Contemplating a Gen 3

[Speedie13]

Tonight, coming back from a car run, at the dealership I work at, I came across a 97 SHO that was recently traded in. I asked a little about it and was told this: Its loaded (6-disc changer, sunroof, leather, power everything), it has 94k on it, the paint looks good, the old owner kept all receipts for work done, that owner was the first and only owner, he paid cash for the 04 Liberty he traded the SHO in on, and the guy was a very picky individual, not to mention he lives in a house worth 400,000+ so im told. So anyway, as the owner of a 95 MTX and 90 MTX and a big fan of the Yamaha, I'm a bit skeptical of this car. To me it almost sounds like a deal of a lifetime to come across a car so well kept, but I would like some input from you all. Would I really like an auto SHO? Are the V8's really reliable? Does this sound like a really good buy to anyone else? Because I've been at this dealership for quite a while, they are willing to give me the SHO for somewhere in the $5500 - $6000 range (they were going to put it on the lot for $7000). Im just looking for some comments I guess (at this point im on the fence about the whole thing). Let me know what you all think. Thank you.

 

[2 4shofast]

Here is my opinion on the V-8 SHO's. Are you going to like the ATX...not even a little bit. The V-8 SHO has a more comfortable ride and interior than the Gen I and II's and it has a VERY nice sound if you put a aftermarket exhaust on it. But if your looking for a high performance car like you might consider your other SHO's, the Gen III more than likely isnt going to be the car for you. As much as I have grown to like my Gen III...the V-6 MTX SHO's are so much better to drive hard that the slushbox V-8 SHO...not to mention the aftermarket on the 8's is rather slim. Hope this helps you in your decision, happy SHOing

 

[Porkchop]

The aftermarket on these cars in general are slim, but ya the g3 has stuff...

Many members will say to stay away from the G3 due to the cam issue and the tranny issue. But if you take care of these things right after you purchase it, the G3's are the most reliable of the SHO's.

Everyone's views will be different, and since I own a G3 im a bit biased. But if you like the car, and you do your homework and realize the maint. issues/known problems and you can deal with it... then get it.

Ive had no issues with my 98 with 105k on the clock. (after a tranny swap and cam weld of course)

 

[Speedie13]

I think I know about the cam issue... but is the tranny going to be a huge problem soon? Part of the reason why I wanted to somewhat sideline my 95 was due to a little fear of the tranny, so if the tranny is going to be a big issue I would love to know. Ive owned fords all my life so i know all about the automatics and all their "quirks", but I guess I just thought maybe the later 90's had better designed ones.
To me this just sounded like a great daily driver while I worked on my 95 and got her all back into healthy running order.

 

[2 4shofast]

Very few people havent had a problem with their transmissions. Beside the Cams it is the only other weak link that I can think of for the Gen III's. You will more than likely have to replace your tranny.....

 

[Porkchop]

the tranny will need to be replaced. So figure ~ $900 or so for the cam weld (average price) and at least ~$2600 (market price) for the tranny including R&R.

But again, I must re-iterate that those are the weakest links in the gen 3's. Get those fixed and keep up with the maintience and you will have a VERY reliable daily driver.

 

[SHO Continental]

the guy was a very picky individual, not to mention he lives in a house worth 400,000+ so im told.

property values must not be as high over there.. the house I live in is worth 490K


anyways.. don't go over to the dark-gen3-side.. unless you really want one.. I guess..

 

[Steve Dionne]

I'd be lucky to get $5000 for my 98 with 64k. I think they're asking too much.IMHO Do you know what they own it for? In my neck of the woods that's a $4000 car.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I'd be lucky to get $5000 for my 98 with 64k. I think they're asking too much.IMHO Do you know what they own it for? In my neck of the woods that's a $4000 car.

Agreed. That price is way too high.

 

[Twisted99]

I have owned a 95 Mtx since new. The tranny works fine but I have installed 2 clutches. However my son did use it a bit and we all know how kids are on clutches. The stock tranny has close to 216000 miles on it. Ocassionally I have to shift it into first after it sits a while to avoid grinding going into reverse.
My 98 SHO is very enjoyable but it is not a quick car. Fast yes, Quick No. With that said I am very happy with it. The Lightning is my fix when I start withdrawing from that screaming, shredding tire desire.
FPS Cam Weld for piece of mind.
FPS SCT II 93 Octane Program
this makes the cars so much more enjoyable. Shifts are firmer and quicker.
The resonator removed and Magnaflows make a sweet sound. I would recommend adding stiffer swaybars as stuffing it into corners at higher speeds makes me a be nervous.
The great buys on these cars make owning them almost too easy. If you want power there is a blown 93 on ebay right now. If I had my choice when I spent my money I know which one I would go after....

 

[Mr. SHO]

FWIW, saying that a Gen 3 is "loaded" is pretty much meaningless. 99.9% of the 1996-1999 SHOs came with lots of options. Even finding a Gen 3 without leather seats can be difficult.

And yes, that price is too high. If it was 100% immaculate with a slew of maintenance records, then it could fetch a premium. For an average specimen, you should easily be able to get about 10% below the NADA book value. They aren't as rare as they seem once you start shopping around. I was able to find two dozen V8SHOs for sale within 20 miles of my house in two weeks' time. I had one dealer ask me to leave after I told him what I thought of his asking price (he wanted $12,500 for a 98 w/ 60K, and I guess I laughed a little to hard for his liking.)

 

[DavidT]

I agree with Twisted99... if I were getting ready to buy a sho... the blown green mtx on ebay is the no brainer choice.
However, in defence of the v8 sho... with a shift kit OR Doug's chip (to firm up the shifts) AND with an opened up exhaust (to unleash some rumble) it is nice. I DO miss the mtx though
Also, $5500 is a VERY fair price, at least in my area. Sho's are NOT a common car here. I know of maybe 2 or 3 around... and I see them only rarely.
My 97 w/73K miles cost me $7900 3 years ago. Of course, I have done irrational things a time or two

 

[shoteen95]

My moms 98 is lightyears ahead of my 95 in terms of body rigidity: very few squeeks/rattles/shakes. The backseat is more inviting for others, her suspension with 90k has held up remarkably well (especially compared to my 95 with 77k).

Her car has also needed very little maintenance for being a daily driver, transmission still shifts smooth and quick when you get on the gas. Compared to my ATX, her car is a lot more enjoyable, especially if you're using your car mainly for a getting through the daily grind of rush hour traffic.

The exhaust note of the V8 is intoxicating, i told my mother i was getting her flowmasters for christmas.

I still wouldnt spend more than 5K on one.

If you have the cash, get the blown one on ebay...haha.

 

[luigisho]

It's a more reliable car other than the weak links mentioned. Don't forget that the ATX on the GenII's is similarly weak so it's par for the course with these cars. I would have a hard time parting with $5k for a car that will likely need the cam work done and a tranny issue at some point down the line. My car has over 120k on the original tranny. Don't forget that the GenIII's are reaching the 10yr mark and will need some routine maintenance for worn parts. Bushings, struts, and other wear items don't last forever. MTX's are way more enjoyable to drive hard but the v8 makes a nice daily driver.

Kelly Blue Book value for your area is ~$3600 trade in
$4900 for private party sale
$7000 dealer

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, I agree the price listed is high, but the G3 is really rather remarkable. I have gone to getting it reluctantly ages ago when needing a sedan and not wanting to give up performance, to now worrying about what I can find if/when it needs replacing that will be as enjoyable at such a wide range of uses (a G35 AWD is the current most likely, but hopefully still a long ways off). The only thing is really is not great at is stoplight games.

As per the transmission, well, everyone says it is a problem. I am at 155K+ and no troubles yet. I have heard from a fair number of others with no serious problems at high mileages without any transmission difficulties either. I think this one is very related to how you drive the car. If you are into WOT exits from every stop, I suspect you tend toward transmission troubles sooner. And, the other thing to consider, is that these cars are all at least 7 years old now, and on almost any car, you are starting to get into the range of needing transmission work by then.

pax, smn

pax, smn

 

[V6&V8SHO]

My 97 has 136k on the original tranny and I drive it like the bandit. I think it all has to do with a buildup of heat. I have a B&M cooler and I have never had a problem in 90 degree heat with the A/C on.


The V8 SHO's are solid and reliable. I no longer have the constant worries as I did with my 93 ATX.

 

[cdutchess78]

i have a 97 in an area where there are taurus models everywhere,however,the sho is few and far between.in the 1 year i have lived here,i have only ran into 1 other person with a sho.like luigisho said above,the blue book value for trade in is 3600.knowing this out of curiosity,i went to a few places and they all offered me between 4000 and 4500.i think it depends on where you live and what demand they are in there at the time.gen 2 is not too much quicker off the start,but gen 3 over a distance will overtake the gen 2.i tested it on the autobahn plus,CHICKS dig the rumble of the v8,lol.

 

[stephen newberg]

My 97 has 136k on the original tranny and I drive it like the bandit. I think it all has to do with a buildup of heat. I have a B&M cooler and I have never had a problem in 90 degree heat with the A/C on.

The V8 SHO's are solid and reliable. I no longer have the constant worries as I did with my 93 ATX.

It easily could be the build up of heat, which, in unmodified cars, is I suspect, often pretty closely related to driving very hard from the stoplights. My cooling system is unchanged, but I do have a trans fluid temp gauge and keep an eye on it. If it builds past normal temperatures, I just lay off until it cools down, and since I seldom use WOT from a light, it also very seldom happens. Its all related, I would guess.

pax, smn

 

[Speedie13]

Thank you guys all for the input thus far. Its been very helpful.
Ive managed to talk them down to a $5300 price (with my Gen1 as trade) and one of my friends at the dealership is in charge of outside sales (wholesales, auctions, that kind of thing) so he is going to look around for the highest amount he could get out of a wholesaler for my 90...and he thinks since I've put some work into it that he can get me even more than the $500 that he sold it for before when we had it on our lot. With all luck ill end up paying close to $5k. I know a lot of you say that a price like that is still too much, but from what I've seen with SHO's weve had in the past and ones on other lots, it seems to be the average amount around here.
After driving it around last night I think that it will be a very good daily driver for the time being. I will eventually use it as a trade in on another Wrangler, but for right now the $300 payment of one of those a month for me and the insurance is a bit too much. So for now I think I will drive the Gen3 and keep pouring money into my 95 until it runs like I want it to, because as SHO owners thats just what we do

Now I just have to find someone around here to weld the cams for me...

Thanks again for all the info and advice!

 

[shogansta]

all i have to say is i love the gen1's and 2's but the gen 3 has a special part in my heart. they really look like a taurus and that makes it even more enjoyable when you stop at a lite and the ricer next to you askes if it is a sho or not!!! you do tell him anything and when you gun it he knows what hit him. on start up its not like the mtx shos but after 65 gen 3 SHO WILL PLAY! every sho has there problems cam weld and tranny is important but it shouldnt let you stop from buying a gen 3 i love mine!