Hello, and some advice please

[Ryan87LX]

Hi everyone,

this looks like a nice place. I may be coming by more often in the future.

About me:

I've been a Ford guy for a very long time, I've owned my 87 Mustang since 1994 and have done lots of work to it over the years; I've probably had every single nut and bolt out of the car by now.

I also own a 2003 F350 and a 2003 3-series bmw that my wife drives. If you've ever been to the Corral or Stangnet you've probably seen me there.

I bought the F350 as a vehicle to drive occasionally, around town, in the snow, and to take out to the lake. Now, however, I'm driving on the highway regularly ( about 300 miles one day a week), and the fuel costs and maintenance costs seem high for what I am getting out of it.

I recently came across a 95 SHO in the classifieds, and I'm wondering if this might be a better vehicle for me. It's got 250,000kms (about 140kmiles) on it, but they guy is only asking $2200 for it. The body looks relatively clean. It is an automatic.

I'd like to hear from some actual SHO owners about how these cars age. Ideally, I'd like to find a cheap vehicle that I can drive for a while without having to put a bunch of money into it. I understand that the Yamaha motor is very reliable and gets pretty good mileage, but I also know that it is stuffed in a Ford body and chassis, so it can't be perfect.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eastcoast SHO]

$2200 seems a little steep to me, especially with that mileage, and for it being a auto, find a mtx, better on gas mileage...as a couple members on here would say(will remain nameless) offer him $500

 

[Ryan87LX]

Thanks for the advice. I'm in Canada, so it's probably closer to about $1500 USD.

What about the reliability as they get some miles on them? Pretty good, or always broken?

 

[SHOspazz92]

Thanks for the advice. I'm in Canada, so it's probably closer to about $1500 USD.

What about the reliability as they get some miles on them? Pretty good, or always broken?

That STRONGLY depends on the Mantainence History.

If the car has been decently Mantained, Not beat to shit...etc... I would expect repairs to be limited to wear Items only. At least, That's how it's worked for my dad and I over the last 15 years of SHOwnership.

However, A Car with unknown MX History that was owned by a 18 Year old Fast and Furious Fan is probably going to cost you.

-Sam

 

[Eastcoast SHO]

well first thing is get a 60k tune up, that should cover alot of things,check the tranny the auto's are known to be weak,rod bearings, then you just replace things as needed as any other car, you take care of the engine and it will return the favor 10 fold, i am sure others will chime in with more experience than me, but 140,000 miles is just breaking it in, my 94 had 190,000 miles on it when i sold it and my 96 has 260,000 miles on it, but you will get your normal wear and tear

 

[Ryan87LX]

well first thing is get a 60k tune up, that should cover alot of things,check the tranny the auto's are known to be weak,rod bearings, then you just replace things as needed as any other car, you take care of the engine and it will return the favor 10 fold, i am sure others will chime in with more experience than me, but 140,000 miles is just breaking it in, my 94 had 190,000 miles on it when i sold it and my 96 has 260,000 miles on it, but you will get your normal wear and tear

What's the scoop with the Rod bearings? Are they considered a maintenance item? That can't be cheap.

 

[Eastcoast SHO]

most members here will tell you it is a good thing to replace them between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, cheap i am not sure as i never have done them but plenty of people on this board have so be patient someone will give you the info you need

 

[Rubix]

They're not too expensive in relation to several other things. RCM Automotive has the set for somewhere around $45 and a kit for around $65 if my memory serves correctly. I don't consider that costly at all, in fact probably one of the cheaper things on these cars. For what it's worth I've read rod bearings aren't a pressing issue on the automatics, but definitely something that should be done on manuals.

As for the car you're considering. At 140k that transmission is likely going to require work sooner rather than later if it hasn't had work already (you should find out). If your set on that car, talk'm down otherwise don't bother. You could get a solid 5 speed SHO in great shape for cheaper.

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[tardboy21]

What's the scoop with the Rod bearings? Are they considered a maintenance item? That can't be cheap.

Rod bearings being the weak point of the car is a serious plus. Rod bearings giving out are not something that is SHO specific, and they are by no means flawed. If the car is constantly being run up to 6 and 7 grand and maintenance is not maintained, this would be a problem on any car. My 92 has 185k on it and the original rod bearings. I like to get on it every now and then, but maintain it well and normally drive it modestly. I would not be too concerned about them IF it has been maintained well.

 

[Rubix]

^ Driving style always plays a part. From what I understand it's the engine being bogged on that does the most damage to rod bearings. It is because of this that rod bearings aren't as much of a pressing issue on automatic SHOs because the tranny doesn't let the driver bog the engine like a manual would... so I've read. Either tranny, it wouldn't hurt to do'm.

 

[Phoenix]

Welcome in

 

[Ryan87LX]

As for the car you're considering. At 140k that transmission is likely going to require work sooner rather than later if it hasn't had work already (you should find out). If your set on that car, talk'm down otherwise don't bother. You could get a solid 5 speed SHO in great shape for cheaper.

Welcome to the forum by the way

Thanks for the welcome.

What kind of costs do these transmissions incur? Are they generally expensive, or not too bad? Any common failure modes or things to look out for?

I would have assumed that if it shifted crisply that an fluid flush would be all that is needed. Are there any signs of impending failure?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[firstgen89sho]

Ryan, where in Sk are you right now?

Yes, $2200 sounds about the going rate right now for these cars.

 

[Ryan87LX]

Ryan, where in Sk are you right now?

Yes, $2200 sounds about the going rate right now for these cars.

I'm in Regina.

Nice to see a fellow Saskatchewan person here!