Need Some Oppo Opinions

"Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage" (Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage)
11/17/2014 at 22:39 • Filed to: Opinion Time

What's up? So, I've been driving my 2002 Taurus for a little more than a month now. This car is my daily commuter while the 'Vette is away, and I'm planning on keeping it year 'round next year so I don't have to DD the Corvette. It is a great car, honestly. Just a solid, comfortable DD. Thing is, I'm considering my options here. This is an extremely clean car. Most Tauruses are beat to hell and have at least 150k miles. Mine has no rust, dents, a few scratches, and just recently hit 90k. As good of a car this thing is, I feel like I could sell it, buy a cheaper truck or something, and have more money to put towards the Corvette. That way, I'll still have a reliable DD, and I'll have a little more cash.

I'm deeply considering this right now. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . This way, I would have 4WD, and extra cash. Sure, gas mileage won't be as good, but whatever. Here's the catch, though. I got this Taurus for free from my grandmother when she passed away. My mother has a ton of emotional attachment to this car, and I don't know if she wants me to get rid of it. That would be the tough part. And, honestly, I'd hate to see it go to someone who will trash it. That would make me feel terrible.

So, Oppo, what do you think. Should I try and convince my parents to let me sell the Taurus? Or should I just stick with it for a bit?

DISCUSSION (49)

My citroen won't start > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:43

Looks like someone already bought your 4WD thingy. I'd say go for it, but don't buy a truck unless you actually need one. Buy something AWD/4WD and practical like a legacy GT or Outback.

ViperGuy21 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:44

I probably, personally, wouldn't sell it because I couldn't let myself allow it to be possibly ruined

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:46

Blazer is the answer if you replace it. Though a two door Tahoe is pretty cool.

Though, having driven my girlfriend's Taurus a bunch, they are pretty nice cars. I dunno if I'd get rid of it just yet.

GeorgeyBoy > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:46

Eh, just keep it.

Thunderface > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:46

Get a:

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:47

I wouldn't buy a fullsize Tahoe as a dd if you are trying to save money.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > My citroen won't start
11/17/2014 at 22:49

Sorry, screwed up the link. It should work right now. By truck, I meant a broader spectrum. In this instance, the '97 Tahoe I included would be great. Never really considered Legacy or an Outback, I'll have to check out my local CL for any. Thanks for the help.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > ViperGuy21
11/17/2014 at 22:50

That is my #1 concern with selling it. I couldn't stand to think of it being trashed.

Nibby > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:52

Those front seats in the Tahoe are super comfy

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/17/2014 at 22:54

A Blazer would be sweet, but I can't find any decent ones around me right now. Not to mention, I really like the 2 Door Tahoes.

Its a great car, don't get me wrong. I have no complaints with it. I just feel like I could sell it and get something a bit cheaper, so I have a bit more cash. I'm really not sure, at this point. Might just stick with it, but I'm undecided. Thanks for the help.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > GeorgeyBoy
11/17/2014 at 22:55

I'm kind of considering that, honestly. Its just that I feel like I could sell it, another DD, and have a little more income.

BigBlock440 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:55

The cheapest car you can get is the one you already own, free and clear. 12 years is enough to make it not worth much to sell or buy, but 90k is new enough that it should last a few more years without any major problems. Without even considering emotional attachments, I vote keep it.

MikeP3 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:56

Keep it. Mod it (sleeper style). Nobody wants to buy it. The fact that it's mint might get you an extra $1000 if you're lucky.

dogisbadob > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:56

That engine is half of the Aston Martin V12

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:56

Keep taurus and modife said taurus. If you need help with what to mod, let me know.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Thunderface
11/17/2014 at 22:57

Hmmm. Tempting. I would really rather have FWD, AWD, or 4WD in the snow, though. That being said, this is really tempting.......... http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/467545…

ViperGuy21 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:58

Maybe sell it to another family member..?

GeorgeyBoy > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 22:59

Nah, you wouldn't be able to find another DD as reliable and cheap to operate as your Taurus. Not to mention it's a buyers market for the them. Just keep saving your money.

Thunderface > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:00

but...hoonage....

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/17/2014 at 23:00

Any reason why, besides gas mileage?

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Nibby
11/17/2014 at 23:00

They sure look that way.

AthomSfere > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:02

I had a 2000 Taurus, and about 100k is where I started to see that car become a money hole. Heater core, fuel pump, ignition / electric problems, regular maintenance of course, transmission dumped at about 125k...

I also hated that car, it was something I tolerated... But...

For the price range, its going to be a gamble with any car.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > MikeP3
11/17/2014 at 23:02

There's no reason for me to mod it. I already have one performance car. With that being said, I understand what you're saying. Thanks for the help.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > BigBlock440
11/17/2014 at 23:03

Very good points. Thanks for the help.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:03

First and foremost, in my experience, the 4L60/700R4 is a hit or miss in reliability. Granted, you can get them rebuilt cheap as shit, or just get one out of a junkyard. We've always had a miss in 4WD applications. Second, insurance will be higher. Third, if you take the highway mostly, you'll get maybe 15-16 mpg, if not you might get 10.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > dogisbadob
11/17/2014 at 23:04

Dat performance lineage tho........

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Thunderface
11/17/2014 at 23:06

I already have one car for hoonage :)

Kinja'd!!!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
11/17/2014 at 23:07

Lol. But I already have one performance car, don't really know if I need another.

Thunderface > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:07

MOAR HOONAGE!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > ViperGuy21
11/17/2014 at 23:09

My grandparents loved it when they were using it, since I gave it to them for the summer and fall. Maybe I'll ask them.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > GeorgeyBoy
11/17/2014 at 23:11

Very valid point. Thanks for the help.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:11

comfort mods, not power mods. Mach audio is one. 12 watt is standard, Mach is 80 watts and with good speakers its even better. another is LED lighting. I can go on forever about this stuff. Trust me.

TDogg > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:15

My Taurus is still kicking at 215k. My parents got it from my my dads work with around 120k and its been an absolutely zero maintenance car.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > AthomSfere
11/17/2014 at 23:16

Hmmm. That's not good news to my ears at all. Good to keep in mind, though. Thanks for the advice.

BigBlock440 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:19

Also, I don't know your financial situation, but even working minimum wage, you'll wind up a week or two ahead short term (after taxes/registration/fees/etc) for something that may not even save you anything anyway.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/17/2014 at 23:20

Huh. The 700R4 has never really treated anyone in my family badly, including myself. Insurance is a good point, for sure. I would have to see how much of increase it would be. Damn, that is even worse than I thought on gas mileage. Not good to hear, at all.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Thunderface
11/17/2014 at 23:21

One can only afford so much hoonage!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
11/17/2014 at 23:23

Ah, gotcha. Didn't know exactly. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Was actually planning on doing some LED stuff soon. Thanks for the advice.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > TDogg
11/17/2014 at 23:25

Damn, nice. I've heard the reliability has been kind of hit and miss. Good to hear things like that, though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:25

We've had 4, and 3 of them shit the bed before 100k. The 4th wasn't around long enough to shit the bed. It's relatively common. It's a cheap transmission to fix, but only certain years are decent. The 4L60E was the best iteration of it.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/17/2014 at 23:30

Damn, really? We've had 3 in our family, and all of them went at least 170k.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:41

Yep, we've actually had better luck with Chrysler products lol. With the exception of our '05 Impala, it just didn't have enough power to break anything.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/17/2014 at 23:46

That is really odd. Good to think of, though. Thanks for the advice.

AthomSfere > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/17/2014 at 23:55

Who knows, might have been a bad sample.

But in hindsight, the heater core is a common issue, and per the transmission shop about 120k is where that transmission seems to die. Maybe do an extra flush if you haven't recently.

The heater core, run the heat a couple times throughout the summer, might help. That isn't necessarily expensive, but its a PITA to do yourself. Shop cost is $40 in parts and up to $2000 in labor! Best quote I got was $1200 so I did it myself, a full 12ish hours in freezing temps in an apartment complex parking lot, twice...

And not trying to bear bad news by any stretch! Just I had a bad run with that car. My second Ford and it seemed Ford was doing no better in 2000 than they were in '79. Maybe Fords just hate me.

bob and john > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/18/2014 at 00:45

keep the taurus.
main reason: you know its a reliable car that gets decent MPG. you know the service history. your know what it may or may not need. wjhy screw up that un-certanty with someone elses car?
that truck you posted? that "extra cash"? tyhat cash is going STRAIGHT to the gas tank of that truck.

and the sentimental value is there on the tau too.

ViperGuy21 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/18/2014 at 07:11

There you go. Maybe you've gor a solution!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 07:48

Valid points, for sure. Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I'll just keep the Taurus for at least a little while, as I've had quite a few people say the same thing.

Meatcoma > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
11/18/2014 at 09:35

I love those mid-late 90 Tahoes but they are super bouncy and get some shitastical mpg.

I've been eyeing one that sits in a yard about 6 blocks from the house, the paint is good, I assume either the engine or the tranny is out and that's why it's sitting. At some point I'm going to have to make an offer on it, although it's that yucky purplish color. If I was in the market for a 4x4, seen the one you posted and had the cash, I'd buy it.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Meatcoma
11/18/2014 at 11:06

Yeah, same here. Not worried about it being bouncy, but the MPGs might be an issue.

I'm thinking about asking the guy for some more pictures and info, since it seems really promising. Still not sure at this point, though.