1990 SHO For Sale--Relisted

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JRA2000TL

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This is my second attempt to sell this car. I had this car sold but due to unfortunate, last-minute financial issues, the buyer backed out. I want to sell this one and buy a Gen 2. I was going to restore it but want to move on to another one. I'd like to move the car quickly; however, I will be up front in what I will/will not take for the car. I'm asking $1500 but will take offers between $1200 and $1500. I will not take less than $1200, so please don't PM me or e-mail me with lower offers. If I don't get my asking price, I will keep it. (I just won't be able to buy as nice of a Gen 2 as i want.)

On to the car description. I will try to include all the good and bad points. I'm going to be honest in the description since I want the buyer to know exactly what he/she is getting.

The mileage is noted as 70,***. This may or may not be original miles; due to a 5 digit odometer, I cannot prove either way. I can, however, provide you with an AutoCheck. The chronological mileage suggests it's original miles, but I do not want to advertise it that way in case it is not. There was one typo on the mileage by the DMV from when the previous owner registered it. They noted the mileage as 86xxx instead of 66xxx. This is obviously a typo after reading the report as you will be able to see.

The good:

1. The car has been in the South it's whole life, so it's rust free (minus any normal minor corrosion that occurs on ANY 19 year old car--pics will show)
2. The car has slicers, the 96 brake upgrade, and the rod shifter.
3. I put in a stock Ford am/fm radio casette, as well as new stock mufflers and exhaust tips.
4. The tires on the car have alot of life left in them.
5. The a/c works (it does need recharged--it cools but does not blow COLD--still has R12).
6. The interior is very nice and clean for the age (driver seat has 2 tiny tears on the seat bottom edge and the bolster has a little wear).
7. I just changed the MTX fluid with Valvoline MaxLife ATF.
8. The timing belt and water pump appear to have been replaced by a previous owner.
9. New outer tie rods and alignment.

Issues to note:

1. The engine top end is making a clacking-type noise. EDIT: I removed the front valve cover and found that the intake cam lobe above Cyl # 4 is pitted and the shim is scratched. Pictures can be found in the engine/drivetrain maintenance subforum. The car may/may not need a new camshaft; either way, this is an easy, inexpensive fix if you do it yourself.
2. The ABS light on. (The PO may not have reinstalled everything correctly after the 96 brake upgrade). The car will dive and pull to the left if you slam on the brakes. I suggest that the brakes get bled also.
3. There is a card-in-spokes thumping coming from the lower front end around the floorboard upon deceleration. I looked at the CV joints and they appear to be somewhat new. It may be those or a wheel bearing--not sure. The car drives fine otherwise and this noise is off and on.
4. The power steering leaks a little and the pump is noisy. I just keep fluid in it, and it's fine.
5. The exhaust is LOUD and raspy. The PO put true duals on and it sounds awful. It works; just sounds bad.
6. The passenger power window motor needs to be taken apart and cleaned (or replaced). I fixed the driver window; just didn't mess with this one since I don't use it.
7. The clutch seems to grab fine and does not slip (drove in 4th gear at a low speed, floored it up a hill...no slippage). It just seems grabby/jerky compared to a Gen 2 I drove--could just be the nature of the beast. I just wanted to note that. It may be nothing.
8. The dash has a few small cracks.
9. The headlights are faded.
10. The car needs paint. Someone sprayed it with a Maaco type job and it's awful. The body is solid will need no repairs other than a few small dings--just needs paint.
11. I did notice a small amount of oil appearing in the plug wells lately and some reduced power. I do have a set of VC gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, and 6 new Motorcraft plugs. I will include these with the sale if I get my asking price of $1200.

Below are the links to the photos and a video of the car in my photobucket:

Video of the car's issues:

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/jasarisi/?action=view&current=SHOMovie1.flv

More videos:

1. Engine noise vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVzy84q9n9Y

2. Walkaround vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUWWfffse0

3. Driving vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INweZ0Y0lOY

Photos

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n10/jasarisi/Taurus%20SHO/

This ad is quite long; however, I want to fully detail the car down to every minute thing wrong with it since many come from long distances and often get irritated with buyers that don't disclose everything.

I have probably described the car alot worse than it is; however, it does run and drive well. I've driven it over 2k in the past year (even with the engine noise). It's not a lower-end noise. If you want a solid, rust-free, clean Gen I to put a few bucks into and have a SHOwcar, this is it. I don't feel my asking price is unreasonable because it runs and drives well, though it needs some things (what SHO doesn't?). Also, the rust free shell, 96 brakes, slicers, tires, rod shifter, good interior, etc. are worth what I'm asking. I've been offered $1200 for the car previously (as it sits), so I am not willing to take anything less.

Thanks for taking the time to read through the whole ad.

PS: I forgot to add in that if I wind up fixing the engine top-end noise, the price of the car will go up a little because I'd planned on taking care of this when I was going to keep the car. If the buyer pays $1500, I'll throw in a used cam tensioner and some shims, as well as the valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, and plugs (not sure if that's the problem though).
 
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Irish Pride

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A rust free gen 1 is worth every bit of $1200 without the brake upgrade and the rod shifter! A couple years back I paid $1500 for a black 91 that was a northern rust bucket because i wanted the seats in it. Whoever buys this is getting a deal! Good Luck.
 

JRA2000TL

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I am thinking now that the clacking noise is definitely something minor. I tried to pull the front valve cover on Saturday to take a look and I apparently didn't take out a bolt or a line that I was supposed to, so the intake wouldn't come off. (I found my mistake after the fact watching the 60k video). Anyway, it was loose enough that it wiggled when I was messing with it. I tightened it back down. The clacking noise doesn't seem to be as bad now. I'm wondering if it wasn't seated right or if the gaskets are just shot causing excess air to get in and make it sound like a diesel. Again, once the car is warmed up, the noise quiets down.

If I get a good offer, I'll throw in the new valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, and the Motorcraft plugs. That's $150 right there and will take care most of that top end stuff.

The car is still a blast to drive and honestly the worst part of it is the awful sounding exhaust, which can easily be fixed.

Ever since I drove the 95 MTX, I decided that's what I really want and I don't have the $ to put into 2 SHOs. I paid $2100 for this car in Feb. 08. I've put a few bucks into it; nothing major and I'm asking almost half of what I paid.
 
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JRA2000TL

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Ok folks, I want to move this car quickly. $1200 and I'll include the set of Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gaskets, as well as the set of Motorcraft plugs. I was going to keep the parts for my next SHO but I'll throw them in.

Also, on the exhaust, I think one of the pipes has pulled loose from the manifold. It sounds like a motorcycle now. It probably just needs to be re-attached. (I think it's the one that goes to the rear manifold) I don't really want to mess with it because there's a 90% chance that the buyer will want to put a new aftermarket exhaust system on it and ditch this crappy one.

The price doesn't get any lower than this.
 
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JRA2000TL

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Sorry, this is more than a weekly bump but I took it to the exhaust shop today and found the additional leak up near the exhaust manifold. I got them to re-weld it and now it's fine (just still loud since the car has no resonator).

Wow, if this thing doesn't sell by June, I'll have enough $ to buy my Gen 2 anyway. :swing: Hopefully my apt. complex won't care. We're allowed 2 vehicles per apartment, and we currently have 3, so what's 1 more?
 
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bubba

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Why hasn't this car sold? although the little boy in me wants to get a loan....but the grown up part of me say no! I about bought this great looking car, I cry alittle bit inside.
 

JRA2000TL

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Why hasn't this car sold? although the little boy in me wants to get a loan....but the grown up part of me say no! I about bought this great looking car, I cry alittle bit inside.

$1200 cash AND I'll throw in the valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, AND the plugs...($150 value) AND as stated above I had the exhaust leak welded back so it doesn't sound like a motorcycle anymore (still loud though) :naughty:

...AND I ran it up to the local mechanic guy yesterday and had him add a can of freeze 12 to it (I found a repair receipt in the glovebox from the PO that stated vacuum and recharge freeze 12--so thats what was in it). The compressor doesn't kick in/out every 3 seconds now. The a/c is blowing 50-55 degrees. I think 100% efficient is around 40-45, but it's still decent for this old car. I'm sure it has a small leak somewhere but the system works.

No I totally understand though. I would never advocate someone getting into a financial bind to buy a toy. By the time my Gen 2 is ready I'll have the $ for it anyway even if this one doesn't sell, but I'd like to put some $ back in my pocket from this one. It'll be too tempting to spend even more to restore it AND have another SHO....I just can't handle 2 when I have a wedding and honeymoon coming up later. Still...I'll keep it if I can't get $1200. I've been driving this car WAY more than my Acura lately.

Oh..and it's back on Ebay too for one more shot.
 

JaySHOguy

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Holy crap. I can't believe you're still trying to sell this car! LOL
It's been a long time since I logged in (around November).
 

JRA2000TL

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Holy crap. I can't believe you're still trying to sell this car! LOL
It's been a long time since I logged in (around November).

I'd decided to keep it awhile then a forum member sparked some interest and the deal fell through, but I thought I'd throw it back up for sale anyway since I want a Gen 2.
 

JRA2000TL

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Bump....for those of you that don't know, I found out what the engine problem is. The cam lobe above Cyl #4 is pitted and the shim is damaged. Throw a shim in there and it may be good to go. (I actually have some shims--not sure if they are the correct size needed though). If not, pick up a cheap camshaft and bolt it right in. Easy fix. I don't have much time to mess with it anymore since I started traveling again. I could fix it myself if I rented a 60k kit but I'd rather be lazy and not fool with it unless the car just will not sell.

Remember it comes with about $150 worth of parts (valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, and motorcraft plugs). I just had the a/c topped off as well.

Someone please buy this car! I really want a Gen 2 and really need to sell this one in order to get it. Plus I have a honeymoon to pay for in the fall too.
 
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Jonny Cash

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Bump....for those of you that don't know, I found out what the engine problem is. The cam lobe above Cyl #4 is pitted and the shim is damaged. Throw a shim in there and it may be good to go. (I actually have some shims--not sure if they are the correct size needed though). If not, pick up a cheap camshaft and bolt it right in. Easy fix. I don't have much time to mess with it anymore since I started traveling again. I could fix it myself if I rented a 60k kit but I'd rather be lazy and not fool with it unless the car just will not sell.

:shakehead:
 

JRA2000TL

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Everyone has something to say about me being too lazy to fix it but I don't see anyone willing to snatch it up for the easy repair either. I guess everyone wants me to fix every little nit picky thing wrong with the car to make it worth $1200. ****, it runs, drives, has a working a/c and good tires. Some people want the world and don't want to pay for it. Most SHOs on here have a grocery list of crap that they need. I at least pulled the thing apart to TELL everyone what the problem is but I didn't have a 60k kit with me at the time. If I did, I would have fixed it right then. Geez.

If it doesnt sell, I'm sure I'll get around to it but I am on the road for work all the time now...even today as we speak. I don't exactly have tons of free weekends to mess with it either right now.
 

JRA2000TL

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Here's the damaged cam lobe

DSCN1221

Here's a pic with the front valve cover off

DSCN1222

Here's a picture of the cam tensioner, which looks fine

DSCN1223
 

JRA2000TL

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Thanks but not a motorcycle fan. Looking for a nice Gen 2 MTX or will just keep the 90 for now. I forsee a bunch of expenses coming up soon, so my chances of getting a Gen 2 SHO may be shot. I have one that I am looking at. If it turns out I can't get it right now, I'll hang on to this one until I can afford what I want. In the meantime it's still up for sale. The plan was to use the $ from the sale of this one to put toward my next one.
 
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Jonny Cash

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Everyone has something to say about me being too lazy to fix it but I don't see anyone willing to snatch it up for the easy repair either. I guess everyone wants me to fix every little nit picky thing wrong with the car to make it worth $1200. ****, it runs, drives, has a working a/c and good tires. Some people want the world and don't want to pay for it. Most SHOs on here have a grocery list of crap that they need. I at least pulled the thing apart to TELL everyone what the problem is but I didn't have a 60k kit with me at the time. If I did, I would have fixed it right then. Geez.

If it doesnt sell, I'm sure I'll get around to it but I am on the road for work all the time now...even today as we speak. I don't exactly have tons of free weekends to mess with it either right now.


I dont have anything to say. I just dont understand.
 

JRA2000TL

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I dont have anything to say. I just dont understand.

After shelling out 1200 bucks for plane tickets last night :cuss:, I may have to hang on to it for a little while anyway and just fix it. Might be several months before I can get another SHO. I just have to find a free weekend to do it, which is hard these days. I do know some people that have 60k kits that will rent them to me.
 
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