YACT: Help us choose a replacement for our 1993 Mercury Topaz!

[bunker]

Between those two, I'd go for the Taurus simply because it's got 12k less miles on it.

 

[nan0bug]

Get the taurus. Both cars are about the same, except the taurus has less miles and needs less work done.

<--- 96 Taurus LX owner.

 

[Quixfire]

I'm not really a Ford mechanic, but I play one in real life. And as a mechanic I can confidently offer the following advise.

The 4th generation Taurus is a really solid car; there are only a few minor concerns with them and not expensive to take care of.

The Buick is also a solid car and the 3.1L V6 a good motor with a solid transmission, nice handling and a smoother ride over the Taurus.

Which car can you see yourself driving four years from now?

BTW, I would choose the Taurus.

*Disclaimer: Quixfire is a know Ford fanboy and is currently working for a vendor on assignment to Ford Motor Company. He also operates a repair shop specializing in the repair and maintenance for classic Ford muslcecars. Plus he drives a Ford Escort GT.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

I know they are a popular car it seems, as is the Century. I've priced the common maint. items (air filter, oil filter, plugs, etc) and where one is higher priced on one item, the other is lower.. So in the end it is a wash really where commonly used parts are concerned.

The mechanic I go to can do either car too, so that's not a consideration.

 

Fixed
On
Roger's
Driveway

Sorry Quix 🙂

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger
Fixed
On
Roger's
Driveway

Sorry Quix 🙂

Hey Quix, why don't you get a nice Charger. You know you want a real Dodge instead of one that's been Fvcked Over and Rebuilt😉😀

 

MOPAR, mostly old parts and rust 😉


Sh!!!!!!!!!!!!t, playtime is over, got to go and get my little guy, bye ya all 🙂

Dodge

Dead on day guarantee expires

Drips oil, drops grease everywhere 🙂

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger
MOPAR, mostly old parts and rust 😉

Its funny since one of my best friends' parents are die hard MOPAR fans (dad has a '72 Dodge Van with over 400k on it) and he's had two Fords😛

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Roger
Fixed
On
Roger's
Driveway

Sorry Quix 🙂

Forgiven

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Roger
Fixed
On
Roger's
Driveway

Sorry Quix 🙂

Hey Quix, why don't you get a nice Charger. You know you want a real Dodge instead of one that's been Fvcked Over and Rebuilt😉😀

I wish I could have my old Plymouth back, 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible. 🙁 RIP

 

[DougK62]

Get the GM. The transmission in that Taurus is a POS - like most Ford trans are.

The 3100 in that car isn't much at all like the old 2.8 that it was derived from. The 2.8 was stroked in the late 80s/early 90s to get the 3.1 - those two engines are nearly identical. However in 1994 the 3.1 was completely redesigned into the 3100 with mostly the whole thing being new - right down to the block. Much better then the earlier engines of the same family. The only real problem with the engine is the intake gaskets. Check 'em for leaks before you buy!

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: Roger
MOPAR, mostly old parts and rust 😉


Sh!!!!!!!!!!!!t, playtime is over, got to go and get my little guy, bye ya all 🙂

Dodge

Dead on day guarantee expires

Drips oil, drops grease everywhere 🙂

Not necessarily that I dislike Chrysler products (I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee), but I'm ROTFLMAO at several of these..

THey say Jeeps don't 'leak', they 'mark their territory'.

opps, can't go off on a tangent in my own thread !

 

[nakedfrog]

Oops, my mistake... so much to learn 🙂

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Get the GM. The transmission in that Taurus is a POS - like most Ford trans are.

The 3100 in that car isn't much at all like the old 2.8 that it was derived from. The 2.8 was stroked in the late 80s/early 90s to get the 3.1 - those two engines are nearly identical. However in 1994 the 3.1 was completely redesigned into the 3100 with mostly the whole thing being new - right down to the block. Much better then the earlier engines of the same family. The only real problem with the engine is the intake gaskets. Check 'em for leaks before you buy!

ok - probably dumb question, where would it be located and how to tell about leaks? (seriously).. I'm still learning some of this stuff 🙂

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
I'm not really a Ford mechanic, but I play one in real life. And as a mechanic I can confidently offer the following advise.

The 4th generation Taurus is a really solid car; there are only a few minor concerns with them and not expensive to take care of.

The Buick is also a solid car and the 3.1L V6 a good motor with a solid transmission, nice handling and a smoother ride over the Taurus.

Which car can you see yourself driving four years from now?

BTW, I would choose the Taurus.

*Disclaimer: Quixfire is a know Ford fanboy and is currently working for a vendor on assignment to Ford Motor Company. He also operates a repair shop specializing in the repair and maintenance for classic Ford muslcecars. Plus he drives a Ford Escort GT.

Ahhh, so you got the Mazda that actually has a Mazda engine -- good choice!😉

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Hellspawn

Originally posted by: DougK62
Get the GM. The transmission in that Taurus is a POS - like most Ford trans are.

The 3100 in that car isn't much at all like the old 2.8 that it was derived from. The 2.8 was stroked in the late 80s/early 90s to get the 3.1 - those two engines are nearly identical. However in 1994 the 3.1 was completely redesigned into the 3100 with mostly the whole thing being new - right down to the block. Much better then the earlier engines of the same family. The only real problem with the engine is the intake gaskets. Check 'em for leaks before you buy!

ok - probably dumb question, where would it be located and how to tell about leaks? (seriously).. I'm still learning some of this stuff 🙂

Are you familiar with the parts of an engine at all? This will be hard to explain without pictures if you aren't. When you open the hood you'll see "3100" stamped on the upper intake (or plenum). This upper intake is bolted right on top of the lower intake. The lower intake sits between the two cylinder heads of the engine. The intake gaskets that I'm referring to are between the lower intake and the cylinder heads. You won't usually see a big leak like dripping or anything, but what they'll do is seap and it can look like a foamy build-up on them. Also check the oil for signs of coolant.

 

[Actaeon]

Buick Century > Ford Taurus

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

[/quote]Are you familiar with the parts of an engine at all? This will be hard to explain without pictures if you aren't. When you open the hood you'll see "3100" stamped on the upper intake (or plenum). This upper intake is bolted right on top of the lower intake. The lower intake sits between the two cylinder heads of the engine. The intake gaskets that I'm referring to are between the lower intake and the cylinder heads. You won't usually see a big leak like dripping or anything, but what they'll do is seap and it can look like a foamy build-up on them. Also check the oil for signs of coolant.[/quote]

Yes, pretty familiar, but just not with GM motors. Since I have the car here this afternoon I was able to check. Ok, I found where the lower plenum bolts to the heads, and yes on both sides there is a thick brown/black seepage on the lower half of both sides. (it isn't foamy, but rather just thick greasy/nasty looking and has attracted dirt as well). Also, having just driven the car, I took notice of the coolant and have found that it is down about 1/2" below COLD on the reserve tank. (the car was just driven about 10 miles in 85f temps.)

Looking at the dipstick, I don't see anything obvious besides dirty oil, BUT peering WAAAY down in the reserve tank (there is about 3/4" of coolant in the bottom. I see something on top of the coolant, that looks thicker and is kind of forming swirly patterns on top of the coolant. Whatever it is, (oil?), it is basically the same color as the coolant (dark red).


Ok, the coolant is VERY low. There is something making little swirly trails on top of the coolant. Lower half of the intake gasket (between lower plenum and heads) has a clingy, dirty thick consistency coating on it on both sides. Reserve tank is very skinny and wide, but inside of tank is VERY dirty.

Should I hazard a guess that oil is getting into the cooling system and also seeping out this gasket?

If so, this particular one is out of the running..

Please let me know your thoughts..

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

ok... taking the buick by a friend (mechanic) in a bit, fearing it is out of the race due to a leaking intake gasket, possible bit of oil in the coolant and extremely low coolant.

shop charge up to $700 , doable much cheaper if you are good with tools (parts are about $50 I understand.) If it is confirmed, I don't want to buy something that is going to need some involved wrenching right from the get-go..

Just going for the diagnosis. From looking up on the internet, this gasket is a common problem on the 3100?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Confirmed: Buick has a leaky intake manifold gasket, oil in the coolant.

Out of the ring she goes.. thanks for all your opinions, I appreciate them.. Most likely the Taurus, gonna give it a day or three to see if anything else pops up..

 

[Quixfire]

If you get the Taurus I would be happy to answer any technical questions you might have.

 

Taurus...it's V6 will likely be more reliable than the 3100 in the Century.