First off, this isn't a repair problem, but rather a recomendations thread.

I'm thinking about getting a Ford Taurus in the model years 2003 thru 2005 (maybe eariler, depending on milage and condition).

My questions are;

1. How many engines were available?
2. What car lines had the floor shifter, or could it be ordered with any car line?
3. Is there a year, engine, car line etc. to stay away from (more problems that with the others)?

I'm mostly interested in known problems within a model year(s).

Thanks in advance.

 

The engines came as a 3.0l OHV v6 or a 3.0l OHC v6 the OHC has 24 valves. the 3.0 OHV also came with a flex fuel option so you can run E-85 fuel. Trim level is either a SE or SES. The SES is the higher end trim.
Floor shifters came on the fleet cars. I have the 2000 SES fleet flex fuel Taurus.
Ford had problem trannies up till 99 so any Taurus 99 up has the improved trannie.

 

My wife has an 03 sable with the cheaper 3.0. 75,000 miles and no problems so far other than a bad fuel pump that died right after the warranty expired.
Like many her's has the column shift, it's my understanding the floor shift was an option.

 

Thanks for the input.

What I have discovered is there was a 3.0L and a 3.8L and the 3.8 was full of problems. Also according to a service dept. mamager, there was a problem up to 2004 with the 'link pins' (?). They were redesigned in 2005.

As far as the floor shifter, was that a option ANY of the three car lines; LX, SE & SES??

That middle console (non floor shifter), which was either a plastric cup holder/storage compartment/arm rest, or a padded seat (can't imaging anyone sitting there)/storage compartment/armrest, is that removeable with full carpetring underneath?

 

I would have prefered that my wife's sable had a console instead of the 'mini' middle seat. I don't think it is removable - I can't check as she's not here at the moment. The arm rest folds up and the seat belt is hid under it. While 3 in the front isn't ideal, it does allow for 6 passengers which at times is preferable to having to use 2 cars. I've never personally sat in the middle seat [back seat either ]

 

I know that 'plastic' cup holder/storage compartment is removeable. I assume the padded half a seat would be also.

 

If I remember correctly the cup holder console folds up and becomes part of the seat.