't be a stretch (at all) to think that I could pop a Hybrid motor into it - IF necessary. And if "the worst" is held-off for 10, 12, 15 years, and I've kept it afloat (which is ALWAYS "The Plan"), or the worst occurs with the economy overall (or has that already occurred?) - I could at that point, install a Hybrid.

Prepare. This is just the beginning of my (self-imposed) cOnUnDrUm.

Ya reckon I oughta call and see if I can get seen on the Dr. Phil Show or somethin'??

 

I fricken wish.

I had a 90 GL that never got better than 26 even if I towed it (using a 3.0 vulcan) and our 01 SEL saw 25 once, but typically did 23 highway, 17 town, using the DOHC 3.0. everyone I have ever talked to with the DOHC motor says they get pickup truck mileage.

 

I have a 2007 Fusion and I really like it. The only beef i have with the car is that I have a lead foot and I usually get around 21mpg (V6). I should have gotten the 4cylinder but of course I wanted the faster one. If I really tried though I could get 25mpg, although I'd really have to work on it.

 

Hold out for a new Focus RS that may be coming to the US from the UK. Nothing like 28mpg, 305hp and AWD...... LOL

 

Thanks for the reply. What kind of driving do you do - mostly stop & go? Or is that a combination with highway?

 

Sounds sweet - when are they talkin' about shippin' that, 2011?

 

It is 70% city driving. 30% Highway. But I also live close to a college and I am a college student so.. lol I drive like I am 20

 

Understood - if I were near a college campus, I'm sure I'd get bad MPG too. And need a lot of brake work ... and probably sprain my neck a lot ... and probably be rear-ending people all the time ... good thing I don't live near a college ...

Hey man what else can you tell me about the Fusion - I am dying for some real-world info from someone I feel I can Trust a bit ...

 

Geeez - now I'm looking at (considering) a used Focus (I always start to say "Escort" though when I think of `em?) ... maybe one of those Focus ST's or SVT's, I think from like 2004-2006)??

Anybody know anything/got anything pro/con to say about those? (other than that most of `em have prolly had the feces/excrement driven out of `em already)?

I'm looking at the Leather/Suede seats and thinking that they might smell reeeeeeal good! (I'm a bit of a slave to my "senses" ... except for the "Common" one)

 

I have 103k on a my '99 Taurus wagon. It has the 24V 3.0L and gets great MPG's. I've only replaced the ball joints and the steering rack. I've never heard that the CV axles are a weak link to those cars. Never had an issue not even a cracked or split boot.

I would personally get something significantly newer such as a Fusion. The V-6 Fusion is using the Duratec 3.0L that the older Taurus' used. What a fantastic engine.

Tim

 

Hey I really appreciate your opinion! See, I didn't know that about the Duratec, and it being used in the V6 Fusion's - excellent info - I've got sooo much to learn.

I am leaning toward the Fusion - but ... I'm torn between the I4 & the V6. I WANT the power - but if gas prices go nuts again (and I'm thinking it's only a matter of time), I'm guessing I'll be glad to have the 4.

Thank again!