10k Miles: 1993 Ford Taurus
I’m not featuring this next car for any of the right reasons. You really shouldn’t buy it–there are about a million cars that offer a better value for $6k that aren’t slow and boring Fords from the early 90s with an automatic transmission made from dry straw and pelican guano. Many of you are old enough to remember that this was the car that drove buyers to Japanese OEMs — while you suffered through headgasket failures, oil leaks, rough idle, and tie-rod-end issues your neighbor had a Honda Accord that lasted for 200k miles with mostly oil changes. Now this is a special example of the 2nd generation Taurus, because it has only 10k miles on the odo, which means its only on its third transmission. Find this 1993 Ford Taurus offered for $6000 in Naugatuck, CT via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1993 ford taurus
VIN: 1FALP5349PA100659
condition: like new
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: fwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 10537
paint color: green
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: sedan
1993 Ford Taurus with only 10,537 miles mint condition, always garaged never smoked in, no dogs, never used in snow never wrecked, been garaged and covered most its life, runs and drives like new, new serpentine belt and new tires installed oil changed twice a year for lack of driving. no leaks just start and drive. car is in pristine condition. even comes with cover for indoor use only.
This rare find came with a power moon roof, key-less entry, power seat, front airbags, power antenna. tilt leather wrapped steering wheel, cruise control cloth seats split seats with floor shift console, everything works like day 1, front wheel drive also qualifies for classic plates and insurance, low taxes. you cant find a car as clean with low mileage anywhere for the price. needs nothing just drive it also has a full spare tire and rim donut was replaced. pictures show underneath of engine and rear suspension as you can see its like new and under coated.
Long distance highway cruising is where this one really shines. The adequate power and gearing make it an excellent highway car. It just coasts effortlessly.
At the time this car was built, you couldn’t get an Accord with a V6. You would have had to step up to an Acura in another price range.
I used to drive a 1990 Taurus (1st gen) which iirc had the same 3.8 V6. The car was solidly built and I don’t recall having problems with it… until it got destroyed by a drunk driver in an Econoline. It was a hefty car that allowed me to walk away without injury, but the car was totaled.
I would own another Taurus, and this is probably as good as it gets, but I’m still partial to the 1st gen. Those have almost all disappeared.
Many memories of being schlepped to and from school in these (friend’s mothers daily driver). Certainly a massive step forward from what came before and what the domestic competition had on offer.
I think the memories are certainly a bit stronger of another friend’s mothers daily drivers – 900T coupe, 9000 (1st gen) and an E30 now and then.