Car I might be buying for my daughter.

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
03/28/2019 at 11:06 • Filed to: None

My wife wants this one

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (60)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:14

If that has the 4 cylinder, it is ridiculously slow for a mid sized sedan. Could be a good thing, could be a bad thing, depending on how aggressive your daughter is. If she drives too aggressively, yeah it slows her down but that thing’ll get ragged hard and fast. Granted, if she’s naturally slow, she might struggle to merge onto freeways until she learns when to plant her foot into it.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:14

Probably the best first car so far in this saga

jimz > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:15

I remember a few years of that generation having issues with front coil springs breaking, but don’t know exactly which ones.

Nibby > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:15

have you considered this

https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/mulsanne/mulsanne.html

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:15

I spent a couple days in one this week:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/what-im-driving-today-1833544331

Better optioned than my Forte!

Future Heap Owner > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:16

These are still somewhat common around here. I’ve always had a fondness for how ridiculously round the styling is, especially on the wagon. Seems like a solid first car for a teenager

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > jimz
03/28/2019 at 11:16

I feel like 75% of the ones I see have collapsed rear suspensions

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:24

For $3,000 a running reliable car is not bad. It’s boring AF but she my look back fondly and think how practical it was and it’s great fuel economy after she gets a job and trades it in for a Chevy Tahoe with 150,000 miles.

nerd_racing > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:25

My ex had one that looked exactly the same as this one. It was nothing but problems, from the evap codes, to rear suspension , to rotted fuel tanks, and no heat in the winter. I would recommend looking elsewhere.

WilliamsSW > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:25

Boring cars, but safe and reliable AFAIK. My buddy’s son has one, his first car also. It was a hand me down from my buddy’s mom (so gently used). They did just rebuild the trans in it, which might be a common issue with these, but otherwise it’s been good.

CalzoneGolem > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/28/2019 at 11:26

They are only asking $2000 that was their trade in value.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:26

If it has the Vulcan V6, it might be evil.

CalzoneGolem > Future Heap Owner
03/28/2019 at 11:27

My last car was one. I almost bought a wagon instead of the Forester.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:27

Well then, go for it.

CalzoneGolem > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/28/2019 at 11:28

Yeah lots of saggy bottoms.

WilliamsSW > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/28/2019 at 11:28

LOL - these came standard with the Vulcan V6, I’m fairly sure — but that engine really does have the power of a 4 .

It’s a freaking dog, w ith the fuel economy of a V6! Best of both worlds!!!

CalzoneGolem > jimz
03/28/2019 at 11:28

This is one of the later models so I think we’re good.

CalzoneGolem > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
03/28/2019 at 11:29

It seems pretty nice. I’d need to get under it to really be sure.

CalzoneGolem > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/28/2019 at 11:32

A ll these came with a 3.0 v6, but it could be the Duratec or Vulcan. I think this is a V ulcan based on there being no 24v badging.

CalzoneGolem > Nibby
03/28/2019 at 11:33

No. No I had not.

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/28/2019 at 11:35

I think it do.

CalzoneGolem > nerd_racing
03/28/2019 at 11:36

My last car was one and my wife’s family has had a long line of trouble free Taurus first cars. If it is as good as it looks in pictures we’ll most likely be getting it. Wife has already given her approval.

nerd_racing > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:36

I sure do hope your ownership experience is better than hers was.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/28/2019 at 11:37

To be fair I think you would have to buy a Trabant to get something not better optioned than your Forte.

mazda616 > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:40

Not a bad price and decently safe for a first time driver. My friends had one (a 2004) and it got t-boned by an F-150 and sent spinning into a ditch and they all walked away fine.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 11:51

okay now I’m confused. One of these mid-sized sedans had two V6 options and a 4 banger and the 4 banger was so terrible they only did i t for like one generation...

412GTI > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:00

Seems like a pretty decent deal given the miles and condition. I’d still get a PPI if you can. Never know what unexpected maintenance it might need in the immediate future.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:03

I don’t really remember what the problems are offhand, but I think down in hot states they have cooling system goblins. Some issues may not be applicable to you, so...

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:09

Just check the rockers from the b-pillar back to the wheel wells. They rot out and don’t show till it’s bad enough that it gets above the trim plastic rocker cover. Otherwise, they run. Just not very pretty, IMO. But that rocker rot is a killer. We had to scrap two relatively low miles of similar vintage because of the rotted rockers. One good hit and your trunk is now in your front seat.

Boxer_4 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/28/2019 at 12:10

I think you’re thinking of the first gen Taurus. That had the 2.5 HSC I4, 3.0 Vulcan V6, and 3.8 Essex V6 as options. Also the 3.0 SHO V6, too.

CalzoneGolem > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/28/2019 at 12:15

This gen never had a 4 banger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_(fourth_generation)

CalzoneGolem > 412GTI
03/28/2019 at 12:15

That’s the plan anyways.

CalzoneGolem > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
03/28/2019 at 12:18

I know these have issues with the rear quarters rotting pretty badl y. I’ll give it a good going over and my mechanic will as well.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:24

You want her to hate cars/driving?

Because a Vulcan powered Taurus is how you make her hate cars/driving.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/28/2019 at 12:25

Utter dogs that get terrible fuel economy is a huge Vulcan problem.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/28/2019 at 12:26

It’s a Vulcan 3.0, it is bad, and it gets Tahoe economy.

WilliamsSW > Boxer_4
03/28/2019 at 12:29

Yeah, came here to post this same thought. That 4 banger died after the first gen.

Chariotoflove > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:34

Hard to find a less interesting Ford. Overall pretty good safety ratings. Good job, Dad.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:35

I’m thinking of the malibu. It had the boat anchor 4 and then the 3.5 and 3.9 V6s

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:56

In my experience, watch out for the floor rotting out. The spoilers also use 3M pads, which easily degrade and let water into the trunk after a decade.

They’re slow as dirt, but dead on reliable as long as you keep the consumables in check.

e: source

Kinja'd!!!

dogisbadob > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 12:59

Get her an Echo :o)

CalzoneGolem > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/28/2019 at 13:16

You’re really awfully harsh on anything that isn’t Mopar.

CalzoneGolem > Chariotoflove
03/28/2019 at 13:17

It’s much like my first car which was a Lumina with a slightly larger v6

CalzoneGolem > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/28/2019 at 13:17

Oh yes. These are more Lumina sized.

CalzoneGolem > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
03/28/2019 at 13:18

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/bullmobile

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 13:21

Spooked. I bought my Taurus for $250. Made it back in scrap (thankfully) .

CalzoneGolem > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
03/28/2019 at 13:27

Where did you find that beauty for $250?

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 13:31

It was cancerous underneath (hence, the rotted floorboard issue I mentioned.)

Over 300,000 miles from doing what amounts to a Bangor -> Portland run almost every day, and it was a lawn car being sold for $500. I suppose the reason I was able to talk them down was because they knew the issues.

CalzoneGolem > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
03/28/2019 at 13:32

Well, it looked great up top for 300k

Jordan > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 13:56

Why don’t you try a Panther-body? Very reliable cars, capable of 500k miles with no issues. And because they’re mostly bought by fleets or old people, they’re usually well maintained too.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 15:29

Watch for rusty strut towers.

CalzoneGolem > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
03/28/2019 at 15:30

Yeah for sure going to have to look very hard for rust.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 15:34

That Vulcan 3.0 will never die though. God, my mom really neglected the one she had and just kept on running.

CalzoneGolem > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
03/28/2019 at 15:35

Somehow I managed to spin a bearing in one.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 16:05

I owned a 2004 Taurus with the Vulcan V6. I don’t hate everything not Mopar, I just wouldn’t wish a Vulcan Taurus on anyone. It got terrible fuel economy, had zero power whatsoever, and had continual electrical issues. By far one of the absolute worst vehicles I’ve ever owned and it only had 48k miles on it when we got it.

Now a 24v Taurus on the other hand I would say go for it.

CalzoneGolem > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/28/2019 at 16:08

I won’t dispute most of what you say about the V ulcan but I’ve seen so many solider on for eons fueled only by neglect.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 16:11

Eh, if you want something that’ll soldier on for eons pick up a 3800 powered GM of the era. Same reliability, far better daily IMO.

Under_Score > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2019 at 16:21

These are also in perfect cheap car territory. One of those cars I see a lot of, but never on cars.com. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/725438496/overview?aff=share_other

shop-teacher > CalzoneGolem
03/29/2019 at 00:32

I was gonna say, wasn't yours a total PITA?

CalzoneGolem > shop-teacher
03/29/2019 at 09:21

It was really only a pain when the engine let go. It did like to eat tires thought.