So my Sunfire's at the shop getting the bumper repaired, and I spent all day today (and will spend part of tomorrow) driving a 2005 Taurus rental. And, crazy as it may sound...I think I like the Taurus better than my car.

I've had my car for a year and a half. Has the usual squeaks and rattles, only real work needed so far (aside from the accident related stuff) is that my passenger window regulator went bad and needed replacing. My car is as base as they come, 5 speed, no power options, no ABS, no cruise, etc. It's the epitomy of an "economy car".

The Taurus was normally optioned, power everything, cruise, ABS, DIS, etc. But it's not just those kinda things that made me enjoy it so much. The car handled smoother and better, was waaaaaay quieter, seemed just as fast (4 speed auto V6 vs 5 speed stick Eco), and was a pleasure to drive. The thing that got me was the fact that it's a rental (likely abused) and has way more miles than my Sunfire, but still felt better all around. Not to mention the car has enormously better crash test ratings, gets only 1mpg less than my car overall, and has much more room both for passengers and cargo.

So now I'm actually considering getting out of my car and into a Taurus/Sable. I paid $10,500 for my car, with $7,500 of that being financed. So I've been able to owe less than the car's worth this far, but I know it won't last much longer. And I'd rather trade away before it comes down to negative equity, you know? I should be able to get about $2500 more than I owe, leaving me that much for a downpayment. I found several 2003's with 25-40K miles for $10-12K, leaving me the ability to finance as much as I did with my car (not ending up with higher payments), and having a car that has hit the brunt of it's depreciation already.

I guess I've just realized today that I'm more comfortable driving a "cruiser" kind of car, over a "tuner" kind of car.


Anyways, opinions? Am I crazy?






And anyone who wants to say "It's a Ford" just STFU, we drive GM econoboxes...nowhere to go but up.

SpcmnSpff302 (The Link Master) wrote:I found several 2003's with 25-40K miles for $10-12K, leaving me the ability to finance as much as I did with my car (not ending up with higher payments), and having a car that has hit the brunt of it's depreciation already.

Hell, I did some more searching and found lots of 2004's and 2005's with 12-25K miles for that much, I wasn't even looking for them cause I thought they'd still be out of my price range.

As much as i hate Ford and as ugly as the Taurus is, I used to drive one for work and id pick it every time over the Cav and the Monte carlo(97 not the new ones). I know exzactly what your saying.

But your not crazy, I definitly enjoy driving an old mans car around everyday over a tuner car...however, the "tuner" car is more fun.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, August 08, 2006 4:42 AM

My mom used to have a taurus, that thing was the biggest piece of @!#$. It went through 5 transmissions and 3 engines in 13 years.

GM>FoMoCo

my dad had the specail edition 4 cyl 5 spd 1989 toreass.


it was a pile.


-Borsty

Ill say it. Its a ford.

Seriously tho, if you like it cool, but I would shop around and see what else you like.



05 M6 YJ GTO 1 of 447

If you're that easily impressed, definately check out other cars before making a decision. There's a lot to pick from!

I personally hate the Taurus, my sister-in-law has one. It feels like an old folks car - too plush/cushy and floats like a boat. If you're looking for room, check out a Grand Prix - my dad has one, it's reasonably fast & I personally like the interior. It doesn't seem as cushy, more sporty. My friend's Altima has a ton of room, rides nice & moves pretty good, but I don't know anything as far as price or safety. I'd also tell anyone to look at Subaru since I've never loved a car so much, more specifically a Legacy for you. However, I think it might be out of your price range.

i dunno i liked my moms but it was a little too big for my taste and the rear window is tiny

snoeterp82 wrote:My mom used to have a taurus, that thing was the biggest piece of @!#$. It went through 5 transmissions and 3 engines in 13 years.

GM>FoMoCo

My family had a GMC Safari that went through a few transmissions and about everything electrical in 6 years. And a big old Ford conversion van, and the only thing it went through was gas.

stargrrrl wrote:If you're that easily impressed, definately check out other cars before making a decision. There's a lot to pick from!

I personally hate the Taurus, my sister-in-law has one. It feels like an old folks car - too plush/cushy and floats like a boat. If you're looking for room, check out a Grand Prix - my dad has one, it's reasonably fast & I personally like the interior. It doesn't seem as cushy, more sporty. My friend's Altima has a ton of room, rides nice & moves pretty good, but I don't know anything as far as price or safety. I'd also tell anyone to look at Subaru since I've never loved a car so much, more specifically a Legacy for you. However, I think it might be out of your price range.

Haha, I actually like the old person car feel to it. Especially the openness of the interior. I get tired of the cramped cockpit most cars have, but I love the bench seat and huge amount of room for everything. I'll definitely check out more stuff though. And yeah, a Subaru in my price range would have tons more miles and be several years older.

Just went test driving a bunch of cars. Between an '02 Taurus, '02 Sable, and '02 Impala that I actually drove, I like the Impala the most. It's an '02 LS with 50K miles, loaded. The sales guy said we would be able to easily work it down to $9K, and get a good deal on the trade in on my car ($8K value - $5K I owe = $3K trade in). That would leave me financing only $6K, giving me smaller payments than on my Sunfire. Not to mention insurance will be majorly less. It's got OnStar, power everything, ABS, keyless, etc. etc...


Can someone point out flaws with the newer Impalas? It's the 3800/auto, nothing seemed wrong inside or out during the test drive, but I don't know what to look at on these cars.

My grandma has one and she has no complaints at all...her's is an 01 with like 15k on it...a few months ago it was hit and totalled, she bought it back from the insurance, had it fixed and she said it still runs the same.

I would go with the Impala personally, I have driven her's and I like it.

friggin go for it if its that cheap

Ohh boy, I had a '03 Taurus as a rental car we drove to Kansas to pick up an old turbo Metro for my friend. (Puerto Rican, that's why he got it ) It made it to Kansas, but didn't make it out. Tranny blew at 6K miles. Rear seats were extreamly uncomfortable. Poor power for a V-6. I would really look around a little more. Drive an Accord, Camry, Altima, ect from the year of the Taurus you drove and then tell me how much you like the Taurus.




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