Looking at a GenIII Sho (First time SHO Buyer)

[random_rodder]

Hi All,

I am looking at a '98 SHO (at a small dealership) with 122,236 miles on it. During my research I have learned about the cam gear issue as well as the ATX problems. I have run a CarFax on it and here is what I found out (I'll leave out the info when it was new):

Florida Police Report Case #536169230
Accident Reported Involving rear impact
with another motor vehicle

07/28/2000
Florida Motor Vehicle Dept. Debary, FL
Title #0076085902

Title issued Loan or lien reported
12/04/2001 56,589 Auto Auction
Sold at auction in Southeast Region
Listed as a dealer vehicle

01/04/2002 56,597 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake City, FL Odometer reading reported for title

04/26/2002 64,988 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Oil and filter changed, chassis lubed
Miscellaneous service performed

08/01/2002 72,000 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Oil and filter changed, chassis lubed
Miscellaneous service performed

12/26/2002 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept. Lake City, FL
Title #0076085902
Title issued New owner reported
Loan or lien reported

12/26/2002 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake City, FL Title #0076085902
Registration issued or renewed
Registered as personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Black

01/10/2003 85,298 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Oil and filter changed, chassis lubed
Miscellaneous service performed

01/10/2003 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept. Lake City, FL
Title #0076085902 Registration issued or renewed
Registered as personal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Black

05/07/2003
95,041 Service Facility Vehicle serviced

05/29/2003 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake City, FL Title #0076085902
Title issued Correction to record
Loan or lien reported

10/31/2003 107,738
Service Facility Vehicle serviced

01/02/2004 Florida Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake City, FL Title #0076085902
Registration issued or renewed
Registered aspersonal vehicle
Vehicle color noted as Black

The car looks to be in great shape with minor wear on only the p/s front seat. Rest of the interior looks great. There is a minor scuff on the p/s front fender, about six inches long. Other than that, the exterior is clean and looks almost new.

What is scaring me, (knowing the cam issues) is the price. They are asking $4950 for the car. Well under Kelley Blue Book, even with excess mileage, KBB says > $8000. Add to that, the service at 107k, I have no idea yet if anything other than the oil was changed, nore do I know if the cams have been welded.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom on this issue? If it were a normal car, I'd have a really good idea of what to do. A SHO is no normal car, though.


Thanks,
Brian

 

[MilTownSHO]

First thing I would do is try to get a copy of the police report and see how hard the car was hit. Cars are generally never quite the same after any major accident.

As far as the cams go, more than likely they are not welded plan between $400-$800 bucks for that job depending on who you go to and what other services are done at the time (plugs, coil swap, etc)

The transmission is more than likely not original with over 100k on it, granted some people make it 150k on the original but the average lifespan of the factory transmission on a Gen III ATX is about 50k miles. Check the tranmission fluid, make sure it looks red, not dark, and make sure the fluid doesn't smell burnt.

Make sure the suspension is still nice and tight too, Gen III's (96-98's at least) have SARC (semi-active ride control) and the struts themselves are expensive to replace (about $150 a piece)

Check out these articles should I buy a used v8 sho and I just purchased a used v8 SHO along with the rest of the information on www.v8sho.com

I have two v8 sho's one with 43k and one with 154k, the one with the higher mileage runs just a quiet and smooth. As far as the price, you may be better off buying on already welded/owned by an enthusiast from the classifieds here or on www.shoclub.com

Best of luck!

 

[random_rodder]

Well, the police report indicated that the scuff/crease on the p/s fender was the result of the accident.

I test drove the car yesterday. Handling was better than average for a Taurus, ride quality was good and there was no play in the steering at all.

Tranny seemed to shift well. I didn't feel any slippage at all. While the shifts seemed set for the targeted age group. If I buy this car, are there any options available to firm up the shifts? I'd prefer they be a little snappier than they are.
Tranny fluid is far more red than brown, though it looks like a change is in order.

The dealer and I are still trying to determine if the 100k service has been performed, and I refused to even talk price until we knew for sure. He told me he'd sell it to me for a $1000 less than the sticker when I refused to talk. I'm betting he'll drop some more.

He is aware of the cam issues and knows not too many people will buy that car if they do just a little research.

 

[luigisho]

If the price is right, why not? Dicker the price down to where you can get the car with money left over for the cam weld and 100k service. I wouldn't pay $8k for any sho unless it came with a trunk full of money or had a really nice turbo/sc setup with upgraded engine internals and a quaife. Maybe not even then.

 

[SHOguy 92]

First thing I would do is try to get a copy of the police report and see how hard the car was hit. Cars are generally never quite the same after any major accident.

*looks at the 92's moonroof*

The dealer and I are still trying to determine if the 100k service has been performed, and I refused to even talk price until we knew for sure. He told me he'd sell it to me for a $1000 less than the sticker when I refused to talk. I'm betting he'll drop some more.

If the guy was willing to drop that far down in price with just you saying your not interested I'm sure he has a little more he can stretch for. Tell him you'll give him $3500, he'd probably bite. To firm up your shifts a chip would work, I don't know too much about Gen 3's or where to get chips, get out the sites that mittownsho suggested, that will help you out imensly. I don't know if throwing a chip on a stock tranny will shorten it's life, my guess is that it would.... but once again I am not sure. Good luck

 

[SHOWHAT9]

Mileage is no big deal = @20k per year, just a wee bit above average.
Tranny is a wear item on these cars.
Cams must be welded, have them eat the $500.00 for that.
There is no standard 100K service per se.
99% of furd Techs couldn't get the surge tank off.
When you get the cams welded follow the procedures on V8SHO.COM and call it a day.
Car is worth 3-3500.
Rear end accident could have been bumper cover buster and thats all.
Drive it? Like it? Understand the risks? If yes to all what are you waiting for????
BTW Chip is good thing for tranny's in these cars - keeps line pressure up they like that.