Taurus SHO
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 826
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From: New England
Taurus SHO
Wrong car. The post-1989 Thunderbird SC shares NOTHING with the Turbo Coupe. The SC has the supercharged 3.8 (which seems to hold up better than the regular 3.8) & either a Mazda 5-speed or an AOD-E auto. The Turbo Coupe has the turbo 2.3 litre 4 cylinder (like the SVO Mustang), with either a T5 (most of them I've seen) or the A4LD automatic. The SC is an MN-12-chassis car, basically unique (except for the highly-modified Lincoln Mk VIII). The TC is a Fox-body...essentially a long-wheelbase version of the legendary 5.0 Mustang.
Styling...the 1983-88 TC's were the "aero birds". I like it (the TC is much better than the stodgy Thunderbird nose), but not everyone does.
Also, the Cougar XR7 Turbo is a TC clone...more automatics, generally higher-optioned.
I loathe wrong-wheel drive cars. Give me RWD, anytime, any car, any conditions.
Styling...the 1983-88 TC's were the "aero birds". I like it (the TC is much better than the stodgy Thunderbird nose), but not everyone does.
Also, the Cougar XR7 Turbo is a TC clone...more automatics, generally higher-optioned.
I loathe wrong-wheel drive cars. Give me RWD, anytime, any car, any conditions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Taurus SHO
So you're saying he would be better off with a 15-20 year old 2.3L Turbo Coupe then he would with a 10 year old Taurus 3.0L SHO? On the basis of age and technology alone, I would have to disagree...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 826
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From: New England
Taurus SHO
All I can say to that is..............huh?
TC's ran until 1988, most I see are 1986-88 (also the best years, I think they got intercoolers--and 220HP--in 1987). The Taurus SHO got the V8 (and the hideous egg-inspired styling) in...1995, I think? Considering the finicky nature of the V6 SHO (expensive oddball parts, less-than-stellar reliability, high-maintainence), I think he'd be MUCH better off with the well-proven TC (or even the later V6 Super Coupe) than an SHO.
TC's ran until 1988, most I see are 1986-88 (also the best years, I think they got intercoolers--and 220HP--in 1987). The Taurus SHO got the V8 (and the hideous egg-inspired styling) in...1995, I think? Considering the finicky nature of the V6 SHO (expensive oddball parts, less-than-stellar reliability, high-maintainence), I think he'd be MUCH better off with the well-proven TC (or even the later V6 Super Coupe) than an SHO.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Taurus SHO
Like I said, I'm at a disadvantage since I don't really know a heck of a lot about the '80s or '90s T-Birds, so I have no real basis of knowledge to form a specific opinion on them, except for what I see drive past me every once in a while. But in response to your "huh", my point is that an older car is an older car in terms of upkeep and reliability, regardless of the engine type, and overall the technology is not nearly as advanced in a mid 80's car as it is in an early-mid 90's car.
The egg-style Taurus debuted in '96...I'm not exactly a huge fan of that style, either, despite my ownership of a '97 GL (runs and rides great for $2800, though!). That year ('96) is also when the SHO V8 with the cam issue debuted.
(BTW, how are things in RI? I make it out to Misquamicut Beach every so often...great place to hit the surf!)
The egg-style Taurus debuted in '96...I'm not exactly a huge fan of that style, either, despite my ownership of a '97 GL (runs and rides great for $2800, though!). That year ('96) is also when the SHO V8 with the cam issue debuted.
(BTW, how are things in RI? I make it out to Misquamicut Beach every so often...great place to hit the surf!)
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 473
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Taurus SHO
I'm not worried about getting a T-Bird. I considered it for a while, getting one with a 5.0, but the fact is. The Taurus SHO is right up my alley. It's dirt cheap, has plenty of room (Which is what I need if I'm to replace my Bronco), pretty good power (220HP?), I can get it with a 5-Speed, it looks better (IMHO) and since it has the 3.0L Yamaha, it'll get better milage (Main concern) and I hear stories of them consistantly lasting up to 250000 miles. I just need to figure out whether I'm going to keep the BRonco or not. Since I'm going to be jobless and driving possibly 40-50 miles per day I don't know if I can afford the milageon my Bronco. I love the thing to death, and I'm not sure if I want to get rid of it even if I have to. I hate decisions like this. It's like choosing which of your best friends to kick in the nuts
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
Taurus SHO
shos are not relieable transperation and are usely beat in to the ground the earler it is ussually the fast it is or was. they were sleepers me and a friend(his car) got pulled over for power braking according to the cop. I just reved it up and drop the clutch lots of smoke and the e-brake didn't work.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 526
Likes: 7
From: Houston
Taurus SHO
Originally posted by dassmoof
I hate decisions like this. It's like choosing which of your best friends to kick in the nuts
I hate decisions like this. It's like choosing which of your best friends to kick in the nuts
It's not that bad. You may be able to find a good example. My sister had one, and my mother had two of them, so some really were owned by little old ladies.
I didn't abuse mine, either. I don't think the CV joints would've lasted that long if I had.
There used to be a SHO Registry, where owners traded tips. If you get one, it may be worth seeing if that's still around. They gave me the part number I needed to order the "police package" grill that had extra slots molded into it. That really made the front of that car look sharp. Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 473
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Taurus SHO
I've been talking a bit at the SHoForum. But I still don't know if I want to sell my Bronco. I really want a SHO, because it just seems like a really fun car. I just can't seem to want to get rid of my Bronco no matter what...
Also I'm not sure if a SHO would put up with the abuse I'd put it through. I drive my Bronco incredibly hard and it puts up with all of it, which is one of the things I love about it so much. It's rough and tumble and will take abuse. It's just the gas milage... though I could stop having a lead foot. Light turns green, I stomp the gas and I'm gone. I can't seem to force myself to drive slow, unless of course it's snowing or raining.
Also I'm not sure if a SHO would put up with the abuse I'd put it through. I drive my Bronco incredibly hard and it puts up with all of it, which is one of the things I love about it so much. It's rough and tumble and will take abuse. It's just the gas milage... though I could stop having a lead foot. Light turns green, I stomp the gas and I'm gone. I can't seem to force myself to drive slow, unless of course it's snowing or raining.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 53
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Taurus SHO
My buddy Steve picked up an 89 SHO with the Yammie engine. The outsided needed a paint job, and it needed a whole new steering rack...but other than that it wasn't a bad car. 120k miles.
I'm using past tense because just last week it started burning oil like crazy. When you stop at a red light the smell will overwhelm you.
It still runs strong...go figure...and he found another engine in a bone yard for $300
If it was me tho, I'd avoid it. Mainly cuz I'm a Harley guy, and anything Yamaha is a sacrilege, but also because the damn engine is so over-engineered and spendy to fix.
I'd rather have T-bird SC, or even an older 5.0 T-bird. It takes very little to take a 5.0 Mustang or T-bird and make an 11 sec car. And if you break it...it's cheap to fix.
If hot rodding isn't your thing, a 5.0 with 2.73 rear will get well into the 20's in the MPG department. That's pretty good for a V-8, and it will have long legs on the highway.
My .02 (worth about .01)
I'm using past tense because just last week it started burning oil like crazy. When you stop at a red light the smell will overwhelm you.
It still runs strong...go figure...and he found another engine in a bone yard for $300
If it was me tho, I'd avoid it. Mainly cuz I'm a Harley guy, and anything Yamaha is a sacrilege, but also because the damn engine is so over-engineered and spendy to fix.
I'd rather have T-bird SC, or even an older 5.0 T-bird. It takes very little to take a 5.0 Mustang or T-bird and make an 11 sec car. And if you break it...it's cheap to fix.
If hot rodding isn't your thing, a 5.0 with 2.73 rear will get well into the 20's in the MPG department. That's pretty good for a V-8, and it will have long legs on the highway.
My .02 (worth about .01)
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: CHEESELAND, USA
Taurus SHO
I'd personnelly like to thank you for keeping the economy going if you buy the SHO. Parts alone should keep us out of any depression. Just kidding! But beware old used SHO have been hammered on by people just like you for 10+ years and it is far from being a Timex. They're a great car when they're new but shake apart fast. I wish for would build another.
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