• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

I swear i have the worst luck with cars.

waggy

No Lifer
about 4 months ago my van died. I mentioned it to my dad who is good friends with a guy who runs a local car dealership.

they gave me a good deal on a 2003 taurus (have owned 2 others and liked them) for $5k (out the door). i was happy with the deal and thought it was worth it. It had a rattle when you started it but would stop after 10-15 min. they said it was a heat shield or such. didn't think anything of it.

so driving home last night from my sons karate lessons and i started from a stop sign and it jerked and reved real high. i put it in nutrel and coasted to the side of the road.

i tried back in D and nothing. tried R and nothing (the car would just rev high).

called and described it to a local shop and they said it would be 4k to fix. fuckkk.
 
they're quoting a new transmission, might be something as simple as the shift cable breaking/coming loose/etc... might be a blown transmission. All you know is that it doesn't get into gear right?
 
they're quoting a new transmission, might be something as simple as the shift cable breaking/coming loose/etc... might be a blown transmission. All you know is that it doesn't get into gear right?

correct. i can go from R to d and nothing happens.
 
4K to fix a 2003 Taurus, the car is not even worth 4K.
if it indeed is the trans, have an auto wrecker put in a used one with some fresh fluid. should cost less than a grand including labour at the right place.
 
For sure need to take it to a shop you trust and have them look at it and give a real estimate... Over the phone type estimates tend to be worst case so I would`nt toss in the towel just yet... As some have said it might be something simple but might be expensive but get it looked at first...:thumbsup:
 
For sure need to take it to a shop you trust and have them look at it and give a real estimate... Over the phone type estimates tend to be worst case so I would`nt toss in the towel just yet... As some have said it might be something simple but might be expensive but get it looked at first...:thumbsup:

You're gonna totally screw up our reputation if you go around giving sound advice like that.
 
That's kinda the gamble you take with any used car... 🙁

That's why we were so glad to buy Insight #2 for the price we did. Even with 440,000 miles on the clock, at $2500 it pretty much didn't matter what was wrong with it. We could have easily bought a $5000 specimen and had to do everything we've had to do to #2 so far(wheels, tires, transmission, clutch, O2 sensor, EGR valve - $1635).
 
Last edited:
Probably an "as-is" stealership - they won't touch it once you drive it off the lot.

Yes, but there is also the "I mentioned it to my dad who is good friends with a guy who runs a local car dealership." factor. Don't count it out before asking.
 
You didn't bother to get the car checked by a mechanic after you bought the car?

on a transmission? really?

What about calling that local dealership??

and why?

nearly ALL new cars are AS-IS. IF they offer anything its a 1 month. i have had it longer.

only time they offer longer is if the car is like 2-3 yrs old.



Yes, but there is also the "I mentioned it to my dad who is good friends with a guy who runs a local car dealership." factor. Don't count it out before asking.

yeah my dad knows the owner. while getting deals is one thing repairing something that happens after is another. but you never know what they will do.


luckely he was coming up for my daughters birthday (this weekend) and my BIL is comeing with his car trailer. IF i need a new tranny i was told abouta site called car-parts.com that list used ones for sale. I'm sure i can talk my BIL into putting it in if he is not busy.
 
Last edited:
ugh. figured i would update this. I have owned a lot of Fords but this is the worst paice of shit i have ever owned. My dad feels terrible about it.

Anyway i got a Ford factory rebuilt Transmission for around 3k installed (can't remember the exact numbers) it has a 3 (or 5? i can't remember) yr unlimited mileage warranty. woot.

About a week after fixing it the check engine comes on. seems bank 1 and 2 O2 sensors are out.

i call up the dealership and the tech said don't worry its something that happens sometimes when they change trans. it will go out in a while. I called them like 2-3 times and they said yeah it happens don't worry.

About a week ago it starts to stutter when hitting the gas. i take it in and they said htey changed the 02 sensors. i pick it up and it did it pulling out of the lot. i thought maybe its just me (the check engine light was off) and by the time we got home it was driving fine.

Well the next morning i start driving it again and it is doing it again. i called up and they said bring it in. Sure enough they say it drives fine for them.

ugh.

At the point of cutting my loses and getting a newer car. i have always purchased used and have never had this much trouble. not a happy camper at all.
 
Sucks. I was gonna say $4k was high for a tranny on that.

In the past I've bought several used cars and really they were all pretty good except for the first one I ever bought, its transmission died around 6 months after owning it, too.

Just a crap shoot with used cars. Objectively they are generally cheaper but personally I hate the unknown, so recently I've gotten newer, paying some mild premium to not have to spend any time or money dealing with it.
 
ha, Ford Taurus

fail from the start, sorry

shrug.

last Taurus i had i got at 88k miles. drove it until 190k. my exwifes escort is at 169k miles, my van i replaced was at 177k miles. my old F250 i sold with 150k miles.

i have had great luck with Fords. Worst car i had (until this one) was a 2000 Honda accord (back in 2004). i had nothing but problems with that. oh i spent a hell of a lot more on that car then i have on any Ford ever.
 
ha, Ford Taurus

fail from the start, sorry

My brother's 93 Taurus had over 350k on it. He did replace the engine at 160k and trans at 175k or thereabouts with used junkyard pulls, but those then lasted until 350k when he traded it in (for like $200 lol) for his next car. And he still sees it running around town every so often 😵
 
Back
Top