Considering buying a 2010 SHO... Advice?

[Mustgofaster]

I'm going to go look at a 2010 SHO with 64K on the clock this weekend. Is there anything in particular I need to look for/at? Any known issues you all have come across?
I love the SHO... Always have, ever since the 1st Gen. Love the idea of owning one. That being said, I'm looking to buy this for my wife & more than anything, I need to make sure that I get her a reliable vehicle. She has the kids with her most of the time, so I don't want her to have any issues for a loong time. Not to mention, I already get in trouble for tinkering with my truck too much... If I get her the SHO & then spend the weekends working on it, she will kick my rear.

Thanks!!
Steve

 

[PokerMunkee]

Can you afford a 2013 for $28k with under 30k miles? I'd personally go that route, unless the 2010 is under $20k.

Check out zeckford.com. They have around 10 used 2013's, best prices I've seen published. Who knows how much more they will come down.

 

[SHOdded]

I would go through the TSBs to get a quick idea of what all the SHOs have experienced. Aside from those, mostly DIY type issues that are fixed easily like chafing antiknock sensor wiring, making sure you switch to the OEM filter if you are using another mfr's filter and hear any clicking past 3-5 seconds after startup, changing out the PTU and RDU fluids regularly.

http://www.fordproblems.com/tsbs/Taurus/2010/

If you can grab an online manual, paper or DVD from EBay for example, you would be well-served, especially if you do not have any warranty with your intended purchase vehicle.

 

[Fordnatic]

Bought a 2010 new for my wife. It's been a great car. Got 40000 on it now. Had to take it in for the transmission range sensor, but that was it. Highly recommend it!

 

[bpd1151]

Since it sounds like your intentions are to purchase a late model SHO, you may want to check out the following community, as it has a wealth of information, as well as active members, that pertain specifically to the newer models.

www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com

Otherwise, great group of members here to on SHO Forum, just caters more to the "older" versions for the most part.

Enjoy both communities!

 

[PonySHO]

I've had my '10 since 9/09, but with only 15K on the clock. The only issues I've had, the known problem of spark plug insulation cracking. Had the plugs replaced under warranty. The other issue I'm dealing with now are the brakes. The front pads only grab about an inch and there's about a 1/2" on the perimeter the pads aren't reaching. The rear sliders (pins) on the calipers rust up causing the pads to stick. My rear rotors are scored. You need to clean the sliders up and grease them periodically. My '03 F-250 had the same problem and it frosts my cookies Ford hasn't addressed that issue. Other than that, don't fill up your tank to the top. It'll back up into the charcoal can. I love the car. Great gas mileage for a tank. It's got about a 6 body trunk. They could have moved the rear seat back a bit for more leg room like on the MKS, but then again, I don't ride in the back The ride is phenomenal and it's fast as ****. Oh, mine doesn't have the rear camera, they came standard after 1/10. The rear window view sucks for backing up, but at least I got the backup sensors.

 

[integrity6987]

had mine 6 months - still lovin'it !

 

[Timeless]

Can you afford a 2013 for $28k with under 30k miles? I'd personally go that route, unless the 2010 is under $20k.

Check out zeckford.com. They have around 10 used 2013's, best prices I've seen published. Who knows how much more they will come down.

Best advice by far here ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Grim]

Our 2010 has 60k (red, no PP).
1) The car is fun to drive, but reliability is terrible. There is ALWAYS something wrong with the car. I'll likely trade it next year (and the trade-in value is terrible).
2) For such a huge car, the interior is tiny. Three adults (Mom, Dad, Grandma) and two kids under ten don't fit comfortably in the car.
My advice? Buy something else.

 

[bpd1151]

Our 2010 has 60k (red, no PP).
1) The car is fun to drive, but reliability is terrible. There is ALWAYS something wrong with the car. I'll likely trade it next year (and the trade-in value is terrible).
2) For such a huge car, the interior is tiny. Three adults (Mom, Dad, Grandma) and two kids under ten don't fit comfortably in the car.
My advice? Buy something else.

Take this comment with a grain of salt. Been registered over 1yr here, and chooses to make this his 1st post.

Yea, ok.

My 2010 has been very reliable.

While the car was under warranty, the only issues I experienced (and I wouldn't consider them major by any means) were the following:

1. Peeling chrome on the tail assemblies
2. Front rotors constantly warping
3. Rear sun shade rattle

All of these were / are fairly common issues in the 2010-2012's.

Now, granted, I tend to be more proactive on the maintenance, by routinely changing fluids, including those claimed by FMC to not be serviceable (like the PTU & Rear Diff)....

But she's been an absolute fantastic vehicle to have owned & daily driven.

Because my 2010 SHO also sees track time periodically each year, I was THE 1st to retro-fit the 2013 Auxiliary Tranny & Auxiliary Oil Coolers onto my car.

You know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth it's weight in gold.

That, along with a slew of other "go fast" upgrades, I am very pleased with my SHO thus far.




But I would agree with others, considering the upgrades implemented into the 2013's, you'd be remiss by not choosing to pick up a newer model quite frankly.

Good luck in w/e it is you decide upon!

 

[Grim]

Take this comment with a grain of salt. Been registered over 1yr here, and chooses to make this his 1st post.

The fact that I've been registered a year and this is the first thing I've felt strongly enough to post about should tell you something.

 

[bpd1151]

The fact that I've been registered a year and this is the first thing I've felt strongly enough to post about should tell you something.

Then sell it and move on if you're so dissatisfied with yours. :swing:

 

[SHOdded]

Our 2010 has 60k (red, no PP).
1) The car is fun to drive, but reliability is terrible. There is ALWAYS something wrong with the car. I'll likely trade it next year (and the trade-in value is terrible).

What problems have you experienced, Grim? Have they caused significant downtime?

2) For such a huge car, the interior is tiny. Three adults (Mom, Dad, Grandma) and two kids under ten don't fit comfortably in the car.
My advice? Buy something else.

This is in addition to the driver, or including the driver?

Just trying to understand Thank you.

 

[Grim]

Just trying to understand Thank you.

No worries! Driver, Passenger, Grandma, and two kids under 10 barely fit in the car. Grandma is a bit round, but the rest of us are thin.

We've replaced the front brakes multiple times.

It took five trips to two different dealers to identify the source of a VERY loud noise under the car. It was a cover on one of the drive shafts rubbing when the car was cool in the mornings.

We've had the burning oil smell. It was fixed under warranty, but has returned 20k later.

One of the HVAC fan door actuators is currently broken, but I have the replacement part in my truck waiting for installation. This is an easy fix.

 

[Grim]

Then sell it and move on if you're so dissatisfied with yours. :swing:

Thanks for the advice. You appear to be taking this personally--it is just a car, and isn't an attack on you.

 

[bpd1151]

Not really Grim.

My initial reply to the OP, was to simply take your negative post with a grain of salt.

Nothing personal there.

Nor should my reply directed to you (that if you're so dissatisfied with your own SHO to sell and move on) be construed as being "personal" either.

Just an opinion.

Much like yours is, well..... an opinion.

Every car has it's quirks. Certainly as does the 2010 SHO.

The point is, just because you had, what sounds like a poor experience with yours, doesn't mean, and nor does it prevent others from chiming in with a completely opposite opinion.

I've enjoyed my SHO tremendously. Sorry you haven't.

All of my comments previous to this post still apply.

Good luck there Mr. Grim (aptly chosen screen name I'll add). LOL :wave:

 

[TSS1]

Driver, Passenger, Grandma, and two kids under 10 barely fit in the car. Grandma is a bit round, but the rest of us are thin.

I have to say, I just don't get it. Two thin adults, a rotund grandma, and two kids under 10 should be quite comfortable in the car. I regularly travel with myself (not a tiny guy - 5'11" ; 215 #), my wife (average) and three high school football players and nobody whines. Given, for longer trips we will take our Enclave, but the MKS (SHO) accomodates folks fine. It has more usable pasenger room than my Tahoes and 07 Escalade did. I don't know of any sedan that is more comfortable in terms of room, than perhaps some cars I can't afford (S550/XJ-L/ 760-L).

Also, my MKS has been very reliable except for a blend door actuator, trunk lift strut, and a drivers door lock actuator. The car has 63K miles on it now.

I also immensely enjoy my car and I am usually bored with any vehicle after 2 years - not with this one. Lots of fun performance mods out there and two excellent tuning companies.

Re: the actuator, I did a write up with pics on how to replace it if you need any help on ecoboostperformance.com .

 

[esfoad]

My take on this is that we all have a chance to look at and drive a car before we buy it. Mechanical issues are something that cannot be foreseen and some cars are better at that than others, but complaining about space just means that not enough research was done prior to signing on the dotted line. Similar to TSS1 my car has 66000 miles and I have had very few issues, the blend door (covered under warranty), reprogram the transmission and then normal maintenance. I am on the side of being a very satisfied customer, partly because I have a good dealer. If anyone is unhappy, there is always the choice to trade in.

 

[wingnut#24]

So your considering buying a 2010 SHO??

Have had the routine problems dissected at length in these forums, however would I re-do my 2010 SHO PP again??? Heck yes!!!!! the chrome on the tail lights easey peasy paint them black. done deal and they look better than stock. the tapping heater vent actuator dealer visit $ 0.00 fixed under warranty. same with the rotor issue. $ 0.00... the only advise if your wallet can handle the Sunoco, Mobil, Shell (fill in your Favorite gas station here) hit for 93 octane call Livernois Motorsports and go stage 3 with a CAI. Back to the bummers: the knock @ start up that is under 3 seconds. usually an oil filter change to the actual Motorcraft filter alleviates this issue in my personal experience. i cannot say enough about the LMS stage 3 tune and you will have a nice ride that will spank 98% of anything that stops at the light next to you. G-8's, Camaros, SRT's, Corvettes, Mustangs. You can also watch the speedo sweep past 140MPH with ease. my GPS said 152 mph and I had pedal and tach space to go. all in a 4 door "Family Sedan". Most people cannot drive these " sports" cars that well to begin with. and the AWD launches great everytime. spanked many bikes as well as most riders cannot launch that hard, or upshift properly. I had a liter bike, I've seen too many wrecks and went to the cage. run Mobil 1 or Royal purple if ya have the $$$. this car is FUN FUN FUN, I switched to 18" rims and tires to avoid the sticker shock of 20" Blizzaks. Thats another topic... Get the car do your homework on the inspection. get in have it tuned, and hang on to your a55.

 

[Grim]

I have to say, I just don't get it. Two thin adults, a rotund grandma, and two kids under 10 should be quite comfortable in the car. I regularly travel with myself (not a tiny guy - 5'11" ; 215 #), my wife (average) and three high school football players and nobody whines. Given, for longer trips we will take our Enclave, but the MKS (SHO) accomodates folks fine. It has more usable pasenger room than my Tahoes and 07 Escalade did. I don't know of any sedan that is more comfortable in terms of room, than perhaps some cars I can't afford (S550/XJ-L/ 760-L).

Also, my MKS has been very reliable except for a blend door actuator, trunk lift strut, and a drivers door lock actuator. The car has 63K miles on it now.

I also immensely enjoy my car and I am usually bored with any vehicle after 2 years - not with this one. Lots of fun performance mods out there and two excellent tuning companies.

Re: the actuator, I did a write up with pics on how to replace it if you need any help on ecoboostperformance.com .

To put it in perspective, I travel a lot for business and drive a LOT of different cars. I am amazed that a full-size car like the Taurus has less rear seat room than many mid-sized cars. For vacations we still drive my F150 Screw, because the back seat of the Taurus simply isn't large enough.

That being said, you can park a Prius in the trunk of the Taurus.

I found the service guide to the blend door actuator online. Luckily, it was the easy one. The left actuator is the difficult one.