My only experience of a Taurus was as a rental. V6, 3L engine - and the damn thing still accelerated significantly slower than my 1.4l manual-box Peugeot back home. And the last thing I drove that handled as badly was a canal boat. I don't understand howw anyone could consider driving one through choice.

As for reliability, Volvos are pretty solid - there are still quite a few early-80s Volvos going around in Britain. But your example is now 16 years old, so bits *will* be wearing out. If your friend is replacing/servicing everything (down to new piston rings and stuff like that) then you'll have a good car there. Otherwise probably better to look elsewhere.

Graham.