3rd Generation SHO's (96-99)

[Brock Landers]

I am looking for personal opinions on the reliabilities of Ford's 3rd gen. SHO. I have searched Consumer Reports and eOpinion, but would like "real" feedback from people who have driven them. I have heard the cams like to fall apart in them (which means $10k new engine) so owners get them welded. I am looking for answers to those type of question...reliabilty/ cost of fixes compared to a reg Taurus/ rideability.

Thanks in advance!

Aaron

[drdisque]

the engine doesn't cost $10k to replace, more like 3 or 4k. The cam problem does occur on most SHO's but it is easy to prevent. Costs of fixes are similar to the Duratec and it is slightly faster than the duratec, but the duratec is cheaper to insure and gets better gas mileage. The SHO also comes with nicer seats than any other taurus or sable. The SHO also has slightly fewer transmission problems than the Duratec (which has a fairly good transmission in its own right). The SHO handles a little better because it has a rear sway bar and all SHO's come with 16" rims.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by drdisque

the engine doesn't cost $10k to replace, more like 3 or 4k. The cam problem does occur on most SHO's but it is easy to prevent. Costs of fixes are similar to the Duratec and it is slightly faster than the duratec, but the duratec is cheaper to insure and gets better gas mileage. The SHO also comes with nicer seats than any other taurus or sable. The SHO also has slightly fewer transmission problems than the Duratec (which has a fairly good transmission in its own right). The SHO handles a little better because it has a rear sway bar and all SHO's come with 16" rims.

The 3rd Generation SHO's also have semi-active ride control to improve handling. Each strut has a sensor that sends a signal to a computer which controls valving in the struts to firm up or soften the ride. It seems to work quite well.

I've owned a '93 SHO and currently own a '98 SHO. The V-6 SHO (1st and 2nd Gens) is quicker around town and has better seats (IMHO) but the 3rd Gens are a much better highway cruiser.

As for reliability, I'm not impressed with any of the automatic trannys used in the SHOs (2nd or 3rd Gen). I haven't had any problems with them. Well, I have to take that back. The overdrive servo in my '93 was bad when I bought the car. It took a 17 cent e-clip and a couple hours of my time to fix. It really wasn't too bad. The V-6 engines are easier to work on, and the rear four plugs and coils are not fun to do on the V-8 SHO. The V-6 engine comes apart in a logical fashion, and really wasn't too bad to work on once I got brave enough to tackle it. The V-8 is not quite a logical, there are more hidden screws, bolts, and hoses. I'd still rather work on an SHO engine than almost any modern GM engine!

-Rod
'93 Dodge Stealth twin turbo
'98 Ford Taurus SHO