New Guy here....a few quick questions

[elund126]

I am going to look and possibly purchase a 2010 SHO tomorrow. What in your opinion, is the biggest thing I should look at as far as "Red Flags" before I buy?

I read all the forums and see all the issues regarding the tranny. However, I also own a 2007 F250 with the 6.0L diesel and everyone said that engine was a ticking time bomb, but it has been problem free for me.

This would be my second SHO. Any feedback is appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Nothing wrong with the tranny. They are no more problematic than other automatics. Guys who are running low 12's have not had any tranny problems that I am aware of. Sometimes tranny shifting is weird, but that's the programming.

Definitely look underneath, and pull the underbelly cover to look for fluid leaks.

 

[RedCandySHO]

I agree, no transmissions problems I have heard of. As Bob said, the biggest complaint with these cars is turbo / PTU leaks. Make sure it looks clean and has no oil / fluids leaking. Other than that, get as low as mileage as your budget will allow.
You won't regret your purchase. They are awesome cars, especially if you put an aftermarket tune in them.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Also, make sure tail lights aren't flaking off the chrome trim... And if so, get the dealer or seller to replace (if possible under warranty).

 

[elund126]

Every used SHO I've looked at has the chrome flaking off the tail light trim!!! That's pretty annoying.

Has anyone scraped all that chrome off and painted black? I am thinking it might look decent on a black car???

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[Crash712us]

Yes there have been members that have done exactly that.

 

[esfoad]

I did it. I used Plasti-Dip based on recommendations from other members here. Was not too hard to do, the longest was masking it off. But it looks awesome. My car is cinnamon color so if it works well on that it should look great on any color.

 

[mval]

my tranny '10 SHO as well only in auto mod, especially when shifts down to 1st on my hilly driveway with clunk, but very infrequently. Never had trouble in manual mod. My rear lights flaked as well but had replaced by dealer 1 1/2 yrs ago no flaking. Other than that twice problems with heating, blend door on passenger side twice replaced. So make sure heat coming out of both driver & passenger side

 

[itguy08]

My early build '10 has been good.

No tranny issues other than some bad programming which was sorted out and some bad transmission range selectors. Other than that, it may shift odd at times (a programming issue) but when you want the power it will be there. My wife's 03 Escape will clunk sometimes on shifts - has done that practically since new and now has 123k on the original transmission.

Other weak areas are the chrome taillights peeling (mine were replaced 3x) and some minor rattles and such. Nothing out of the ordinary for an all new car.

Go for it - you will love it!

 

[elund126]

I did end up buying a 2010....flaking tail lights and all. I have discovered that damn sun screen rattle with the stereo turned up. Other than that, we love the car. Time to fix the crappy detail job the dealer did!!

 

[SHOrod]

Congratulations, and welcome to the 4th Gen SHO family!

Try raising the sun shade up and see if the rattle is still there. If so, the rattle may actually be a wiring harness that a few of us have experienced located forward of the sunroof opening, passenger side, above the headliner. I was initially convinced it was a sun shade rattle as well....

-Rod

 

[mval]

Rod:
I actually had a rattle on drivers side when sun shade was down only & dealer replaced it with a new one & the rattle went away

 

[elund126]

Congratulations, and welcome to the 4th Gen SHO family!

Try raising the sun shade up and see if the rattle is still there. If so, the rattle may actually be a wiring harness that a few of us have experienced located forward of the sunroof opening, passenger side, above the headliner. I was initially convinced it was a sun shade rattle as well....

-Rod

Rattle goes away when the shade is up.....anybody seen any how-to's on taking all that back deck lid apart?

 

[mval]

Well cleaned my SHO thoroughly Sat since was 60 in STL & guess what I found, one of the tail lights has just started to flake. Thought they had it right after my 2nd set was good for 1 1/2 yrs. Wrong. Thinking of painting them with plastic dip black, since my SHO is white w/black trim

 

[itguy08]

Rattle goes away when the shade is up.....anybody seen any how-to's on taking all that back deck lid apart?

Sure - it's not that hard...
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=124291

Basically the side bolsters have to come off the back seats. The plastic molding then unscrews and pops off the sides. Then take off the plsatic clips behind the rear seats that hold the carpet on. Pull the carpet out.

Reassembly is reversed.

IIRC it took me a little over 30 mins to figure how to get it out and 15 to put it back together again.