Is a Ford Taurus a good first car?

I'm 16 and looking for a good first car. I want to buy something I like. I'm interested in a 2010 Ford Taurus Limited. This one here caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=14048&endYear=2012&vehicleStyleCodes=LUXURY%2CSEDAN&modelCode1=TAURUS&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&modelCode2=TAURUS&makeCode2=FORD&showcaseOwnerId=70781&startYear=2010&makeCode1=FORD&searchRadius=0&showcaseListingId=374709005&mmt=%5BFORD%5BTAURUS%5BTAURUS%257CSEL%5ETAURUS%257CLimited%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=371130884&Log=0

Yes, it's pretty good, but look into the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis as well. Both really reliable, good on gas, RWD, V-8… The list goes on.

Wouldn't be my first pick but it still is a very good car, if you it get it!

It's an ok car. Get's good mileage and easier to maintain than some other imported cars looks half way decent. Go for it!

Lots of miles on the odometer but all of them do == if you like the car and you are ready to be a good driver and not a lead foot then buy it… Just remember that you do not know how it was driven or cared for == hopefully the sales people at Raabe FORD will give you some warranty like 50/50 on repairs for the 1st 30/45 days === if they believe that you are buying a good car from them then they should honor that request == if they do not warranty then walk away and find another car to buy…

Don't buy American unless you want to spend thousands on repairs. American cars are notorious for breaking down, the acronym for FORD is fix or repair daily. If you have $12k to spend buy a used Mercedes or Lexus those things will last you forever, plus they are made out of steel mostly so when you do hit other cars or curbs you won't necessarily need repairs (talking from experience here).

Yes… For the most part. Although that is a bit of an excessive 1st car for a 16 year old, sorry, maybe you will understand when you get older. Plus, having a "cheap" 1st car really helps put things into perspective when you grow.

2010 was the first year they launched the new Taurus; generally I'm a bit weary of "launch year" cars since all the kinks and "issues" may not get worked out until 1 or 2 years later - 2012.

If peeling paint issues bother you, look out for this.

Transmission harshness and/or slipping has been a complaint for these electronic 6-speed automatics, so try and give it a decent test drive - highway, stop-n-go city, slow to medium to hasty acceleration; Ford has a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for this specific reason and apparently it addresses it. In the unlikely event this car does have transmission slipping, I would walk away from it; hopefully this Ford dealership didn't simply throw the car on the lot.

Many miles, not simply because its over 100,000 miles, but rather looking at the Carfax history report shows the previous owner put almost 80k miles on it in 3 years! Nothing necessary wrong with that, car should still have plenty more life in it.

Overall… I like the modern Taurus sedans; the 3.5 V6 is nice.