What do you think of a Taurus?

82 GT · 06-15-2002, 03:33 PM

I bought my g/f a 1988 Taurus today. It's just a cheap car to replace her Beretta, that caught fire a few months back, until next year when we can afford a better car for her.
Anyway, I was wondering if these were good cars or not?
It has the 3.8 V-6 automatic and seems to be loaded with options(not that it mattered to me). The clearcoat finish is peeling off but I heard that's common with those cars. It has 91K miles and I got it for $1000
Does the '88 Taurus get a thumbs up or thumbs down?
Anybody ever own one of these?

srv1 · 06-15-2002, 03:35 PM

i think they are decent,except of the 3.8. the 3.0 was the better of the 2. but if it runs good, they are good.

Mr 5 0 · 06-15-2002, 03:58 PM

All I know about the early Taurus is that the AOD's were sometimes a problem and the 3.8 V-6 had a habit of blowing head gaskets. Hppefully, both these potential problems have already been addressed on your 'new' Taurus, as it's now 14 years old.

I would avoid overheating it; (flush the system, new coolant, check all hoses and get a new cap) and then change the transmission fluid as a safety measure. Change the oil, too, of course.

Unit 5302 · 06-15-2002, 04:01 PM

Hey, I've heard the 3.8L had some really bad head gasket problems as well, but the 3.0L had more tranny issues? Go figure. Heh.

Overall, my bro has one, can't remember if he has the 3.8L though. He's got well over 200k on it, and it keeps going.

PKRWUD · 06-15-2002, 04:28 PM

What you have read is true, the Ford 3.8 blows head gaskets on average every 60k miles. Odds are, yours have already been replaced. For $1000, it's a good deal. In any case, it's certainly better than another Beretta!

Take care,
-Chris

929PhoenixSquid · 06-16-2002, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 82 GT
I bought my g/f a 1988 Taurus today. It's just a cheap car to replace her Beretta, that caught fire a few months back

BWahahahahhahah!!! I wish my Beretta would catch on fire. I hate that fuckin car.... Mine has been one problem after another for the past 3 years (which is sad because it's a '96). I swear, I've just about replaced the whole crappy car....

06-15-2002, 03:33 PM	#1
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	What do you think of a Taurus? I bought my g/f a 1988 Taurus today. It's just a cheap car to replace her Beretta, that caught fire a few months back, until next year when we can afford a better car for her. Anyway, I was wondering if these were good cars or not? It has the 3.8 V-6 automatic and seems to be loaded with options(not that it mattered to me). The clearcoat finish is peeling off but I heard that's common with those cars. It has 91K miles and I got it for $1000 Does the '88 Taurus get a thumbs up or thumbs down? Anybody ever own one of these? __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

06-15-2002, 03:35 PM	#2
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	i think they are decent,except of the 3.8. the 3.0 was the better of the 2. but if it runs good, they are good. __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

06-15-2002, 03:58 PM	#3
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	"88 Taurus trouble spots All I know about the early Taurus is that the AOD's were sometimes a problem and the 3.8 V-6 had a habit of blowing head gaskets. Hppefully, both these potential problems have already been addressed on your 'new' Taurus, as it's now 14 years old. I would avoid overheating it; (flush the system, new coolant, check all hoses and get a new cap) and then change the transmission fluid as a safety measure. Change the oil, too, of course.

06-15-2002, 04:28 PM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	What you have read is true, the Ford 3.8 blows head gaskets on average every 60k miles. Odds are, yours have already been replaced. For $1000, it's a good deal. In any case, it's certainly better than another Beretta! Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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06-15-2002, 04:01 PM	#4
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Hey, I've heard the 3.8L had some really bad head gasket problems as well, but the 3.0L had more tranny issues? Go figure. Heh. Overall, my bro has one, can't remember if he has the 3.8L though. He's got well over 200k on it, and it keeps going.