Just Looked At a 97 SHO!

[ChevyGuy]

My dad and I just looked at a 97 with 96,000 miles with an asking price of $7500. Black with tan interior, sunroof, keyless, etc, etc.

It was my first time driving a gen III (or any SHO, for that matter), and let me tell you, WHOA! I floored it and the friggin thing shifted 1-2 at 7,000 RPMs! I was blown away by the power and awesome handling of the car. The car was in very good shape except for a few minor dings and blemishes. The two things that concerned me and my dad somewhat were: the harsh ride! My dad said it reminded him of a Corvette - I really didn't mind it that much, but we both noticed there were a lot of squeaks, rattles, and overall sounds of stuff banging when I hit any serious bumps. The second thing that my dad and I both agree could be a problem is the tight engine compartment. I really don't see any way me - or my dad, for that matter - could do any work on the engine. The guy selling just had new tires ($600) and brakes (pads AND rotors) put on, and the car stops on a dime. I also noticed a "drone", presumably from the tires, while driving. Once again, I say that I was reminded of how this is a performance car, and not a Grand Marquis/Crown Victoria that I had previously looked at.

I told the guy selling the car I would come back on Thurday with my mechanic brother to do a more rigorous inspection (we looked at it a night). If there's nothing wrong with it, should I buy it? What kind of costs am I looking at buying such a high-performance car? What does a tune up on one of these cars cost? Thanks in advance for the help; I love the way the car looked, and may purchase it, I just want to have the issues resolved before making my big decision.

Thanks!
Fred (possible new SHO-freak )

 

[Osiris]

squeaks and rattles?

I hope my car doesn't begin to do that anytime soon.

You're gonna need that plug change / valve adjustment soon, if the seller didn't do it yet. Keep your mechanic brother happy just in case.

Remember that for the most part, these cars were only really affordable to older execs, older retired persons, or more mature people ( these things were in the upper 20's when new, can you believe it?? ) so it is a good chance that you may find a better example of one if you look hard. If you don't mind going out of state, your chances better by alot. Also, consider an extended warranty, this is not a cheap car to fix when broken.

Another thing I'll say about these cars, They are fun to drive. This isn't the fastest car I've ever owned, but this is the car I've owned the longest ( 16 cars in 10 years . )

 

[Tacmedic]

Well, with that kind of mileage a good look over by a trusted mechanic is prudent. A tune up will run you depending on how much you are willing to do yourself. Due to lack of proper tools and time constraints, I paid a mechanic for plugs. 4.5 book hours labor to R&R the upper plenum. I would advise staying as far away from the dealer as possible. If you replace the plugs with the double platinum, (aprox 64.00 for all 8), at least you won't have to do it again for another 100,000 miles. Some more experienced SHO guys on this site might know an easier way to get at those plugs. In a nutshell, maint. isn't cheap but with those kind of miles, someone else has already taken the major depreciation hit for you. Good luck -Tacmedic

 

[ChevyGuy]

The guy said the car had regular service at the Dealership where it was purchased (128 Ford). He also said the oil was changed every 3k miles. When he first started the engine I was worried, because it kept making a "ticking" sound every 10 seconds or so. We realized it was because the AC was turned on, and when we turned it off the ticking went away, and the car ran EXTREMELY smooth and quiet - quieter than my friends 4 cyinder Camry( )! He's selling the car because he just bought a new Volvo s-80. He was going to give the car to his daughter but decieded not to because it was "too much car" for her. So, you guys don't advise me to buy it because of the repair/maintainance costs I'd be looking at?

 

[SHODWN]

the harsh ride is caused by a bad sarc sensor or controller. and easy fix.

Also the maintence may have been done on a regular basis but I bet the rear plugs have not been done. there are a few things upon getting it I would do.

the entire plug job should only take about an hr, providing the ground strap retaining nut comes off. then it can turn into a easy 4-5 hr job

Email me off list and well talk

 

[ChevyGuy]

I forgot to mention something: we had the car idling for about 20 minutes while we looked it over, and my dad noticed in addition to the small puddles of water directly under the tailpipes, there were two small other puddles under the car, right before the each of mufflers. Is this normal??

the harsh ride is caused by a bad sarc sensor or controller. and easy fix.

Not to sound dumb or anything, but what's a sarc sensor?

 

[Hochness]

Where they puddles of water? If so there could be a hole before the muffler. You would probably notice a "ppppppp" sound (like a Honda on steriods) if there were any holes. Other than that I don't know.

Just to give you another alt. (but I'm sure you don't want to come to Oklahoma unless you had too)...There is a 97 Black SHO tinted windows and the all the rest that came with a 97 with 76,000 miles on it for $7895 or $7995 I can't remember exactly, but it's in great shape.

In my pesonal opinion 96,000 miles for a 97 sounds pretty high. I would try and find one with less miles. If you do decide to go with it though, welcome to the family and have fun!!!!

P.S. Always use high octane!!!

Sam
Sam's 98 SHO Page

 

[mholhut]

Hochness:

In my pesonal opinion 96,000 miles for a 97 sounds pretty high. I would try and find one with less miles.

How's a '96 with 124000 miles?

 

[shogirl]

Good luck.

It would be nice to have another SHO owner in town.

 

[LASTSHO]

ChevyGuy:
I forgot to mention something: we had the car idling for about 20 minutes while we looked it over, and my dad noticed in addition to the small puddles of water directly under the tailpipes, there were two small other puddles under the car, right before the each of mufflers. Is this normal??

the harsh ride is caused by a bad sarc sensor or controller. and easy fix.

Not to sound dumb or anything, but what's a sarc sensor?

Could be small leaks in the tailpipes. Just have your mechanic check it out...might be a reason to offer less on the car. Shouldn't take more that $30 at a good mechanics shop to weld any spots.

SARC stands for Semi-Active Ride Control...special struts.

Check V8SHO.com for more info...it'll just take awhile to wade through all the cam info...

Oh yeah..plan on getting the cams welded with that much mileage on it. $450 there...then peace of mind.

 

[JaySHOguy]

Hey ChevyGuy,Look here!

http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000534

 

[SHOntell]

My muffs have always leaked a watery type of substance since I purchased it. Even after installing new muffs it still leaks a bit. I have never been worried, just thought it was condensation or something

Oh well, I am not gonna fret about it

Mike

 

[ChevyGuy]

How's a '96 with 124000 miles?

What kind of repairs and maintainace have you had to do with those miles?

 

[RStalveyARFF]

ChevyGuy:

How's a '96 with 124000 miles?

What kind of repairs and maintainace have you had to do with those miles?

eh, just a new engine wink Mike unfortunately fell victim to the cam problem.

 

[ChevyGuy]

eh, just a new engine

Ouch! Anybody have any idea on how common those engine failures are, i.e. what percentage of gen III's will have the problem?

 

[EQPlayer]

I'm not an expert, but from what I hear the cam problem won't affect all GenIII's, and if you catch it in time, you'll hear a clicking/spinning sorta sound, they can weld the cams and it'll be fixed.

 

[ChevyGuy]

Well my brother looked over the car, and gave it a pretty clean bill of health. There were only two things he noticed, which was a oil line near the radiator was leaking a little, and the front crank valve (I think that's what he said) was leaking a little. I'm assuming neither of those are expensive repairs. The seller has someone coming to look at it tomorrow, and I don't know what to do; should I make the guy an offer or hold out for a better car - one with less miles? Help me out here, people, you own these cars. Are they really all that bad to keep running? Are they "too much car"-as my dad says- for a college student? The main thing that is worrying me about buying the car is that my dad keeps cautioning my about the high costs involved with owning a "fast" car. What should I do???

 

[mholhut]

ChevyGuy:
The main thing that is worrying me about buying the car is that my dad keeps cautioning my about the high costs involved with owning a "fast" car. What should I do???

Simple, buy a maxima.

 

[Buford]

Just thinking my struts only lasted 50k, if your OE struts are still on the 97 with 97k you will have a numb nutz ride and crumy feel to the steering wheel.