 I bought my 99 Taurus new w/ the 24 
valve DOHC engine package. It has been 
extremely reliable and a solid car to 
drive. My driving mix is 60% 
interstate / 40% local. The only major 
repair item in 5+ years were full 
struts at 60k which with new tires 
makes it run and handle like a new car. 
Everything else still original - even 
brakes! I forget this car is 5 yrs old, 
it is tight, quiet and a good runner. 
My complaints: the a/c fan 
softly "squeaks", this also happened on 
our 95 Windstar (which was not nearly 
as reliable at 5 yrs out), & the driver 
seat is low so I use a cushion. This 
was the last year for the "old" design 
(which I like even more now than I did 
then) and for me it was a winner.