Any opinions on 2003 Taurus 24v reliability?

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I am looking to replace my beater car that I drive to work, with something a lot newer and better built. I am looking at lower mileage 2000+ Tauruses. I have to have leather and the 24v engine, and I am looking at stuff in the 40-75k mile range.

Any comments on the build quality and reliability of these cars? I will put about 20k miles a year on it and I want something that I don't have to constantly work on to keep it going. I have put over $2,000 in parts in my POS Saturn SL2 in the past 13 months, with me doing all the work, to keep this thing going, and I can't take it any more.

Thanks

Steve

[DTRMiguel]

My sister is looking to sell hers. Contact me PM or on here and ill tell u everything about it once she text me back. It holds up well for her minor stuff like belts been replaced i know it needs plugs i have them already just havent put on. Ima procrastonator ive had UDP's and intake spacer for MONTHS

[ctrlraven]

Honestly the best daily beaters are Toyota Camry's and Honda Accords, both have leather options and V6 engines, good build quality and reliability, plus I think the Accords V6 has more power than the Taurus lol. Just an idea.

As far as the Taurus, do a recall and review search for 2003 and 2004 models. Reliability? That depends on how well it was taken care of. If you're look at a F/L/M I would try to go for a Certified Pre-Own that they have since it has the warranty.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I won't drive an import. I had a Honda product (2003 Acura TL type S) and the reliability was not anything to write home about. Fast car though. I hate working on japanese cars though.

Warranty is not a big selling point for me, I end up doing all the work myself anyway.

[Zack]

According to my Friend who is a Ford Tech, all 2001-2005ish Taurus's are great cars.

He told me if you can find a 12v, vs a 24v, that is the best Taurus made, with the least amount of problems

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Thanks. I need the 24v power-wise.

[Zack]

With a 93 Octane tune, those Taurus's will FLY

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Can you tune one?

[GordonB]

Ford has been building the 24V 3.0L V-6 for like ages. Doesn't necessarily make it bullet proof, but the last bunch of Taurus/Sable cars SHOULD be problem free -- I'd look at the 'much-dreaded/hated' Comsumer Reports for the 2003/4/5 used car reports that they have in the back of their annual Car issue, FWIW.

GordonB

[jdando]

We have a 2003 Sable with the 24v 3.0L V-6. No problems to date, however the transmission has started to act a little flaky lately.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

That's not good, transmission issues never end well, how many miles are on it?

[ctrlraven]

Why not get a Grand Marquis as a DD? Easy as pie to work on.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I don't have any love for the non MM panthers, they are just not my cup of tea. The MM's cool factor is in its unique features and DOHC powerplant for me, not so much the platform itself. Plus my wife would never drive something that large.

[jdando]

That's not good, transmission issues never end well, how many miles are on it?

I hear you! The surprising thing is it is relatively low mileage, 48,000 miles.

here she is;

http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/photos/492004506_ngJbk-M.jpg

[guspech750]

I would recomend a Jeep Grand Cherokee. 1999 and up. We have a 1999 with v8 full time all wheel drive all the interior goodies and moonroof with 110,000+ miles. We bought it in 2000 or 2001 with just over 20,000 miles on it. Its been super dependable. And still going strong. I still love it. They are cheap now too.

[offroadkarter]

I don't have any love for the non MM panthers, they are just not my cup of tea. The MM's cool factor is in its unique features and DOHC powerplant for me, not so much the platform itself. Plus my wife would never drive something that large.


I'll sell you my car next week.... You have to give me a ride back up to NJ though...



How bout an explorer! :D

Why not look into the lincoln LS? They are really nice

[sconut1]

I don't have any experience with the 24V Taurus other than one or two rental expereinces. However, I can say that I do own an older Sable and it's been just a fantastic car in the 16 years it's been in the family. My dad replaced it with a 03 Taurus when I bought his old one, and the new one has been absolutely solid for him. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment buying a Taurus...check the thing out of course, but it if it's good, buy with confidence!

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Jeep grand cherokee? Uh uh. I am looking for a midsize American 4 door, independently-suspended, V6 sedan with leather and climate control. No live axle RWD stuff. Definitely no trucks.

The LS are nice but I am only looking to spend 5 or 6k, cash no financing, and that has to buy a 2003+ car with under 80k miles on it. So cars like the Taurus, or the 3.8 v6 powered Chevy Impala, and the like that have poor resale value, are a good thing for me because I can buy more features and lower mileage for the money.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Ok I bought a 2004 Taurus SEL today from a dealer, 79k miles, leather, power everything, power sunroof, etc. Extremely clean, non smoker, 1 owner car.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image13.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image1.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image3.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image4.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image5.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image6.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image7.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image8.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2004%20Taurus%20SEL/Image12.jpg

$7k out the door including tax, title, tags. Way under blue book. It drives great, hopefully it is reliable

Thanks

Steve

[Glockafella]

Very Nice and Clean looks like it has half a many miles on it....IMHO...lose the wood.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

IMHO...lose the wood.

LOL, this is going to be my commuter car, I am gonna leave the "wood" on there.

[sd8683]

Nice find! I need to get something like that before winter time.

Btw, you have a beautiful house.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Thank you! It doesn't snow out here but there is no way I would drive the MM as a daily. Parking it is a ritual and my wife would not tolerate that on a daily basis.

[Glockafella]

I like your house a lot too...Give me GPS coordinates immediately lol

I dont know if they made a lighter colored wood, but if they do get the lighter color to match your light brown interior.

[Glockafella]

http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-taurus-wood-grain-dash-kits/

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

LOL you guys really don't like the wood huh. It really doesn't bother me. That's funny you can get kits like that though.

[Glockafella]

just giving you a hard time

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

That's fair, I probably deserve it

[Glockafella]

Does it have the 3.0L? If its the same 3.0 that my ranger had, it will never die...I belive its called the "vulcan".

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

It's the 24 valve DOHC 3.0, the higher output one.

[Glockafella]

Well I had a guy at the Dealership tell me if I could break a 3.0L motor I shouldnt be allowed to operate a refrigerator...So they must be very reliable. The 24V has more moving parts, but I bet its solid.

[babbage]

It's the 24 valve DOHC 3.0, the higher output one.

Time to take it to the drags! :banana2:


:D

[Glockafella]

Time to take it to the drags! :banana2:


:D



I dont know about that, But I bet it will go every bit of 120+ MPH

I remember when the SHOs had the 24V motor, I thought it was a beast growing up.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

LOL it's pretty slow, the old GM 3800 series II pushrod motor makes a mockery of this engine but I didn't want another GM FWD car after having had a few (the GM saginaw steering racks wear like crap). It's a good thing the taurus isn't fast because when I do drive the Marauder to work I end up doing lots of standing full throttle starts just cuz its too much fun. I drive a lot of long straight roads out where there isn't much traffic.