Replacing the SHO
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Replacing the SHO
I'm going to be replacing my wifes Taurus SHO this summer. I have started the process and would like any feedback from the rest of you. Ya, I'm Ford Blue and wish Ford had something like I have right now. 48 Valve V8 4Dr. rocket ship. The closest thing is a Mustang for go and a run of the mill Taurus which neither is quite right. I am looking at either a Mazda 6 or Nissan Maxima or the Nissan Altima. All of these would have the V6 and the manual box. I know Mazda is a Ford in Japense clothing. I'd really like a 3 or 5 series BMW but are not really the blue jeans and t-shirt type of car. We both like power and don't want some pukey 4 or 6 cyl econobox. Has anyone owned one of these brands and had good or bad luck? I know the Maxima is quality thru out but not so sure on the Mazda. Thanks as I do need to do some serious searching soon so that we will have the car we want when the '04s come out.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Port Perry Ont Canada
Replacing the SHO
Take a look at this puppy it might be just what your looking for.
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/marauder/
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/marauder/
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 166
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From: Seattle USA
Replacing the SHO
We had a 2000 and 2002 Maxima. Both very nice cars, very cushy and those things both hauled. The 2004 Maxima is redesigned, but looks even better than the previous generation. I hear that there is massive torque steer, unfortanutely. I would defnitely consider the Maxima.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 633
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From: Oregon USA
Replacing the SHO
Originally posted by Nutter
Take a look at this puppy it might be just what your looking for.
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/marauder/
Take a look at this puppy it might be just what your looking for.
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/marauder/
hmmm.......... a police car in plain clothes
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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Replacing the SHO
If you have to leave the ford label to find a car you like, check out the new GTO's. they look to be pretty nice.
As far as Ford, I dunno, seems to me like they just don't put a lot of effort into anything but compact cars, trucks, & SUV's. Doesn't seem like the mid-size & full size cars get the attention they deserve. Maybe if they took the time to figure out what people wanted in a car, not everybody would run out any buy an SUV. Then the eco-****'s might be happy.
As far as Ford, I dunno, seems to me like they just don't put a lot of effort into anything but compact cars, trucks, & SUV's. Doesn't seem like the mid-size & full size cars get the attention they deserve. Maybe if they took the time to figure out what people wanted in a car, not everybody would run out any buy an SUV. Then the eco-****'s might be happy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,490
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From: CT
Replacing the SHO
If your looking for a "get up and go" car I suggest a Chrysler 300M. My parents have one, and now that my trucks in the shop, I'm riding that, and let me tell you, that sucker has some power for a V6. Also, take a look at the 300M special, (v8 I belive, that or a V6 with MORE HP) My mom's 2002 300M has about 253 HP. It also has a cool "autostick" feature, where you could shift back and forth, like a standard.
Oh welll, thats something to look into.
The Maxima is a cool car too, thats my 2nd opinion.
Oh welll, thats something to look into.
The Maxima is a cool car too, thats my 2nd opinion.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Ephrata USA
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Elder User
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Replacing the SHO
Thanks for the replies. The Merc is well just not quite right, thou I do like the V8 power. The 300 Chyrslers are very nice, just what I'd like but no it's a Mopar and I can't live with myself if I bought one. I'm sure they are fine cars but not for me. The Maxima is really what I'd like but the dealer is 45-50 miles away. That's why I question reliability because I'm sure we all dislike taking the whatever back for service especially when it's out of the way. The Mazda dealer is closer but still 35-40 miles. If we didn't get snow here in the winter it would be a no brainer.......Saleen. Thanks again and I'll keep you informed. First I have to part with the SHO which is going to be harder than ever cuz no body wants them and I think it's one of the best handling/driving cars ever offered from FoMoCo. To bad it's a time bomb waiting to explode.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Replacing the SHO
Originally posted by mick460
The 300 Chyrslers are very nice, just what I'd like but no it's a Mopar and I can't live with myself if I bought one. I'm sure they are fine cars but not for me.
The 300M's have had questionable reliability, and they are in NO WAY worthy successors to the original 300 letter series cars from the 50's and 60's. Just not in the same league, if you ask me.
First I have to part with the SHO which is going to be harder than ever cuz no body wants them and I think it's one of the best handling/driving cars ever offered from FoMoCo. To bad it's a time bomb waiting to explode.
Yeah, get rid of the SHO as fast as you can. If the cam timing gears let go, you're looking at $8-12,000. OUCH!!
The 300 Chyrslers are very nice, just what I'd like but no it's a Mopar and I can't live with myself if I bought one. I'm sure they are fine cars but not for me.
The 300M's have had questionable reliability, and they are in NO WAY worthy successors to the original 300 letter series cars from the 50's and 60's. Just not in the same league, if you ask me.
First I have to part with the SHO which is going to be harder than ever cuz no body wants them and I think it's one of the best handling/driving cars ever offered from FoMoCo. To bad it's a time bomb waiting to explode.
Yeah, get rid of the SHO as fast as you can. If the cam timing gears let go, you're looking at $8-12,000. OUCH!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Evergreen
Replacing the SHO
First I have to part with the SHO which is going to be harder than ever cuz no body wants them and I think it's one of the best handling/driving cars ever offered from FoMoCo.
Mike, if you really like the SHO, get another one...probably can find one with low miles and cheap if the market is as low as you say...they are great cars.
Skip
Mike, if you really like the SHO, get another one...probably can find one with low miles and cheap if the market is as low as you say...they are great cars.
Skip
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Magrath
Replacing the SHO
I know I am pushing some buttons here, but I test drove the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT with the Neigbor. If it where just me driving, it would be a fun car. I would never consider it for my wife though, just to much car for her.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 253
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From: Waterbury, CT.
Replacing the SHO
If you like your SHO, then keep it, get the cam sprocket welded, and it'll be safe. On each head, the exaust side cam sprocket spins on the shaft eventually and causes the valves to get real friendly with the pistons. The fix is to get the sprocket TIG welded to the cam. Not a real expensive procedure, but it'll keep the engine from fragging. The reason for TIG welding is to keep the heat to a minimum as not to remove the hardening from the cam.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Replacing the SHO
> drove the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT
Check out the dismal rating for side impact for this car.
I like the Mercury body on frame construction, even if it does weight in at 4100 pounds!
Check out the dismal rating for side impact for this car.
I like the Mercury body on frame construction, even if it does weight in at 4100 pounds!