Faults:

Four years ago the air conditioner compressor failed. I retro-fitted the car to R-134A refrigerant. The technician flushed the system and replaced the compressor. It has worked very well.

I replaced the transmission fluid at 75000 miles. I waited too long. The transmission shift characteristics were erratic for about a week afterward, then straightened out.

It has had more than its fair share of replacement alternators, three in all.

General Comments:

This has been a very reliable and comfortable vehicle.

When we purchased it there were 5 of my family living at home. This station wagon did not have the third seat. I installed a third seat from a salvage vehicle. It has served us well.

Gas mileage and power are both adequate.

Faults:

My head gasket blew at 89000 miles.

The water pump went at 95000 miles.

The right rear brake, caliper included, went at 97000 miles.

General Comments:

A comfortable riding car with a lot of amenities.

Alas, it is a car that seems to be in a constant state of needing something repaired.

Faults:

Many recalls on the car while my father had it.

Front springs broken and replaced under recall arrangement.

Heater hoses and water pump replaced at 88,000.

Air Conditioner actuator and turpentine belt replaced at 90,000 for around $400.

Over $800 spent on brake work. Complete replacement of front brakes, and partial rear brakes. Rear calipers stick when hot. Unable to identify why.

Quite a heavy car and tires and brakes wear out quickly.

Transmission - so far so good. It does hesitate to shift up, when hot. Otherwise good (knock on wood)

Excellent exhaust (Stainless Steel) Still using original exhaust and muffler!

General Comments:

Overall, if you don't plan on driving much, it is an excellent car. Very nice ride quality and enjoyable to drive. Nice looking car. The paint still looks new. It does go through brakes and tires very quickly, as it is quite a heavy car. Not a performance car, but performs fairly well. Average power (3.0L Engine). Seats very comfortable for longer rides.

Faults:

Transmissions had to be replaced 3 times by a private repair shop and all 3 were rebuilt Ford transmissions. First 2 went bad, 3rd one managed to last until car was traded in.

Wicked vibration of the dashboard when accelerated past 60mph.

Engine Mounts (my fault) broken after car went airborne.

Fuel Pump went out about a year after I got the car.

General Comments:

I guess I would have to say that this was a good starter car, as I recieved it from my father when I turned 16. Prior to that it had been used as a work car by him.

I will say that it held up rather well at first to my teenage driving habits, but quickly became a money pit.

This car is only good if you drive it normally. Fast acceleration, Maneuvering, and Long trips seem to wreak havoc on this model.

Faults:

CV Joints (burnouts :) )

Power Steering Pump

Starter

All happening right around 91,000 miles.

General Comments:

Boy oh boy! What a car! People always liked to tease me about driving a "granny's car." But I got the last laugh at the stop light!

This was a police package unit and was orginally used by the Littleton, Colorado Police Dept. The orginally transmission was replaced at 70k miles (before purchase) with the better AX4N transmission with shift kit and dual transmission coolers.

I drove this car to hell and back a thousand and a half times and NEVER let me down! I took this though knee high mud, foot deep snow, well past 140mph on hundreds of occasions, raced it at the local drag strip (even pulling some good low 14's too :) ) The 3.8L liked any type of weather and you could run a meat locker in the cabin with that A/C!Seats were very comfortable. Everything was within an arms reach with out any struggle. Always a smooth ride no matter the road. Great all around cruiser.

3.8L's are notorious for head gasket failure (usually cylinder #1) but mine was also replaced before purchase.

Factory duals look nice especially when buffed up and you always get asked "those come stock?".."only on police units", I tell them. Many are shocked to find out Taurus actually had a police package model out.

When ever my friends car broke down and needed to go some place the police package ALWAYS came to the rescue no matter what types of conditions. Always been a reliable piece of machinery.

Some things my car had that non-police issued car didn't have were.

Black wheels with chrome center caps

28mm front sway bar, 40mm rear sway bar

Vinyl back seat

Stab-proof front seats

Dual exhausts

Oil, Transmission, Power Steering Coolers

140mph speedometer

Open Slit Grille

Engine Block Heater.