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?

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.

"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.

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.

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

Re: What do you think of a Taurus?
 

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....