not a jeep but still need help! Taurus

[jeeptree]

ok so I am guilty of looking at buying a Taurus instead of a jeep. Here's the deal I got laid off last month and I start school next month I am looking for a car to save on money. I was surfing Craigslist today and seen a 2000 se but it has a bad transmission so he says. I am going to call him tomorrow and ask what happened and if its running at all.
I know from working on my jeep that it isn't always the trany but can be a sensor. I was wondering if its even worth looking in to the guy is only selling it at 950.00
should I look in to it, or just stay away?

 

[88 Wagonman]

It's been my experience with Ford Taurus that it IS the transmission. They are kind of known for that. Call some junkyards and find some prices on a used tranny. Assume that when you buy it that it will need it. If it is still worth it to you, then buy it.

 

[jeeptree]

Thanks man I have heard myself that the trans in these cars don't last forever but hey its worth a look to see. I was scared when my tps went in my jeep a yr ago I truly thought it was the trany. With a little help from here and I was up and running again.

 

[swbooking]

A Taurus really? Why not get a more reliable car like a Honda or a Toyota?

 

[jeeptree]

short on cash and those two are a little out of reach. Taurus is a dime a dozen.

 

[swbooking]

Yeah but im gonna tell you right now you get what you pay for... Id save your money and get something a little better. My Uncle had an 03 Taurus and it was nothing but problems.

my .02

 

[winterbeater]

I'd get an Escort before I got a Taurus. Had both.

 

[xjclassic2000]

I'd get an Escort before I got a Taurus. Had both.

crown vic FTW!!!

 

[winterbeater]

X2 Crown Vic. My '99 gets 26MPG on the freeway at 80MPH. Sorry, but the Golden Retrievers like the CV more than the XJ.

 

[martness]

I used to run a Plant where we had several Tauruses as sales vehicles, the transmissions would go at just over 120k we paid to replace a couple $1800 I think it was at a shop. We got a lot of miles out of the car after that. It's not a bad car if I hadn't driven one for 15 yrs. I'd probably own one today. Trouble you'll have if you look for used anything over 100k might be on it's way out already. Maybe a low mileage wreck.

 

[Wideopen]

For the money a Taurus isn't a bad car. Any reasonably priced Honda or Toyota will literally be falling apart aside from it's engine/trans (it'll be much older also). Depending on the miles, condition, and how much you can work the guy down, it might be worth getting a rebuilt trans put in, check ebay for good deals with a warranty. Also, find out which 3.0 liter it has. The vulcan OHV engine seems to last forever (much longer than the DOHC version) with decent maintenance. Good luck.