1997 Ford Taurus

If you're looking for a car to wash, wax and drive to be seen, this is not your car :-) If you want a reliable, dependable car with no worries about getting it dinged or scratched, this may be it. I bought this car for my high school son 8 years ago to get him back and forth from school. I bought it from a person who acquired it from their parents either through an estate or inheritance. The vehicle maintenance was impeccable. I purchased it with 100,000 miles on it. 75,000 miles later, it got my son through another 4 years of college 200 miles away from home.
8 years ago it was hit from behind and technically too expensive to fix, according to the insurance company, so they gave us a check and my son drove the car for another 7 years after the accident. It's been an incredible car and the rave internet comments of the 1997 Taurus reflect our experience. Here's the scoop on the mechanical's:
I'm a licensed mechanic and I went through the car every summer break to maintenance anything possible that I could see that could go wrong. Here's what I did:
Put all new tires on it last year.Put a new battery and alternator in it.Noticed rust on 2 brake lines, so I put new brake lines on it.I didn't like the play in 2 of the wheels, so I replaced 2 wheel bearings.Changed the transmission fluid and engine oil frequently.New brakes.New serpentine belt.Changed oil pan and intake gaskets.
Basically, anything I thought could go wrong I replaced ahead of time. The engine is one of the best engines Ford ever built. In fact, I believe it was built by Volvo. Burns or leaks no oil. It could use new shocks/struts but it drives just fine and straight. Cold A/C too! If someone wants to replace some of the worn knobs, etc, they're easy to find at the junk yards and cheap too!
This car is not a looker, but it's cheap and runs.
My son has made many, many, 400 mile trips in this car to and back from college with never a break down.
Let me know if you have any questions!
I reserve the right to end this listing early as it is listed locally.