Duratecs had the stronger version of the AX4S called the AX4N. Ford finally settled on 4F50N or something like that in the late models. Whatever Ford has done, the 4th Generation Tauri from 2000+ on seem to have the best auto trannies. We have 106K on the Taurus without any transmission problems, and this is one of the cars I first learned to drive on...the Buick Century didn't cut it. GM POS.
The biggest gripe I have about the Taurus is not the transmission, but the weak rear springs. It sags more than an Explorer Sport. But I saw a new Corolla with two people in the back, and that thing was pointing to the moon. Looks like even Toyota is going to soft springs.
