Summary
What Edmunds.com says
No longer a top contender in the midsize car segment, the Taurus is still a decent buy if a low initial price is more important to you than overall refinement and resale value.
Pros
Low price, roomy interior, good crash test scores, available as a sedan or a wagon.
Cons
Low-grade interior materials, poor expected resale value, doesn't ride, handle or stop as well as top competitors.
What's New for 2005
The Taurus receives a few changes this year, most in the name of simplification. Trim levels have been pared down to just SE and SEL, last year's huge array of packages has been consolidated and a comprehensive wood trim package is now standard on the SEL. Later in the model year, a tire-pressure monitor system will become standard on all models with alloy wheels.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
If you love your family DO NOT BUY
Vehicle
2005 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Where do I start? First the A/C went out, then the original tires wore within the first year. I had to replace the battery twice. Alternator was replaced twice. Transmission went out at 40K. Air intake manifold needed to be replaced. Brakes wore earlier. Until the day I last had it there was an issue with the lights flickering (dealer said the alternator/battery were fine). The car made a terrible whirring noise. RPM gauge always fluctuated. I still have nightmares about that car. I spent 5K in one 6 month period to keep it running. Please STAY AWAY from this car!
Favorite Features
None, this car is garbage.
Suggested Improvements
Scrap the entire Taurus line and move on.
this is a horrible car
Vehicle
2005 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
i bought this car in 2005 at time had 22,000 on it. At 61,000 the transmission went out on it to the cost of $2,000. The mpg is horrible. I got oil changed every 3,000 and took good care of this car. it is the worst thing i have ever owned.
Favorite Features
um none
Suggested Improvements
everything
Best used car I've ever owned
Vehicle
2005 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought this 2005 Taurus SE as a one owner used car with 60,000 miles. It has been driven daily and now has 122,000 in less than 2 years. It performs beautifully and has yet to let me down. I'm getting average 27 mpg and approaches 30 on the highway!. I switched to full synthetic oil when I bought it and use injector cleaner gas additive regularly. Engine power band is smooth and low end torque is impressive for a 3.0 liter engine. I live in a fairly mountainous area and the only thing that annoys me is the drain in power when running the AC on hot days. Fuel mileage drops about 2.5 mpg, which is more than my other vehicles. All in all I'm going to drive the wheels of this one. Great car.
Favorite Features
Ride, comfort and layout of interior and cockpit instruments. Very roomy back seating and trunk. Fuel economy is great for a V6. Oil filter location makes it easy to change the oil yourself. Console between front seats is a really good design.
Suggested Improvements
AC saps power and torque on hot days. One more DC power outlet would be useful.
Big disappointment
Vehicle
2005 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We bought this to replace our 1995 Taurus wagon, which I loved, and which would approach 30 mpg highway with careful driving. Well, the poor mileage (around 20 highway) was only the beginning of our disappointments. When we first bought the car, water would leak into the passenger floorboard every time it rained (up to a half-inch of standing water). It took the dealer 25 hours of labor to find all the leaks. Unfortunately, since then we have also lost roof brackets, the entire air conditioning system, the rear window hydraulic supports, the rear door latch, and multiple rust spots. I've never had a greater variety of problems with a single car. Good job, Ford. You've lost me.
Favorite Features
Color. (Discontinued, unfortunately, so I had to special-order touch-up paint for a three-year-old car!)
Suggested Improvements
It would be nice to have a car where the AC, the door latch, the paint job, the rear window supports and the roof rack would all last more than 3 years. Oh, and if it wouldn't start rusting visibly in three years, that would be nice, too.
Nice car if had better engine and trans
Vehicle
2005 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
This car was purchased with only 2- 3000 miles on it. At 1st it ran great with little to no problems. As soon as it hit the limit of the warranty then the problems started. 1st it was little things. Then the transmission went out. Now I am about to replace the transmission again for the 3rd time. This car would be an excellent car if it would have been built better. Ford needs to be ashamed of itself for building such a good looking car and such a bad engine. No wonder American cars have fallen so far behind foreign cars.
Favorite Features
Exterior design is timeless
Suggested Improvements
Engine and Transmission
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