Tempo & Taurus Are They Good Cars

Hello Denny B,

I have a 2000 Ford Taurus. It is a good car if you do not mind not wearing seat belts. About a year and four months ago my front passenger and back center seat belt would not work. Meaning the seat belts would not retracted nor pull out.

Had them fixed and everything seemed okay, but now the front passenger side seat belt went out again. Ford Customer services is a real pain to deal with and do not seem to know anything. The dealership (WoodField Ford in Schaumburg, IL) said they would charge me an estimate of $300 to fix it since it has been more than year and that the warranty of the car is over.

In the mean time it takes the dealership about two weeks to get the seat belt in. Also, one day to bring in your car so the dealership can say yes it is broken and then another whole day with your car so they can fix the seat belt.

Avoid any Ford product. They do not have your safety in mind when designing their vehicles.

I hope this helps.

I've owned both, but good versions. The 3.0 liter Taurus (mine was a 1987 wagon) we traded in with 220,000 miles was a great car and I wish I had kept it. Only major trouble was a transmission replacement at 175,000 miles. We used it for towing a 2000 lb.+ trailer, too. Usuals: brake pads (original rotors to the end, though), TFI module, fuel pump. Was getting 60,000 miles from 60,000 mile tires.

The 2.3 liter 5-speed Tempo we had (1986 model) was the most economical car to drive we have ever had. Good on gas, and cheap repairs and maintenance. The 4 cylinder engine is very reliable - it is based on the old Ford Falcon-era I-6 (170-200). Only one major repair... the clutch disk plate fatigued at about 150,000 miles, the lining was still fine. At different times, we towed a 14' sailboat, a jet ski(the real kind), an aluminum fishing boat, and a 16' Penn Yan runabout with it. Usuals: brake pads, TFI module, fuel pump, and tie rod ends. It owed us nothing... sold it for $500.00 with 209,000 rust-free miles when we needed to buy a four-door.

There are not-so-stellar versions of both models... stay away from the 3.8 liter Taurus unless it is given to you. The 3 speed automatic transmission Tempo/Topaz was rated about 5 MPG lower than the stick. There was a later

3.0 Tempo/Topaz offering for the hot-rod in you.

There are real bargains in this sector now. I am looking for a 4 door 5 speed Tempo myself.

Good luck!

Rob

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Look for the 24v dohc Duratec engine in a Taurus. Lots more "go" for the money.

Eric

"Save The Sync, Ban MOS"

I have to take you to task when you say.. "They do not have your safety in mind when designing their vehicles..." While Ford Taurus might not be as great mechanically as I would like it to be.. it is one of the SAFEST cars on the American road..period..! I should know after being rear ended by an assh*** going about 55+ mph, I suffered whiplash, but my kids were unhurt, unscratched.. Another time, we were hit from the front at about 30mph.. this time no one in our car was hurt.. Both times the car was stopped. I still bitch and whine when something is broken/needs repair, but short of buying a truck/SUV that cost more, there is nothing in its price range that I consider as safe.

I would like to retract part of my statement. I just got a call from Woodfield Ford and they stated that the Ford Corporation is going to pickup all the costs of repairing the seat belt. In which I am pleased.

William

Hello Mercon,

Thanks for your reply.

I have never been an accident with my Ford Taurus yet (hope I never do). Sorry that you had too, but I very glad that you or your kids were not hurt. I have been an front end accident with a '97 Cavalier going about 45 to 50 miles an hour and that car protected myself and my mother in front passenger seat. No one was in the back.

Anyways, when I wrote They (Ford) do not have your safety in mind when designing their vehicles..., I was stating that my Ford Taurus is a

2000 model with about 71K miles on it and one seat belt failed twice and one failed once. Sometimes the others seem to have problems retracting without help at times. It is pretty scary to think that if we are out of town and the driver's seat belt stops working and have to drive home like that.

The only reason I was complaining at all is for three reasons, one the front passenger seat belt was already defective and replace once around 45K. Then it becomes defective again around 71k. I would have never complaint if it was only that one time or the car had something over 200k miles on it without ever replacing the seat belt before than I would just get repaired and eat the cost myself.

Sure I moan about having to repair anything on the car such as the brakes and/or tires, but it is expect to be worn out and to be replaced. I would have just shelled out the money to have it repaired.

William

Praise the Lord to that, I say... The right people heard you plea..! Amen.

V.B. Mercon wrote: > Praise the Lord to that, I say...

Was that supposed to be Lord or Ford :)

Soren

Lord, as in Heaven...