So, need to hold off on the car for bit. DD troubles.
At 150K miles, the Taurus finally succumbed to the dreaded 3.5L Transverse internal water pump failure. I kinda had a feeling it was coming and was looking for a new vehicle. But nope...came out to the car one day and saw a small drip on the ground. (I was keeping an eye out for this). Get up under the car and coolant is starting to come out the weep hole, so I caught it early.
As much as I am tempted to tear into this myself, i just don't have the time right now. EVery weekend is booked solid, and the weather has been crappy out. Mustang takes up the garage so i'd have to do this in the driveway. I would need to buy the right tools, do a little research and dig in over a few days. I don't have the time.
After shopping around on best quote, settled on just letting Ford do it. A little more money, but best warranty and highest confidence it will be done correctly after speaking with about 4-6 indie shops. Downside is they can't fix it until the 22nd. SO needless to say, i've been playing musical cars borrowing vehicles from family members until then.
When i get the car back, I think it's time to let it go. I might hang onto it a few months more just to justify what I'm about to spend on it, but it's time for an exit plan, probably right around 160k miles. That's enough. It's my own damn fault for holding onto it so long. I took my Infiniti to almost 200K miles before the driveshaft fell off at 80MPH and destroyed the transmission and front differential. Had to part that one out, instead of having a clean trade-in. I seem to not get rid of cars when i should.
I have my eye on an Explorer ST. I might buy one new on the X-plan, but interest rates are not appealing at the moment. That was why i was hesitating....but I think this one repair on the Taurus would have covered the difference in interest...
Cars suck. Except Foxbodies.