Questions about 2011 SHO

[scott98101]

I'm about to retire my aging Audi and I'm considering the '11 SHO AWD as a replacement. I live in VT so I need a vehicle that handles well in the snow (and I'm trying to avoid getting a Subaru Outback although it's a good car), I drive 40,000 plus miles a year for work (mostly highways) and require a car that is very comfortable for very long driving days, is very reliable and not overly expensive to maintain. My goal is to keep my next car 5-7 years and rack up over 200K miles. I am looking for a dealership to test drive a SHO (with the contour seats). Any comments from '10 or '11 SHO owners who could share info on the SHO and how it may or may not be a good fit for me based on my driving needs would be appreciated. TIA
Scott

 

[invent4hir]

I've been through a Dayton, Ohio winter with my 2010 SHO and found it handles very well. While Dayton isn't known for lots of snow, it is notorious for ice storms which are then covered by 2-4 inches of snow. Thanks to the AWD, not once did the car break traction or loose control.

I've found the SHO to be a comfortable ride as well. This past summer I took a lot of long week-end trips to the car museums (Auburn, Studebaker) in northern Indiana and was very pleased.

As for reliability, its too early to say. Overall I'm pleased with the quality - though I am one of the SHO owners who experiences some acceleration/transmission problems. The problems I experience are more annoyances - not the kind that will leave me stranded somewhere. Look around the forum for different threads on this.

Compared to what I paid for Acura maintenance (my previous car was a 2005 TL), the cost seems very reasonable. I would imagine since you own an Audi, maintenance for it would be more on the order of an Acura than a Ford, so you may find a SHO less expensive as well. Just hope when I approach 100k miles, I can say the same thing.

Hope this addresses most of your questions. The SHO, while not being the best at any one thing, is pretty good at everything.

 

[hammerd]

It would appear that the car has been built pretty close to its limits. That would suggest frequent failures of parts that break.

 

[AmherstGuy]

Good dealer in NH

I'm about to retire my aging Audi and I'm considering the '11 SHO AWD as a replacement. I live in VT so I need a vehicle that handles well in the snow (and I'm trying to avoid getting a Subaru Outback although it's a good car), I drive 40,000 plus miles a year for work (mostly highways) and require a car that is very comfortable for very long driving days, is very reliable and not overly expensive to maintain. My goal is to keep my next car 5-7 years and rack up over 200K miles. I am looking for a dealership to test drive a SHO (with the contour seats). Any comments from '10 or '11 SHO owners who could share info on the SHO and how it may or may not be a good fit for me based on my driving needs would be appreciated. TIA
Scott

I bought my 2011 SHO from Ford of Londonderry, NH. They are located off I93 in NH (603-434-4141). They (salesman was Larry Rose... a real car guy) were very helpful to me during and after the sale. I had a 2005 Ford 500 that I traded and they gave me the Edmunds trade-in and I purchased under the X-Plan. I also purchased the extended warranty and maintenance packages so I would not have any unexpected expenses. I didn't want the multi-contour seats since it reduced the head room. I did get the performance package but replaced the tires with all season Michelin Primacy MXV4. I love the car... just drove to southern New Jersey and it was very comfortable and quiet ride. I wish you luck in your search.

 

[SHOSKER]

Sounds like you’re a sales guy like me. I purchased my SHO in April and already have 22,000 miles on it. I had the same concerns you did about the driving this long term. I have to say, this has been one of the best built cars I have ever driven. Still have to get through Winter, but so far the SHO has been great. I drove a 7 Series and feel the SHO is better! The BMW was always in the shop for minor nagging issues. The SHO has only needed oil changes. I would buy the SHO again!

 

[mjhpadi]

I have only had my SHO on one long trip (about 145 miles) but did it non-stop and the vehicle was very comfortable. I have the multi-contour seats and I am glad that I do, almost everyone likes the massage feature and they are pretty comfortable. Since I am a pretty big guy (350+) the seats get a real test from me. The only negative is that the headrests. I have had a few people complain that they feel like the headrests are pushing their head forward (my wife complained the most), personally the headrests are just about perfect for me. The heating and cooling are very nice, especially in the colder weather. I also have the rear heated seats that are welcomed by the rear passengers. I don't know about the 200k miles, I would think the car will be fine, but maintenance and keeping clean fluids would be a must. I change oil at 3000 miles, my trans fluid and filter get changed at 30K, I change fuel filter every 15K, and lastly I change engine coolant every 2 years. I am a firm believer that this really prolongs the life of any vehicle, Hope this is helpful.

 

[Crax]

Um yes I got the SHO back in May, drove it promptly from LA to Vegas. I have the adaptive cruise and I must say that is the feature you want on the highway. Damn thing almost drives itself! I find it comfortable to sit in though some of my passengers have complained about the headrests. You can readily sit in one and figure that issue out.

As for maintenance well: I am coming from an Acura where oil changes were $60 and god forbid you need like a 30,000 mile service. I am set to go in for an oil change/rotate tire gig this week at the Ford dealer, they have a special now $30. To each their own but the owner's manual says change oil every 7,500 miles or 6 months and that is the schedule I will be following.

 

[Hi Tek]

I think the SHO is a good fit. You might also want to take a look at the MKS EcoBoost which is Lincoln's interpretation of the SHO.

In the seat head rest, I find you have to angle the seat back a little more than you normally would to get a comfortable position with the anti-whiplash headrest.

 

[PonySHO]

A comfortable position I found was by angling back the entire seat, not just the seat back. Did that make sense?

 

[scott98101]

Thanks for the advice/info

I'll keep you folks posted. The biggest difficulty is locating an SHO near me to test drive. Grappone Ford in Bow, NH has an SHO, but not with the contour seats. Their pricing seems very competitive. I'll test drive any SHO, with or without the contour seats. Given the amount of driving I do, often 1K a week the massaging seats will be a nice feature. I certainly have to stay away from any vehicle that requires constant trips to the repair shop or is overly costly to maintain. My old Audi goes like stink, sticks like glue to the road and is fantastic in the winter, but has been a wallet vampire. Thanks again everyone for the replies.
Scott
VT

 

[PonySHO]

You might want to check if SVTOA members can get X-plan. The savings would more than offset the cost of the membership. I know MCA members get X-plan.

 

[itguy08]

I've had mine just shy of a year and it's been a great car. I've got just under 17k on it and it has only been to the dealer for oil changes and while there had them do a little work, nothing major just a few little nits.

I'll echo what the others said about the SHO - it's a great cruiser. We went from PA to Houston, TX (over 2500 miles in 1.5 weeks) this summer in the car and it was great. I really piled up the miles and didn't feel fatigued at all. Cruising on the highway steady with the adaptive cruise is awesome as is getting a massage. IIRC we averaged a hair under 25 MPG for the trip and that was great - we were running the A/C, cooled seats, etc for most of the trip.

I came from an Infiniti G35 and one thing I learned was that the Nissan dealer could do the non-warranty work at a considerable savings. I'm expecting this car to be as reliable as the G was. Which is to say very reliable. That being said I think I've spent around $45 or so for oil changes + tire rotations at the dealer. Since it's AWD they should be rotated every 7500 mile oil change.

It's a great car - you won't be disappointed.

 

[MadTel4]

I have only had my SHO on one long trip (about 145 miles) but did it non-stop and the vehicle was very comfortable. I have the multi-contour seats and I am glad that I do, almost everyone likes the massage feature and they are pretty comfortable. Since I am a pretty big guy (350+) the seats get a real test from me. The only negative is that the headrests. I have had a few people complain that they feel like the headrests are pushing their head forward (my wife complained the most), personally the headrests are just about perfect for me. The heating and cooling are very nice, especially in the colder weather. I also have the rear heated seats that are welcomed by the rear passengers. I don't know about the 200k miles, I would think the car will be fine, but maintenance and keeping clean fluids would be a must. I change oil at 3000 miles, my trans fluid and filter get changed at 30K, I change fuel filter every 15K, and lastly I change engine coolant every 2 years. I am a firm believer that this really prolongs the life of any vehicle, Hope this is helpful.

Try moving the headrest to the top of it travel that will move it away from your head if you are not to tall. Lee

 

[ttrull]

I live in Boston and travel up to Burlington, VT and Bangor, ME quite often. I must say by the time i get there i am GLAD to get out of the sho. I am 6' 6" and 380lbs so I am a little squished in the car but the car itself is worth it.

 

[Toms GT]

9000 on my 2010 and it is a perfect dream. I live in Michigan and had about the same concerns you have. If performance was not important I would get a Limited, As with and Turbo or Supercharged car 200K is a lot of miles.

I can tell you everyone who rides in it is amased. I did not get the performace packaged as I drive a lot and more side wall means a better ride when you consider 99% is non performace driving so I set the car up for the 99% needs.

Zero problems since new

 

[zeus268]

I certainly have to stay away from any vehicle that requires constant trips to the repair shop or is overly costly to maintain. My old Audi goes like stink, sticks like glue to the road and is fantastic in the winter, but has been a wallet vampire. Thanks again everyone for the replies.
Scott
VT

I got rid of my BMW 535ix for my SHO. I loved my BMW however what you said about the german cars being "wallet vampires" is exactly right. The SHO is more powerful, has twice the technology that my Bimmer had and was about half the price!!! Oil changes are very inexpensive and I can't imagine maintenance costs being near a fraction of my 5-series. Also, I'm excited to see how the SHO's AWD system handles our Canadian winters. The X-Drive system on my Bimmer was fantastic however I've heard good things about the Ford AWD system......

All in all I think that it was a good trade.....