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Post by Cole D on Dec 2, 2018 8:21:31 GMT -5
Well today I did see a 2014 Taurus Limited for sale but I think there must be an issue with the car, because it only has 35,000 miles, yet they only want just under $12k. Plus it seems to have every option including the sunroof, blind spot monitor, and even the auto parking, lane keeping and front collision alert, which you hardly ever see. So I think it must be a rebuilt title or something. But it's at a Honda dealer 88 miles away so I'd be afraid to buy it. It was a pretty orange color too with tan interior. Yes, seems fishy to me. Keep looking for something from a reputable dealer. Well it was a well known Honda dealer, but it seems to have sold already or something because it's gone. It was too far away anyway. |
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Post by fancollector12 on Dec 3, 2018 3:23:39 GMT -5
Yes, seems fishy to me. Keep looking for something from a reputable dealer. Well it was a well known Honda dealer, but it seems to have sold already or something because it's gone. It was too far away anyway. Definitely get something you can inspect in person, and remember the golden rule: "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is", |
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Post by Cole D on Dec 27, 2018 17:28:57 GMT -5
Well guys, I decided to buy a 2016 Ford Taurus. Yesterday I test drove a 2015 Taurus Limited and a 2016 Fusion SE with luxury package. I really liked both, although I knew I wasn't going to buy the Taurus, because it had 55000 miles which too me was too high plus it wasn't warrantied. But I just wanted to see how it drove. To me the Taurus rode better and it sits higher. Plus I liked the V6 better than the turbo 4 cyl of Fusion. It just seemed like it was harder to accelerate on the turbo 4, although the mileage is really good with it.
But there was another 2016 Taurus Limited out of town that had only 12000 miles, so I had them bring that one here to test. And I decided to get that one, because it wasn't much more than the Fusion and less miles. This Taurus seems to have everything except AWD, and although I probably won't ever use the auto parking, adaptive cruise, or massaging seats, for the price, I can't complain.
They still have to inspect it for certified, and then I'll get the new one. Today I cleaned out my old car and washed it so it can have a good sendoff.
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Post by fancollector12 on Dec 28, 2018 3:29:04 GMT -5
That seems like a nice deal and it has nearly everything.  |
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Post by Parkman on Dec 28, 2018 11:40:49 GMT -5
Well guys, I decided to buy a 2016 Ford Taurus. Yesterday I test drove a 2015 Taurus Limited and a 2016 Fusion SE with luxury package. I really liked both, although I knew I wasn't going to buy the Taurus, because it had 55000 miles which too me was too high plus it wasn't warrantied. But I just wanted to see how it drove. To me the Taurus rode better and it sits higher. Plus I liked the V6 better than the turbo 4 cyl of Fusion. It just seemed like it was harder to accelerate on the turbo 4, although the mileage is really good with it. But there was another 2016 Taurus Limited out of town that had only 12000 miles, so I had them bring that one here to test. And I decided to get that one, because it wasn't much more than the Fusion and less miles. This Taurus seems to have everything except AWD, and although I probably won't ever use the auto parking, adaptive cruise, or massaging seats, for the price, I can't complain. They still have to inspect it for certified, and then I'll get the new one. Today I cleaned out my old car and washed it so it can have a good sendoff. Congrats! The V6 will definitely be more reliable for you over a Turbo 4 in my opinion. 12,000 miles is great!! Let someone else take the depreciation hit and drive off with a practically brand new car! I didn't know you could get massaging seats in a Taurus. What was the old car you got rid of? |
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Post by Cole D on Dec 28, 2018 22:11:12 GMT -5
My old car was a 2001 Chevy Malibu, so it's a huge difference. I wondered if that was the biggest age difference they've ever had between a trade in, but I doubt it. haha My Malibu was pretty basic compared to most today - cloth manual seats, power windows locks mirrors, cruise and a CD player and that was about it. But I loved that car, even now. It was easy to drive and reliable, but it started having lots of issues over the last year, and was going to need a new transmission, tires, brake work. And it got to where sometimes it would suddenly rev up to 2000 RPM when I started it so I'd have to wait and restart so it'd stop. Probably an air intake issue. So yeah, it was time to trade. I didn't want to put the money or time into fixing everything. I got a good deal when I bought it and drove it for 8 years and got about what the value was for trade in so I got my money's worth.
Yeah, it has those massaging seats. I haven't messed with any of that yet. I thought they were part of the assist package that adds the auto parking, adaptive cruise and lane keeping, but they're a separate option... I'm not bragging at all, I'd have been ok with an SE base or SEL. But it's there. It has a sunroof too, which I've never really liked sunroofs, but with the black interior it will help lighten it up I think...
I picked up the car today so it's finally done. I didn't have any trouble driving this afternoon. But I was driving tonight to show my mom and had a terrible time. I hadn't driven at night so all the lights were a little distracting, plus I haven't gotten a good feel for the width of the car. I finally found it has a night setting for the screen which is much better. Plus the high beams kept turning on, I was afraid they'd turn on and I'd blind people. Also I noticed the ambient lights in the cupholders, footwell, etc didn't stay on while driving at night, maybe they're not supposed to, I'll have to look at that tomorrow. I'll get used to it all eventually.
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Post by Parkman on Dec 29, 2018 10:26:28 GMT -5
Sounds like you got rid of it at the right time. GM vehicles of that era once something big happens they become money pits. GM usually the engines will last but everything else falls apart in my experience.
They package that stuff just right so you get what you want but a bunch of other stuff along with it you don't really need. My wifes first car had a moonroof which I liked having. She replaced it with a used car 6 months before we got married that didn't have a moonroof. a year and a half later we were in the same boat as you where it wasn't worth putting the money into repairs so we bought a new car. We were at the dealer and they supposedly had the exact car she wanted brand new there. We test drove one and then they looked it up in the computer and the one she wanted wouldn't be delivered to the dealer for a week. They had the same car she wanted but it was the next package up.. I looked at what it came with and it had a moonroof which I truly wanted. The price difference was $2000 they said they'd sell it to us for $1000 more since it was there mistake that the salesman said our car was there. I said too much so we agreed to $400 more than the car we originally picked out. My wife was hesitant because it had a push button start... Fast forward a few days over a year, we don't ever use the moonroof anymore but she said she'll never buy a car without the pushbutton start, heated seats, LED foglights etc. that came with that package. Its weird how life works lol.
I've read three weeks is the average time it takes to adjust to a new car. When you look progressing 15 model years like you did cars have really evolved in visibility, thickness of doors, etc. My little S-10 I could see out of perfectly the hood wasn't bulky, easy to park... When I shopped for my new truck everything is "bloated" in comparison. Thankfully I ended up with my Tacoma and am very pleased!
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Post by Cole D on Dec 30, 2018 13:26:13 GMT -5
I noticed that too about newer cars. They're all getting bigger. I think that's better from a safety aspect. I noticed this Taurus sits higher than I expected. It almost looks as high as some crossovers. Which to me is a good thing because I always felt like my Malibu sat rather low. The doors also feel very heavy and overall just seems like a heavy built car.
It feels safer in the Taurus especially with the curtain and side airbags which my old one just had front airbags. The only thing with the Taurus is the rear pillars have big blind spots. I wish they had put the quarter windows like the Fusion or any previous Taurus do. The blind spot lights on the mirrors help some though. The other thing that is weird on a lot of new cars including this is the rear and side windows are high and smaller so visibility is not as good. The backup camera and sensors really help but of course you do have to look yourself.
I had a 2014 Charger rental once when my Malibu was in the shop for body damage. I had it for 3 months and had gotten used to it. At first I hated driving it and only drove it to and from work, because it felt so big and awkward, but after a few weeks it was fine. That one was a base SE and didn't have a backup camera or bluetooth but it was still a very nice car for a base.
I am a bit disappointed in the gas mileage on the Taurus. I knew it would be worse though and the sticker does say 29 highway. Funny thing though I was looking at the window sticker on my Malibu and it also said 29. But I'm pretty sure it was closer to 35. My Malibu I'd fill up and the needle wouldn't move off F for about 2-3 days but when it started to fall, it fell fast! I only had to fill about once every two weeks though. I am a little disappointed because they filled the tank on the Taurus when I picked it up and I only drove it home that night and then a short drive around the block plus a few stops around town yesterday and it's already at 3/4!
Wow your wife's car sounds nice! One thing that's weird about Taurus compared to Focus, Fusion or Fiesta is no turn signal lights on the mirrors. Has lights on bottom but no signals. And Taurus has no fog lights either, but those LED parking lights where they would be. I think a lot of cars are getting away from fog lights lately it seems though. The Charger had the push button start and passive entry too but it took me forever to get used to it. The big thing with that was it had huge remotes and they were inseparable because it was a rental. This one has smaller remotes. But I still worry I'm going to lock it in the car. It has numeric key code too but I haven't memorized it.
The other Taurus I test drove was a Limited with the package adding the Sony radio, and ventilated seats and heated rear seats. Heated front seats are standard on Limited but not the heated wheel. But it didn't have the assist package, spoiler, sunroof or 20" wheels. Those 4 are separate add ons. So I think you can get a sunroof or spoiler or 20" wheels on an SEL if you wanted without the other stuff. The massaging seats are called "multi contour" which is something about air bladders that fill or empty for lumbar support or massaging.
I will say I haven't tried tuning the radio yet but it sounds so hollow compared to the regular system in my Malibu which was a great stereo. I kind of expected that since I heard these Sony, Bose, etc branded systems tend not to sound great even with the center speakers. When I first drove the car it was tuned to sat radio which I thought was the problem but it's the same with FM. I almost think the system in the SE or SEL probably performs better from the sounds of things. lol
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Post by fancollector12 on Dec 31, 2018 4:26:05 GMT -5
We had a Ford Explorer for a rental for a week this past summer with the same 3.5L V6 as your Taurus... I too was a little disappointed in the gas mileage, especially compared to the 3.6L Pentastar V6 in our Jeep Grand Cherokee, which *usually* gets 22 MPG-23 MPG on average. But both engines have pretty good performance. Regarding the sound systems, I was a little disappointed in the Sony system in the Explorer we rented, although the Alpine system in our Grand Cherokee sounds pretty good (it's not even the top system, as that is manufactured by Harman/Kardon). Both systems are still pretty good, though. |
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Post by Parkman on Dec 31, 2018 8:14:46 GMT -5
The visibility I feel on newer cars is getting worse along with getting bigger. The Taurus' I always felt looked like a solidly built car, I know they share a platform with the Crossover (2011+) version of the Ford Explorer so that might have something to do with the higher feeling.
My wife had a Mercury Sable which was her first car and had it till a few months after we got engaged. She liked the idea of a Taurus till she sat in one. She loved it minus those pillars.. It made the maybe list back in the day which is hard to make. If she could get a car that was all windows she'd buy it.. She's paranoid about blind spots.
The Backup cameras I LOVE. Even though our cars are good with visibility its a wonderful tool in addition to the mirrors and turning your neck around (which less people do by the minute it seems!). Its one feature I think is a good thing they're starting to legally require on new cars.
I wonder since it was a preowned purchase if they actually filled the tank up or just eye balled it to make it look full. Could have been bad/cheap gas or if the car sat a while being at the dealership and may have idled alot when they took pictures, detailed it, etc.
I'm surprised about that. We looked at the Focus but she thought the rear seat was too small and then I read about the transmissions in the newer ones. The Focus she hated the 2013+ ones and thought they were ugly. I couldn't stand that rotary dial but a good looking car none the less.
I've never been in a car with a heated steering wheel but it sounds like a great thing to break immediately. I follow the auto news religiously and some of the stuff they have in these new cars is insane especially the fuel saving technology in a lot. I'm glad you went with the Taurus thats a sound reliable pick. The next time we buy a car which shouldn't be until I have at least 2 kids.. I can only imagine what they'll do to the cars and all. Also I don't want an SUV which everyones going to that I think Ford is making a HUGE mistake giving up on cars. I think they should and might continue the Fusion when all is said and done.
I've never been a speaker "expert" lol but everything I've ever read has said that the Bose branded systems in cars suck and aren't worth the money.. How true this is I have no idea.
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Post by Cole D on Dec 31, 2018 12:59:06 GMT -5
Funny you both mentioned the Explorer. They had one there that was a 2018 brand new. I don't think it was a Limited but it was pretty nice. They'd marked it down from $42k to 32k which seemed like a great deal. I considered it a bit but it would have been $10k more than what I got and I didn't really need a third row seat, etc.
The salesmen were talking about how the cars were getting discontinued later this year. And I saw an EcoSport in the showroom and I thought it actually looked like a decent size compared to what I expected. But the salesman said he thought they really blew it with that one and said they only sold 7 so far. Which to me doesn't sound that bad. I bet they didn't sell that many Taurus. LOL
Yeah I was interested in a Focus Hatchback they had it had the Titanium package and looked really nice. But I heard the bad stuff about the transmissions plus it looked like the back window was tiny. So I never got to drive it.
I probably won't ever use the heated wheel here in FL but I did try it to see how hot it got. It seemed to work pretty well but the warmed part is mostly at the bottom spokes and top sides. The woodgrain part doesn't seem to get warm. The cooled seats don't get that cold it's really just circulated air I think but if you were driving on a hot, humid day it would help. The perforated leather I think helps too to stay cooler regardless.
I don't care a lot for the crossovers but this may be the last sedan I have with the way they're going. I considered getting a Town and Country but now that I think of it, I don't think I would have liked having a vehicle that big. And I really didn't need it.
On the gas I'm not sure. The salesman told me since it was certified they fill them up and he did take it to the station while I signed the papers. But then the he said he forgot the gas card and had to come back so who knows. LOL They took it to Murphy by Walmart which I think Murphy is cheaper gas, but I actually usually use Murphy for my gas but I go to the one at the Walmart here instead and not up there. I don't have a heavy foot but it is easy to accelerate fast in this car. LOL I like the speed limit signs on the NAV that change as soon as you pass the signs, because I was always wondering what the speed limit is. I'm not sure if you have to keep XM Nav Traffic for that or if you lose it when it expires. I'd almost keep it for that alone.
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Post by Parkman on Dec 31, 2018 13:23:50 GMT -5
That does sound like a good deal. We were in the same boat we really liked the Escape but could not locate the exact one we wanted and whenever we did it was AWD and around $28,000 after wheeling and dealing when we were looking to spend around $20k total. I couldn't justify almost $10k more for a little hatchback trunk and it to be a little higher especially when we want to buy a house in the future.
The EcoSport apparently is not living up to what people want. I think its too small or probably when you get to the midgrade one its probably priced close to a base or lesser package Escape. I know a friend of mines grandmom got around $10k off a new Taurus a few years back because they said no one bought them they'd come in looking at it and leave with a Fusion or Edge. I don't get why.. Most dealers if they stocked Taurus's you could get one a package higher for the price of a lower trimmed Fusion with the incentives and all.
Haha the heated steering wheel reminds me of my mechanic who is a lifelong Chevy Man's son is a Chrysler/Mopar guy.. So he buys a new RAM 1500 and trades in his 3500 dually. He then goes back the next day and buys his wife a brand new Dodge Charger. He goes to show his dad who flips that he bought two Dodges and also he looks and it has heated/cooled cup holders.. He said he went on a tirade asking how do you expect me to fix those in a few years?!
Were definitely going the minivan route for my wife next time when her Elantra dies or we need space when we have kids. The space and cost advantage is definitely there, plus my wifes in love with the Toyota Sienna but that a few years away.
It is true that cheap gas effects mileage. We have Wawa Convenience stores which I think Florida got a few now. Their gas is terrible for mileage. I usually get one or two miles less to the gallon with theres so it could be comparable there. My best friends sister is some sort of engineer and in College she did this big thesis thing about gasoline quality and mileage and its truly amazing the difference when she explained all these stats for me. Ultimately Sunoco is the best was her conclusion for local gas stations.
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Post by fancollector12 on Jan 1, 2019 3:29:09 GMT -5
Funny you both mentioned the Explorer. They had one there that was a 2018 brand new. I don't think it was a Limited but it was pretty nice. They'd marked it down from $42k to 32k which seemed like a great deal. I considered it a bit but it would have been $10k more than what I got and I didn't really need a third row seat, etc. The salesmen were talking about how the cars were getting discontinued later this year. And I saw an EcoSport in the showroom and I thought it actually looked like a decent size compared to what I expected. But the salesman said he thought they really blew it with that one and said they only sold 7 so far. Which to me doesn't sound that bad. I bet they didn't sell that many Taurus. LOL Yeah I was interested in a Focus Hatchback they had it had the Titanium package and looked really nice. But I heard the bad stuff about the transmissions plus it looked like the back window was tiny. So I never got to drive it. I probably won't ever use the heated wheel here in FL but I did try it to see how hot it got. It seemed to work pretty well but the warmed part is mostly at the bottom spokes and top sides. The woodgrain part doesn't seem to get warm. The cooled seats don't get that cold it's really just circulated air I think but if you were driving on a hot, humid day it would help. The perforated leather I think helps too to stay cooler regardless. I don't care a lot for the crossovers but this may be the last sedan I have with the way they're going. I considered getting a Town and Country but now that I think of it, I don't think I would have liked having a vehicle that big. And I really didn't need it. On the gas I'm not sure. The salesman told me since it was certified they fill them up and he did take it to the station while I signed the papers. But then the he said he forgot the gas card and had to come back so who knows. LOL They took it to Murphy by Walmart which I think Murphy is cheaper gas, but I actually usually use Murphy for my gas but I go to the one at the Walmart here instead and not up there. I don't have a heavy foot but it is easy to accelerate fast in this car. LOL I like the speed limit signs on the NAV that change as soon as you pass the signs, because I was always wondering what the speed limit is. I'm not sure if you have to keep XM Nav Traffic for that or if you lose it when it expires. I'd almost keep it for that alone. My aunt has a 2013 Explorer XLT 3.5L 4X4, and hers it the XLT, but it still has leather and the touchscreen with nav. No Sony or heated steering wheel or ventilated seats (they are heated), but again, still nice. The EcoSports are nice, but being that it's the only car sold in the U.S. made in India, I'm going to have to wait a few years before I'd consider one to look at reliability and build quality. |
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Post by fancollector12 on Jan 1, 2019 3:29:58 GMT -5
That does sound like a good deal. We were in the same boat we really liked the Escape but could not locate the exact one we wanted and whenever we did it was AWD and around $28,000 after wheeling and dealing when we were looking to spend around $20k total. I couldn't justify almost $10k more for a little hatchback trunk and it to be a little higher especially when we want to buy a house in the future. The EcoSport apparently is not living up to what people want. I think its too small or probably when you get to the midgrade one its probably priced close to a base or lesser package Escape. I know a friend of mines grandmom got around $10k off a new Taurus a few years back because they said no one bought them they'd come in looking at it and leave with a Fusion or Edge. I don't get why.. Most dealers if they stocked Taurus's you could get one a package higher for the price of a lower trimmed Fusion with the incentives and all. Haha the heated steering wheel reminds me of my mechanic who is a lifelong Chevy Man's son is a Chrysler/Mopar guy.. So he buys a new RAM 1500 and trades in his 3500 dually. He then goes back the next day and buys his wife a brand new Dodge Charger. He goes to show his dad who flips that he bought two Dodges and also he looks and it has heated/cooled cup holders.. He said he went on a tirade asking how do you expect me to fix those in a few years?! Were definitely going the minivan route for my wife next time when her Elantra dies or we need space when we have kids. The space and cost advantage is definitely there, plus my wifes in love with the Toyota Sienna but that a few years away. It is true that cheap gas effects mileage. We have Wawa Convenience stores which I think Florida got a few now. Their gas is terrible for mileage. I usually get one or two miles less to the gallon with theres so it could be comparable there. My best friends sister is some sort of engineer and in College she did this big thesis thing about gasoline quality and mileage and its truly amazing the difference when she explained all these stats for me. Ultimately Sunoco is the best was her conclusion for local gas stations. Right now I'd have to wait to see how Indian build quality holds up and how reliability is before considering one myself. The Escapes are nice, but I found the seats in the 2014 Titanium I tested to be a little too flat for my liking. Also, the steering wheel has little "nubs" on it where you're supposed to put your thumbs, but I like a traditional, flat, rounded steering wheel. My one aunt has a 2006 first-generation Escape V6, and it has everything except for leather and heated seats. I really like it, as it's got that boxy SUV look to it, and it's plenty powerful for its size. |
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Post by Parkman on Jan 1, 2019 9:18:55 GMT -5
That does sound like a good deal. We were in the same boat we really liked the Escape but could not locate the exact one we wanted and whenever we did it was AWD and around $28,000 after wheeling and dealing when we were looking to spend around $20k total. I couldn't justify almost $10k more for a little hatchback trunk and it to be a little higher especially when we want to buy a house in the future. The EcoSport apparently is not living up to what people want. I think its too small or probably when you get to the midgrade one its probably priced close to a base or lesser package Escape. I know a friend of mines grandmom got around $10k off a new Taurus a few years back because they said no one bought them they'd come in looking at it and leave with a Fusion or Edge. I don't get why.. Most dealers if they stocked Taurus's you could get one a package higher for the price of a lower trimmed Fusion with the incentives and all. Haha the heated steering wheel reminds me of my mechanic who is a lifelong Chevy Man's son is a Chrysler/Mopar guy.. So he buys a new RAM 1500 and trades in his 3500 dually. He then goes back the next day and buys his wife a brand new Dodge Charger. He goes to show his dad who flips that he bought two Dodges and also he looks and it has heated/cooled cup holders.. He said he went on a tirade asking how do you expect me to fix those in a few years?! Were definitely going the minivan route for my wife next time when her Elantra dies or we need space when we have kids. The space and cost advantage is definitely there, plus my wifes in love with the Toyota Sienna but that a few years away. It is true that cheap gas effects mileage. We have Wawa Convenience stores which I think Florida got a few now. Their gas is terrible for mileage. I usually get one or two miles less to the gallon with theres so it could be comparable there. My best friends sister is some sort of engineer and in College she did this big thesis thing about gasoline quality and mileage and its truly amazing the difference when she explained all these stats for me. Ultimately Sunoco is the best was her conclusion for local gas stations. Right now I'd have to wait to see how Indian build quality holds up and how reliability is before considering one myself. The Escapes are nice, but I found the seats in the 2014 Titanium I tested to be a little too flat for my liking. Also, the steering wheel has little "nubs" on it where you're supposed to put your thumbs, but I like a traditional, flat, rounded steering wheel. My one aunt has a 2006 first-generation Escape V6, and it has everything except for leather and heated seats. I really like it, as it's got that boxy SUV look to it, and it's plenty powerful for its size. I truly wish they kept the traditional boxy SUV look on them.. I get they were going for the "One Ford" deal by making it a rebadged Kuga but I think the 2nd Gen. Escape was one of the best looking SUV's ever. I'd even drive one if I had to have an SUV. |
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