Faults:

Needed plugs and wires every 45K or so, tranny fluid every 30K, Oil 2.5K, Air filter 8 or 9K (just a habit), brake fluid/ps fluid 30K, and antifreeze every 15K. I know these are a little more frequent than most people's maintenance schedule, but LOOK HOW FREAKING LONG MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING!!! 209, almost 210,000 miles now and it still sings like it's a new car.

Power Steering Pump needed to be replaced. Forgot to change the fluid somehow for a long long time. 170K.

Cruise stopped working. 200K.

Service Engine Soon "Check Engine" light came on. Replaced spark plugs/wires, and it purrs. No light on now. 209K.

That's it!!

General Comments:

I love this car!!!

Gas mileage for a car this size is great. With synthetic oil and high octane gas, it gets about 25.5 MPG mixed highway city. It will get over 30 on the highway at 65 Mph. You can't tell me that doesn't rock.

I maintain it, and that's it. It purrs and it has 210,000 miles on it. It literally drives like it's a new car. I know, because my grandpappy has a brand new 2005 Sable with 1,000 miles, and they drive the SAME.

Now I know the Taurus/Sable has a bad name, but with regular maintenance (transmission flush, radiator flush, brakes, power steering, etc.) I've had next to no problems. AND, this is my THIRD Taurus/Sable to hit 200K. I had an 88', a 95' and this one. ALL above 200K, original drivetrain. Coincidence? I think not. No matter what people say, Ford got the Taurus right.

Maintain it and it go and go and go...

Faults:

Power Steering Pump at 82,100 miles.

Rack & Pinion went bad around the same time.

A/C stopped working at 83,000.

Trans slips in first gear.

Wipers come on when they feel like it.

General Comments:

This is a good riding car.

Lots of room for long trips.

But the problems with this car is unreal from one thing to the next.

Faults:

Starter at 175000 Miles.

Wipers occasionally come on unexpectedly for one wipe.

2 complete sets of brakes (No surprise considering the mileage on the car)

Overflow tank wore a hole in bottom rubbing against inside fender well approx 100000 miles.

Started having overheating problems last summer. One trip to the car-wash and hitting the radiator area fixed this problem. Massive clogging of the radiator with bugs, grass, etc.

Auto door locks have become weak and won't lock/unlock doors.

Trunk lock is jammed up, have to use the button inside the car.

General Comments:

Car is very dependable to this point.

Reasonably comfortable interior.

Drives well and has ample power for highway driving.

Handles very well in snow and rainy conditions.

Faults:

Soon after purchase the windshield wiper switch malfunctioned.

Transmission failed at 37,000 miles, and again at 81,000 miles.

Ball joints and tie rod ends needed replacement at 53,000 miles.

Coolant reservoir started leaking at around 60,000 miles, needed to be replaced.

Heater core needed replacement at 67,000 miles.

General Comments:

The 1999 Mercury Sable is a decent commuter car. The 3.0L V-6 is peppy, but could use a few more ponies under the hood. The transmissions seem to be too lightweight for these vehicles, having replaced two of them already. The ride is smooth, but the car wallows in corners and the suspension is a little too marshmallowy for my taste.

The interior is pretty roomy, and the seats are pretty comfortable. The dashboard layout puts all the controls within easy reach of the driver. The one complaint I have is the radio and heater controls being mounted together in the same panel. If you wanted to upgrade the stereo you would need a custom control panel made to separate the radio and heater control, otherwise you would only be able to buy another factory radio from a dealer. The center front seat folds out into a cup-holder and armrest for the driver, once the seat is folded into the cup-holder/armrest position, it is impossible to access the ash tray and cigarette lighter.

All in all this car is adequately dependable and reasonable on gas. It has a 15 gallon fuel tank and costs usually $26 to $28 to fill up. You can expect a range of about 290 to 315 miles per tank of fuel, depending on the driving situations.