The engine, passenger and cargo space.

The transmission SUCKS!!! It's not a question of if it will fail. It's more a question of where it will and when. And the fact that it's an 89 makes no difference. The 1999 Taurus/Sable/Windstar use the same tranny and are part of a non-announced recall for (you guessed it) the transmission.

It's a solid vehicle. It takes hits to the bumpers very well, with little or no damage. The 3.0L OHV V6 is adequate for this vehicle, highway merging and passing is a breeze, though more so with the 3.8L V6

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Compared to cars of the same era, the Taurus has more creature comforts, but the dismal service record would suggest that one get a different car.

Engine is the best part of the taurus. I like the power lock and seats. The cruve of the body, and the fact that it stands out from other cars.

Unfortunatly, the Lock in the doors and the lock in the trunck, the key won't work.Sad, 73000mi. and so far the ony work I have had done is maintance and the locks.

4 star rating only because i'll save the five for next time I buy a ford, taurus. The car is great. Smoth ride and plenty of room. Have kids lots of room, are you tall lots of leg room which is great for me.Rides smooth and i just can't say enough.

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None had a taurus for six years in a row now. and plan on getting another when this one is gone,Thanks Ford, "so much for fix or repair daily."

good ride, good gas mileage, great air and heat, lots of room for passengers except tall ones in the backseat

electrical problems...rear driver electric window won't go up...dealer can't fix..say's its the motor...motor checks out fine...they work on commission....rear passenger power lock went capoot...moola dollars to fix...and the best one of all...the air bag light has blinked on and off for two years...many ford dollars to fix...just stay out of an accident...

car rides nice...gives good gas mileage, 25 to 28...wonderful air and heat...plenty of room for hauling items...would give it a high rating but can't due to other problems

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had a 1984 pontiac wagon...and a 1988 chevy wagon...they had different problems...no power windows or locks...the old fashioned way...

good ride, good gas mileage, great air and heat, lots of room for passengers except tall ones in the backseat

electrical problems...rear driver electric window won't go up...dealer can't fix..say's its the motor...motor checks out fine...they work on commission....rear passenger power lock went capoot...moola dollars to fix...and the best one of all...the air bag light has blinked on and off for two years...many ford dollars to fix...just stay out of an accident...

car rides nice...gives good gas mileage, 25 to 28...wonderful air and heat...plenty of room for hauling items...would give it a high rating but can't due to other problems

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had a 1984 pontiac wagon...and a 1988 chevy wagon...they had different problems...no power windows or locks...the old fashioned way...

Looks, feeling of comfort, and power when you need it.

Slow kick-back on steep hills.

I absolutly love my 'bug'(named after morton bay bugs).
As yet I have not faulted it on anything. I do a lot of driving with my job including driving clients around; Everybody comments on the look and style of the car, (especially the instrument panel; There arn't too many Taurus's over here so they get noticed.I drive in all sorts of conditions and areas from the highway to the mountains and I have not been let down yet. The car is so comfortable to drive, I look forward to being in it, and the fact that it is so easy to handle with the power to go when needed makes it an all over fantastic driving experience.
I wouldn't go back to anything else.

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Nothing compares

The power seat still works (knock on wood)

Overall engineering

This car is a testimony to the continuing incompetency at Ford Engineering. Remember the exploding Pinto? How about failing motor mounts, leaking radiator side tanks, door hinge failure (that's right the door falls off), peeling paint, leaking A/C condenser, blown A/C compressor manifold lines (due to the motor dropping when the mount deep-sixed), crappy ignition switch, failed power windows and power door locks, groaning power steering pump, and the worst brakes on any sedan.

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Dodge Spirit much more responsive car, quality brakes, hey the A/C works!

Engine (Duratec 24V V6), lots of pep, suspension (better than the Taurus sedans), keyless entry, 4-wheel disk brakes (not available on the sedans), ABS, traction control (we'll see how that works in the winter), nice color, decent leather, lots of cargo room available, will seat 8 (as long as two or three are young children), those ingenious adjustable pedals, 16" wheels, and decent handling for a wagon.

Some cheap manufacture in the side compartments and glove box (a joke, and it doesn't lock), lack of power back rest in driver's seat (why make it go up and down and back and forth electroncally and then make you pull a lever to adjust the back?), no cassette player to go with the CD (some of us oldsters still play tapes). Odd things that weren't included (considering all the things that were) are auto off headlights and automatic climate control, but no big deal.

This is my wife's car. She wanted a wagon with a third seat, so that pretty much limited it to Taurus or Sable. We were just going to get a standard SE Wagon with no options (save the third seat) and, as a longtime Accord driver, I was set to be unimpressed by Ford. We went to the dealer for a test drive and sitting there was this Harvest Gold Metallic wagon with Taurus SES on the back. It had every amenity the SES sedan does, some that the SEL sedan does, and some that are options for either one. It had leather, power adjustable pedals (a really nifty feature), ABS, traction control, heated side mirrors, CD player and, best of all in my opinion, the 24-valve, 200-hp aluminum Duratec V6. It had 720 miles on it -- somebody had bought it, decided they wanted an SUV, and returned it, so it was technically a used car. 720 miles is nothing (what, two weeks of driving?). The car was absolutely cherry (still even smelled new), had 35 months left on the original warranty, and was selling for less than dealer invoice on a brand new SE wagon with no extras. I advised my wife to BUY it. She did, and she loves it. Having had some experience driving it on vacation recently, I gotta admit I'm impressed, too. Especially with that engine (very nice), and the overall handling (pretty smooth). I have upgraded my opinion of Ford based on this vehicle, because it's a pretty damn nice car. Especially that engine. Whoa.

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Good as the Sable wagon we drove, and a better deal (although this Tauurus wagon is kind of unusual.) Someone explain to me -- what's the point of having the Taurus and the Sable? Same car. It's like Dodge and Plymouth -- I've never understood it. Not quite as tight, responsive and nicely finished as my '01 EX V6 Accord Sedan, but I love Hondas and, hey, it's a wagon. I doesn't compare that unfavorably (heck, Honda should install heated side mirrors and adjustable pedals.)

It is a very comfortable car, rides and handles well and has an outstanding radio.

The engine and drivetrain leave a lot to be desired.

The car ran great for the first year, although it did have a slight engine ping even on light acceleration. The dealer said it was normal and for me to try a higher octane gas, which didn't help. I talked to other Taurus owners and they didn't seem to have the problem. At about 20,000 miles the accelerator seemed like it was sticking. I was told that it couldn't be a mechanical problem as it used an electronic accelerator. An example is if I let up on the gas pedal doing 70mph, the car would just keep on going as if the cruise control were on. It was an intermittent problem and there was no warning as to when it would happen. Sometimes the idle speed would just zoom up to about 3000 rpm. Not a whole lot of fun, especially on the I8575 connector in downtown Atlanta. I had to take the car back to the dealer for this problem 6 times before it was finally fixed. They said the ECM had to be replaced. The car ran OK for the next 50,000 miles until the transmission went out on a desolate stretch of I29 in North Dakota. Thankfully, there's a lot of helpful, friendly people in that part of the country and was able to get a ride to a telephone without any problem. I was cruising at 70mph and the transmission went out without warning; no noise, slippage or any other abnormalities noticed before it went out. Needles to say, my extended warranty just expired so I was hit with an outrageous repair bill. When I put my experience with this Ford product and the testimonies of others and the attitude of Ford towards it's customers and employees in general, this is going to be my last Ford.

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Overall it's not quite up to par with with some MOPAR products I've owned and not even in the same ballpark with Toyota.

JBL 6disc CD system, 3.4l V8 performance and exahsut note when factory system ditched, highway ride and moderate gas mileage

typical Taurus problems, looks too much like regular models

Very well Rounded Sports Sedan. Dream on the high. can be a little bit of a handful on slippery surfaces, needs snow tires for winter driving. Great car to take long trips in. Very Fast {over 140mph 5 different times} little slow out of the hole but once rolling the 32valve V8 comes alive.

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Grand Prix, no contest... Chrylser LH cars, not in same league. mid 90's 5 series BMW.. very similar in overall package

Good AC and that about sums it up.

Serveral weaknesses. At approximately 50K, My CV joint needed replacing then at 66K I had my main seal replaced and a busted gasket in the transmission pan. As soon I drove my car home from the shop, my battery went dead and power steering went out. Luckily, I purchased a extended warranty and it helped with the fees to fix my car but it still gave me alot of misrey. I owned serveral cars in my past and this is not normal. I made a promise to myself to NEVER buy a Ford again.

I purchased the vehicle at a good price with low interest. Very roomy and smooth ride but lacks manuverability. Easy to work on and parts were fairly resonable. Because of the lack of reliablity, my overall impression is below the market standard. The resell value doesn't even come close to other vehicles (i.e. Honda/Accord).

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Junk