The Ford Taurus SHO

[Teknishun]

This came up in another part of the forum so to keep things on topic I'll post my response here.

This is a quote from www.shotimes.com

The 89-95 SHO is equipped with a 220HP 24 valve DOHC V-6 manufactured for Ford by Yamaha, a handling suspension similar to that in the police package Taurus, better seats, and unique exterior trim. The regular Taurus and the SHO are as different as night and day, unlike most "family" cars with sporty versions. The SHO, though it no longer has the commanding lead in the sports sedan market that it did in the late eighties/early ninties, is still one of the most remarkable cars for the price available anywhere.

It's also an expensive car to own. Parts cost 3 to 4 times (sometimes even more) than standard Taurus parts and an aging SHO is just chock full of annoying failures and issues. On the other hand when one is properly maintained they are very fun cars to drive. The look of the Honda owner's face when a 80's-90's American sedan leaves them shrinking in the mirror makes it all worth it. Mine is in project status at the moment. Here's the history in pictures: http://www.kc2sho.com/images/shotime/

[nd]

Ok, i stand corrected about the SHO. However, i would still rather put my money into an early 90's BMW. Indestructible engines and transmissions, handle like a dream with the right suspension and look mean as hell when they're hugging the road. Rear wheel drive is also a plus. not to mention its a Beamer!

[Teknishun]

Oh most def, and I'm in 100% agreement. I'd love to have a '95 M3. *drool* I'm sure they are even more expensive to own.

[TRDeity]

Originally Posted by ndcouch

Ok, i stand corrected about the SHO. However, i would still rather put my money into an early 90's BMW. Indestructible engines and transmissions, handle like a dream with the right suspension and look mean as hell when they're hugging the road. Rear wheel drive is also a plus. not to mention its a Beamer!

Thats why I love Mustangs, easy to work on, rear wheel drive, lots of easy to get HP and a whole lot of torque, great looking, great sounding, some of the best trannies, not to mention it's a lot less expensive than a Beamer

[Teknishun]

Mustangs with the EEC IV system have got to be some of the most reliable cars ever made. I've had a lot of them!

My 90 Notch:

[nd]

Oh come on guys, comparing beamers and mustangs is like comparing apples and some other kind of fruit that gives you cancer when you eat it. Mustangs are too heavy. You may have been able to outdrag me by 2 dozen car lengths but i could drive circles around you when it came to handleing. I'd rather handle like a F1 car than have 500 horses.

Tek: the 95 M3 was a definately a badass car, but i stoped like beamers after around 92. Their quality and engineering steadily declined after the late 80's and very early 90's. I had a 90 325i. It had well over 200k and was a tank. I had a buddy that had a 90 M3, now that was a badass car, but he worked on it every other weekend, they are very high maintenace. although he did have 200hp and 200 ft/lbs or torque coming from a naturaly aspired 4cyl and the car barely weighed over 1 ton, i think it was around 2400 lbs. that think woul haul ass and take right angle turns like nobody's business. although you could still beat it's ass in a drag. to me that kind of car is much more fun to drive than any kind of muscle car. as soon as my brother pays me for my beamer i'm gonna go buy another one from 90 or 91.

[TRDeity]

Originally Posted by Teknishun

Mustangs with the EEC IV system have got to be some of the most reliable cars ever made. I've had a lot of them!

My 90 Notch:

That is beautiful; my roommate in college had a green coupe like that with a supercharged 351, slicks and skinnys, cage and a bunch of other stuff. He ran an 11.3 but he blew a head gasket at the 1/8 maker. Now that was a fun car to drive.

[Teknishun]

I wouldn't dare compare a stock Mustang to a BMW. I'd be happy if I could sell the SHO and the Lincoln so I could put that money towards an M3. That said, there are plenty of after market items for both Mustangs and SHOs that can exponentially increase performance and handling. I've seen plenty of guys running both cars in SCCA events right alongside Porsches, BMWs, and Audis. The difference mostly being, I would have to guess, is that more suspension mods are needed on the Fords.

Yes, my Stang was built for the Drag Strip, but it's no slouch in the corners either. Even with the spool and the skinnies in the front it's not awful to drive like most people think of a drag car. It is lowered quite a bit, has a tubular front K-member and is gutted under the dash. No heat, no AC, no stereo, no sway bars, no comfort. It was very stable and fun to drive at any speed. I would race BMWs and the like down the highway on many occasions and just kill them at acceleration and top speed. A newer M5 gave me a nice run for my money once, he was lucky I was usually too poor to keep a full bottle of N2O in the car. Exit ramps were a different story of course but I usually got there first. ;-) The car had to weigh well under 1900 lbs with the V8 and my next plan is to put the Turbo 4 cyl in it. That should shave off a few hundred more pounds. Unfortunately the car is still in NJ and I now live in FL.

Anyway, all types of performance cars can be fun. I'm one of those guys who would be happy owning one of everything... the problem is I keep trying to do that on an average paycheck. I like all types of cars no matter what country or company they come from. Buy what you can afford and drive the piss out of it!

[Teknishun]

Originally Posted by TRDeity

That is beautiful

Thanks! I do love that car.

[Homer J]

Originally Posted by Teknishun

Mustangs with the EEC IV system have got to be some of the most reliable cars ever made. I've had a lot of them!

My 90 Notch:

Nice looking stang man! I wanted and 06 GT when I bought my X-Runner but I need a truck. I have had alot for friends that have well over 200k on those things. There are plenty of companies that make road racing stuff for mustangs too they are not just straight line cars.

http://www.steeda.com/
http://www.saleen.com/

[Teknishun]

Thanks Homer, I had a Steeda shifter knob that turned my hand black every time I drove the car. Does that count? ;-)

[TRDeity]

Originally Posted by Teknishun

I'm one of those guys who would be happy owning one of everything... the problem is I keep trying to do that on an average paycheck. I like all types of cars no matter what country or company they come from. Buy what you can afford and drive the piss out of it!

I'm the same way thats why I have the Taco (daily driver), mustang, and a Ducati Monster 750 (the fastest and loudest of them all). Oh yeah and my wife to be has a WRX coupe.

[Teknishun]

Nice collection!

[nd]

TRDeity, my buddy has a Ducati Monster. It seems like his was 900 or 950cc, i'm not sure if thats right or not but it hauls ass. i think he's gonna kill himself on it.