you are broaching human psychology now.
1, the 89 SHO is now a 14 year old car (late modely 88's). Though technically advanced for it's time...it is now merely an automotive oddity that is well...still a 14 year old car.
2, since your 93, there has been 2 more body style changes and the elimination of our SHO. Psychologically, even the 2nd GEN SHO appears old.
3, yes...the SHO is still a PITA to work on. weak trannies and a host of other gremlins contribute to a bad over-all image of the SHO.
4, though my car is pristine (as is your's, I'm sure)...I have seen many SHO's that are ready for the junkyard still on the road. This goes a long way to how one gets treated at any auto related service center. If you don't care..they don't care.
Now here's the scenario;
I show up with a $500 rusty and dirty 1989 Ford Aerostar AWD at my local FOrd Dealership. There's food stains on the ripped seats and piles of garbage on the floor.
My viscous coupling is broken and it is now dis-continued and extremely expensive anyways.
The appearance of my vehicle would tell the service advisors that I don't give a $hit about my ride but I want it fixed.
I fully expect to be treated like a yokel.
It's sad, I know, but long gone are the "good old days" when people actually gave a damn and did the best job they could.
FOrd sells hundreds of $50 000 Expiditions and Excursions everyday...why should they care about some person with a Absolutely mint 14 year old car that is still only worth $2000 max.
okay...end of rant...sorry about that..but you see my point?
My SHO is absolutely mint. Any time I show my face at the dealership, they scramble to help me because they know whatever it is I am there for, it is gonna cost HUGE FRIGGIN money...