Taurus or Thunderbird? - NOPE Mustang!!

Well, our daughter has her car selection narrowed down to either a 2002 Taurus or a 1993 Thunderbird S/C. She had been looking for a Mustang but they seem to be out of her price range.

Does anyone have any pro's and con"s for these two? I have read the 3.8's like to eat head gaskets. The S/C she is looking at has a new Ford reman engine/trans about 35,000 miles ago.

Thanks for the input!!

Bill

My mom had a 02 taurus and it was a great car, rode nice and never had a minutes trouble out of it. It made a nice race car too, i won two wallys with it....

I have 3 Taurus's and they are great cars. 2 of them have 3.0's and the 3rd one has a 3.0 DOHC. all have 150K or more w/o issues.
My brother had 2 T Bird SC's and they eat Harmonic balancers like Charlie Evans eats Steak. And that's alot

The Taurus would be my Pic.

Bill I have had 2 T Birds 90 with 5.0 ho and 91 v6 3.8 the t birds have heavy doors and the door hinges don't last long to small of pin and bushing.The front ends don't last long go to popping and squicking other than that a good car both got good mph.The doors and frontend is the only real problems I had out of mine and both had over 200,000 miles on them.Never had a Taurus so I can't say but do have some friends that have them and they like them that is more than likely what I buy next is a Taurus

I have had or my two older sons 4 Taurus's now and they just get you there no matter what...

I had a 94 t-bird that my aunt originally bought. One heck of a car if its taken good care of, just had to replace the pin on the left door hinge and repaint it just to freshen her up. Ibelieve we had to fix some very minimal rust on the left rocker panel in front of the rear wheel. I was thinking about making one into a drag car. P/S style that is.

And the t-bird had 110,000 miles on it when we got it.

Thanks guys!!

The Thunderbird is a very good looking car, new paint (black) and new tires, nice black leather interior. I don't think it would be much fun in the winter though.

I think I will try and lean her toward the Taurus!!

Bill

Bill:
The Taurus would be my choice.
When we went looking for a car for our 20 yr old daughter, I knew it would be a 97 or later Taurus.
The 4 wheel disc anti lock brakes brakes and dual air bags really helped on the insurance !

Besides, most insurance companies will raise the rates on any 2 door car, regardless of how much power the engine makes.

Just my opinion, mind you! I think the Taurus would be a good choice. Modern ( the recent of the two ) technology would provide the better platform for durability and safety. Also it's an almost ten year newer automobile. We have a '04 Taurus with the DOHC engine, it's over the 100K mileage mark and so far with no problems outside of routine maintenance. I too have a '93 Thunderbird with the standard 3.8 liter engine. The car's mechanical condition is great, now at the 250K mark. I have replaced the head gaskets twice. As T-Bird mentioned, insurance will sure play a roll between the two models, especially when you mention SC !

Dave.

Get the newer one as long as it's in good condition.

dfree383 wrote:Get the newer one as long as it's in good condition.

Yeah, the Taurus looks like no body has even sat in the car. Paints nice and glossy, no rust.




She wants to go look at a 94 Mustang tonight, it might be a bit more fasionable than a Taurus.....

I still think the sedan would be a better car for driving year around. I don't think the SN94's are real great in the snow!!

Thanks for all the input guys!!

Bill

Need to look at insurace costs for a kid too. Just because she can afford the purchase price doesn't mean she'll be able to afford the insurance when it comes due....

Yep, she checked the insurance and it will be about $20 cheaper for the Mustang.

She decided on the Mustang. 1994, 3.8 auto.



Bill

I have a 95 Mustang and it is a great car. Like a cocked gun on wet roads and winter driving though. Tell her to be very careful.

I'll do that, thanks Rick!! I think she needs to get some Bridgestone Blizzaks or something for the winter.

Bill

After seeing the picture, how could there be any other choice! Safer, roomer and more economical, TMO!

Dave.