we are looking at buying a 99 Taurus

We just looked at a 1999 3.0 Taurus.

What are the things to look for in this era Taurus?

Two things (minor) that need looking at if I buy it.

The 2 hood props need replacing or servicing. (how much $s?)

AND the dash just above the instrument cluster is separating,
Is it an easy fix and/or an inexpensive fix?

How about the safety rating? I know it only has two front air bags.

BTW, there is 62,000 miles on the ody.

The interior is in pretty good shape, except for the dash issue.

Tranny juice looks good as well as the coolant.
Handles and brakes well too.

Any info on the 99 "BULL" would be great-
Thanks.

Any 10+ year old vehicle needs to be thoroughly evaluated. You didn't mention the price, that has a significant bearing. If you aren't getting a bargain price, I would look for a later model, many improvements came along and the book price won't be much more.
If all the mfr suggested services were done on it, with the correct (Mercon V) transmission fluid, it might deserve further attention.
Two different 3.0 engines were offered that year, completely different from one another.

The dash separating is a known issue. There are threads here of people using Gorilla glue and clamps to fix it. The prop-rods are usually around $40 each, or you could try a junkyard for $5 each. Though both are 3.0 liter, the two engines/transmission are very different. The vulcan isn't known for longevity. The duratec 24v is a better motor but some of the electronics, speed sensor/cam sensor etc., are mentioned frequently. Its transmission seems to go out more often than the one on the vulcan.
Safety. Mine is a 98 Sable, basically the same car. I got plowed in the rear and pushed into a car in front of me. After that accident I did everything to get it back together because I have never felt safer after one occurred than I did in that one. They are second gen airbags and you have a long front end to crumple. There is a good distance between the rear bumper and the fuel tank, then more to the rear seat. The first two years before we got a van, it was the car I trusted for my wife to drive our baby around in. Right now it is sitting in the driveway. At 290,000 miles the engine sounds like rod bearings are completely gone (24v duratec). When I get some time I'm going to get it fixed and try for a million miles. The tranny had a rebuild at I think it was 140,000.

The 99 Taurus' asking price is a firm 2500.00.

I also forgot to mention that the two electric rear view mirrors can not be operated by the door panel mounted switch, could the switch be bad?

I am pretty sure that the 3.0 is a Vulcan.

We are also looking at an 07 Taurus, similar mileage 61k or so an the asking price is 8995.00 and we offered 6500.00 for it. (we have not heard back from
the dealer on our 6500.00 offer yet).

I also forgot to mention that the two electric rear view mirrors can not be operated by the door panel mounted switch, could the switch be bad?

The switch could be bad, but since the mirror switch doesn't typically see much use, I'd doubt it. I'd suspect it is more likely due to a broken wire in the circular connector between the cabin and door. Various Ford models with this configuration are known to have wires break in these connector harnesses. Carefully check all power windows and the power locks. Make sure the door speaker works as well. If one wire is already broken, there's a good chance others are not far behind.

-Rod

I would put the tranny though a series of tests while you test drive it. The tell-tale signs from my experience with Taurus trannys is when the tranny slips after accelerating right after decelerating, get up to about 40 mph then brake down to about 20 mph then kick it down pretty good. If you head don't snap back the car is in good shape. For some reason my Taurus hated long left turns from a stop too. The tranny would drop into overdrive then clunk hard back down when accelerating out of the turn. If your Taurus tranny is good you are just about home free if you ask me.
The radiator is hidden so it is kind of hard to replace so I'd make sure there are no leaks.
Routine maintenence is really easy with a Vulcan. Brakes, belt, plugs and filters are something a novice can do. A Haynes manual and ShoRods advice has saved me mucho dinero over the years! Those hood props pop off really easy. You can have them replaced in 10 minutes. It is recommended to replace both at the same time but if one is good I'd replace just the bad one.
As far as your price of $2500, it seems to be good especially for a dealer in Hawaii. I just recently sold a 96 wagon in really nice shape with only 75k on the Vulcan and it was really hard to get $2400. The car was so nice it sure seemed like it should be worth more but no one was willing to pay more and I live near L.A. so I have a lot of population within driving distance. I've sold other Taurus' in worse shape and they sell really fast for $1900. That seems to be the magic number people are willing to pay for a 1996-1999. I always say it's the best equipped car you can get for the money.

Good luck

TaurusGLenn

Well we did buy the 99 Taurus for 2300.00 - I offered 2000.00 but the seller did not go for it. So 2300.00 got us a "new" Taurus.

It drives well and will only be used for short trips to a community college near by.

Things to fix
1. The dash board above the instrument cluster.
2. Remove damaged window tint on driver and passenger windows.
3. Two hood props (43.00 each).
4. Remote mirror control.
5. Minor interior and exterior detailing.

I guess we will be busy this weekend!

Good luck with that trany. I hope you have better luck than i did , i also paid 2.500 for 99 taurus ,lasted 2 monts then no traney, replaced 3 times from junk yard and all were bad , traney is crap in the 99 taurus but mabe u will luck out:headshake