wife wants a sho, please advise

[cedwards]

The wife and i are in the market for a newer used car. We are currently looking at fusion ecoboost's, but she really fell in love with the taurus sho. I like the car as well but am concerned about fuel mileage. She drives between 75-100 miles per day.

What mods can be done to getvthe fuel economy up on these cars? Is there any chance at getting 28+ hwy mpg? If so, what do i need to buy? I have searched google for hours and found nothing. Please help. Thanks!

 

[Festus Hagen]

You/she would have to drive so conservatively, the SHO would be a waste of you money IMO. The non-SHO, front wheel drive versions of the Taurus should get that highway mileage or better. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this car, but it might not be the right tool for the job?

 

[cedwards]

I agree with you, that is why i have her looking at ecoboost fusions. She really loves a sho we ran across though, and i cant convince her to just buy a limited taurus. She wants a sho.

So are there any mods that increase fuel mileage? Her current vehicle averages around 25mpg, was hoping to get her in something at least that good, better would be ideal. I really wanted her in something closer to 28+mpg, but you know how women are. Once they make up their mind, its hard to change.

 

[Festus Hagen]

In her defense, I get it (obviously). My commute is short right now, but I really wanted something with much better gas mileage than my previous car (was actually mulling over a brand new Focus before my 2011 SHO found me.)

There are a few ideas that come immediately to mind, the problem is that most of them aren't cheap... so if you're looking to improve gas mileage to save $$, they might have a negative effect.

A good set of iridium spark plugs wouldn't hurt anything if the car does not have them.

There are some Low Rolling Resistance tires available for each of the stock wheel/tire sizes, you might get an incremental increase out of them but unless the car needs tires, it may be a losing proposition in terms of investment/return.

I've read that a performance tune can help gas mileage (provided you can keep your foot out of it), I have not done this (yet) but it's another pricey investment (say, $800, give or take?)

On the other hand, if she's a good driver and the vehicle is merely kept in good condition, I don't think 25mpg is unreasonable to expect for highway mpg. I believe that's what the 4th generation SHOs are rated for by the EPA to begin with.

 

[sperold]

You will be in a world of trouble if you advise her into anything other than the car she wants.
On a car you like, you will put up with all kinds of inconveniences and problems. On something you don't like, you will be looking for issues to complain about.
The cost of fuel is the last thing you should worry about.
Just be happy she cares enough about cars to have a preference.

 

[cedwards]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I looked into a tune package by livernois, appears to be an air intake kit and programmer thats adds mpg and hp. At $1,000 though it would take a long time to recoup that money in savings.

I definitely agree that talking into something she doesnt want is a bad idea, i try to let her do what she wants for the most part. I just want her to have all the facts before she jumps into something she may regret.

By my calculations, the sho would cost us roughly $50 more a month in fuel on average than the fusion, not really a big deal there, but the sho is $8k more up front. Im not terribly concerned about the payments being higher, as we are very responsible with our money and either car is well within our budget. Im just trying to weigh total cost of ownership and loss of value at trade in time later as well.

 

[Festus Hagen]

As for me I definitely blew it, another car I considered was a Subaru Forester which brand new would have had similar payments to my SHO (and likely more value when they are both paid for, being brand new today vs. a 2011). The SHO is a car I can be passionate about though, the Soob would be fine but just a tool to get me back and forth from point A to point B. Has to be some value in that

 

[sperold]

Here are some real world numbers, contact the people with great results and see how they did it, and what equipment made it possible.
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/whats-your-average-mpg.122730/

 

[jontyrees]

I easily get 26-27 on the highway in my SHO if I'm driving 75mph, 24-25mpg if I'm doing 80-90mph (I'm in central Texas, we have an 85mph limit on one of the toll roads in my area). Combined hwy/urban commute, I'm mid-19s, and I do not baby it. The hwy mileage in the SHO is no less than the hwy mileage in a regular Taurus, unless you're ******* it all the time.

Plus, the difference in total gas cost between getting 28mpg on the highway or 24 is not that significant. Say you have a 100mile round trip commute, that's 3.57 gallons at 28mpg, 4.17 at 24mpg. 0.6 gallons a day, gas is currently cheap, say it's $3/gallon, that's $1.80 a day. Get coffee at McDonalds instead of Starbucks, and you're coming out ahead!

 

[cedwards]

Well we just left the dealership and have a 2014 sho with 25k miles sitting in the driveway for the weekend. We'll decide on monday if we are going to keep it or not. So far, i really like it.

 

[SHOnUup4]

If you keep the rpm's below 2100 it will get great MPG'S. But that's a hard thing to do when pressing the skinny pedal is so fun.

Rich

 

[sperold]

You will be keeping it.

 

[Wild13SHO]

You should see better mileage with a non-PP SHO as the final gearing is better for highway mileage.

 

[jontyrees]

Well we just left the dealership and have a 2014 sho with 25k miles sitting in the driveway for the weekend. We'll decide on monday if we are going to keep it or not. So far, i really like it.

how much are they asking, if you don't mind giving that info up?

 

[cedwards]

$29,900 out the door.

 

[WojoMojo]

Not a bad price for a 2014 SHO (depending on options). Another option is to look at the limited with the 240 hp 4 cylinder ecoboost, or even the 288 hp v6 which is still peppy! It's not nearly as fast but you could get a tune with the 4 cylinder ecoboost to get more power if that's the issue, and those are rated a LOT better mpg than the SHO and cheaper too! As far as sporty looking, there are limited's with the same rims that are offered on the SHO (not the flower pedal ones as those are SHO specific) but there is another set that is black/chrome and look pretty cool and sporty. There is a black 2014 limited that lives close to me (older couple) with those rims and it looks SWEET. I have my 2010 black on black on black SHO and you'd honestly not know which is more sporty (exterior wise) unless you knew about the SHO.

Here is what that 2014 limited looks like with those rims I'm talking about, very sexy, just not a SHO!

 

[cedwards]

As far as i can tell it has about every option there is other than the performance package or whatever it's called. We discussed a limited, she wants a sho. Limiteds are much cheaper.

The wheels you posted are the ones she wants the most. We have not been able to find one that wasnt wrecked with those wheels.

 

[WojoMojo]

Well whatever route you choose I'm sure you'll be happy! SHO's are amazing cars, and definitely worth the pretty penny in my opinion. I fall in love with mine more and more each time I drive it! I can't think of a car I'd want to replace it with, unless it was a newer model SHO. I know how woman are though haha they see something they want and won't stop until they get it and the SHO is definitely something to be desired. If she hasn't test drove a limited she should. I started by test driving a 2013 limited and I was ready to buy even though I really wanted a SHO, mostly because I didn't want my college friends to think I was crazy going from a Mustang to a Taurus (unless it was super sporty!). The 13 limited had some decent pep for a 4 door sedan, but I went with an older 2010 SHO which was the same price, and I'm very happy about it.

 

[bpd1151]

Just go completely opposite & bring her home a Focus ST.....

"Honey I'm home..... SURPRISE!"

Lol

 

[SHOdded]

Buy a beatermobile as a gift wrapper for the ST!