Which year Gen3??

[Silver95]

In your opinion, what is the best year for the Gen 3 V8 SHO and why? I read that the 96-98's were the most equiped ones and in 99 FOMOCO tried to cut down on costs and made a lot of things cheaper? What are some of the more important changes/differences. 99's also did not have the SARC suspension from what i hear. I personaly like the 98's the best. They seem to have the better interior compared to the 99's along with the chrome rims and they are newer than the 96-97 cars. *Whats the difference between 96-97's?

 

[MilTownSHO]

96 is my favorite year because it had all the little extras that were cut out, like the JBL system, the lights in the doors instead of just reflectors, brake light out and other dash lights were still hooked up, etc...

 

[Silver95]

but weren't the 96's the slowest because of all the extra weight?

 

[luigisho]

None of them are going to be all that fast. They're quick sedans and nice daily drivers. Find the one that's been treated well and/or has less miles. That's the best bet.

 

[Want.to.be]

Really only noticable things for me was the

Antenna
cup holders
and the suspension deal.

I like my 99 model the best for me.
Less chance for the cup holders to break.
easier swap out of the antenna, euro style.
and the auto suspension wont have issue like my dads lincoln did.

just my 2 cents.

jpc

 

[shoteen95]

i havent heard the JBL system in the 96's...but the MACH stereo in my mom's 98 isnt too bad...but it still doesnt sound nearly as good as the gen 2 jbl system...and certainly no where near as good as mine

 

[Silver95]

I dont know about that SHOTeen. I have heard the mach sound system in a 2002 Taurus and after having two Gen 2's with the factory JBL, i must say that the Mach sounds better, or atleast the bass is louder?

 

[SHO5OH]

I like the 98's the best. The dash is still like the 96-97. IIRC the cup holders are the same as the 99. I think the rear lights look better in all red and the wheels are still chrome. That's why I bought a set for my 99.

 

[Silver95]

I love the star trek like cup holders in the 96's. My dads Sable has the same ones. Are they available in 98's?

 

[shoteen95]

I dont know about that SHOTeen. I have heard the mach sound system in a 2002 Taurus and after having two Gen 2's with the factory JBL, i must say that the Mach sounds better, or atleast the bass is louder?

maybe you're right...my stereo hasnt been stock for so long..i might not even remember what a stock setup sounded like

 

[Silver95]

I dont know, the JBL in the gen 2 is a very good sound system, but anyways, thats not the most important part of these cars anyways. So do all gen 3's 96-99 perform excactly the same?

 

[luigisho]

Same engine and same tranny. Ok minor differences but not enough to make one much superior to another. Like I said, get one that's not been beat on and that's the one to buy.

 

[Xmann01]

Hey... I thought the 98's had the weird speedo problem where the speedo goes to 0 after 110. I love the dash setup on my 99. Fortunately I have an early 99 so I still have the O/D off button. I'm pretty happy with my 99.

 

[Sagabu]

96 hands down ! 97 cloth seats ???, 98 tooo many corners cut , 99 is a 98 w/no SARC .
To me the 97 thru 99 are options deleted 96`s .

 

[Funmart6]

I have heard that the '96's and '97's have the best looking chrome wheels, I know that my chromes look really good.

 

[Mr. SHO]

96 hands down ! 97 cloth seats ???, 98 tooo many corners cut , 99 is a 98 w/no SARC .
To me the 97 thru 99 are options deleted 96`s .

There aren't too many cloth-interior SHOs. Seems like even though the leather wasn't always a standard option, most people ordered it anyway.

If you want the "theoretical" fastest SHO, it would be a '99 w/o sunroof or CD changer. That would drop some weight. The '99 wheels are lighter, too, and there is no power antenna.

However, what we are finding in terms of ACTUAL performance is exactly what LuigiSHO has said, it comes down to the condition of the car's engine and powertrain. And of course, there are the factory freaks, which don't seem to favor any one year over the rest. You just have to get out there and test-drive as many SHOs as you can and go with the one that is in the best running condition and has the most "get up and go". My SHO felt quite a bit faster than the half-dozen other V8 SHOs I drove while I was shopping around. That's why I bought it, even though it had some dings and scratches that the others didn't.

The cupholders are a personal preference issue--and the 98-99 cupholders can be had for ~$20 new and will fit any 96-99. Most of the other options are personal preference as well. I didn't want chrome rims, but many people would pay extra for them. Some people really want the tilting headrests, door "puddle lamps", and in-dash gear indicator of the 96 models. Some can do without these options. And of course some colors were only available in certain model years.

 

[RonPorter]

There aren't too many cloth-interior SHOs. Seems like even though the leather wasn't always a standard option, most people ordered it anyway.

If you want the "theoretical" fastest SHO, it would be a '99 w/o sunroof or CD changer. That would drop some weight. The '99 wheels are lighter, too, and there is no power antenna.

All '98s and '99s came fully loaded at a single price ($29,550 then $29,600). Not possile to get a non-moonroof model. I was looking at '98s when the were going to be the "last year", then I waited and bought a '99.

IMHO, I liked the '99 the best of those years. I liked not having the SARC system (hokey BS, IMNSHO) and I like fixed antennas. '99 SHO wheels are my favorite SHO wheels from any of the three Gens of SHOs. Plus, the '98 & '99 had the black composite MAF. Through an informal test, they do not get as hot as the pre-'98 AL one, and they cool off faster. The swiveling headrests from the '96 & early '97s would be nice (might be able to be installed, as I loved them on the Gen 1 & 2), and the double sun visors from the earlier years can be installed if you wish. The '99s were also a bit lighter than the earler Gen 3s (verified via certified scale weights). '99s have the hard door pockets and solid rear seat pockets, unlike the lack of pockets or the nets in earlier models.

However, your point is a good one. The newest one is now six years old. Find one with proper maintenance and records in a color you like, and that's the best Gen 3 SHO. Welded cams are mst desirable, and a new tranny is very nice.

 

[Glue Maker]

96
Decontent for just '97

My 96 is faster stock than a 97 and 98(9?) that around here. But not by much, my best stock time is a 15.9

 

[Snow]

Aren’t 99' Gen 3 rims the same as 96-98, just painted silver?

 

[DavidT]

Gluemaker, I forgot, whats your best 1/4 time?

Back to the stereo comparison... My 97 with the Mach has NO bass whatsoever :dig: