Suzi, I can tell you that Consumer Reports doesn't hate the Taurus sedan for that model year -- they rate it middling as a used car.

I haven't got a clue what you would ask, though.

Pop Tarts:

The DMV has a how to buy a used car page: [link]

It has lists like the following:

* Is the car easy to start?

* Does it turn over on the first try?

* Are the gears (manual transmission) easy to shift?

* Is the clutch easy to engage with no abnormal sounds or hesitation?

* In an automatic transmission, does the car move smoothly from gear to gear?

* Is there any unusual noise or hesitation while changing gears?

* Are the brakes strong?

* Is there a pull to either side as you step on the brakes?

* On the freeway, does the car have good acceleration?

* Can it easily reach speeds in order to merge with the flow of traffic?

* Do the turn signals work?

* Is the car easy to maneuver during lane changes?

* Are their any blind spots?

* Does the cruise control work?

* Around town, does the car handle well and idle steadily during stops?

* Is the acceleration strong starting off on a green light?

* Is the car easy to park in a number of types of parking spots?

* Do the air conditioning and heating systems function properly?

I'd also check the oil level (when the car is cold) - if it's low, then maybe the owner wasn't taking good care of the car. If it's dirty, ditto. If there's white stuff in the oil, run away....

Sparky, howze our Sassy today?

I'm about to run off to a client session, but I've been thinking about you guys all day.

You gotta come to next month's Yappy Hour...the 17th at 4pm. We're walking, we're walking t /Dave . Can't wait to use that joke.

Sassy is good. I didn't hear from the doctor today, but I'll call tomorrow if there's no message at home.

I think we'll be in town for that Yappy Hour!

Unfortunately, I don't know a mechanic, and this car is about a hour away from where we live.

I'd find a mechanic near where it is and take it there.

Do you have AAA? If you do check with them about good mechanics in the area that can check out a used car.

Dealership is your friend in this case. When I purchased my boat of a van, I took it to the Chevy dealership, told them I was thinking of buying the car, can they look it over. They spent about an hour and checked 80 major things. When I purchased the Prius, I took it to the Toyota, and they did the same thing, only it was like 120 points or something. It will cost you about 1-1.5 hours of labor (figure about $100) and well worth it.

Suzi, when I was in college, I test drove a used car from a private owner. I drove it into town and pulled into the nearest mechanic (it was an hour away from our home town, so I didn't know anyone close by). I asked if they ran diagnostics on cars and they said yes, for $25. Best $25 I ever spent. The mechanic told me it was a great car and I bought it. I drove that thing for 8 years (and it was already 5 years old when I bought it).

A lot of mechanics will do a pre-sale inspection for reasonable cost - under a hundred last I did it, though more than $25. Totally worth it.