What are some common problems with the Ford Taurus SHO?

[Deranged]

Wow, I am glad that I didn't do a search after the first post! I am going to look at a 94 MTX tomorrow and this will definitely help me when I go to take a look at it!

The guy only wants 1000 dollars for the car, so I intend to do the 60K maint and also get the rod bearings done as well. I am partial owner of a body shop and am also a mechanic so this will keep me busy and interested in the car. Sometimes I just get tired of a car when it gets to a point of not being able to tinker with it much more.

 

[Deranged]

Ok, did I miss something, I could have sworn that I hit the post reply button and it never showed up...

 

[TYSHO]

Due to the limited performance market, the SHO is not a cheap car to modify. This isn't because it's a bad car, simply not as much market competition and small runs of custom parts being made. I don't think you can argue this if you've priced aftermarket parts for mustangs, C5/C6 corvette's, F-body's, imports, etc.

I'm a die hard SHO fan, but you'll never hear me say it's a cheap car to keep running in top shape or modify.

I don't know how I didn't see this post of yours Mark. The reason I was stating it's cheaper to modify is because when I was looking into other vehicles, damn near all require a new, complete bottom end if you want to slap a blower on. With a SHO, you can slap a blower on and not worry about the botton end with proper intercooling. If you don't slap a blower on, you ain't modifying!

 

[Northwestvoodoo]

The main problem I see here is that the car is for your GF. You will want to drive this car ... often. I bought my first SHO because I needed a car fast.(Not a fast car) I found it on a lot and bought it that day. I soon found this forum and promptly got scared of what I just got myself into. Sounded scary from reading some of the posts. I have come to find that I love these cars. I now have 3 (89 parts car $200, 89 standard mods, 94 atx DD). Not that my sig would show it. ( I'm lazy and can't type). As far as being a reliable car? Ya not bad. Cost of parts? Ya Not bad. Fun factor? Huge! My brother has a 1999 740i and what he spends on that piece of **** make me laugh.... every few weeks. Because it is always costing him money, big money. I believe a BMW air freshener is about $45.00 these days. In 14 months that he has had that car it has cost him $8,200 in after tax money to keep it running. That is way more than I have in all 3 of my SHO's.
Anyway, these cars are alot of fun and just about as stealthy as it can get. I say buy it, but for yourself. get her a hundaa. Lastly, Bimmer guys. Don't hate me. I like BMW, I just can't afford them.

 

[SUPERMN]

i just bought a 92 SHO today, it has 119k miles, bought it from the original owner, car is in near mint condition from the exterior to the interior and motor, and from what i learned from the previous owner it has been well maintained mainly everything from repairs to regular oil changes was done at the dealer, actually the lady i got it from had to have about a $1million dollar home, couple new stangs in the driveway, she was like a 50ish, she said she bought it new and paid cash,lol!! everything seems to be good on it, am curious about the clutches, it supposedly was replaced under warranty like 3yrs after she bought it cause there was a problem with it, so im guessing the clutch has just under 100k maybe lil less?? if the car has been taken care of what kinda of mileage can be expected out of it?? it seems to shift fine now, very tight, honestly feels like a new car clutch but you never know whats goin on inside i guess, also the fuel gauge seems a lil funky at a half tank, like it doesnt move very well mite be broken, whats the tank capacity on these?? i also asked her if its had any tuneups she acted like she wasnt real sure but said she was pretty sure they been done at least once would that be ok for this kinda mileage?? only thing she said thats had to be done on the car was a new radiator and waterpump, thats it!, she seemed to have $$ though and it looked like everything was done at the dealer so im sure she wouldnt even know if they did small lil repairs but... also whats the best oil for these motors?? what weight? synthetic, regular?? 1 last thing, whats a good value for one of these cars in perfect exterior and mechanical condition?? for what they are they dont seem to have much of a value, the few i seen on craigs list which may not of been in perfect cond but not bad were barely selling for more then $12-1300 same as a basic taurus almost, even the one i got barely was $2k bought again the lady i got it from didnt look like she was worried about $$ but why is there value so low??

t

 

[gas it]

Just save your money for a clutch job. Don't do any burnouts or speed shifts if you want the clutch and transmission to last. Tank capacity is 18.6. Don't even ask about oil because it will never end. Use Kmart 10w-30 and change it every 3k. You don't buy these cars as an investment. Any major repair will cost almost what it's worth.

 

[Troywakeling]

Well on the bright side while engine parts for the SHO can be expensive and hard to find, most of the rest of the car is all regular Ford Taurus and relatively cheap and easy to fix. Especially if your just looking to put it back into stock condition.
I have found most of my parts on ebay for cheap. I replaced my front pads and rotors for like 50 bucks. My rear loaded calipers were like 50 dollars each which is amazing at least to me when I work in parts at a Toyota dealer and calipers are like 300-500 dollars. Oxygen sensors are cheap I got mine for 49ea. So while some things are expensive don't let everyone scare you away, it's not that bad.
Im in the process of returning the one I just bought to stock tip top condition. Just purchased for 500 dollars.

 

[SUPERMN]

18.6 gallons!!! wow!, i havent done a complete fill up but that seems like alot, what kinda mileage is expected from F to E?? lady i got it from said the gauge seemed weird at like half tank like it was floating alot she didnt know wether it was on E or what so she always filled it at around half tank and it was like 200 on the trip, that would seem low to me if its on E buy 200 miles with a 18gal tank, i think she just liked to play it safe it though but.. yeah this one i got is in mint cond i think, the sticker on the windshield for the next oil change is coming up within 200 miles and i checked it, it looks like brand new oil and was rite on the money were it should be so thats a good sign

 

[jthod]

Most have the 18.6 gallon tank, some have a 16 gal. Thank you ****, for throwing another wrench into the SHO parts choices!