2009 Ford Escape XLT vs 1995 Ford Taurus? Should I give up my Escape for the Taurus?

I currently drive a 2009 Ford Escape XLT with over 126,000 miles on it, gets an average of 24.5 mpg, and has a 6 cylinder engine and is FWD. It has been a great car and has given me absolutely no trouble, but it was given to me by my mother and I'm constantly called a "spoiled rich kid" because of it and feel like I'm a spoiled brat who has everything handed to me because of it. I would really like to make one adult decision in my life and prove to people that I do work hard for things, and I figured that buying myself my own car would be the perfect opportunity to do that. Now keep in mind that I also want to prove to myself that I'm a capable adult and would be doing this for me, not my friends. I saw a Craigslist ad for a 1995 Ford Taurus with only 96,000 original miles on it, which gets about 27 mpg average and is also FWD and 6 cylinder. It is only priced at $1,000 and the owner claims that it was a one owner car and that he used it for commuting and no longer needs it, as he no longer has to commute. It has a new battery, brakes and tires, and my Escape still has its original 2009 battery. The Taurus needs no maintenance according to the owner. Of course I would test drive the car before I made any decisions and would choose carefully. I would like to give the Escape back to my mom, because I feel that I don't deserve to be given such an expensive car and would definitely not turn around and sell it.

Added (1). Also, this may be a stupid question, but do you think it would be wise or even possible to have both cars? I'm currently in college and do not make much money, but I think it would be a real self esteem boost for me to make such an adult decision for once, as I feel that I'm being a leech on society by still living with my parents at 20 (I'm unfortunately in college and have no money) and driving their car. My mom wants me to keep the Escape but I want to feel like I'm a real adult.

Added (2). I also have a particular soft spot for the 1986-1995 Tauruses, as my first car was a 1989 Ford Taurus that was owned by my grandmother before her passing. So this car would really mean quite a bit to me in that aspect as well.

Added (3). I should also add that I commute 85 miles bi-weekly. Do you think an older car could hold up to that?

Pay for the repairs on the piece of junk, or buy something reliable from a dealer?

I just bought an 03 Ford Escape for $3000 in Hawaii. Did a pretty thorough inspection, took for a test drive, and bought the car from a local. Next day, all hell breaks loose. Engine begins misfiring (needs new coil paks), sway bars almost fall off, back door doesn't lock, and then the battery dies on me (could be the alternator). At this point I'm unsure wether to spend all this money on repairs, trade in and buy from a dealer, or sell on Craigslist and buy from a dealer.

2008 Ford escape won't start?

The battery went completely dead finally and I got it replaced. Less than a week later one of the drive belt pulleys broke and I had that replaced. Later that night the car simply would not crank. I've always had issues with the ignition so I don't know if its the ignition switch, the starter, or something else. The anti theft system and battery are functioning fine. When I try to crank the car the battery, oil, and engine lights come on. The engine does make a slight clicking noise too. I've had the car for 1.5 years.

2008 Ford Escape radio display?

So I have a 2008 Ford Escape XLT it has the standard radio system in it. But I noticed when the sun shined on the display screen you could see the two temperature display on. Both Conor of the screen but these do NOT light up at all. Is there a reason why or is something wrong?

Why did my car horn change pitch?

I drive a 2009 Ford Escape XLT and the horn will sometimes become higher pitched in the winter cold, but go back to normal in a couple of days. This time, however, still in the summer, it has gotten very high pitched and has stayed that way for a week or two. Will it go back to normal? Is there something wrong with it?