Retro Review: 1986 Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable

[@noseefood1943]

i remember as a kid these cars look so futuristic.

[@incyphe]

looked amazing in Robocop 1

[@willzer808]

God yes, it's all I can think about - despite the fold out picnic table

[@noseefood1943]

YouBocaj67Tube yes i had a merkur xr4ti. design was ahead of its time. but unfortunately typical ford reliability.

[@71plymouth.]

Noseefood That's why they used this pos on RoboCop... Besides,the taurus hadn't officially been released yet when the film was released (I think...)

[@fernandorocha6486]

@@incyphe the Ford Taurus 87 Police Car of Robocop 1987

[@91Taurus]

The 1986 Taurus was an absolute game changer no questions

[@Novusod]

What people don't understand is exactly how much of a game changer the Ford Taurus really was. It completely transformed exterior design from square boxy designs to jelly bean shaped cars that are still with us in 2018. This is the exact moment auto makers started to take aerodynamics seriously outside of a few sports cars that came before the Taurus. Even with those anemic engines the Taurus still had a top speed of over 120mph because the aerodynamics allowed it to just glide through the air at high speeds. This was a game changer when other cars of the era were limited to 80mph top speed because they had the aerodynamics of a brick.

[@VectraQS]

@@paulparoma Not true. People say that Ford ripped off the '83 Audi 100, but there's a clay model shot of what's basically a finished Sable design that's dated 11/23/81.

[@rixille]

@@Novusod Don't forget it saved Ford from bankruptcy too. The Taurus actually saved the company.

[@saganich74]

Also so we’re the T-Bird and Cougar line. That was the first in Ford family to go Aero, as well as the Space shuttle inspired Aerostar.

[@filthyanimal874]

Novusod 80mph? My 1980 Cadillac Coupe deVille had a top speed of 110mph. And it has the aerodynamics of a brick.

[@Mrmatteo08]

Ford Taurus still has a modern design despite its 32 years. It was a car that suddenly made the competitors old

[@rixille]

I honestly would love to own a first gen Taurus LX variant or SHO. The history behind the car is enough reason to want to own it.

[@MalamIbnMalam]

@@rixille when I was 16 in the year 2000, my dad gave me a 1987 Mercury Sable GS with the 3.0 V6 Vulcan engine

[@rixille]

@@MalamIbnMalam That's awesome. People hate on the sable's "cyclops" appearance in the front but that one design quirk makes it in some way valuable.

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

This thing looks sleek and gorgeous for a midsize car in the late 80s that it made other cars in the day, even some sedans 10 yrs later look wretched!!

[@tannerin]

i’d say it was starting to look dated by the time the 90s rolled around with what the competition was putting out, still a great looking car in a cool 80s retrofuturistic way though

[@SoundgardenMan]

These retro reviews are like crack to me...can't get enough.

[@deckerhand12]

SoundgardenMan same here

[@MrHerberttarlek]

I love the reviews of crappy cars the most .

[@eyesopen4136]

SoundgardenMan Settle down Tyrone Biggins lol

[@christopherconard2831]

With the advantage of hindsight, some of these reviews are actually funny to watch. So good when new. So craptastic after a few years on the road.

[@adambaines9830]

Actually I think it's more addicting then crack lasts longer too lol

[@TommyboyGTP]

I don't know why but i've always loved these 1st gen Taurus and Sable's. They were a huge hit as police cars in Robo Cop, then the SHO came out in 89 and just solidified the Taurus name even more.

[@mattmaverick703]

Was also the inspiration to the later newer 1996 Taurus which was also another game changer and then the later 2006-2012 first gen Ford Fusions. I own a 2010 Fusion Sport which is the first year for a high performance Fusion aka Baby SHO. My car got alot of its styling hues from this original Taurus SHO from 1989 even the way the body kit looks is similarly styled. Ford rules

[@Drknnja]

6000SUX

[@PaulEdgewatertheman]

I was a Ford car salesman in 1989. The Taurus had a great year that year. Updated styling and the first SHO. It was a good time to sell Fords and I made really good money. Another great car that year was the all-new Thunderbird. What fond memories I have of that time.

[@joshn938]

I remember the sable looking so futuristic with that "light" look up front instead of a grille. Now I can't help but think how dated it looks. Damn, I feel old...

[@McNuggs-]

I remember thinking it looked so futuristic. In my mind I would imagine it lit up and blinding everyone on the road lmao.

[@chriscornelius2518]

@@McNuggs- Futuristic is sometimes synonymous with trendy which shows age.

[@allewis4008]

My mom owned a 91 Sable. It was one "Plain Jane" car, but it ran for years and years.

[@RobCamp-rmc_0]

I thought the light bar made it look like an old vacuum cleaner.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

Still looks pretty futuristic to me.

[@ianclaudio777]

My dear aunt, who died in 2014 used to love her light-blue Sable!

[@cnrmoose]

"Dad, that tree wouldn't fit in our yard. It's not going in the yard Russ, it's going in our living room."

[@wdrauch]

Where you going to put that tree? Bend over, and I’ll show you

[@louisbrizzolara7209]

I bought a 1988 Mercury Sable LS in Midnight blue with a Dove Gray leather interior. I loved it. It is the car I miss the most.

[@fernandorocha6486]

Mercury Sable 1988 is my year favorite and wagon is my favorite

[@stephenleone2375]

As a kid I remember seeing A LOT of these two cars on the road, due to the public liking the futuristic styling of these cars, along with its good room for a family, and (I'm assuming) good price / value. What I also remember is going to a transmission repair shop in the early 1990's and seeing 8-12 of these cars abandoned in the back of his lot taking up space. When my father inquired about them, the owner told him how everyone would drop off their car with transmission issues and when he'd diagnose them and inform them of the cost of rebuilding the electronic controlled trans, (along with the shortened warranty period that he'd offer) the vehicle owners would just abandon them there and he'd never hear from them again. He'd call and call with no answer from the owners. Now the repair shop owner would be stuck with the cars and no title. Made for a tough time getting rid of them and he was peeved that they'd take up valuable space in his limited lot for a long period of time. I'm sure that it would also cost him towing to remove the cars. He claimed that the transmissions would fail at 50,000 to 60,000 miles like clock work. I'm sure that most of them never had the transmission fluid changed. Most people don't know that they have to maintain their transmissions.

[@deanbean2106]

You are totally correct. This was a great car but the AXOD automatic transmission was absolute shit. My dad had a 1990 light blue Sable LS station wagon with it. The car went through three transmissions in the 10 or so years we owned it. Finally it went out a 4th time and that was enough. My pops then bought a 1956 Ford Country Sedan to replace it haha

[@stephenleone2375]

Dean Bean I always liked the Taurus SHO. It was one cool car, but your '56 Ford Country Sedan sounds pretty good as well.

[@VectraQS]

@@deanbean2106 The AXOD wasn't great, but I have a '95 AX4N in my '92 Taurus wagon (long story short, 3.8 ralphed, replaced it with a 3.0). So long as you maintain the damn thing, it'll work. Mine has about 96K on it.

[@trevagraham1605]

Stephen Leone My dad was a mechanic and he said the problem was that most drivers constantly drove the car in overdrive even when not on the highway. He said that it put a strain on the tranny which would cause it to fail, so when my brother bought his 89 Taurus in 93 with 35K miles on it he never drove it in overdrive unless on the interstate. That car lasted him to 250k miles without a transmission issue. Actually it still runs and sits in my dads junkyard. When he parked it all it really needed was a front and rear main seal, because it was leaking oil like crazy.

[@holdover8199]

@@trevagraham1605 I have a '99 with the AX4N and it has always shifted super soft and mushy. I've been driving it almost manually shifted for 10 years now and the first thing I do is turn the OD off when I shift into drive. For around town I simply just put it in 2. It is such a gas-saving transmission it would be constantly shifting from 1-2 over and over at stop lights so I began just shifting it manually and 10 years later, it still works (at 150k).

[@eldo59]

For '86 this was the most futuristic production sedan yet. Even RoboCop made it their future cop car. LOL! Then it blended in with everything else by the early '90s.

[@robinatkins1292]

Audi 5000 beat them to it. But close.

[@fernandorocha6486]

Ford Taurus car of the year Motor Trend in 1986

[@drakeilt5776]

The Sables were also cop cars in the first The Flash TV series on ABC except their light bars were blue not white. I wanted one so bad that I leased a blue 1994 Sable and had them all the way to the 2000 model: '94 2 year lease; '96 2 year lease with the 200H.P. engine; same engine in a left over 1997 that I bought and a similar 2000 lease return after a Montero T-Boned the '97 in 2002 (right after a major 60K mile maintenance).

[@TheJ602]

Young folks with more Money? Not anymore!

[@ronaldderooij1774]

It is only this generation up until they are 60 years old. After that, they will swim in money again (if all trends are straight into the future).

[@RodBeauvex]

All the avocado toast I can eat!

[@bradwooldidge6979]

I was 26 and loaded in 1985!

[@Foxontherun2]

@@bradwooldidge6979 good for you buttmunch thanks for shitting up the country , change your own diapers in that old folks home

[@johnlewinski6359]

@@bradwooldidge6979 - yep went to Europe - the 80s were great Now it's half your salary.

[@averadin]

I'm just happy retro reviews are back man!!

[@Skyhawk1987Turbo]

Ford sold a ton of these great cars!

[@97I30T]

It's too bad there aren't more survivors. They didn't seem to hold up all that well.

[@2dfx]

This car saved Ford from almost certain doom in the 80's

[@DrewLSsix]

That Guy From Kansas. a customer brought a 2G wagon into the shop last year with 1300 miles on it. the most immaculate one I have ever seen. sadly it was in because one brake line rusted through and let go, the fluid stripped a large portion of paint from the perfect rocker/arch area behind the rear left door so I imagine its already suffering visible rot.

[@jdogmcnasty1980]

Skyhawk1987Turbo i know the comment is old but I’m driving my grandmas 91, mechanically solid but the body is starting to break down

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

@@97I30T The 1986s definitely had their fair share of teething problems, including the 3.0L V-6. Nearly all first-year cars do.

[@m3trooper]

The Retro MW videos mean the world to me, and bring back so many awesome memories. I miss the HIT and MISS segments of car reviews. LOL

[@fernandorocha6486]

I love MW Review, cars, trucks and SUVs 80s is my favorites. Wagons and vans 80s is my favorites

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Since the late 90s, MW does not describe hits and misses of a review which is a shame because, for me, it is the gist of any auto test.

[@tylerschwartz4327]

i still see sable wagons on the road sometimes.

[@rixille]

Yeah they are easy to spot, with that center lightbar.

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

Yep. I see them, Taurus, Sable running around. Some in great shape.

[@Beefy01]

Right. I saw a white station wagon just 3 days ago. Amazing how it held up so well through all those harsh Canadian winters!

[@Beefy01]

Unlike Garbage Motors🙄

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

Still? Wow I haven’t seen one in ages! Even the 2nd gen are getting rare.

[@scdevon]

The platform that saved Ford from financial disaster. These were solid cars with great quality control. Ford really knocked GM back onto their heels for years with these vehicles.

[@rixille]

Not only that, but its success basically made Ford come out with more aerodynamic models for their already existing lines. The Ford Thunderbird Coupe basically inherited the Ford Taurus style with the muted grill and aerodynamic look, and then in 1992 the Ford Crown Victoria came out with a redesign that also has Taurus design influence in it. The look really sold for people, it was very futuristic looking at the time.

[@777jones]

I remember the steering on the sable was quite good.

[@BennysBenz]

that grill was really controversial I remember people rioting

[@rixille]

I look back at it and I love it. It represents a time when car companies were trying really hard to innovate and present paradigm-shifting features to cars. Taking risks and doing all kinds of experiments.

[@juliogonzo2718]

Did they loot at all during the riot?

[@jamesslick4790]

@@juliogonzo2718 Yeah, The stole all of the grilles and hood ornaments! It was a Baaad Scene, Man.

[@dr.lyleevans6915]

@@juliogonzo2718 Peaceful protest

[@nickwilczynski3684]

LOL. This post wins all the chips!!!

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

I remember when these came out. It was such an amazing departure from other '80s American makes and left GM reeling for quite a few years. It's the same year the U.S. law of having a third brake light came out.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

GM eventually stole the “lightbar” headlight design and used it on the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix sedans.

[@scottmccarthy6737]

Just discovered the "Retro Review" videos a few days ago....Think I have a new fav YT channel :)

[@jason3fc]

I binge watched them all one weekend when I discovered this channel!

[@material___]

1986 was a good year for ford and gm. so many updates/new cars

[@rixille]

I agree, they were lagging behind in the early 80's due to the imports gaining popularity, but then Ford and GM swooped back into the race and kept american cars relevant.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

Maybe not such a good year for GM. Yeah, they had a lot of new models but sales suffered due to many people not wanting the smaller front wheel drive cars at first.

[@dustyallen1312]

I have a 2000 Mercury sable I got it at 46.000 miles it now has 176,462 miles on it and I've never had to repair anything on it but the alternator and it rides so smooth ant you can even feel the transmission shift it's truly a luxury car

[@jamesfrench7299]

Astounding these were made in 1986. Even the engine oil filler cap looks ahead of its time.

[@rixille]

If you look at the history of this car, it was at a period when Ford was struggling financially as foreign imports became increasingly dominant. The Taurus was Ford's answer to that problem, and it actually saved the company from bankruptcy. In the early to mid 80's, Ford executives basically told their engineers to go nuts and come up with what became the Taurus. Quite fascinating. Also, the car was featured in Robocop (1986 Ford Taurus LX).

[@blaneblue1739]

The Taurus was sure a game changer.

[@MichaelAChang]

Always loved the lines of the wagon's styling.

[@chuckycheese84]

The Taurus wagon: famous for driving under semi-trucks

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

And they were brilliant at sailing through billboards.

[@hornetbrown]

To me, the Sable was always the more aesthetically appealing car. I once rented a late '90s Sable V6 in Baltimore to drive back to Ohio...not a sports car but smooth and comfortable the whole way.

[@MrRandomReviews]

nothing beats the late 80s and early 90s Taurus SHO

[@97I30T]

Literally though. Taurus SHOs back then were beating just about every car. They were faster than the 5.0 Mustangs and they were keeping up with Corvettes.

[@Mabeylater293]

The engine in the SHO was extremely reliable. It was made in Japan by Yamaha. It was the only thing in the car that didn't fall apart.

[@DrewLSsix]

TruAgape1234. they went a little to far in emulating the europeans lol.

[@joshuaecht]

I've driven a few since I got my license way back in 2000-plus friends I knew compared them and felt the same way. The Foxes and SHOs were evenly matched!

[@TMANN-jo1ps]

Mr Random Reviews don't you mean mid-80s.

[@nlpnt]

1:26 Black slotted grille planned for low-series Taurus and cancelled sometime between pilot and full production. I wonder if any of those ever escaped Ford's hands.

[@chrismobile422]

I was wondering about that too! I also wish I knew more about how that went down behind the scenes. It looks so weird to see that "tempo-like" grill on a Taurus.

[@99SVTBolt]

The interceptor edition had a slotted like grill for more cooling.

[@chrism3784]

think had something to do with the slots did not help with cooling, taurus brings most air from under the bumper and up into the radiator. the slots would cancel out the pressure, not as much air would get sucked up into the radiator.

[@matthybel4535]

Those were early ones made in 85 that had those grilles . Very rare the older ones also had orange in the rear tail lights

[@josephthornton4206]

According to another video not having a tradition grill was feared to be polarizing or too futuristic to some consumers. They designed the traditional center grill as an “alternative design” to be put into production if the regular version drew backlash. Luckily the Taurus as put out was a hit appearance wise. Personally I prefer the front end of the Sable. To me it looked more upscale at the time. But I also bought a 96 Cougar over the Thunderbird new for the same reason. The Mercury products looked like a more upscale version of its Ford siblings

[@nathanwoodall1]

I have always liked the Ford Taurus. I am on my second one. I had a 97 and now I drive a 07. Great car I do want a first generation SHO

[@MrHerberttarlek]

Robo-cop police car

[@fernandorocha6486]

Yes

[@scdevon]

@@fernandorocha6486 "I'd buy THAT fer a dollar arrrr, harrr, harrrr, harrr"

[@parnellitube]

MW MISSES -------------------- --DOESN'T GO -- DOESN'T STOP Other than that, it's great!

[@justabagel5173]

its the 1980s nothing moved .

[@earlmcmanus194]

As stated the production models were to have improved braking.

[@edgiestofcars]

parnelli jones how can it stop if it can't go to stop first?

[@wezilla21]

i laughed way too hard at this little comment section

[@bid84]

Thanks for better quality and a return to the retro review!

[@42luke93]

The Mercury Sable whenever in red reminds me of the movie, Coneheads.

[@Nuttty]

why dont more auto makers make dual sunvisors at all like what a amazing feature

[@NFSMAN50]

car was seriously ahead of its time, can easily pass as a 90s model with its aerodynamic styling,

[@JJ-cg3rn]

My parents had a 1988 Mercury Sable. They bought it because it was one of the first American cars to have three point seat belts in the rear. I don't remember the car being as slow as they are indicating (0-60 in 13+ seconds?!) We got 150,000 trouble free miles out of it...

[@SearchEast2069]

Damn I wish companies started making wagons again

[@COYGunners]

Antwon Jenkins they do in Europe where ppl buy them.

[@marcusdamberger]

Indeed! Everyone's making wagons in Europe! Last time I was in Germany to visit family, even my cousin had a VW wagon, it was fast, rode smooth and handled no problem. They don't look like some 70's or 80's American GM crap wagon either. Nice lines and practical. Heck I even saw Mercedes wagons too!

[@JDMHaze]

me too, in america ... I would pick a wagon over these frap small lifted hatchbacks they like to call SUVs

[@vimfuego1]

I have a '18 Golf Sportwagen. Love it.

[@nathanwoodall1]

Buick is making wagon now

[@jayyoutube8790]

I really enjoy these old reviews. It really gives you a big picture of how far cars have came in a short time

[@kurt8327]

It's amazing how much auto trans held back old cars. the i4 shaved nearly a second off the 0-60 from the auto 6 cylinder.

[@Jerrypintoswe]

"Dead or alive, you´re coming with me"

[@tylongkicks8821]

Jerrypintoswe Your move creep.

[@rickdavid6758]

I'm hear to tell ya I have been a ford man since I got my license 22 years ago and have owned a dozen Taurus and sables ranging from 89 to 2007 and that 3.0 v6 was bullet proof!

[@joeylewis8615]

As a kid in the 80's and 90's it was almost weird if your family didn't have a Taurus, or a Chrysler minivan. We had a Taurus wagon with the rear facing seats which were a blast to sit in and look out the back window... after that my parents "upgraded" to a Plymouth Voyager. Futuristic vehicles at the time, and they did their job well.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

I absolutely love the first gen Taurus and Sable! They must have looked amazing when they were new, and still look quite modern. My grandmother bought a brand new loaded Sable LS in 1988, and I was so fascinated with that car as a child! (It still exists thankfully and I own it now) The only downsides with these cars were the sometimes temperamental transmissions.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for these reviews and sharing. I liked seeing the Mercury Sable. It was nice to see this and appreciate the cars for what they were. The Ford Fusion has taken over this role.

[@micahmartinez2068]

This car left us on the side of road so many times...we called it the Taurus time bomb

[@bankscoleman2473]

My grandmother had a maroon Sable just like these. The half-skirts over the rear wheel were hilarious!!!

[@kgarba9253]

more more more more retro reviews please

[@sutherlandA1]

That slatted grille on the taurus sedan was tooled up for production just in case there was backlash from the grille less front end, obviously it turned out to be unnecessary

[@bufordblu3338]

Cool, because the production one looked better.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Ford also tried the grille-less look on their 1992 Crown Victoria sedan, but buyers didn't like it so Ford used a proper grille on the '93 model.

[@dvddmc]

had a 87 taurus with auto and the V6 i thought it was a great car drove great and smooth. the V6 engine was a great engine

[@black4vcobra]

I can't believe it's so slow to 60, 13.5 seconds is what I would have expected with the 4 cylinder and 3 speed auto.

[@JohnSmith-in2kl]

Mike Park they did get more powerful as the years went by. My friend had an early 90s and it did it in around 8 or 9 seconds

[@pontiachotshot]

That mercury sable is still sexy ! lol

[@fernandorocha6486]

Mercury Sable first generation my favorite and dream car. Beautifull car and sexy. 86, 87 and 88 is my years favorites and wagon of Mercury Sable is my favorite

[@rixille]

I like it except for the center lightbar. That is like the cyclops of cars. It is a quirk that I can respect though as a collector's piece.

[@ICrane88]

That retro motorweek theme is everything

[@JFinnerud]

From an european owning both a '91 Taurus wagon and a '91 Oldsmobile Custom wagon, both are are about the best cars i've ever owned...

[@MattPankey]

Yay, Retro Review is back!

[@firefightergoggie]

My father ran out and bought one of these just as they were coming out and they were the hottest thing going. They sold like hotcakes. They were radical at the time... especially to a family coming from a 1978 Mercury Monarch.

[@johnhoyt9073]

own a '93 & even after 29 yrs - it's the best car I've ever owned...

[@realazduffman]

Never once saw one on the road with the grille, must have changed at production

[@christopherbowen1836]

My family owned one of what seemed like the first Taurus wagons. I remember being the dealership while my mom and dad purchased it while the US was bombing Libya. Great car.

[@bwxmoto]

They do corner pretty flat. I remember when they first came out, they looked so "futuristic".

[@robertblunderton6636]

They corner VERY flat, even the later ones were still comparable handling vehicles. My 92 with 15-inch lincoln rims and semi-sticky tires on it handled like a dream, even if it wasn't really quick. Great cars those early 90s models.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@Robert Blunderton: Great cars, when you had a spare one.

[@bliglum]

Taurus was absolutely a highlight in Ford's history... We had one in our family when growing up.. The wagon, in beige with tan leather interior. I loved the key code entry option, and it was super futuristic at the time. Did tend to have problems overheating though... Ford after all... But for what it was, it was awesome!

[@nolarobert]

This review brought back some great memories. I remember when Ford released these revolutionary cars upon the public. I had a friend who got the Taurus SHO and that was one impressive ride.

[@97I30T]

I bet those were incredibly cool back in the day. I was a kid in the early 90's and I remember that my next door neighbors grandma had a brand new Taurus SHO back then. It was such a cool looking car to me. I didn't realize how fast they were when I was that young though.

[@nolarobert]

97I30T When horsepower was low, even with 8 cylinder engines, the Taurus SHO was a shocking breath of fresh air. This is from a Car and Driver article when the Taurus SHO made its debut. "Welcome the latest automotive breakthrough: the 1989 Ford Taurus SHO. The Taurus SHO earns its spot in the breakthrough brigade for one reason: it turns the high-performance four-door-sedan class on its head. If that sounds like an overstatement, consider the SHO's qualifications. It has a 24-valve V-6 engine that produces 220 hp. From a standing start, it can reach 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Its top speed is a hair-straightening 143 mph. It has room for five adults and a healthy allotment of luggage. And it can be purchased for less than $20,000." www.caranddriver.com/reviews/1989-ford-taurus-sho-road-test-review

[@rixille]

@@nolarobert Damn I wish I was alive back then to be there and buy one off the showroom floor brand new... Now they are hard to find these days in decent shape.

[@ironinquisitor3656]

Love this car so much. I'm thinking about finding and restoring a fully loaded 1986 Taurus LX wagon in red. Only problem with these cars is the delicate transmission that can easily die if not given proper maintenance.

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love Ford Taurus wagons 1986, 1987 and 1988 is my favorites . Mercury Sable wagons LS 1986, 1987 and 1988 is too my favorites

[@ironinquisitor3656]

@@fernandorocha8459 I love the 86-88s too.

[@FawleyJude]

I remember my mom bought one of these Sables in '86. She was 65, not exactly that youth market they talk about in the video. My dad had a Grand Marquis. He wasn't up for all the futuristic stuff and he liked a cushy ride.

[@philbuilds116]

I remember seeing so many of these on the roads until the 2000s. My dad's cousin had a wagon that survived 500k miles. He bought it new in 1988.

[@OhPhuckYou]

I still see the second gens around quite frequently. I see the Taurus more than early 90's Accords and Camrys, but I imagine that's because Ford's are top sellers where I'm from and not because they were more reliable. My uncle owned several second gens all with over 200K.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

How many transmissions did it have?

[@Gligar13Vids]

can the cupholders fit fiji water?

[@scandawarrior]

This car line actually brought me back to ford . My in laws had an 88 taurus back in the 90s. I had a 92 sable and now I have an 03 Taurus that I've had for 8 years. 2 great aspects about it is the long haul comfort and its ability to handle shit weather.

[@freeballer81]

These were such cool cars; hard to believe Ford destroyed them in '96.

[@chickenjo23]

freeballer81 the redesign in 96 was absolutely horrible and cost them the top spot in sales.

[@fernandorocha6486]

The design of Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable is ugly in bizarre in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999

[@sutherlandA1]

They were trying to recreate the innovative futuristic design hype of the original and just came across as odd and quirky

[@rixille]

Yeah those things are mega ugly. The original aero look with the muted grille design really could have stayed a little longer. Ford should have been more moderate with style changes, much like how they were when they went from the 92-97 Crown Victoria to the 98 - 02 version. Subtle changes to the body that didn't murder the original aesthetic.

[@punchy207]

i like how they looked

[@pbandj37]

The InstaClear windshield was a God sent in Midwest winters. I wish they would bring it back on current cars.

[@reggievangleason9511]

Loved my parent’s ‘86 Sable. ❤ In white, it was beautiful. 🥰Loved washing & waxing its smooth shape.

[@cadman10000]

Those cars were amazingly futureistic when they came out. I always thought the wagon was so spaceship like as a kid.

[@earlygail]

These cars came out when I was 11. To this day, I’ve never done a double take like the first time I saw a Sable. You’d have to have been alive at this time to know what I’m talking about. Right out of The Future.

[@matth3805]

If Ford made these like this now, I'd want a brand new one in LX trim silver metallic with the V6

[@ArjunMahavni]

There's a green 1992 Mercury Sable wagon still being used by our school district. I see it parked next to the cafeteria every day

[@swagger1930]

idk why but these vids are gold

[@gus4724]

i had one where i made a "CLI" badge and placed it before the taurus in the back. I had a FORD CLITAURUS

[@My03Tundra]

My first car was a 1989 Ford Taurus.

[@rixille]

Lucky you. What was it like to own that thing?

[@HALWG51]

The company I worked for in the late '80s and 90's had a contract with Avis to provide us with company cars. At that time they replaced cars every 12 months or 20,000 miles. What they supplied me was both Mercury Sables and Ford Taurus in various models and trims. I probably drove more than a dozen of them in that time frame. They were OK cars, but not without problems. Brakes and transmissions were issues during that time. Brakes lasted about 15,000 before you got warping of the rotors. Usually I got a new one before that became a problem.Transmissions had torque converter problems and Avis had to replace at least 4 of the cars because transmissions failed. Also, as they pointed out in the video, these were slow cars. They felt like dogs compared to the GM cars I owned at that time.

[@iamanoobiecheez]

Oh I want that stationwagon looks cute. These cars seem to have good slalom performance by watch this video. There doesn't seem to be much body roll.

[@ES-pt3mr]

I remember when those were new. Volvo in Torslanda had bought a mercury wagon and my brother borrowed it. It was so futuristic. I loved those headlamps.

[@thomasaquinas5262]

My father got one of the 1st Taurus's sold, a 1986. It was exquisite and reflected the fact that Ford had issued orders to make the best car conceivable. Looks, room, innovation, it reflected leadership in autodom, something we could use again to maintain the 'Big 3'. If only: since we insist in yearly fashion change, the great Taurus is long gone. What if they had, like the VW Beetle and some other cars, made the exact same car, only improved with a lower cost due to paid-off machine tools? Well, one can hope.

[@honkhonkler7732]

The good old days before the crossover plague.

[@Dfm253]

I’ve owned an 88 Sable and a 94 Sable. I owned the 94 first at 18 years old and I drove it like a complete dumbass while completely ignoring maintenance and it never let me down, it had the 3.8 V6 which was peppy. I literally drove it until the struts were so worn that the front tires hit the fenders when I hit large bumps, I wound up trading it for a Ranger, and when the Ranger died, I traded it for the 88 Sable with the 3.0. The 3.0 has to be one of the most durable engines ever, mine had over 300k, the temp gauge had busted, and one day the radiator fan broke, so I wound up getting it so hot that the coolant boiled for about 45 minutes when I shut the car off, it lost over a gallon of coolant to evaporation. I filled it up, fixed the fan, and kept driving it for about 3 months until the headgasket finally gave up.

[@MacheteEnima]

Ford has seen where we're going. Ford has seen is loud and clear. Ford has seen the future and now the future is here!

[@aurorajones8481]

If only I could get a glimpse of a current MotorWeek back then! Now THAT would be something.

[@mthomasr07]

YESSSSS FINALLY ANOTHER ONE please upload more of these more often

[@VcrThunder]

I had a Ford Scorpio once. It very similar to this, but yet totally different. i'd say the scorpio looked more modern, as the headlights were more sleek and didn't have that ugly split in the middle.

[@beb1527]

Merkur

[@VcrThunder]

@@beb1527 FORD. F-O-R-D

[@jakobat1994]

You got the vcr fixed yay !

[@jakethreesixty]

My grandmother had an 87 Taurus, I know I've ridden in it but I have no recollection of doing so, my dad had a 2nd gen SHO, I certainly remember _that_ haha

[@bugo348]

It's hilarious that the MT-5 model with the 2.5L 4 cylinder engine was quicker than the V6 cars. A manual transmission can wake up just about any car.

[@krisone5253]

I had an 88 Taurus. Lots of problems with it. Two power steering pumps. Half Shaft replacement on both sides. Stabilizer Bracket Attached to the Stabilizer Bar both sides. CV Joints both sides. Two Alternators. Beautiful Car. Miss My Ford Taurus 😏

[@adamwilling4769]

A 91 Mercury Sable with a 3.0 V6 was my first car. I loved it. It got decent gas mileage and was very comfortable. I also had a 95 Sable with a 3.8. I really like the 1st and 2nd generations of these cars. The 3rd not so much.

[@thebitlot]

The 3rd generation looked like a beached catfish :(

[@allentoyokawa9068]

3rd was the best

[@thebitlot]

@@allentoyokawa9068 What makes you feel that way?

[@ericalbertson6621]

So funny how digital gauges were a huge thing back in mid 80s to mid 90s and just went away back to analog till basically just a couple years ago when lcd led gauge clusters became a more common item not just ultra luxury models

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

3 Billion Dollars apparently didn't pay for designing a transmission that lasts for more than 50,000 miles.

[@WhittyPics]

Yugo is now you gone. My 92 Taurus was pretty peppy with the 3.8 V6

[@ottodob]

ahh the memories come flooding back

[@tannerin]

i miss seeing these on the road, always loved the look of them (and the blob-shaped ones that replaced them)

[@philojudaeusofalexandria9556]

We had an '87 Sable. Transmission needed a rebuild @ around 100k miles, and it rusted pretty quickly even though it was kept mostly garaged. We had it from '89 to '96.

[@roary3282]

I've got the 1990 model for the Sable wagon I'm gonna try and fix up this summer with my partner It used to be my dad's car but it's been dead in the driveway since 2015. If we can get it to start I can keep it

[@Beth9228]

My father had gotten a 1988 Ford Taurus LX with a key pad. It was very roomy and comfortable. It was automatic. Even traded for a 1991 one that was the same feeling as the 1988 one was.