just bought a very clean 98 taurus SE with 60,000 miles on it
...btw what does the SE really mean in options?

any maintenance recommendations? anything i need to keep my
eyes peeled for in the future?

not sure if much service maintenance has been done on it
besides oil changes.

there are CD indications on the AM/FM cassette system ... but
i don't see any CD player? does the CD player get plugged in
somewhere else?

:)

Congratulations on your purchase!

Probably the biggest thing to keep an eye on is the transmission. Pay attention for changes in the shifting. It will be adaptive to some extent tailor to your driving style, but if it starts acting like it's slipping or starts making funny noises, get it checked ASAP. Also, periodically check the transmission fluid. If it changes colors or odor, have the fluid and filter replaced. There are various schools of thought regarding flushing the transmission. Personally, I choose to just routinely change the fluid and filter and don't flush.

Also, routinely check the cooling system. Keep it topped off, keep the coolant clean, and have the boilover point and Ph level checked. Pressure test the cap and remedy any issues before they become larger issues.

As for the CD changer, the head unit in your car at least has CD changer controls, but the car may or may not have the changer. If it does have the CD changer, the changer will be mounted in the trunk on the left side at the floor. It's a black box with a flip open lid.

Enjoy!

-Rod

Look for a CD changer in the trunk. May not have one. Many Ford radios have the hook-ups for a CD changer, but the changer was never installed.
Recommend doing the 60k service. Have everything inspected: brakes, suspension, etc.

how do i check the boilover point and Ph levels?

didn't notice any odor when checking the transmission fluid...
doesn't look to off color for 60k .... it was sitting pretty much
for a year .... do you think it would be best to do a trans fluid
& filter change.

was thinking about doing the oil flush routine at the quik lube.
they run a bottle of "oil flush stuff" to "clean" out bad stuff, then
they change the oil... it's not a teflon additive, just the cleaner
type of additive to be flushed out within a 5 to 10 minutes.

SE meant you get a console and that the car could be ordered with a duratec and alloy wheels (sport/comfort group)

All GL's left the factory with steelies and vulans.

Don't do any transmission service that doesn't include dropping the pan, cleaning it and the magnet. Be sure to change the transmission filter and use Mercon V. Cheap transmission changes such as done at Pep Boys will normally not be done using Mercon V.