Alaskan 2013 SHO just got hit with a big bill for water pump and I'm looking at best way to sell

[Brewineer]

Welp, I've been having small issues with the car that have plagued me for a while, and just did the front rotors, pads and a fresh set of tires.

Now I've got a major coolant leak and the shop diagnosed water pump and quoted me $3843 to do it. This shop is thorough and had them work on this car several times, in fact they had another SHO there with the same issue, so I think the price is reasonable and likely covers the timing chains and phasors.

However, I am tired of constantly worrying about something going wrong, I don't have a garage nor a backup car, and it's Alaska, I can't even get over 90 octane to let this car have it's full power and fixing things in the winter is a nightmare. Furthermore I'm in a place and time in my life I can't spend even the occasional weekend tied up getting this thing back on the road. I hate repairing it and then not living with it for at least another year, but I'm worried about the reliability and I do a 300 mile road trip at least once a month.

So, What's the best way to sell something like this? Try to find someone interested in a mechanic special or repair it proper and sell it?

 

[kryptto]

OfferUp - I sold my Uncles Chrysler Pacifica and for a very fair but favorable price, just be honest almost to a fault - and in these days you would be surprised with the costs of new and even used cars you will get bites.

You can post it here or on one of the FB sites as well.

 

[SM105K]

Straight trade it in. It will go straight to auction.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Maintaining these things and keeping up with repairs is a bear, given your location and situation I agree with @SM105K trading it in is the best way to get some value out of it quickly and let it go to auction. If you can sit on it to sell it privately remember it's a niche car that not many even know exists, your ad is likely to get passed over for saying "ford taurus" and a lot of people have no idea what a "SHO" is. If you sell it yourself I would do fb for local market and ebay or something to get regional attention but list the heading with something like "Twin Turbo All Wheel Drive Ford Taurus SHO" someone outside the know might be interested if you flaunt the goods up front.

 

[Brewineer]

Thanks for the advice, if I can get at least a decent amount for the car as-is, I'll get a new car, but if it's going to be peanuts I'm slightly inclined to get it fixed and give it another year or so until I can find a good home for it.

Mechanics shop will offer me $5000 for it, KBB says it's only worth just shy of $10000, quoted $3844 to fix it. Their notes indicated they thought it would sell for 13500 though?

You think the dealership will offer more than the mechanics shop?

I was just looking at a Maverick AWD XLT FX4

I posted to FB and asked the sales rep at the dealership to ask if any of the techs were interested in a project.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

3-4k is average for a water pump job, and different appraisal services will give different figures, given the cars rarity and demand a dealer could comfortably list it for 13500 and take anything above 10, if you tell them you have an offer already (don't tell them who or how much) and your eyes on a lot vehicle, it's a good chance they'll work with you and they might pitch you a number that's equal or higher and keeps them comfortable after in house repairs which are nickels compared to what you'd pay.

These cars are a couple decades away from being sought after (outside our circle) so their value might not tank but its not going up, if you keep it another year your offers will likely be lower and you'll be deeper into the car. I think for me this would be a defining moment in owning the car, keep it make it right and eat the debt, or get out from under it at a loss and get a warranty. Life's not always favorable to our wants but it will tell you what you need. Good luck bud

 

[luigisho]

Is there a reason you are looking for more complicated setups in vehicles? I understand 4wd or awd but why go turbo if maintenance cost is an issue? This wears out parts faster, has more complicated designs with moving parts to fix etc.

 

[6500rpm]

I get Ford parts at a discounted price through work. Timing chain,water pump, guides,tensoners, cam phasers and solenoid,bolts, coolant,and oem rtv was just a bit over a grand. For a shop or a flipper it's really an over rated job. Don't be pressured into giving it away by those who want to convince you that it's the worst thing since the civil war...it's not that bad as long as coolant hasn't gotten into the oil.

 

[Brewineer]

OK, update time!

I went ahead and got the pump fixed and it's back on the road and I'm now trying to troubleshoot the windshield wiper
(only works on max speed and the fluid won't spray, replacing the multi-switch didn't help)

So I'm keeping it and going to keep fixing up the little things and enjoy it for a least a couple more years! It's nice to have it back, it's so much more fun (and comfy) than the Subaru I was very fortunate to be able to borrow.

Going to replace the backup camera if I have time today!

 

[ChinoSHO15]

Welp, I've been having small issues with the car that have plagued me for a while, and just did the front rotors, pads and a fresh set of tires.

Now I've got a major coolant leak and the shop diagnosed water pump and quoted me $3843 to do it. This shop is thorough and had them work on this car several times, in fact they had another SHO there with the same issue, so I think the price is reasonable and likely covers the timing chains and phasors.

However, I am tired of constantly worrying about something going wrong, I don't have a garage nor a backup car, and it's Alaska, I can't even get over 90 octane to let this car have it's full power and fixing things in the winter is a nightmare. Furthermore I'm in a place and time in my life I can't spend even the occasional weekend tied up getting this thing back on the road. I hate repairing it and then not living with it for at least another year, but I'm worried about the reliability and I do a 300 mile road trip at least once a month.

So, What's the best way to sell something like this? Try to find someone interested in a mechanic special or repair it proper and sell it?

Wow $3,843 for a water pump replacement is insane. Maybe another issue happen.?

 

[Highway Star]

I found a complete engine with less than 20k miles for under $3k delivered. Look under police interceptors they engines tend to be cheaper. They also have a 180 degree thermo stock and anti scuff piston coating for idling. Car parts.com.
Disclaimer: Just a side note we sell police Interceptors and they are not 50 state legal.

 

[Brewineer]

It's Alaska, I have few options and they are all $$$

Getting a used engine up here is not that cheap, I'd already gone that route in '21.

 

[Highway Star]

Make sure they use distilled water and the correct Ford antifreeze.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Make sure they use distilled water and the correct Ford antifreeze.

Which is Motorcraft Yellow. Replacing the discontinued Motorcraft Orange.

 

[Brewineer]

Looks like they used Orange :/ and didn't even use the sealed bottle of Orange I left in the car for them, charging me for 3 new bottles.

I'm noticing my water temps are often above 200, even on the move in single digit weather. Before I was in the 190's on the highway in the summer.

I had water wetter before this water pump replacement and I doubt it would make that much difference, but I wonder if they used non-diluted...

 

[dallsbeep]

Looks like they used Orange :/ and didn't even use the sealed bottle of Orange I left in the car for them, charging me for 3 new bottles.

I'm noticing my water temps are often above 200, even on the move in single digit weather. Before I was in the 190's on the highway in the summer.

I had water wetter before this water pump replacement and I doubt it would make that much difference, but I wonder if they used non-diluted...

Hello fellow Alaskan. I hope you still have your SHO. I too am up here but in Juneau. Absolutely love the car and hope you've kept yours!

 

[Highway Star]

Use only distilled water in ecoboosts.