I always laugh when I hear "built Ford Tough, where Quality is Number One". For all the Tauruses that have been sold, it is very hard to find any on the road that are over 5 years old! They must keep the junkyards busy. By contrast, look at all the older Japanese and German cars you see on the road. Granted, German cars require quite a bit more maintenance than Japanese cars - but they won't simply fall apart on you.
Prior to the Taurus, I had a Daihatsu hatchback. Drove it for six years. Since I was young and dumb at the time, the car wasn't exactly treated very well, but even still, it never required anyting more than oil changes. It sipped gas. Both very good things for someone on a budget.
Yes I agree those old Tauruses were junk. At one time I've had a 89 Taurus and an 89 Mercury Sable. I didn't buy them because I liked them, I bought them because it was all I could afford(very cheap). Anyway they both died somwhere in the 90-100 thousand mile range and it was way cheaper to buy another car then to fix them. I will say they both rode very comfortably and had a nice feel(when they were running).
On the plus side I've heard Ford quality has drastically improved in the late 90's on into today. No major problems with mine...yet.