'89 to '95 - make a good daily driver?

[wmcnamara]

Hey Guys,
I'm new to the SHO world. I live in Harrisburg, so I figured your club is the closest. I will need a 4 door soon and I only drive manual trannys. So, I'm thinking of an '89 to '95 SHO as a daily driver. Are these cars too maintenance/service intensive to consider this? I guess it can be a crapshoot. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bill

 

[89 SHOinPA]

:hpoop: na dude your better off getting a kia

 

[Mr. SHO]

Buying an older SHO is like buying an older BMW... they are fun when they run right, but boy are they a headache most of the time.

 

[89 SHOinPA]

Buying an older SHO is like buying an older BMW... they are fun when they run right, but boy are they a headache most of the time.

I'm sorry "Kirked"

 

[Mels]

I'm sorry "Kirked"

Meaning, as he drives a gen III, that Kirk Doucette welded his cams, therby preventing a catastrophic cam failure.

 

[89 SHOinPA]

Meaning, as he drives a gen III, that Kirk Doucette welded his cams, therby preventing a catastrophic cam failure.

I heard he charges an arm & a leg, my buddy does is for $500 & gives it 3 welds instead of 2

 

[Mels]

I heard he charges an arm & a leg, my buddy does is for $500 & gives it 3 welds instead of 2

Yes, and I'm sure that there are guys out there that would weld cams for a case of beer too

*EDIT* I'm not saying your buddy isn't an accomplished welder, but Kirk does this for a living, and as I understand, his procedure is much more involved than simply welding the cams.

If we owned a Gen III it'd be sporting Kirks welds.

As a daily driver (back to the topic) being a Gen I owner I'd have to say that I'd go with a Gen III. Parts availability as well as dependability are in the Gen III's favor. Plus, it's a much more comfortable ride for my aging uh, bones...

 

[89 SHOinPA]

Yes, and I'm sure that there are guys out there that would weld cams for a case of beer too

LMAO I hear ya, my buddy is a 17 year ford certified tech that works at a ford dealership

 

[Mels]

LMAO I hear ya, my buddy is a 17 year ford certified tech that works at a ford dealership

Sounds like an experienced mechanic. He does this on the side, or are they welding these cams at the dealership now?

 

[89 SHOinPA]

Sounds like an experienced mechanic. He does this on the side, or are they welding these cams at the dealership now?

On the side, (the dealership & ford will take NO responsibility for the cam issue in the gen 3's)

 

[joesho24]

They are fun, quick cars, but sometimes require high price parts. I bought mine w/ 98k on it and now have 142k and have had no major problems. Just basic maitanance parts. The 1st thing known to go is probably the trannys. The auto's especially but where ur looking for an mtx ur going the right way.

 

[89 SHOinPA]

They are fun, quick cars, but sometimes require high price parts. I bought mine w/ 98k on it and now have 142k and have had no major problems. Just basic maitanance parts. The 1st thing known to go is probably the trannys. The auto's especially but where ur looking for an mtx ur going the right way.

I agree I have owned 3 gen 1's & 1 gen 2, lookin now for a nice black gen 3 with low miles & at the right price

 

[Mr. SHO]

I heard he charges an arm & a leg, my buddy does is for $500 & gives it 3 welds instead of 2

Well, your arms and legs must not be worth very much.

I got my cams welded, butterflies cleaned, FIs cleaned w/ new o-rings, UIM (including surge tank) and LIM cleaned, entire back row of coils replaced (I supplied the new coils), rear main wiring harness insulated for heat protection, new Motorcraft plugs, oil change w/ Mobil 1 & K&N filter... all for under $700. That's why I say "Kirked" instead of just "welded".

What's this about 3 welds instead of 2? Kirk welded each sprocket in 3 places, as he always has, AFAIK.

 

[89 SHOinPA]

Well, your arms and legs must not be worth very much.

I got my cams welded, butterflies cleaned, FIs cleaned w/ new o-rings, UIM (including surge tank) and LIM cleaned, entire back row of coils replaced (I supplied the new coils), rear main wiring harness insulated for heat protection, new Motorcraft plugs, oil change w/ Mobil 1 & K&N filter... all for under $700. That's why I say "Kirked" instead of just "welded".

What's this about 3 welds instead of 2? Kirk welded each sprocket in 3 places, as he always has, AFAIK.

OK OK I stand corrected! I can admit when I make a mistake! My buddy also replaces the spark plugs, gaskets, cleans butterflies etc. Anyway I was just saying what I heard, not what I experienced!! not trying to start a war on the forum!!!

 

[HoustinoJillian]

they're excellemt daily drivers, jsut make sure you buy one that has been well maintained. in fact i *ahem* know of someone who is selling his daily driver, although the classified ad hasn't been approved yet.. PM me if you'd like to know more.

 

[Mike Stitzer]

I've been driving a 95 MTX as a daily driver for the past 4 years. It's never let me sit. Worked perfectly. I do all my maintenance, and the car was used as a highway car before I bought it so it wasn't beat too hard. Highway miles are easy on these cruise missiles!

Mike