A 5-speed SHO in good mechanical condition will get you 18-22 in the city and 24-32 on the highway. There's a big difference, but that depends how you drive and how much of a load you're carrying.
What are some common problems with the Ford Taurus SHO?
- Thread starter gnx547
- Start date
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A 5-speed SHO in good mechanical condition will get you 18-22 in the city and 24-32 on the highway. There's a big difference, but that depends how you drive and how much of a load you're carrying.
Sourcing the problem with a stethoscope is the only true way to diagnose a problem. Typical problem sounds from a 3.0 SHO motor [found in the 5 speed models] are caused by an incorrect valve lash or failed camshaft chain tensioner(s) located directly under the valve covers.
Replacing the rod bearings is a general procedure to increase the life of the motor, and costs under $100 in parts alone and a few hours of time used. The procedure is outlined here: http://kurtmetros.com/bearings.html
Toul
New Member
Tell your girlfriend to look for another car IMO. I honestly dont believe these cars are for the common driver, enthusiasts only. If a person cant work on the car themselves and isnt mechanically inclined, its going to cost too much to get work done. Additionally any work done has a decent chance of not being done right, most mechanics dont know the SHO.
Problems with SHO's?
Clutch
Rod bearings
no starts caused by leaking water pump
rust
tons of squeaks from the body flexing.
previous owners
Plenty of others I'm sure. Much easier to take care of cars to buy in the 2 to 4k price range imo.
Problems with SHO's?
Clutch
Rod bearings
no starts caused by leaking water pump
rust
tons of squeaks from the body flexing.
previous owners
Plenty of others I'm sure. Much easier to take care of cars to buy in the 2 to 4k price range imo.
jthod
Mr. Goodwrench
Other 'problems':
Loud noise coming for engine a RPM's over 4,000, throwing you back in your seat at the same time. This also leads to a common, infectious grin on your face.
Loud noise coming for engine a RPM's over 4,000, throwing you back in your seat at the same time. This also leads to a common, infectious grin on your face.
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Other 'problems':
Loud noise coming for engine a RPM's over 4,000, throwing you back in your seat at the same time. This also leads to a common, infectious grin on your face.
... and multiple speeding tickets.
jthod
Mr. Goodwrench
That and the weekly re-filling of the Naaawzzz Bottle.
mattfoo83
SHO NUFF!!!
i havent had good luck with the auto trans, everyone ive had has had steering issues from the rack to the lines to the pump.
techi14
New Member
parts are expensive, this car is enthusiast only rated! l0l...
drivinhard
New Member
The biggest thing to know is:
It'll break.
When it does, good luck finding the part you need
It'll break.
When it does, good luck finding the part you need
stangeater
Farm Boy
All this info depends on how the car has been maintained. Don't let the negitive comments scare you off. The cars do take some maintenance, but what cars don't? They are a inexpensive, fast sedan! Doller to horsepower, you can't beat them.
Good luck!
Good luck!
SuperHO
Mental Patient
Forgot the biggie.....points on your driving liscense..
mattfoo83
SHO NUFF!!!
Think he'll post here again?
I bet not because some people on this forum are just...
.
I take it that a lot of people posting have only owned a SHO or never worked on a vehicle before their SHO. The parts are LESS expensive than cars now days. And if you can't afford normal wear and tear parts that are 99.9% the only source of problems that occur under normal driving conditions with a SHO, then maybe you need to buy some running shoes. The SHO is one of the less expensive cars to purchase, maintain, and modify...
A 92 SHO with a little over 100k miles shouldn't have much problems if any, and if so they are minor and typical replacement parts. Any used car is going to require a little extra cash to have it running in tip top condition.
. I take it that a lot of people posting have only owned a SHO or never worked on a vehicle before their SHO. The parts are LESS expensive than cars now days. And if you can't afford normal wear and tear parts that are 99.9% the only source of problems that occur under normal driving conditions with a SHO, then maybe you need to buy some running shoes. The SHO is one of the less expensive cars to purchase, maintain, and modify...
A 92 SHO with a little over 100k miles shouldn't have much problems if any, and if so they are minor and typical replacement parts. Any used car is going to require a little extra cash to have it running in tip top condition.
drivinhard
New Member
The first point is very true, partly because the last 2 points are not
It's an enthusiast car, period. Nothing wrong with them, but you really have to like them to own them. (which we do)
hawkeye18
Sorta cares
Uhh... have you priced a good pair of running shoes lately? They're more expensive than an alternator.
The first point is very true, partly because the last 2 points are not
How about because the vehicle is old and cheap to purchase in the first place due to the mindset of the seller?
In the used car market, people tend to stay within and run the car until it's about ready to fall into pieces, in their opinion. Once that point has been reached, the owner ends up selling the vehicle to use that money toward a newer, used vehicle purchase because they don't have the extra cash to even replace a starter. This is your #1 seller and the most likely to have the most problems upon purchase, but you also have a chance to get a good deal due to the ignorance of the seller not knowing what the problem is when it's a minor issue.
You also have original/second owners that are getting rid of vehicles due to the milage increasing and their fear of being broke down on the side of the road. These original/second owners are not short on cash and are ready to buy their next long investment with minimum milage. The milage is more important to them than the cost of replacing parts to make the vehicle more reliable, thus the reason you find these owners selling the vehicle at market price. This is your #2 seller and usually comes with less problems upon purchase, or one that is going to need attention soon and cost more than your typical starter replacement. When that is the case, the vehicle is sold because the owner would be putting in at least half the value of what they can get for the vehicle at the time. That might sound pointless and is in the mind of a non-enthusiast, thus the reason why it's been posted you have to be an enthusiast to own a SHO. The other option of being a SHO owner and not your typical enthusiast, is one with short pockets.
Your #3 seller is an enthusiast. Finding these vehicles will be hard to find and cost you extra because of how well taken care of they are, the modifications performed, and the owners general knowledge of the value. Depending on the owner and what they've done, you can get an excellent car!
I'm sorry if I killed the larger prey of your theory!
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You need to have a big wallet, or a big tool box. I have neither, but have owned 13 SHO's. I'm comitted for life!!! Thank's to Josh T., Mark N., Tony H., Mike M., Kurt D., etc.......................insert you're name here......................
drivinhard
New Member
Typically cars that hold up well (reliability) regardless of whether or not it's real, or perceived, have a better re-sale value. This is why I bought my 92 over a decade ago barely 5 yrs old w/ 60,000 miles for $20k+ off the sticker price. This is why honda's, toyota's, etc typically hold up better in the used market. If you don't believe me go buy a new taurus, and a new camry, and see which is worth more in 3 yrs.
I'm by no means saying the SHO is a pile of junk (it's a very fun car, and IMHO probably the easiest car on the planet to track at 10/10ths), but I'm not going to tell somebody looking to buy one it's a super reliable car. Some parts are reasonable, some are pricey, most drivetrain related ones you can't get, and if you don't do your own work I can assure you nobody is going to want to put up with shop bills for a (now the 89's are pushing 20 yrs old) 15+ yr old SHO for very long. I've owned my SHO the longest of my current fleet, but if you take the average repair cost of any given year, I always have spent the most on the SHO to keep it in top shape.
Due to the limited performance market, the SHO is not a cheap car to modify. This isn't because it's a bad car, simply not as much market competition and small runs of custom parts being made. I don't think you can argue this if you've priced aftermarket parts for mustangs, C5/C6 corvette's, F-body's, imports, etc.
I'm a die hard SHO fan, but you'll never hear me say it's a cheap car to keep running in top shape or modify.
I'm by no means saying the SHO is a pile of junk (it's a very fun car, and IMHO probably the easiest car on the planet to track at 10/10ths), but I'm not going to tell somebody looking to buy one it's a super reliable car. Some parts are reasonable, some are pricey, most drivetrain related ones you can't get, and if you don't do your own work I can assure you nobody is going to want to put up with shop bills for a (now the 89's are pushing 20 yrs old) 15+ yr old SHO for very long. I've owned my SHO the longest of my current fleet, but if you take the average repair cost of any given year, I always have spent the most on the SHO to keep it in top shape.
Due to the limited performance market, the SHO is not a cheap car to modify. This isn't because it's a bad car, simply not as much market competition and small runs of custom parts being made. I don't think you can argue this if you've priced aftermarket parts for mustangs, C5/C6 corvette's, F-body's, imports, etc.
I'm a die hard SHO fan, but you'll never hear me say it's a cheap car to keep running in top shape or modify.
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