New guy looking at 2010 SHO

[Jay10sho]

Hi guys, new guy and first post here.

I'm going to look at a 2010 sho this afternoon and I'm curious about common problems are either them. Being a first year model I'm sure there are more than a few things to look out for. Surprisingly Google as well as a forum search came up dry. I hate to be this guy but if you could point me in the right direction i would appreciate it.

Looks like its bone stock with 108k on it. The seller has been pretty difficult the past few days, they haven't given me the vin to run yet. I'm hoping I can get it run while I'm on the test drive. They said no problems, just a clean, fun, big car. I come from sports cars so this will be an adjustment, especially with no manual trans option . I'm thinking after a visit to a few of our sponsors websites I wont regret it tho.

I hear of transmission "shudder" but it goes away after a tune. Also the water pump is run from the timing chain? Is this true? Sounds like at 108k it should already have it replaced, or it will need it. I've also read about the ptu needing the have the fluid changed every 30k? How bad is it if the previous owner doesnt have any records of this?

Thanks for the help, hopefully I'll be a fully fledged sho owner by tonight if everything looks good

 

[SM105K]

If the owner refuses to give you the VIN. Move on. Mind telling me your budget?

 

[SHOdded]

Welcome, and best of luck on your quest. You may have to cast your net wider if this one does not pan out.

 

[Jay10sho]

They didnt refuse, just said they weren't near the car when I asked, twice. I'll get it first thing before the test drive and hopefully I will have the results back before the test drive is over. I definitely wont buy it without getting the carfax.

I'm not exactly in the market for an sho, but this one seems reasonably priced at the kbb price, I believe they go for a bit higher in the private market. I've always liked them but I can't spend 15-20k on one.

I figure for the price it's definitely worth looking into. The more common problems I know about beforehand will make it an easier decision.

 

[SM105K]

The SHO isn't a normal car. It requires upkeep and preventative maintenance. It is an investment that 9 times out of 10 will not return in monetary form. They are more of a passion project. There are numerous issues that affect the SHO. Yes the water pump has been know to fail without proper maintenance. Yes, turbos fail. Yes, the transmissions (some) do shudder and have been know to fail (ask me how I know). These are more high money item parts compared to a normal car. Add in all AWD components ect....

First things first. Have ALL of the fluids changed. Engine Oil, Coolant, PTU, RDU, and I would start transmission fluid cycle change. I personally would drop 5 quarts of trans fluid (Mercon LV) and then add 5 quarts. I would do that every 1000 miles, for at least 4000 miles.

If the owner can give you records then the maybe think about it. I personally would be looking for a 2013+ and spend a little bit more money.

 

[Jay10sho]

I have no problems doing the maintenance, I've owned turbo, awd, and awd turbo cars before.

I'm hoping theres a buyers guide or list somewhere of common issues. Usually forums have then in the stickies up top but I didnt see an answer there either.

I'm not looking to make money off of it, just have a nice quick daily driver. Now I drive a 97 jeep cherokee xj with 245k on it. I have a feeling I'm going to like the sho . I just dont want to get into something that is known for unreliability. I see lots of sho's with 120, 150, 180k and up so that makes me believe the have potential. I've been looking at a few older Lexus', my dad has an 06 es300 with 180k and its treated him well. Can't go wrong with toyota when I comes to reliability. I like the awd because I live in chicago and it's a must have for my daily driver. The rest is icing on the cake.

 

[Jay10sho]

Also, if anyone is coming from or has gone to a 335xi I'm interested in a compairson as well. I have much more experience with the BMW's. I know they have a boatload of issues themselves, but you can get a 6 speed stick, it's a huge plus for me.

 

[SM105K]

I have no problems doing the maintenance, I've owned turbo, awd, and awd turbo cars before.

I'm hoping theres a buyers guide or list somewhere of common issues. Usually forums have then in the stickies up top but I didnt see an answer there either.

I'm not looking to make money off of it, just have a nice quick daily driver. Now I drive a 97 jeep cherokee xj with 245k on it. I have a feeling I'm going to like the sho . I just dont want to get into something that is known for unreliability. I see lots of sho's with 120, 150, 180k and up so that makes me believe the have potential. I've been looking at a few older Lexus', my dad has an 06 es300 with 180k and its treated him well. Can't go wrong with toyota when I comes to reliability. I like the awd because I live in chicago and it's a must have for my daily driver. The rest is icing on the cake.

At least you kinda know what you are getting into. I would research the forums. There are many threads on here with tons of information about water pumps, turbos, and transmissions.

 

[SHOdded]

Manuals, attractive as they may be, are obsolete performancewise when compared to their automatic counterparts. May be a deliberate strategy employed by the manufacturer, IDK. If someone provides the manual option (true manual), that is a niche market. Yeah, I do like driving manuals, but not for my daily driver, which has to contend with traffic and rush hour.

As far as the SHO, I think there is nary an owner that will not agree you need a tune to get the transmission to live up to its' shifting potential. OEM shift strategies are pretty sloppy. Sometimes you need shift pressures lowered, sometimes add a little bit of extra fluid, but the tune is where it's at.

 

[luigisho]

The previous owner more than likely did not change any drivetrain fluids. The manufacturer has listed the PTU as never needing it changed, even if they and we know that is not a great idea. There are alot of design weaknesses and you have to accept that risk if you want to pull the trigger. The risk is those powertrain weaknesses can be very expensive to replace. At this mileage you are looking at probable significant maintenance outlay as all the fluids would need done, turbos have a good amount of miles to keep an eye on, and the water pump is getting up there as well.

 

[Jay10sho]

Ok, I'll look into wp, turbos, and trans threads, anything else?

I'm planning on tuning it day two so that's a given, along with basic bolt ons. That's a different question/thread tho. I'll focus on checking it out and buying it first.

I dont want to get into an auto manual debate, I'll just say all of my 5 cars are manual. I'll leave it at that, different strokes for different folks.

Anything else to look into?

 

[SM105K]

I have my ownership thread here.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/couple-of-goals.138235/

I believe there is some good information within the thread. Everything from mods, to the track, to dyno, to different tunes.

 

[luigisho]

Anything else to look into?

A good mechanic who will change the PTU fluid on request no matter what the old ford guidelines are. After the big stuff you just have to skim for other things like condensation in the CAC (charge air cooler aka intercooler for the rest of the world) smaller things like stereo/nav issues etc.

 

[jman1200]

I'm not exactly in the market for an sho, but this one seems reasonably priced at the kbb price, I believe they go for a bit higher in the private market. I've always liked them but I can't spend 15-20k on one.

I wasn't looking for one either, I was looking at SUV's... then my kids said... "are we going to have two of the same?" (we already have one)... and here I am.
Mine had similar mileage as the one you are considering, only reason I bought it is because the water pump, timing chain and both turbos had been replaced recently. Previous owner was a car enthusiast and had means ($$$) to maintain it.