Sleeper Status

[Psychlone]

One thing I really love about the 2010-12 SHO is the sleeper status of the vehicle. While I have had a few people recognize my '10 as a SHO, most of the time I'm able to blow the doors off of unsuspecting drivers who think the SHO is just a standard Taurus. The more aggressive looks of the 2013 combined with the increased advertising that Ford is doing touting the performance of the SHO is going to end the sleeper status of this car. Anyone else disappointed about this?

 

[TSS1]

I think the 2013 models are sharp. Even with the changes, I am guessing a lot of folks still won't take notice or necessarily be impressed - thus maintaining the sleeper status.

 

[typhoon5000]

Yea, I agree with TSS1, the backend of the 2013 SHO doesn't have many differentiating features and I don't think the lifted spoiler looks all that sporty IMO. The blacked out grill, headlamps and wheels might tip someone off, but the base SHO comes with pretty run of the mill silver 19" wheels.

 

[93rev2sev]

Speaking of not noticing the sleeper...Over the last few weeks, I've seen about a dozen new SHOs in the wild while driving my 90. I wasn't able to get the attention of anyone. Not one single New SHO driver has noticed the 90SHO next to it...

Seems the Detroit area has a lot of SHO driving, geriatric citizens.

 

[typhoon5000]

Yea, I've noticed that too. A lot of them are Ford manager leases as well, and most of them aren't really into cars. They just want the most loaded out version of the model of their choice aka the SHO for the Taurus.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I'm waiting for that day when a newer SHO tries to show me in an older SHO what's up...

...from a roll...

 

[SHOdded]

The Taurus is more aggressive sure for '13, but compared to other cars out there, no danger of losing the sleeper status. Maybe if they got a kick in the styling-rear from overseas. Anyways, SHO owners don't look for attention, their egos are not that fragile

It looks like Ford is focusing resources on the Fusion instead. The Taurus looks to continue "family duty".

 

[Night hawk]

Sleeper status is a great thing. Let the car rags continue to tell everyone how average the car is. Wait until the next gen of aftermarket parts hits the market, its going to be a good time....although I have to say that the ECOFLEX would be an even better sleeper in the truest sense.

 

[dohcsable]

After that post, I believe I need to find my double facepalm image....

 

[yamahaSHO]

I think my sleeper status will turn to a WTF status this year. With gold CCW's, a cowl hood, a whistle and a louder exhaust this year, people will wonder WTF I did to an old Taurus. . Giggity

 

[Night hawk]

Turbo and front and rear diff/tranny upgrades are going to really get things moving.

 

[roland]

i'm confused. In any case, the non-SHO's are alot more aggressive for 2013 as well and they will be coming with dual exhaust too which will make it even harder to tell SHO from non, I believe you can get the non SHO with a spoiler as well. It'd be interesting to see what kind of power can be made from the 2.0 EB engine, as it'll be sharing that motor with the Focus ST, Fusion Titanium, Explorer, Edge, and Kuga/Escape. A 300+ HP 4 cylinder Taurus might be an even bigger sleeper.

 

[dohcsable]

I agree with Roland, they will always be a "sleeper" as its just a performance Taurus. It is nothing special really, the only reason I bust your balls Night Hawk is to keep the ego in check. This community(more like a cult) is great. If anyone ever asks what the car is, just reply "it is just a Taurus." I don't want to get looked at by the rest of the automotive communities as how all the srt4 owners have been viewed. I'll own a gen 6 when the become affordable(after all the depreciation).

 

[SHOrod]

Over the last few weeks, I've seen about a dozen new SHOs in the wild while driving my 90. I wasn't able to get the attention of anyone. Not one single New SHO driver has noticed the 90SHO next to it...

I've had the opposite experience around here. I've been unable to get the attention of the older SHO drivers when I'm next to them at intersections or pass them in the oncoming lane. It seems most them maybe don't understand what they are driving, or they don't care. Having had a '93 and a '98 in the past, and been a fan ever since my uncle opened the hood on his '89 before I had a license, I notice other SHOs on the road an am saddened by the number of older SHOs I encounter that have obvious misfires and are rusted out.

-Rod

 

[apex]

I'm just bustin balls too. Outside this forum with our tastes being the same we would get along just fine.

 

[apex]

As for the sleeper side of it, the Taurus has wiped the smiles off of a couple Camaro and Mustang guys faces. I'm thinking of taking off the sho emblems and putting on SEL to really add insult to injury.

 

[TSS1]

Just to throw it in the mix, even guys who may know what to look for on a Taurus to determine it's an SHO, rarely have a clue that an Eco MKS can perform similarly. The MKS is a **** of a sleeper too. As is the Eco Flex....etc.

And for the record, I like both older and newer SHO's. LOL.

 

[typhoon5000]

Just to throw it in the mix, even guys who may know what to look for on a Taurus to determine it's an SHO, rarely have a clue that an Eco MKS can perform similarly. The MKS is a **** of a sleeper too. As is the Eco Flex....etc.

And for the record, I like both older and newer SHO's. LOL.

That's true. I noticed all '13 Flexes get dual exhaust now too, so it makes it extra hard to spot EB ones. The MKS can be a bit easier if they have the EB appearance pkg with painted lower trim, spoiler, blacked out headlamps, unique polished 20" wheels and a red "S" instead of chrome in the MKS on the trunk. I'm not sure if they carried that pkg over on the '13 though. I have yet to see one at least.

 

[TSS1]

True ^^ but I have seen very few with the ecoboost appearance package. When I was looking, I found about 20 MKS ecoboosts within 200 miles of my zipcode and only 2 had the package as I recall. Without that package, the only visual difference is the little ecoboost badge on the right side of the trunk lid. I have thought about taking that off too, not to be more of a sleeper, but just because I like less badging and in all candor, the little ecoboost emblem is kinda ugly to me.

 

[TonyTheTIger57]

I showed a teen in a 97 Taurus whats up, he thought he was going to try to keep me from getting around him as he putted along in the fast lane, that slow pile didnt have a chance.