Any Taurus SHO Brainiacs Out There?

[X6StringerX]

I'm looking at and possibly buying a '98 SHO tomorrow. It has 84k miles, white exterior, and gray interior. The owner said it is in excellent condition and just had new brakes installed all the way around as well as an oil change.

Does anyone know anything that I should watch out for with this particular model? Things that typically go bad? Problem areas? Any help would be appreciated. He's asking $3950.

 

[Willard]

Sorry this doesn't help any, but while he is asking about SHO's, I want to know what the year range is for them. I think they were only around for a certain generation, I just don't know what it is.

 

[Turdle]

I had an 89 with the Yamaha engine. It was cool. I don't know if i'd want to work on one though-especially with the v8 under the hood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_SHO

copied from above:

For 1996, the SHO was redesigned. Unlike its predecessors, this SHO was more refined and used less radical bodywork. It differed from the normal Taurus with different seats, wheels, bumpers, drivetrain, as well as a fin being put on the driver's side windshield wiper, to keep it on the windshield at high speeds. Unlike the previous SHOs though, this model was designed for comfort instead of performance.[10]

A 235 hp (175 kW) 3.4 L DOHC V8 was specified for the SHO model, but it was given the same four speed transmission as the LX: the manual gearbox option was no longer offered on the SHO.[11] Separation of the camshaft from its sprocket has been implicated in a growing number of engine failures, at around the 50,000 mile (80,000 km) mark.[12] The standard warranty on this model was 36,000 miles (58,000 km). This problem can be rectified by having the camshafts welded.[12] This SHO model sold in lower numbers than the previous SHO generations, with sales peaking at 9,000 units in 1997.[4] As a result, Ford cut the SHO when redesigning the Taurus for its fourth generation.

 

[X6StringerX]

I looked into them a little after making the thread and ran across the camshaft issue. I'm not sure what to think of it now...

 

[X6StringerX]

Well, I didn't get a chance to check out the SHO today, but I did look at a very nice '00 Exporer Sport 4x4. It was burgandy with tan cloth interior and it had 112k miles. The price blew my mind... it was on a car lot and they were asking $2950. Now is definitely time to pickup a 4x4 with gas prices the way they are... this thing was like new.

 

[Gator Jeff]

Whew...glad I'm not trying to sell mine. I have a Burg or Toreador Red as Ford would call it Sport, '00 with tan interior as well. I love it. I'd be curious to see how bad the rear end is sagging. Those mono-leafs are pretty much worthless by the time it reaches 100K. Did you see if it had the OHV or the SOHC engine in it. At that price, I'm guessing the OHV which is what I have. The OHV's aren't too bad though.

 

[IAmTodd]

It quite possible that the cams have already been welded in it. You won't know of course until you pop the valve covers off. I remember reading on one of the forums that someone would do front and rear for $700 as well as some other maintenance stuff. Another good thing to do if its torn down that far is to rotate the ignition coils, the rear ones fail because of high heat. Thats about all of my SHO knowledge. :lol:

 

[Dan Whitaker]

If you go with that POS Taurus I guarantee in about 10k miles you will be having the tranny rebuilt.

I speak from experince.

 

[X6StringerX]

I appreciate the replies everyone. I think I've pretty much decided to avoid the SHO. The 3rd gen isn't exactly the most desireable one anyway.

I didn't check into the X too much, but I have a feeling I'll find my way back to that lot. The Explorers keeping drawing me back in and that is a great price on a '00 model with 112k. I really hope it's the SOHC, but I've had the OHV before and I can live with it. I'll keep you guys posted on the Explorer situation.

I also looked at an '01 Escape 4x4 XLT today. It only had 127k, but it felt like it had 447k. The price on it was $4,000, but I don't think they'll get it. The OD didn't work, the engine missed, the airbag light was on, it had an exhaust leak, and it sounded like a valve was ticking when I started it up. I expected a lot more out of it, but I'm not really in the market for a FWD SUV anyway, lol... stupid concept.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Beg to differ...

I've owned 9 SHO's now, and as far as maintenance, the Gen III's are by far the least problematic. Once the cams are welded, aside from trans issues, they're spectacular cars. When properly running, you can expect mid 20's sometimes more MPG from the V8. If the trans services are done, they're not bad. Problem is, few people actually service the tranny's every 30k. Kind of sounds like trans problems from the Gen II Explorers...

I'd offer more but it sounds like you've ruled out the bull anyway.

 

[Joe Dirt]

If you go with that POS Taurus I guarantee in about 10k miles you will be having the tranny rebuilt.

While possible at those miles, you could need a rebuild, what's different about the Ex?

I've owned 9 SHO's now, and as far as maintenance, the Gen III's are by far the least problematic. Once the cams are welded, aside from trans issues, they're spectacular cars. When properly running, you can expect mid 20's sometimes more MPG from the V8. If the trans services are done, they're not bad. Problem is, few people actually service the tranny's every 30k. Kind of sounds like trans problems from the Gen II Explorers...

I'd offer more but it sounds like you've ruled out the bull anyway, although those miles on a '98 are pretty damn good for that price.