Might be my time for a SHO

[cdcdcdguy]

Hello from Indiana! Since the news of the cars cancelation in March 2019, my interest has peaked on this car. I wanted an SS before they pulled the plug last year, and almost bought a used Maurader. Here we are today, kids grown and gone, good jobs and I can afford this car. I see it as performance in a slightly plain and outdated form. NO offense intended. I used to love to run in my 95 Roadmaster with the LT1 engined. So much power from a Grandpa looking sedan.

I have a few questions before I drive one. Come this fall will there be an identical 2019 model or will they just carry over as an 18 until they are all gone? What are the main differences in the regular and performance model? I would probably prefer a softer ride. I plan to buy or lease new. Are these cars fairly reliable? Do you think I will get a better deal the longer I wait? What other words of wisdom can you give in my new search?

 

[Toolman]

Welcome! I’m a Yamaha SHO owner so I don’t have any advice on the 2010+ to give you, but welcome!

 

[SHOdded]

Welcome to the community, hope we can get your Q's answered!

 

[Lostneye]

Welcome, Production will run into 2019 so I would assume there will be a 2019 model year but I wouldn't expect any meaningful differences. If anything their may be less changes/variances in options to simplify the remaining production.

The performance package cars have additional cooling, 3.16 gears(opposed to 2.77 IIRC), the ability to completely turn off traction/stability control, revised suspension tuning(should be firmer but I have not ridden in a non-PP to compare how much difference can really be felt), performance brake pads, I'm sure there is something(s) I'm missing.

Overall they are not an unreliable car, however the PTU(power transfer unit, basically the transfer case that sends power to the rear wheels) is the weak point in the driveline and regular fluid changes are highly recommended. Turbos can go out but personally I feel this is normal all things considered, as with the PTU maintenance can make a large difference, use quality oil and change it regularly goes a long way. Timing chain stretch can happen and eventually will mess up timing enough they will need to be changed. And lastly for the larger stuff while not particularly unreliable the water pump is behind the timing cover on these cars so is a large job if it does go out, and also if it's leaking can dump coolant into the oil and take the whole motor out if not dealt with.

Personally I have put 25k miles on the car in a year and a half almost all of it tuned, it now has around 45k and the only issues besides maintenance were a bad ABS sensor and grainy backup camera both covered under warranty.

And I will add I would not consider keeping a SHO without tuning it. There is such a difference on newer turbo cars it makes no sense not to.

 

[zoomlater]

Welcome!

 

[cdcdcdguy]

Welcome, Production will run into 2019 so I would assume there will be a 2019 model year but I wouldn't expect any meaningful differences. If anything their may be less changes/variances in options to simplify the remaining production.

The performance package cars have additional cooling, 3.16 gears(opposed to 2.77 IIRC), the ability to completely turn off traction/stability control, revised suspension tuning(should be firmer but I have not ridden in a non-PP to compare how much difference can really be felt), performance brake pads, I'm sure there is something(s) I'm missing.

Overall they are not an unreliable car, however the PTU(power transfer unit, basically the transfer case that sends power to the rear wheels) is the weak point in the driveline and regular fluid changes are highly recommended. Turbos can go out but personally I feel this is normal all things considered, as with the PTU maintenance can make a large difference, use quality oil and change it regularly goes a long way. Timing chain stretch can happen and eventually will mess up timing enough they will need to be changed. And lastly for the larger stuff while not particularly unreliable the water pump is behind the timing cover on these cars so is a large job if it does go out, and also if it's leaking can dump coolant into the oil and take the whole motor out if not dealt with.

Personally I have put 25k miles on the car in a year and a half almost all of it tuned, it now has around 45k and the only issues besides maintenance were a bad ABS sensor and grainy backup camera both covered under warranty.

And I will add I would not consider keeping a SHO without tuning it. There is such a difference on newer turbo cars it makes no sense not to.

Thanks so much for the well thought out info. Really appreciate it.