2011 SHO first month reviews

[First-SHO]

Well had the SHO for a month now and here are my reviews. Keep in mind this is my first Ford and I was never a Ford fan.

Current Car

2011 Ford Taurus SHO
Color - Silver/Black LOADED
Current mileage - 4985

Previous cars

2008 Mercedes E350 4matic Turned in for SHO
2008 Dodge Caravan (wife's) Current
2007 Chevy Malibu LT (daughters) just totaled
2006 VW Jetta TDI (son's) Current
2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax (600 rwhp 1250 tq) gave to Dad

Ok, so you get an idea of what I have driven lately.

My story starts with almost totaling the car pulling out of the dealers garage. Drove it home and became an immediate fan.

I drive 1500 miles every other week for business, so I wanted something comfortable and with my massage seat, that it is. There are a few things I would like to see as far as improvements or added and here is my list.

1) A roof handle on the drivers side like the passenger has.
2) The sync button moved to the phone button and have the media able to go forward and back.
3) Shift paddles RIGHT! Left for downshift, Right for up-shift. Simple, although I have talked to Kirk and they are working on a retrofit kit to do just that. I will be getting one.
4) More control of the sync/navigation/sirius system. With it being Microsoft, it should be more user friendly and more like a computer and have the availability to add and remove things easier. Like being able to search for a place without having the address. Deleting stored song/artist from sirius.
5) Better trunk hinges. If you don't shut the trunk from the center you risk lid flex and hitting the corner of the lid on the paint.
6) Better trans program for automatic driving. Hate the hesitation downshifting and firm the shifts up a bit.


What I like

POWER (but I do need more)
Handling - for a big car, this handles very good.
Style - What can I say, this car looks great. The rear spoiler is a definite must.
Interior room
Trunk space
20" wheels that look good.

What has happened to me

3 days before my 3M clear front bra went on, nice big paint chip and dent.
Rock chip on front windshield that turned into a long crack in one day.
Garage door failed to open all the way and (you guessed it) I backed out. One good thing I was taking it into get the windshield appointment done when it happened, so now my body shop is going to do it all and for a low price of $725. The windshield covered under insurance and paid cash for the roof prep and paint.

Thanks for all the info I have received from the forum, you guy's are great!

By the way I love driving this car! NEW FORD FAN!

Remember - "Cars are meant to be driven"!

Mike

 

[itguy08]

4) More control of the sync/navigation/sirius system. With it being Microsoft, it should be more user friendly and more like a computer and have the availability to add and remove things easier. Like being able to search for a place without having the address. Deleting stored song/artist from sirius.

I wouldn't put faith in MS to do anything with regards to usability. Sync is buggy enough as it is. Wouldn't want MS to add even more complexity to it; complex things are not MS's strong suit. (Can you tell I don't like MS.)

Sync works well but still has many rough edges and that's Fords fault for going with the worst possible partner, MS.

 

[SHO Continental]

1) A roof handle on the drivers side like the passenger has.

What exactly are you planning on using that handle for? I added a handle to the top of the A pillar on my '93, to aid in entry as I'm monstrously tall and my car is somewhat low. But it would scare me if I was riding with someone and they grabbed that handle as they went around a sharp turn, driver's should keep their hands on the wheel!

 

[First-SHO]

When I drive for 7 hrs straight, I like to rest my elbow on the window ledge and the bar grab is comfortable to hold onto.

 

[luigisho]

While you are getting stuff painted, you might want to consider doing something about the chromed plastic trim that looks to have a peeling problem with many of the cars.

 

[First-SHO]

While you are getting stuff painted, you might want to consider doing something about the chromed plastic trim that looks to have a peeling problem with many of the cars.

I was going to wait till it happens and then look at the black-out kit SHODWN was going to put together.

Do the 2011's have the same problem?

 

[Phoenix]

Pics or ban

 

[luigisho]

Do the 2011's have the same problem?

I'm not certain but unless they changed suppliers I would think so. You could black them out with a kit or you could paint them oem body color while the stuff is already pulled off and the paint is ordered. There is a thread or two of others doing this currently. Just a thought.

 

[SHO U UP]

I was going to wait till it happens and then look at the black-out kit SHODWN was going to put together.

Do the 2011's have the same problem?

I do believe the 2011 are not susceptible to the peeling of the chrome. I think half way through production they did the quality check thing and found it being an issue and they resolved it. Heck, my 2010 has just a barely a peel and if this info hadn't been on the forum, I wouldn't pay it a bit of mind. I'm awaiting it to come off in sections so I can get the rear tails replaced.

 

[Unknown_Driver]

you know what i wish our cars had?


the damn power trunk like a mercedes

i always seem to get my hands covered in dust closing the trunk the pull down strap is useless in the trunk



overall how do you like the build quality over the merc? my aunt has the glass roof in her E class i love driving it, for some reason i always felt like royalty driving it

 

[SHO U UP]

you know what i wish our cars had?


the damn power trunk like a mercedes

i always seem to get my hands covered in dust closing the trunk the pull down strap is useless in the trunk


overall how do you like the build quality over the merc? my aunt has the glass roof in her E class i love driving it, for some reason i always felt like royalty driving it

You have a pull down strap in your SHOs trunk?? Mine doesn't have one of those.

 

[zblackbeast]

Picky picky.. you should drive a gen 1 or 2 for a day.. see what we put up with... You'll learn to appreciate the finer things in life!

J/K But really.. All this stuff is fairly new. The new taurus platform has been out for 1 year and still is kind of in testing phase if you so choose to call it.

As far as the trunk is concerned.. do something about it.. measure out what you think a good support would be and have a machine shop make you one.. like a strut tower bar.. but for your trunk!