When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Haven't seen one of these in a long time. I remember I thought these were so cool
I thought I was the only kid that liked these things. The styling so bubbly and distinctive. Also thought it was weird that the Sable version looked the same, and they didn’t even update the back of the wagon in 1999 like they did the sedan. The wagon looked the same from 1995-2005. Ford didn’t wanna spend the extra money!
That-generation Taurus/Sable, inside and out, had styling that was controversial enough to knock the Taurus out of the Top-Three-Selling passenger cars in the U.S. Up until then, the Taurus, Camry, and Accord more or less played leapfrog with each other for a number of years for the #1, #2, and #3 spots, although some of the Taurus sales were to fleets and rental-cars.
That-generation Taurus/Sable, inside and out, had styling that was controversial enough to knock the Taurus out of the Top-Three-Selling passenger cars in the U.S. Up until then, the Taurus, Camry, and Accord more or less played leapfrog with each other for a number of years for the #1, #2, and #3 spots, although some of the Taurus sales were to fleets and rental-cars.
Honestly after about 1996 the majority of them were sold to rental car companies.
When Ford was designing this car they benchmarked the 3rd generation Camry. It had triple door seals and soft touch interior materials like the Camry. They did not benchmark its styling!
Ford started decontenting this car and lowering the price when the sales turned out not to be as high as expected. They started removing features every model year like trunklid liners, glove box lights, footwell lights etc. starving it into being just a rental car.
My dad had a 1999, it was actually a pretty nice car. But he only kept it about two years because he wanted an Explorer.
It wasn't no Maxima but they were alright, the upper trims at least. Halfway decent optional V6, roomy, comfortable. The leather was okay, it was "nice".
My then bff's mom had 2 of them a '96 and '98. Spent a lot of time in them.
That-generation Taurus/Sable, inside and out, had styling that was controversial enough to knock the Taurus out of the Top-Three-Selling passenger cars in the U.S. Up until then, the Taurus, Camry, and Accord more or less played leapfrog with each other for a number of years for the #1, #2, and #3 spots, although some of the Taurus sales were to fleets and rental-cars.
We all obviously know that…
But it was a shame because that generation Taurus was actually pretty well built and pretty nice inside. A big improvement over the previous generation. The refresh model that was redesigned to make it look less controversial had huge cuts in material quality etc.
it's even got the old money style NY lic plate, you love to see it! that's been with that one owner for a long time now... i was very bummed out when i had to switch the LS reg from my grandpa's name to mine and the DMV made me buy those ugly new style yellow plates! i'll forever be slightly annoyed that my car doesn't look one owner anymore haha
I have the same plate on my two cars. It has the raised lettering.
I refuse to turn them in because the new ones don't have any character and have changed style two three times already?
On the Acura, the rear plate lettering started to peel off so I just take a black Sharpie and paint over.
When this generation of the Sonata came out I said it looks like a 1996 Taurus. They both look like catfish!
I also see it in the greenhouse and the taillights…
When this generation of the Sonata came out I said it looks like a 1996 Taurus. They both look like catfish!
I also see it in the greenhouse and the taillights…
This one I'm ok with.
I'm not seeing the Taurus in it yet.
I have the same plate on my two cars. It has the raised lettering.
I refuse to turn them in because the new ones don't have any character and have changed style two three times already?
On the Acura, the rear plate lettering started to peel off so I just take a black Sharpie and paint over.
only vanity plates don't have the raised lettering, and the raised lettering is obviously way better lol... the 3D effect makes a subtle but subconsciously noticeable difference
my sister is still using my dad's 2004 camry and that has the og style 6 digit plate that could still begin with a number, i'd love to get my hands on that if the chance ever comes up lmao
Those of us who are older do. But a number of the younger people on Car Chat weren't even around when that monstrosity of a 3rd-generation Taurus came out. I thought it looked like a cross between a fish and an insect LOL.
But it was a shame because that generation Taurus was actually pretty well built and pretty nice inside. A big improvement over the previous generation. The refresh model that was redesigned to make it look less controversial had huge cuts in material quality etc.
Tauruses of any generation were essentially touch-and-go on quality and build-solidness. Seems like there was a lot of inconsistency in the assembly line. One car would come off the line assembled like a Swiss Watch, and run reliably for years. The one behind it could be a lemon from Day One, spending more time in the repair-shop that out. And the one behind that could be anywhere in between.
