97 ford taurus wagon... Good buy?

[chcknugget]

Hello all,
My girlfriend is interested in buying a 97 Ford Taurus wagon with 118k miles. It has a 3.0 engine, is forest green, and is in really good cosmetic condition.

Are there any known problems that she should look out for with such a high milage vehicle? I think it's going to cost her around $3000 from the auto yard.

The engine sounded loud, not that it sounded bad, but it didn't sound like your normal economy car engine (maybe a little beefier).

[sfontain]

Originally Posted by chcknugget

Hello all,
My girlfriend is interested in buying a 97 Ford Taurus wagon with 118k miles. It has a 3.0 engine, is forest green, and is in really good cosmetic condition.

Are there any known problems that she should look out for with such a high milage vehicle? I think it's going to cost her around $3000 from the auto yard.

The engine sounded loud, not that it sounded bad, but it didn't sound like your normal economy car engine (maybe a little beefier).

Well...yeah. You should expect the possibility of problems with any car at that age and mileage.

If this is coming from a private sale, that price may be a little high, depending on trim level and options, which you didn't specificy. If it's from a dealer. I would still try to talk them down a bit.

Just an opinion, not to step on any toes: If you're just looking for an inexpensive but reliable car, if you can only spend $3k you might be better off looking at a newer, lower-mileage Escort (preferably the 5-speed). It's a bit smaller than the Taurus, and it doesn't feel as refined, but in my experience these things are more reliable than the Taurus (particularly with the Taurus automatic transmission).

In any event. At 118K. You should expect a solid chance that it's going to need air and fuel filters, PCV valve, a transmission flush, spark plugs and wires, serpentine belt, timing belt/chain unless they have record of recent replacement, maybe an oil change, maybe brakes, maybe tires, and potentially an EGR valve depending how it runs now. If it runs absolutely perfectly, okay. But you're getting into the mileage territory where a transmission or fuel pump failure is not entirely unlikely if they haven't been recently replaced.

Let us know how it goes!

[chcknugget]

Originally Posted by sfontain

Well...yeah. You should expect the possibility of problems with any car at that age and mileage.

If this is coming from a private sale, that price may be a little high, depending on trim level and options, which you didn't specificy. If it's from a dealer. I would still try to talk them down a bit.

Just an opinion, not to step on any toes: If you're just looking for an inexpensive but reliable car, if you can only spend $3k you might be better off looking at a newer, lower-mileage Escort (preferably the 5-speed). It's a bit smaller than the Taurus, and it doesn't feel as refined, but in my experience these things are more reliable than the Taurus (particularly with the Taurus automatic transmission).

In any event. At 118K. You should expect a solid chance that it's going to need air and fuel filters, PCV valve, a transmission flush, spark plugs and wires, serpentine belt, timing belt/chain unless they have record of recent replacement, maybe an oil change, maybe brakes, maybe tires, and potentially an EGR valve depending how it runs now. If it runs absolutely perfectly, okay. But you're getting into the mileage territory where a transmission or fuel pump failure is not entirely unlikely if they haven't been recently replaced.

Let us know how it goes!

I thought all of these replacements were normal! Hahaha I have a 96 GMC Jimmy w/98k and everything seems to have gone on it now except for the fuel pump.

The car is from a dealer. He said he'd give us a 1 year warranty on everything because his shop checked everything out. He also has a really professional and honest shop. Since we go to school in Michigan I think we may wave the warranty and get a lower price.

I think the Taurus may have good trim, it was green and really looked nice. The thing that amazed me most was that there was NO cracked trim or carpets or seats. Everything was mint and intact. There were buttons on the steering wheel, but there is no factory cd player

[chcknugget]

What are the hp ratings of the 3.0 engine? Is it the same as the duratec 30?

[joe92k1500]

I beleive the 97 3.0 12 valve has 140hp. The duratec has more hp and tq but im not sure what the numbers are. Check out the tranny really well. Take it through all the gears and make sure the fluid is reddish in color. These trannies are not known for their durability. Take it on the freeway and check for shudder and good downshifts. Also check the heat. The core has a tendancy to clog. If you do go with the warranty, make sure you sign a warranty contract, and know exactly what it includes. If that checks out and the warranty is included, it sounds like a pretty good deal. good luck

[sfontain]

Originally Posted by chcknugget

I thought all of these replacements were normal! Hahaha I have a 96 GMC Jimmy w/98k and everything seems to have gone on it now except for the fuel pump.

The car is from a dealer. He said he'd give us a 1 year warranty on everything because his shop checked everything out. He also has a really professional and honest shop. Since we go to school in Michigan I think we may wave the warranty and get a lower price.

I think the Taurus may have good trim, it was green and really looked nice. The thing that amazed me most was that there was NO cracked trim or carpets or seats. Everything was mint and intact. There were buttons on the steering wheel, but there is no factory cd player

The Vulcan is now rated at about 155 hp. It may be slightly lower for the year you're looking at. This engine is in my '02 and it is absolutely ample, but don't plan on beating many other cars if that's your thing.

The Duratec is rated for 200 hp now. I've driven one and the power/torque difference is *very* significant. You don't necessarily need this engine, but it does make the car slightly more valuable, maybe by a few hundred dollars at best. This engine will give you slightly worse gas mileage, and it's generally much harder to work on because it's pretty much shoehorned into the engine bay.

Ford also puts two kinds of transmissions into these cars: The AX4S, which is almost always found with the Vulcan, and the AX4N, which is always found where there is a Duratec. The AX4N is very similar to the AX4S but essentially uses better parts and is usually believed to last longer under the same stresses. I've heard of some people paying extra for the Duratec just because the transmissions are better. Occasionally you'll find a Vulcan with the AX4N, which is a lucky find, but not common.

The parts replacements are pretty normal. But over time. You're looking at doing them all at just about the same time. I just wanted you to realize that you should include that in the cost of getting the car.

How much is waiving the warranty going to save you? If it's only a couple hundred bucks I would definitely stick with it on that car if you plan on keeping it very long. Make sure you have in writing what it covers before you do the deal, and make sure it will cover powertrain problems for the full year. You may be stuck if something like the fuel pump goes, but that's not even close to what it will cost you if you end up needing the transmission rebuilt.

Trim level doesn't refer to the condition of the car's trim. Is it a G, GL, LX, or SHO?

You should have a mechanic look at it.

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by joe92k1500

I beleive the 97 3.0 12 valve has 140hp.

Wow, a 2.9L stock 86-92 has 140hp. I wonder if it has more toque..

Ask yourself these questions... Do you have $1,200 for a new transmission if it were to fail? Do you want a car that you'll have to grandma in hopes of not taking out the tranny? That transmission will more than likely fail. It's not an easy fix either. I'll change a tranny in a rear wheel drive car in a heart beat. If it's front, I won't touch it. I just don't have the patience or the tools. Really, it's just not worth it man. Get something with an AOD / 5.0L or a Standard / 2.3L. Even an inline 6 200, those never die. The 5.0L puts out some power, while getting about the same MPG as a 2.9L. Both of those engines have been around a long time, and are proven to last. That's just what I've seen, I never really liked the 3.0L. Do what you want though. To me, it's a car engineered to fail.

[chcknugget]

It's a GL, I'm going to talk to the shop and see if anything's been replaced.

[joe92k1500]

[quote=Psychopete]Wow, a 2.9L stock 86-92 has 140hp. I wonder if it has more toque..

Ok, i looked it up
1997
Horsepower: 145 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque: 170 ft-lbs @ 3250 rpm

1992
Max Horsepower: 4800 rpm Horsepower: 140 hp
Max Torque: 3000 rpm Torque: 160 ft-lbs.

Not much of an increase.

[joe92k1500]

[quote=Psychopete]Wow, a 2.9L stock 86-92 has 140hp. I wonder if it has more toque..

Ok, i looked it up
1997
Horsepower: 145 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque: 170 ft-lbs @ 3250 rpm

1992
Max Horsepower: 4800 rpm Horsepower: 140 hp
Max Torque: 3000 rpm Torque: 160 ft-lbs.

Not much of an increase.