Looking to buy, have some questions

[slacker]

Hello - I'm looking to buy a '13+ SHO soon, maybe this coming weekend, and I have a few questions. I live close enough to the oil boom that everything's more expensive here, so I have to drive a few hundred miles to find a decent deal. I want to make sure I know everything I need to know before I go test drive a few and potentially buy a car in a single day. I'm hoping you folks can help.

I see that some cars have the Sony badge and some don't. Is this a reliable indicator of the 401a package?
How different is the stereo system between the two? Is it the same menu system and options, just upgraded speakers? Do they both have the same SYNC system?
Does the non-401a still have bluetooth?

Do they all have both cooled and heated seats? Telescoping steering wheel?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions, but anything else I should look out for or need to know?

Thanks.

 

[sholxgt]

I'm not a SHO owner or expert so I'm sure that someone else can provide more information, but here's what I'm fairly certain of...

- Sony is an indication of the 401a package
- Sony includes more speakers and amplifier. Same Sync system including bluetooth either way
- climate controlled seats standard
- telescoping steering wheel standard

I had a hard time finding a good condition low mileage SHO and ended up with an MKS EB instead. Mechanically the same vehicle. Happy hunting!

 

[slacker]

That seems to answer all my questions so far. Thanks!

 

[slacker]

How do I know if it has the Driver Assist package? Is there something I can look for in pictures? I don't like relying on the dealer writeup.

 

[Sholab1]

2015 Equipment Group 401A

Features include:
• HD Radio™ • Audio System from Sony® • Auto high beams with rain-sensing wipers • BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert • Heated steering wheel • Second-row heated seats • Rear power sunshade



Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[slacker]

2015 Equipment Group 401A

Features include:
• HD Radio™ • Audio System from Sony® • Auto high beams with rain-sensing wipers • BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert • Heated steering wheel • Second-row heated seats • Rear power sunshade



Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Thanks. I found that information, I was just wondering if I could use the Sony badge as an indicator of that package, which sholxgt answered above. If the dealer doesn't list it (and even if they do) I'd like to know how I can get that info myself.

 

[Sholab1]

How do I know if it has the Driver Assist package? Is there something I can look for in pictures? I don't like relying on the dealer writeup.

Will be in menu on left

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[slacker]

Will be in menu on left

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Thanks!

 

[slacker]

Another question - is the 401a package worth seeking it out? My top choice (by far) is a '13 PP that doesn't have the 401a package, but aside from that the color, mileage, price, is exactly what I'm looking for.
How much better is the stereo?
HD radio - what does that actually mean?
How well do the rain sensing wipers work?
I've read a lot about the blind spots on the Taurus - is the BLIS really nice to have, or more of a gimmick?

Thanks.

 

[JimC]

I just got my SHO with the 401a package. The rain sensor wipers are pretty nice. They adjust based on the amount of moisture hitting the windshield so you don't have to adjust anything while driving.

BLIS is handy. My wife's MKZ has it and seeing the alert helps; didn't have it on my Mustang and I found that I missed having it.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[slacker]

I just got my SHO with the 401a package. The rain sensor wipers are pretty nice. They adjust based on the amount of moisture hitting the windshield so you don't have to adjust anything while driving.

BLIS is handy. My wife's MKZ has it and seeing the alert helps; didn't have it on my Mustang and I found that I missed having it.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Don't you have BLIS on your SHO with the 401a?

 

[JimC]

Yes, I guess my post wasn't clear. I have BLIS on the SHO and after driving my wife's Lincoln with it, I wanted it on the SHO

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[slacker]

Yes, I guess my post wasn't clear. I have BLIS on the SHO and after driving my wife's Lincoln with it, I wanted it on the SHO

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Got ya - thanks for the clarification. I just wanted to make sure that I'd be getting BLIS with the 401a package.
Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be needing the 401a

 

[SilverSH0]

Another question - is the 401a package worth seeking it out? My top choice (by far) is a '13 PP that doesn't have the 401a package, but aside from that the color, mileage, price, is exactly what I'm looking for.
How much better is the stereo?
HD radio - what does that actually mean?
How well do the rain sensing wipers work?
I've read a lot about the blind spots on the Taurus - is the BLIS really nice to have, or more of a gimmick?

Thanks.

I think the rain sensing wipers, auto high beams, and BLIZ are all great on the car. With the high belt line of the Taurus, I find the BLIZ extremely handy. This is especially true at night with dark tinted windows when another car's headlights might not be visible.

 

[JimC]

I forgot about the automatic high beams! Haven't seen them yet.

 

[ridered74]

What part of the country do you live? There are plenty of good deals on SHO's in Ohio.

As for knowing 100% which options a car you are looking at has, google FORD ETIS, should be the top link. Click top left of that page on Vehicle, copy and paste VIN number in and you will see 100% what all options the car has.

 

[slacker]

ND. I'm going to the Minneapolis area tomorrow to look and hopefully come home with something.
Thanks for the tip, I know how I'm spending my night...

 

[ridered74]

For comparison's sake, here's a 2014 PP for $21,300. Has 47K miles, but for that price if I was looking I wouldn't care about the miles.


http://www.jimschmidtford.net/used/...90a0e0ae8595b246cc3cc1f55.htm?searchDepth=1:1

 

[slacker]

For comparison's sake, here's a 2014 PP for $21,300. Has 47K miles, but for that price if I was looking I wouldn't care about the miles.


http://www.jimschmidtford.net/used/...90a0e0ae8595b246cc3cc1f55.htm?searchDepth=1:1

Thanks, but that's 16 hours from me, so that probably won't work. A better deal than I'll be seeing, but I'll already be seeing better deals than here, so that'll have to do.

 

[ridered74]

I use car gurus to find deals. If you are patient and wait long enough you can find the perfect one for you. I like the site because it tells you how long the dealer has had the car and how much they have lowered the price since they first got it. That gives you an idea of how low you might be able to offer them and still get the car.

Not sure if the link will work, but I did a search of all SHO's within 100 miles of zip code 55401. Good luck!

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...O+AWD&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true