Taurus SHO
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by jim henderson
I would say parts wise the SHO is worse than any car I owned except maybe a Datsun. I do 90% of my mechanical work except for trannies and the occasional odd job, and stil this car was a money pit.
My 89 was the worst year due to Ford skimping on the clutch and how the throwout bearing rode on the shaft in the bellhousing. I think maybe the 90 and newer models fixed that.
Still, whenever I had to replace any parts other than spark plugs, oil filters, etc, the parts were at least double the cost for a normal engine. Other than the previously mentioned parts costs, try on $200 for a clutch disc, when normal was less than $100. Fog lights, $100 each and I cracked one every year due to gravel. Wanna replace the ($5)idler pulley bearing on the belt drive, try $100+, you can't buy just the pulley or the bearing(a non standard size, you betcha), you had to buy the whole idler assembly. The seat rails? try $295 and national backlogged for over 2 years, til I finally welded mine. Apparently the early SHO had lots and lots of touble with the rails, why else a national backlog?
The Heater core blew at about 120,000 and cost over $1,000 to replace because 1) I am too lazy to tear out the dash, 2) the body shop I use for other stuff, didn't want to touch it, 3) the radiator shop the body shop told me to use didn't want to touch it, 4) the dealer saw me coming and 5) to get to the core, you have to remove the AC core which destroys that so you get to replace it too. The core blowing was the final straw that made me sell this money pit and move to a chebby.
The guy is right about finding a dealer that knows what is going on. The one I used ignored what I told them when my code scanner said it needed a new PFE, instead they replaced the regulator etc to the tune of $1000 plus, and the problem didn't go away. The $100 PFE I installed fixed it. Stupid me for listening to that dealer far too often.
My 96 Chebby SS was way less expensive to maintain over about the same number of ownership miles. My 86 TurboCoupe was a dream(except the manual doesn't tell you to change the cam belt, oops). My 79 TA was a penny pincher. We will see about my 04 LS, another of those Amerikan cars with exotic mechanicals, like $15 oil filters!!!??, when will I learn.
Admittedly mine was first year and probably had more than it's share of problems from that, and maybe a bit of vehicle quality roulette, but when CR rates the series of cars in the worst 10 and when common parts cost too much, it was time for me to move on.
Jim Henderson
My 89 was the worst year due to Ford skimping on the clutch and how the throwout bearing rode on the shaft in the bellhousing. I think maybe the 90 and newer models fixed that.
Still, whenever I had to replace any parts other than spark plugs, oil filters, etc, the parts were at least double the cost for a normal engine. Other than the previously mentioned parts costs, try on $200 for a clutch disc, when normal was less than $100. Fog lights, $100 each and I cracked one every year due to gravel. Wanna replace the ($5)idler pulley bearing on the belt drive, try $100+, you can't buy just the pulley or the bearing(a non standard size, you betcha), you had to buy the whole idler assembly. The seat rails? try $295 and national backlogged for over 2 years, til I finally welded mine. Apparently the early SHO had lots and lots of touble with the rails, why else a national backlog?
The Heater core blew at about 120,000 and cost over $1,000 to replace because 1) I am too lazy to tear out the dash, 2) the body shop I use for other stuff, didn't want to touch it, 3) the radiator shop the body shop told me to use didn't want to touch it, 4) the dealer saw me coming and 5) to get to the core, you have to remove the AC core which destroys that so you get to replace it too. The core blowing was the final straw that made me sell this money pit and move to a chebby.
The guy is right about finding a dealer that knows what is going on. The one I used ignored what I told them when my code scanner said it needed a new PFE, instead they replaced the regulator etc to the tune of $1000 plus, and the problem didn't go away. The $100 PFE I installed fixed it. Stupid me for listening to that dealer far too often.
My 96 Chebby SS was way less expensive to maintain over about the same number of ownership miles. My 86 TurboCoupe was a dream(except the manual doesn't tell you to change the cam belt, oops). My 79 TA was a penny pincher. We will see about my 04 LS, another of those Amerikan cars with exotic mechanicals, like $15 oil filters!!!??, when will I learn.
Admittedly mine was first year and probably had more than it's share of problems from that, and maybe a bit of vehicle quality roulette, but when CR rates the series of cars in the worst 10 and when common parts cost too much, it was time for me to move on.
Jim Henderson
Looking at the part prices that you are quoting, I can assure you that there exists today sufficient aftermarket parts and suppliers whereby, as I said in my previous post, the SHO is no more costly to own and operate than a similar year "fun" car. For example, a complete clutch kit (Valeo brand Ford OEM, btw) which includes clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing, etc., can be had for less than $200 at Autozone.
And I think you also touched upon something noteworthy in your post, which is that 10-15 years ago, there were some issues particular to the SHO; however, like most vehicles, over time these issues have been addressed by previous owners (the kinks worked out, so to speak). As an example, I've never even heard of an '89 SHO that still has the original (undersized) clutch in it. They have long since been replaced several times, as clutches are a wear item.
I've never heard of the seat rail issue either, but these days you can pick up an entire 6-way power lumbar/bolster SHO seat from a bone yard or fellow SHO owner for around $100 bucks. And the heater core problem you experienced is a Ford issue, not a SHO issue. On the other hand, 15 years later the SHO's dealer-only idler pulley remains $100, and I agree with you that the price for it is still too darn high!
Also, a note on reliability: I personally feel much more safe and secure driving my '94 SHO than I ever did driving my former '93 Sable with the 3.8L head-gasket blowing Essex engine (gasket did blow about a year after I sold it - whew). And my SHO's 5 speed MTX tranny isn't going to explode on me like the AXODE did in my former '89 Taurus.
Point I'm trying to make, I guess, is that owning a SHO today - picking it up for a song and tinkering around with it like I and many others have done - is obviously a whole different experience than paying 30K for it new and suffering through its "growing pains".
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Interesting to hear there is such a good aftermarket for the SHO now. Wish they were around back when I needed them. All you could buy was Ford and Ford knew they had you. I quit driving the SHO in 1997, I had had enough. If it had been reliable, it might have been one of my more favored cars. Troubles started around 80,000 and never ended after that. Of course the clutch started at 30,000. The seat rail too.
If all the old problems are resolved by the aftermarket then maybe the car is worthwhile if it is cheap enough. The engine was basically solid, it was all the peripheral stuff and the clutch system that stunk. Otherwise the chassis and body etc was pretty much Taurus.
Strange that a car would have a better "afterlife". Maybe it is like the old Beetle, better now than when new.
I wonder why the 89 is most sought after, the 90 and I think 91 appear identical and they had ABS, better steroes and supposedly fixed the clutch issue. Guess it is the first year status.
Oh well, on to flog my Lincoln and see how it holds up.
Jim Henderson
If all the old problems are resolved by the aftermarket then maybe the car is worthwhile if it is cheap enough. The engine was basically solid, it was all the peripheral stuff and the clutch system that stunk. Otherwise the chassis and body etc was pretty much Taurus.
Strange that a car would have a better "afterlife". Maybe it is like the old Beetle, better now than when new.
I wonder why the 89 is most sought after, the 90 and I think 91 appear identical and they had ABS, better steroes and supposedly fixed the clutch issue. Guess it is the first year status.
Oh well, on to flog my Lincoln and see how it holds up.
Jim Henderson
Last edited by jim henderson; Oct 19, 2005 at 04:01 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Well, I've been an SHO owner for about a month now, and I love the car! Picked up a '91 with just 100K on the clock for $1500. Got all the paperwork on it, right down to the original purchase receipt. Here's a pic of the car:
http://image52.webshots.com/152/7/74...6SwpHPf_ph.jpg
I looked at an '89 a few months ago for $1600, but it was a little rough and I didn't feel like messing with the clutch so I passed on it. Glad I did!
I bought the '91 from the mechanic who'd worked on it for the last 8 or 10 years. He'd bought it from the owner, but then decided to sell it. In looking over the receipts, I found he'd never done the 60K so I did it. No big deal, parts aren't all that bad if you shop around online.
I also found he'd charged the guy to replace the fuel pump, so I was surprised when it went out last week. Instead of dropping the tank I cut an access hole under the back seat, and found the original pump still in place. Turned a major PITA job into a cinch. Wouldn't trust that mechanic though...glad he's not local! (I do all my own work anyway except for things I don't have the equipment for like alignments.)
So, if you find one you like, go for it! I found mine on Craig's list, and there were a few other SHOs in my general area.
http://image52.webshots.com/152/7/74...6SwpHPf_ph.jpg
I looked at an '89 a few months ago for $1600, but it was a little rough and I didn't feel like messing with the clutch so I passed on it. Glad I did!
I bought the '91 from the mechanic who'd worked on it for the last 8 or 10 years. He'd bought it from the owner, but then decided to sell it. In looking over the receipts, I found he'd never done the 60K so I did it. No big deal, parts aren't all that bad if you shop around online.
I also found he'd charged the guy to replace the fuel pump, so I was surprised when it went out last week. Instead of dropping the tank I cut an access hole under the back seat, and found the original pump still in place. Turned a major PITA job into a cinch. Wouldn't trust that mechanic though...glad he's not local! (I do all my own work anyway except for things I don't have the equipment for like alignments.)
So, if you find one you like, go for it! I found mine on Craig's list, and there were a few other SHOs in my general area.
Last edited by TigerDan; Oct 22, 2005 at 01:45 AM.
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