2016 SHO... TO BUY... OR NOT..

[REXISME]

Good morning everyone...

So, I'm about to purchase another automobile and have been looking at the SHO's for a little bit now. I've searched on google for reliability, all i happen to find is info about the PTU, timing chain, and water pump. I'm not a stranger to modified cars and I am not brand loyal. I'm just wondering if those are horror stories that are just on the internet and few and far between cases. I've had several Mustang GT's, a couple terminators, an evo, few sti's, a wrx. So, I'm not new to maintenance or modified automobiles.

Where I am going with this, I currently have a 2015 STi and it is nearing 60k miles. It has just about all that can be done to it without swapping out the block. I've decided to take a break from cars for a little bit and dont want to go that route on an automobile I'm not going to keep. I just want an automatic daily driver, with lots of room and comfortable seats, that is awd, and has some get up to it. The SHO seems to check all the boxes... the one I'm looking at is a 2016 with 16k miles. Are they reliable? should I be worried about warranty?

 

[luigisho]

I would check the factory warranty and get an extended powertrain timed just before any current ones run out. You shouldn't be worried too much but TT and awd based on fwd architecture should make an owner be prudent about this particular model. Boxer engines have their particular issues and these newer designed Ford ones do as well.

 

[REXISME]

I would check the factory warranty and get an extended powertrain timed just before any current ones run out. You shouldn't be worried too much but TT and awd based on fwd architecture should make an owner be prudent about this particular model. Boxer engines have their particular issues and these newer designed Ford ones do as well.

Thats the thing; I'm not a stranger with maintenance and dont mind doing fluids regularly, so if thats the big deal, I have no issue with any of that. Because as stated, coming from a boxer, staying up on fluids is key, well, in any auto with a power adder....

 

[luigisho]

Ok well it's ptu fluids and such. I would say this is a higher than average repair vehicle for engine components. I am aware of vigilance with the boxer but I have not owned one or immersed in those ownership boards. I hate warranties and I would get one for this model. Other folks on here may disagree..or not

 

[andynumbers]

I have a pretty similar story. I sold my 2004 WRX after 14 years and nearly 200,000 miles of ownership. I did all the bolt ons: turbo, exhaust, intercooler, Cobb tuning, etc. I loved that car dearly. But I'm now 33 and decided it's time to grow up and get a more grown up ride. I now have a 2018 SHO non-PP purchased from Carvana with 26k miles. I absolutely love everything about it. Probably the best highway cruiser in its price range. I also have absolutely no plans to modify the car because I think it's plenty fast as it is.

Does the PTU and water pump scare me? Yeah, sure. But if you're the type of guy to religiously change fluids, or at least stay on top of the maintenance with a mechanic (and we're talking the heavy-duty maintenance schedule here that includes regular PTU oil changes and coolant flushes) then you have nothing to worry about. You'll just have to budget ahead to plan on having this maintenance done. Budget on having the water pump changed at 100,000 just for safety.

PTU failures suck for sure, but even in the worst-case scenario, if your PTU catastrophically fails and needs replacement, you can get a new one on eBay for like $800. If you can wrench on an STi, you can probably change a PTU yourself.

And you know what? There have been stories of guys doing nothing but basic oil changes on these cars up to 100,000 miles and having no trouble at all. Not saying to do that, of course. But the point is, don't be scared about this maintenance.

I feel like extended warranties are like insurance. They might pay off, they might not. I'm not going the extended warranty route with mine, but I'm planning on setting some money to the side for maintenance in case I need it.

 

[High on Ethanol]

I have a 2015 SHO non-PP, it's been modded since day 1. Driven ******* most trips at least 20% of the time. Raced at flashlight drags a few times. Regular Oil changes, no other fluids changed. No issues to date at 54k miles.

I would recommend an extended warranty, anything engine/transmission related would pay off in the long run

 

[Jeff2017]

I would say that they seem to be fine for 100k miles if the fluids are changed in a timely manner and they aren't abused. After 100k , things like the water pump can need replacement. Also the turbos, PTU could start having issues as well. The motor and tranny are pretty bullet proof from what I have read.