SHOtimes History

A Blast to the Past

Below is one of the first of David Bond's compilation of posts to the usenet newsgroup, rec.autos relating to the Taurus SHO. After much evolution, the messages below transformed into what is today the SHOtimes FAQ. The following message was posted to rec.autos in April of 1993. The information was later re-organized into a text FAQ, then an HTML version, and eventually into what you now know as SHOtimes.com. It is quite interesting to see how times have changed and how the discussions evolve from one year to another - Enjoy!!
For more information on the development of the SHOtimes FAQ, please visit the credits page.

From rec.autos:

This section is simply a compendium of SHO-related traffic that I've
saved from rec.autos. I've sorted it around a bit, but I don't have
time to put it into a real FAQ form.

Interesting tidbits that follow include tips on tires, comments on
shifter and clutch upgrades, SHO model year trivia, and some testimonials
on SHO owners. There's more, so read on.

Contributors to this Q&A, whose text I am using without permission:
(If you are on this list and want to be removed, please let me know...)

Chuck@clemson.edu (Chuck Heck)
Dave_Egner@NeXT.COM (Dave Egner)
HILLIARD@UCSVAX.UCS.UMASS.EDU (TIMOTHY A HILLIARD)
Harv@cup.portal.com (Harv R Laser)
OPDBS@vm.cc.latech.edu
david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
jcyuhn@crchh574.BNR.CA (James Yuhn)
jcyuhn@crchh574.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (James Yuhn)
jfox@hooksett.East.Sun.COM (John Fox - SunExpress IR)
kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene Kim)
mikes@tellabs.com
mrice@mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Mark W. Rice)
nill.toulme@datadim.uu.holonet.net (Nill Toulme)
nucci@microwave.gsfc.nasa.gov (Jeffrey J. Nucciarone)
pacyga@maize.rtsg.mot.com (Jim Pacyga)
rseymour@reed.edu (Robert Seymour)
sontakke@helix.enet.dec.com (Vikas Sontakke)
tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
weisberg@primail.pr.cyanamid.com (Alan Weisberg)
wrat@unisql.UUCP (wharfie)

Gene Kim
(genek@mentor.cc.purdue.edu)

========

Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!hermes.chpc.utexas.edu!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!crchh327!crchh574!jcyuhn
From: jcyuhn@crchh574.BNR.CA (James Yuhn)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO.89 Thru 93 Diff.
Sender: news@news.rich.bnr.ca (news server)
Message-ID: <C39qr1.8AL@news.rich.bnr.ca>
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1993 15:52:12 GMT
Reply-To: jcyuhn@crchh574.BNR.CA (James Yuhn)
References: <93055.155926CJOHNSON@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Nntp-Posting-Host: crchh574
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Lines: 46

In article <93055.155926CJOHNSON@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>, CJOHNSON@MAINE.MAINE.EDU
writes:
|>Is there any year that I should be leary of when looking for a used SHO. And
|>if so what was the problem and has it been fixed, also any other thing that I
|>should look for when checking out one of these cars. Thanks for your help.

Well, there's always the usual caveats about purchasing a used high-
performance automobile - they tend to get beat upon quite a bit. Hence
you need to determine the owners driving and maintenance habits. Apart
from that, '89 and '90 SHOs were built with weak clutches. Al '91 and
later SHOs have larger diameter clutch disks, heavier pressure plates,
etc. That's the bad news. The good news is that Ford developed and
installed a retrofit kit to put all the new parts in the earlier cars.
If you find an '89 or '90, insure that it has the upgraded clutch.
Absolutlely DO NOT buy a car which has not been upgraded - some people
experience clutch life as short as 5K miles in these.

Other than that, '90 and later models have an improved front motor mount,
so they are likely to have less driveline lash induced by the engine
rocking on its mounts.

Mid year '91 saw the introduction of a rod-actuated shifter, replacing
the earlier cable setup. Results are much shorter shift throws, and a
bit lower effort. I can't say whether this improves the ability to shift
the car, or just makes it more difficult to do so.

Other changes are:

'90 - Redesigned dash - More attractive, but no additional functionality
Anti lock brakes added (not available on '89 models)
Air bag added

'91 - Change to 16" wheels unique to the SHO
Some cars have trunk lip spoilers, plastic hoods, etc.

'92 - Major redesign of the Taurus - much improvement in Noise control,
vibration, and probably assembly quality.
Passenger side airbag becomes optional.

'93 - Automatic transmission available (includes slightly softer suspension
tuning)
All SHOs get speed sensitive steering.

Anyone want to clarify/correct/add to this?

Jim

From rec.autos Fri Mar 12 22:44:47 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!gatech!hubcap!Chuck@clemson.edu
From: Chuck@clemson.edu (Chuck Heck)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO and new tires - '91 Model Year
Message-ID: <1993Mar12.160831.2630@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Sender: news@hubcap.clemson.edu (news)
Organization: Clemson University
References: <1993Mar11.091409.25709@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1993 16:08:31 GMT
Lines: 101

In article <1993Mar11.091409.25709@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>, mrice@mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Mark W. Rice) writes:
>
> From a newcomer (Hope it's not rehash, I searched in vein for this subject).
>
> I have an 89 Taurus SHO with tires that are becoming onion skins
> (215-65 15"). While I want recomendations (I'm lopsided toward

<stuff deleted>
>
I recently replaced the OEM tires on my '91 SHO. The Goodyear Eagle GT+4s
that came stock made it almost 17,000 miles. Stock size is 215/60-R16 94V.

I decided to stay with the stock size because of the rear wheel well clearance
problems that have been well enumerated elsewhere. That left me with a limited
number of choices. Goodyear Eagle GAs or GT+4s, Yokahama AVS U+4 and Y382 (I
think), BFGoodrich Comp T/A VR4 and Touring T/A. After checking rec.autos, local
dealers, and talking with The Tire Rack I had pretty much decided on Eagle GAs or
the Comp T/As. Ultimately I ordered the Comp T/As as they seemed to be somewhere
in between the Eagle GAs and the GT+4s in the performance, but they exhibited better
ride quality than the GT+4s, and should have somewhat longer treadlife.

Prices locally were as follows:

The Yokahama dealer wanted $204.75 per tire for the AVS U+4 (H rated),
about $160 for the Y382.
The Goodyear dealer wanted $155.00 per tire for the GA or GT+4 (V rated).
The Goodrich dealer wanted $160.00 per tire for the Comp T/A VR4s.

These prices are complete - mounting, balancing, taxes, etc.

The Yokahama prices are included for reference...

The Tire Rack prices on the Yokahama tires is significantly better (intentional
understatement). GT+4s through them were only about $20 better than local prices
by the time shipping and mounting were added. The local dealer was running a sale,
and the Tire Rack wasn't. The price was about $40 better on the GAs, again adding
in mounting and shipping. The Comp T/A VR4s were $103/ea plus $5.85/ea shipping.
Mounting and balancing was $8 wheel, for a total of $116.85 per wheel, for a difference
of $43.15 per tire under local prices.

I called the Tire Rack a couple of times while making my decision. When I called to
order, the salesman that I had talked with was busy, so I left a message for him to
call me. He returned my call within 20 minutes. I ordered the tires about 5PM on
a Wednesday evening, and they were on my front porch the following Monday. That is
as fast or faster than the local dealers could have had the tires, as none of them
stock any of the tires I was looking at.

At less than 1,000 miles here are my initial impressions. The BFGs are not as
sensitive to input straight on. Turn-in seems to be about the same. They are MUCH
less noisy that the GT+4s, and the ride is less harsh. I have not had them out on the
twisties, as I wanted to put a few gentle miles on them before I pushed them. So far
I like them.

Here is a prior post from an SHO owner that has 15" wheels and went to a 225 size tire:

>>Newsgroups: rec.autos
>>Path: hubcap!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!tellab5!mikes
>>From: mikes@tellabs.com (Michael D. Schwartz)
>>Subject: Re: Gatorback tires
>>Message-ID: <1992Nov20.235156.20368@tellab5.tellabs.com>
>>Sender: news@tellab5.tellabs.com (News)
>>Nntp-Posting-Host: tellabl
>>Organization: Tellabs, Lisle,IL
>>References: <BxvBwn.38D@news.cso.uiuc.edu> <1992Nov18.181952.27627@swlvx2.msd.ray.com> <1992Nov19.224232.10640%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu>
>>Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 23:51:56 GMT
>>Lines: 21

>>In article <1992Nov19.224232.10640%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu> mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike S.) writes:
>>>Anyone tried BFG Comp T/A VR4's? I have heard good things about them,
>>>in wet, rain, and snow. Not all that many bucks either.

>>Got a set of 225/60R15's on my SHO. Compared to the 215/65R15 Eagle GT+4's that were stock, they
>>- ride better
>>- provide more grip (they are wider)
>>- are quieter
>>- are excellent in the rain
>>- were cheaper ($130 ea. for Eagles, $102 ea. for VR4s from Tire Rack).

>>with the Yokohama AVS U+4's that he put on his SHO.
>>--
>>-

>>------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Mike Schwartz **
>>Tellabs, Inc. **
>>Lisle, IL **
>>------------------------------------------------------------------

> BTW: I LOVE this car! :-)
>

Me too!

> mark
> -- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.
> --
> -- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.
>
>
Chuck

From rec.autos Fri Mar 12 22:45:05 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!yuma!csn!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!emory!ogicse!reed!news
From: rseymour@reed.edu (Robert Seymour)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: RE: SHO Exhaust Part2
Message-ID: <1993Mar12.035337.5623@reed.edu>
Date: 12 Mar 93 03:53:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: reed.1993Mar12.035337.5623
References: <1nolhbINNjbk@nic.umass.edu>
Sender: news@reed.edu (USENET News System)
Reply-To: rseymour@reed.edu
Organization: Reed College, Portland, OR
Lines: 31

In article <1nolhbINNjbk@nic.umass.edu> HILLIARD@UCSVAX.UCS.UMASS.EDU (TIMOTHY
A HILLIARD) writes:
>
>
>
>
> The SHO Dual exhaust kit is available from Tracking Technology
>
> (303) 444-2273 Attn: Tom Moody
>
> This system is a true dual exhaust which is EPA legal
>
> and is a 30+ HP dynoed add on system.
>
> Aluminized $665 retail
> Stainless $865 retail
> Tim(NESHOC)
>
>

If you want to stay 50 states legal (EPA certification is more lenient
than California law), make sure the system has a CARB EO # (California
Automobile Registration Board - Exemption Order). Without this, you would have
to make an individual appeal for the car to be legal in California. Of course,
this may not matter to you.

--
Robert Seymour rseymour@reed.edu
Departments of Physics and Philosophy (NeXTmail accepted)
Artificial Life Project Reed College
Reed Solar Energy Project (SolTrain) Portland, OR

From rec.autos Wed Apr 14 14:32:23 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!kimgh
From: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene Kim)
Subject: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Message-ID: <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1993 04:03:56 GMT
Lines: 22

I've almost decided to buy a maroon '89 SHO. The car has 92K miles
on it (!) but is in really great shape -- I would have guessed no more than
40K had I not seen the leather seat wear-and-tear!

The only qualm I have about this car is a relatively loud grinding
noise coming from the engine compartment whenver I lift the clutch after
shifting. The noise begins as a whir, and then grinds to a halt whenver
I shift to a higher gear.

The owner says that he's tried to get this fixed twice under the
Extended Service Plan when he first got the car, but after driving loaner
SHOs, he was convinced that all SHOs have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem? If so, any solutions? Do all '89 SHOs
really have such unhealthy-sounding clutches?

(Counting the days until I become a member of the SHO family! :-)

Thanks in advance,
Gene

From rec.autos Tue Mar 16 01:48:22 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!ncr-sd!ncrcae!mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM!mrice
From: mrice@mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Mark W. Rice)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO -- do they age well?
Message-ID: <1993Mar15.221832.10118@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>
Nntp-Posting-Host: mozart.columbiasc.ncr.com
Organization: NCR Corp., Columbia SC
References: <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 93 03:18:32 GMT
Lines: 71

In article <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene Kim) writes:
>
> I'm currently looking at several 1989 SHOs. I've wanted one
>for years, but I'm a bit concerned about how well they'll hold
>up. Two of the SHOs I've looked at have over 60,000 miles on
>it. Do you see the Yamaha engines still kicking after 100K
>miles?

Don't know. My 89 had 39K when purchased and has 52K now. I drove
another 89 that had about 70K. The seat on the 70K showed some wear
but the motor was very strong (could tell no difference from mine).

> The shifter was extremely smooth, although the 1st gear synchros

That surprises me. Well, maybe smooth but slow. The worst part about
driving an 89 SHO (and for the most part, the 92 I drove) was the SLOW
shifting. I'm used to it now and can shift much faster than I used to,
but I still don't like the shifter.

> on both cars
>seemed to have failed. Is this normal on SHOs? Is there

I've not experienced that. Haven't seen a bad syncro on one.

> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I

none I'm aware of. If you find any please email them to me.

>Thanks in advance,
>Gene

I've had mine for only 13K and absolutely love it. If it had a quick
shifter, there's not much more I could ask for. I can think of very
few cars up to double the price, that I'd rather have. This is one car
I highly recommend.

mark
-- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYI: some miscellaneous babble on the car.

Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.

Cornering is only decent for a sports car (read that smaller, lighter,
two-seater, type car. although it's no 93 RX7) but shocking for a
sedan. It corners VERY flat. My friend with an 86 Prelude (6" wide
rims with 205 Falcons) said he thought my SHO (stock rims (6" right??)
215 Eagle GT+4 (stock tires)) cornered flatter. I think his car will
take a corner slightly faster, but we've not had a good chance to compare.

The stablizer bars are heafty. If you go across a speed-bump at an
angle, you'll know it. If you go strait across, it's pretty smooth.

Ride is much nicer than car of the Mustang/Camaro genre but would be
harsh for a luxury car.

Wheel spin can be a problem (front wheel drive). I don't have much
trouble with torque steer (although it IS THERE to be sure), but on
many surfaces you can't give it full power in first or it will loose
traction. Every now and then (surface dependent) it will loose it in
second but not often. Hard acceleration out of a corner will readily spin.

It is not a Luxury/Sport sedan as much as a Sport/Luxury sedan :-).

So I'm a little stuck on the car... It's Ford and Yamaha's fault.
Well, I have to go drive home now ;->.

mark
--
-- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.

From rec.autos Wed Mar 17 15:49:24 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Taurus SHO -- do they
Message-ID: <21218.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 16 Mar 93 11:12:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 24

MW>Don't know. My 89 had 39K when purchased and has 52K now. I drove
MW>another 89 that had about 70K. The seat on the 70K showed some wear
MW>but the motor was very strong (could tell no difference from mine).

I have an '89 with 75.4k miles on it. The seat is worn just the same, but
the engine is still running strong. With good care, I expect to keep it to
200k miles or so. There was a guy in the SHO Registry who had 200k miles on
his, and the only sign of age was "a little grey smoke from the exhaust at
6k+ RPMs."

MW>> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I

Beware the OEM Ford "60 Month" battery, mine lasted about 36.

MW>Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.

From what I've seen, Mustang can usually accelerate faster from a start
because of better low end torque, but SHO is better on freeway speeds because
of it's love of high rev speeds.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Wed Mar 17 21:34:03 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Taurus SHO -- do they
Message-ID: <21218.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 16 Mar 93 11:12:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 24

MW>> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I

Beware the OEM Ford "60 Month" battery, mine lasted about 36.

MW>Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.

From what I've seen, Mustang can usually accelerate faster from a start
because of better low end torque, but SHO is better on freeway speeds because
of it's love of high rev speeds.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Wed Mar 17 23:48:51 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!ncr-sd!ncrcae!mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM!mrice
From: mrice@mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Mark W. Rice)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO -- do they age well?
Message-ID: <1993Mar15.221832.10118@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>
Nntp-Posting-Host: mozart.columbiasc.ncr.com
Organization: NCR Corp., Columbia SC
References: <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 93 03:18:32 GMT
Lines: 71

> The shifter was extremely smooth, although the 1st gear synchros

> on both cars
>seemed to have failed. Is this normal on SHOs? Is there

I've not experienced that. Haven't seen a bad syncro on one.

> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I

none I'm aware of. If you find any please email them to me.

>Thanks in advance,
>Gene

mark
-- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYI: some miscellaneous babble on the car.

Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.

The stablizer bars are heafty. If you go across a speed-bump at an
angle, you'll know it. If you go strait across, it's pretty smooth.

Ride is much nicer than car of the Mustang/Camaro genre but would be
harsh for a luxury car.

It is not a Luxury/Sport sedan as much as a Sport/Luxury sedan :-).

So I'm a little stuck on the car... It's Ford and Yamaha's fault.
Well, I have to go drive home now ;->.

mark
--
-- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.

From rec.autos Wed Mar 17 23:49:25 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Taurus SHO -- do they
Message-ID: <21218.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 16 Mar 93 11:12:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 24

MW>> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I

Beware the OEM Ford "60 Month" battery, mine lasted about 36.

MW>Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.

From what I've seen, Mustang can usually accelerate faster from a start
because of better low end torque, but SHO is better on freeway speeds because
of it's love of high rev speeds.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Thu Mar 25 11:03:37 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!nsisrv!news1.gsfc.nasa.gov!microwave.gsfc.nasa.gov!nucci
From: nucci@microwave.gsfc.nasa.gov (Jeffrey J. Nucciarone)
Subject: used Taurus SHO purchase
Message-ID: <C4G8Hv.Cs4@skates.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Sender: usenet@skates.gsfc.nasa.gov
Organization: NASA GSFC Code 913, Climate and Radiation
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1993 14:34:39 GMT
Lines: 40

I am considering buying a used '90 Taurus SHO. The car in
question has 37k miles. I took it for a test drive the other day
and a few questions came up.

First, the Check Engine light flickered a few times when driving,
abt 5 minutes after starting the engine. Engine load was low (low
speed driving in third gear) and I noticed the temp gauge was reading
just above the low end of the 'normal' range. The engine still had
good power and was running smooth. Is there any way I can easily
get the codes out of this thing? I'd like an idea of what is acting
up with the motor (of course, repairing what is wrong will be a part
of the negotiation.)

Second, is there anything I should specifically look for in an
SHO of this vintage? Anything I should specifically ask abt?
(Brakes, cluthch, etc.) I noticed on the drive the clutch engagement
point seemed a little high; since all my other cars are auto-tragics,
I'm not sure abt this point. I had my foot firmly planted on the
brake when I started it up. There was a bit of a pop in the pedal
soon after the engine started. This also occured on a few T-bird SC's
I test drove. Was this the ABS self test?

Is there anything else I should know? Any sounds I should
listen for? I was in the market for T-bird SC's but have now expanded
my search to include SHO's. This SHO looked like a good buy with just
the exception of the Check Engine light flashing ( car owner
said it flashes occasionally near the change of seasons?) and what
felt like a slightly high clutch (and a few touchups in the paint).

Any net.opinions and net.advice?? Since there seems to be quite
a few ppl looking for (and driving) SHO's, I'll summarize.

Thanks!
Jeff
nucci@microwave.gsfc.nasa.gov

.sig on vacation

From rec.autos Thu Mar 25 17:20:31 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!portal!cup.portal.com!Harv
From: Harv@cup.portal.com (Harv R Laser)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: used Taurus SHO purchase
Message-ID: <78220@cup.portal.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 93 10:46:17 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
References: <C4G8Hv.Cs4@skates.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Lines: 13

I dunno if the SHO's check engine light is the exact same circuit
as it is in my '90 Taurus L Wagon (3.0), but if it is, it could
be the car had a new battery installed recently. When this happens,
the engine reprograms itself until it's happy (according to my
local Ford dealer who replaced my original battery with a new
one some months back). When it's reprogramming itself, the check
engine light comes on briefly, stays on maybe a minute or two, and
then goes off. This can happen 4 or 5 times. So ask the seller of
the car if the battery was recently replaced or just pop the hood
and look at the battery's install date which should be on a little
affixed tag with the month/year holes on it punched out.

Harv

From rec.autos Wed Mar 31 15:52:24 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!unisql!wrat
From: wrat@unisql.UUCP (wharfie)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: buying a Taurus SHO
Message-ID: <5130@unisql.UUCP>
Date: 31 Mar 93 15:08:21 GMT
References: <1993Mar30.194830.29612@urbana.mcd.mot.com>
Organization: UniSQL, Inc., Austin, Texas, USA
Lines: 12

In article <1993Mar30.194830.29612@urbana.mcd.mot.com> ddefend@urbana.mcd.mot.com (Dan Defend) writes:
>I plan on buying a Ford Taurus SHO in the next few weeks. I hope to find
>an '89 or '90 w/~40k mi. Any words of wisdom on things to look for,

Make sure it's had the clutch recall and the brake rotor recall
done. See how old the battery is; SHO batteries go quickly (because
of heating due to the poor location?). Make sure the paddle switches
on the radio still work.

From rec.autos Wed Mar 31 15:53:03 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!nic.umass.edu!usenet
From: HILLIARD@UCSVAX.UCS.UMASS.EDU (TIMOTHY A HILLIARD)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: buying a Taurus SHO
Date: 31 Mar 1993 05:46:15 GMT
Organization: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS - AMHERST
Lines: 21
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <1pbb77$ioo@nic.umass.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: deimos.ucs.umass.edu
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.24

Check your Ford/LM Dealers for program cars. My brother bought
a '90 last fall, it had every option except CD player, came with ful warranty
(6/60), only 9000 miles on it all for around $14K. Just a little advice
before buying a used one. By personal sale if price is right but will
probaly have many miles on it. Program cars are pretty good deals, and
they are like buying a new one. More advice dont buy anything but an SHO,
you will never forgive yourself when one blows by you!! All the mags even
say that SHO is the best "FUN" car. The only problem with them is the shifter
(its cable on up to mid '91??). All you need is Motorsport shiter conversion,
this updates to the rod style on new ones.(Why they did not do thids from day
one who knows) The shifter sells for around $245 up, dont get ripped off,
I got my brothers even cheaper. My local Ford dealer will install
if you cant, very easy to do took us about four hours including dinner.
If you get an SHO I would get it from Ford, warranty is worth it.
Also check new prices, my area a dealer has one for $21000 LOADED
thats like $7000off for a '93. Not to shabby for dual airbags, leather
and all the other goodies, oh yah buy a '90, you get a drivers bag, thats
worth it, isnt it? Then join the SHO registry trust me its worth even more
...................................................................Tim.

From rec.autos Mon Apr 5 11:38:30 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!gatech!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!agate!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!unisql!wrat
From: wrat@unisql.UUCP (wharfie)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO brake rotors - warping?
Message-ID: <5160@unisql.UUCP>
Date: 2 Apr 93 17:14:52 GMT
References: <CPB004-220393182021@145.1.148.5> <17416@auspex-gw.auspex.com>
Organization: UniSQL, Inc., Austin, Texas, USA
Lines: 7

In article <17416@auspex-gw.auspex.com> tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:
>Does the rotor recall apply to all SHOs or just those in snow climates?

They did mine, and it don't snow in Austin...

From rec.autos Wed Apr 7 18:06:34 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!sparkyfs.erg.sri.com!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!network.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!iat.holonet.net!datadim!nill.toulme
From: nill.toulme@datadim.uu.holonet.net (Nill Toulme)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: used Taurus SHO purchase
Message-ID: <274.332.uupcb@datadim.uu.holonet.net>
Date: 6 Apr 93 07:41:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Data Dimension PCBoard - Norcross, GA - 404-921-1186
Reply-To: nill.toulme@datadim.uu.holonet.net (Nill Toulme)
Lines: 31

Quoting Jeffrey J. Nucciarone's (nucci@microwave.gsfc.nasa.gov) article
<C4G8Hv.Cs4@skates.gsfc.nasa.gov> of 04-06-93, in pertinent part:

JJ> I am considering buying a used '90 Taurus SHO. The car in
JJ> question has 37k miles. I took it for a test drive the other day
JJ> and a few questions came up.
JJ>
JJ> . . .
JJ> Second, is there anything I should specifically look for in an
JJ> SHO of this vintage? Anything I should specifically ask abt?
JJ> (Brakes, cluthch, etc.) I noticed on the drive the clutch engagemen
JJ> point seemed a little high; since all my other cars are auto-tragics
JJ> I'm not sure abt this point. I had my foot firmly planted on the
JJ> brake when I started it up. There was a bit of a pop in the pedal
JJ> soon after the engine started. This also occured on a few T-bird SC'
JJ> I test drove. Was this the ABS self test?

Brake rotors and the clutch are the main things. There has been a clutch
replacement program; you might check to see if the car is still eligible,
as it is a change well worth making. You can also swap the cruddy cable
shifter for the newer rod shifter, also a change worth making, but that'll
cost you some $$.

My brakes usually do one wibble-wobble on startup, so that is probably
normal. Didn't know they had a self-test, that's interesting.

What kind of tires does the car have on it?

---
* WinQwk 2.0b#131 * For a good time dial 7000 on your SHO. *

From rec.autos Wed Apr 7 18:06:41 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!headwall.Stanford.EDU!nntp.Stanford.EDU!tedebear
From: tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
Subject: Re: used Taurus SHO purchase
Message-ID: <1993Apr7.054507.22240@leland.Stanford.EDU>
Sender: news@leland.Stanford.EDU (Mr News)
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
References: <274.332.uupcb@datadim.uu.holonet.net>
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 93 05:45:07 GMT
Lines: 9

In article <274.332.uupcb@datadim.uu.holonet.net> nill.toulme@datadim.uu.holonet.net (Nill Toulme) writes:
>My brakes usually do one wibble-wobble on startup, so that is probably
>normal. Didn't know they had a self-test, that's interesting.

it's normal. our ABS-equipped taurus GL does it, too.
so did my friend's t-bird turbo coupe. seems to be
a characteristic of ford's ABS systems in general.

-teddy

From rec.autos Wed Apr 7 18:07:16 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!sparkyfs.erg.sri.com!ames!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!bogus.sura.net!darwin.sura.net!aurora.LaTech.edu!vm.cc.latech.edu!OPDBS
From: OPDBS@vm.cc.latech.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Taurus/Sable rotor recall
Date: Tue, 06 Apr 93 18:29:50 CST
Organization: Louisiana Tech University
Lines: 23
Message-ID: <16BA81041E.OPDBS@vm.cc.latech.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: vm.cc.latech.edu
X-Newsreader: NNR/VM S_1.3.2

Hey guys/gals

I dunno about your Taurus/Sable, but with my 89 Sable LS, the front right
rotor became warped and I tried (sucessfully) to get it replaced. It was no
easy chore. Apparently, there is a recall for some models with the composite
rotors, but they said mine wasn't one of 'em. Sure. They shouldn't do that
at only 20-30,000 miles I don't think.

I called the Ford folks on their 800 number and kept rattling the service
manager's cage til they put a new one on for free. They can darn sure do it
if they want. (That's exactly what the Ford folks told me. Threaten 'em with
no referals, no repeat business, or just the fact that there has to be a
reason so many of us have this particular problem.) I am of the opinion that
the 'secret recall/warranty' business is alive and well right here in 'River
City'.

And no, I don't think the fact that I had 5 yr/100,000 mile warranty was
really a factor. Who knows? They didn't write it up that way.

Doug
opdbs@vm.cc.latech.edu

From rec.autos Sat Apr 10 20:12:07 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Platinum plug & SHO parts
Message-ID: <23268.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 10 Apr 93 12:35:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 23

SA>access to the right side of the engine.) The plugs still looked
SA>pretty good after 60K ! I was so impressed w/ the life of the plug, I
SA>saved one... it looks better than a "standard" plug after the 25,000
SA>mile interval suggested for the Corolla.

I changed the Motorcraft Platinum plugs on my SHO after around 68k miles,
and was suprised at the excellent condition they were in. Almost no
oxidation/corrosion at all.

SA>With Platinum plugs, fuel injection, electronic ignition w/out points,
SA>etc. cars are becoming almost service free. (Although when something
SA>does break it costs ten times more -- i don't know which is better)

However, as I speak, my SHO is sitting in the shop because NO FORD DEALER
here in town stocks parts for that engine. Apparently they will NOT work
on them (probably broke too many) because of some agreement they have with
Yamaha. My mechanic (not Ford-affiliated at all, thank God) had to order
the parts from Detroit, and they didn't make it in by Friday because of
the holiday.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Sat Apr 10 20:23:52 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Platinum plug & SHO parts
Message-ID: <23268.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 10 Apr 93 12:35:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 23

I changed the Motorcraft Platinum plugs on my SHO after around 68k miles,
and was suprised at the excellent condition they were in. Almost no
oxidation/corrosion at all.

From rec.autos Sun Apr 11 18:36:13 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!ogicse!reed!news
From: rseymour@reed.edu (Robert Seymour)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Buying a used SHO (was Re: Most bang for $13k)
Message-ID: <1993Apr11.231440.1755@reed.edu>
Date: 11 Apr 93 23:14:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: reed.1993Apr11.231440.1755
References: <1993Apr10.145140.16619@rtfm.mlb.fl.us>
Sender: news@reed.edu (USENET News System)
Reply-To: rseymour@reed.edu
Organization: Reed College, Portland, OR
Lines: 58

In article <1993Apr10.145140.16619@rtfm.mlb.fl.us> john@rtfm.mlb.fl.us (John
Blasik) writes:
>
> >>Take a look at a '91 Taurus SHO - they can be found for ~13k, and are the
> >>ultimate in 4 door sports cars. Performance similar to a Mustang, but
> >>quite civil and comfortable... Try to get a late model 91 for the better
> >>shifter.
>
> to which rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade) writes:
> >danger dan-jar, stay away. early model sho's had lots of little problems...
> >like clutch trouble, rotors warping...and other knicky-knacks. i would not
> >get one that was not under warranty! even the new 93 models have had to
have
> >the auto transmissions replaced due to a problem!
>
> Dyuah. mebbe the 91 is not a early model. not an automatic even either.
> -- john

The problems were all minor and easily correctable. The major problems were
with brake rotors and the clutch. The rotors didn't handle salt well and were
prone to warpage from hard, cold braking. The clutch was on the weak side for a
220 hp engine. The earlier SHOs also used Mazda cable shifters which are just
awful. You can replace all these parts easily from the SVO catalog.

The problems were basically corrected in 91. You can buy all the replacement
parts to upgrade your SHO to 91 standards from SVO, but you're better off going
with a Centerforce II Dual Friction clutch and premium rotors. The rod assembly
for the shifter is just fine.

The SHO is a very durable car with only a few problems (read: it's a Ford). You
may need to spend a little time correcting Ford's mistakes, but you will be
well rewarded. Buying an SHO is one of the better choices in performance sedans
(where else will you get that kind of performance for a similar price).

Another advantage of the SHO is that there are a lot of aftermarket upgrades
available. It is easy to move up to a 77mm MAF (the Pro-M is resold by SVO),
upgraded full dual exhaust, K&N filter, and a myriad of other improvememnts.
There is another 50-70 hp just waiting to be let out of the SHO. Suspension,
brakes, chassis, etc. can also be upgraded without much difficulty.

I wouldn't go for an automatic yet, as they haven't worked out all the problems
[why anyone would buy a car like the SHO with an automatic is beyond me... if
you want performance, don't you want to control it? but, look at all the
Mustangs with AODs... ]. They should be very good by next year or so, and even
now they can perform well with a little help.

Look for around 10k for the 89 SHO or 13-4k for the 91 SHO. These are the best
options, as they give either package for a minimum. Just be wary of anyone who
has really revved the engine aggresively without knowing how to do so properly.
A lot of unnecessary stress can come from drivers who normally drive sedate,
but push the engine very hard sporatically. However, the 3.0L DOHC SHO V-6 is
holding up very well, even with high mileage.

--
Robert Seymour rseymour@reed.edu
Physics and Philosophy, Reed College (NeXTmail accepted)
Artificial Life Project Reed College
Reed Solar Energy Project (SolTrain) Portland, OR

From rec.autos Tue Apr 13 22:56:48 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!menudo.uh.edu!jpunix!mwk!cutting!david.bonds
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Ford SHO engine parts!
Message-ID: <23361.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Date: 12 Apr 93 14:40:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Lines: 44

Anybody out there with Taurus SHOs who have them worked on by private mechanics
take note:

Apparently there has been some type of deal with Ford and Yamaha whereby Ford
will NOT do work on internal engine components of the SHO engine. This
includes the recommended 60k maintenance (valve lash adjustment). How did I
find this out? Well, at 75.5k miles I put my SHO into the shop for some minor
things to be fixed, and decided to get the valves adjusted. My mechanic tried
every Ford dealer in town for valve shims (required in the adjustment process),
and found that NONE of them stocked any parts for the SHO engine! Remember
folks, this is Houston we're talking about, not some midwest farm city. We've
got at least half a dozen Ford dealers in town. After a bit of conversing with
the grease monkeys at the dealer, he discovered that they don't do work on the
SHO engine, and therefore, wouldn't stock parts. When asked what they'd do if
a engine under warranty exhibited some engine related problems such as valve
clatter, they responded "get a new one". Yes, a WHOLE new engine. I guess
if yours is out of warranty, you'd have to buy a new engine (~10k from Ford
SVO, last time I checked) if you would only work with the dealers.

Is it just me, or does this strike anyone else as ridiculous? I guess Yamaha
dosen't want Ford mechanics trashing their work of art or something.

Anyhow, the moral of the story is:

If you don't know of a mechanic who'll work on the SHO engine, find one!
My '89 SHO has over 75k miles on it, and this is the first time anybody has
ever gone into the engine (and it wasen't even really necessary - this valve
job is more preventive maintenence then anything else). That's pretty good
reliability, so don't everyone start bashing SHOs just because nobody at Ford
will work on 'em.

Secondly, if you've got a mechanic who will (and more importantly, CAN) work
on the engine - be sure to order the parts in advance. My car went into
the shop last Wednesday, but due to having to order the parts from Detroit
(maybe Japan, who knows), and Good Friday (Ford's distribution center was
shut down) the valve shims didn't arrive here in Houston until today, and I
won't get the car back 'til tomorrow. That's nearly a week of no car for
1 day of work.

Happy driving.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Tue Apr 13 22:57:20 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!gatech!hubcap!Chuck@clemson.edu
From: Chuck@clemson.edu (Chuck Heck)
Subject: Re: Ford SHO engine parts!
Message-ID: <1993Apr13.124929.3556@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Sender: news@hubcap.clemson.edu (news)
Organization: Clemson University
References: <23361.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1993 12:49:29 GMT
Lines: 81

In article <23361.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>, david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) writes:
>
> Anybody out there with Taurus SHOs who have them worked on by private mechanics
> take note:
>
> Apparently there has been some type of deal with Ford and Yamaha whereby Ford
> will NOT do work on internal engine components of the SHO engine. This
> includes the recommended 60k maintenance (valve lash adjustment). How did I
> find this out? Well, at 75.5k miles I put my SHO into the shop for some minor
> things to be fixed, and decided to get the valves adjusted. My mechanic tried
> every Ford dealer in town for valve shims (required in the adjustment process),
> and found that NONE of them stocked any parts for the SHO engine! Remember

Considering the relatively small number of SHO engines on the street compared to other
Ford V-6 engines, the fact that the Yamaha needs attention once every 60K miles, and
the different combinations of shims that are needed to make adjustments, I'm not
surprised that the dealers don't stock parts. They prefer to keep their money
tied up in other things that they sell more quickly. The dealers won't do timing
belt or valve lash adjustments? Maybe they don't have anyone trained to do them,
but neither is particularly tough, just time consuming because of the amount of
work required to get to them. My dealer does all of that stuff, and they charge
handsomely for it.

> folks, this is Houston we're talking about, not some midwest farm city. We've
> got at least half a dozen Ford dealers in town. After a bit of conversing with
> the grease monkeys at the dealer, he discovered that they don't do work on the
> SHO engine, and therefore, wouldn't stock parts. When asked what they'd do if
> a engine under warranty exhibited some engine related problems such as valve
> clatter, they responded "get a new one". Yes, a WHOLE new engine. I guess
> if yours is out of warranty, you'd have to buy a new engine (~10k from Ford
> SVO, last time I checked) if you would only work with the dealers.

Let's not compare in-warranty work to out-of-warranty work. The Yamaha engine
is so reliable that Yamaha and Ford would probably want to open up a failed unit
at the factory to see what went wrong. I haven't asked my dealer about engine
teardown, but when I've been there before they've had everything from engines to
transmissions spread out across the bench. They've also had short blocks ready
to go into vehicles as well.
>
> Is it just me, or does this strike anyone else as ridiculous? I guess Yamaha
> dosen't want Ford mechanics trashing their work of art or something.
>
> Anyhow, the moral of the story is:
>
> If you don't know of a mechanic who'll work on the SHO engine, find one!
> My '89 SHO has over 75k miles on it, and this is the first time anybody has
> ever gone into the engine (and it wasen't even really necessary - this valve
> job is more preventive maintenence then anything else). That's pretty good
> reliability, so don't everyone start bashing SHOs just because nobody at Ford
> will work on 'em.

Warning - anecdote follows...Once while I was at the dealer having my car worked on,
I talked to the mechanic who commented that when he was at the Ford factory engine
school the students were headed to lunch. They had to walk by the engine stands on
the way out, and the instructor stopped at the Yamaha engine and said, "Let's run
this one while we're at lunch." He then proceeded to start the engine and dial it
up to 10,000 RPM, at which time they went to lunch. They returned an hour later,
and it was still running, same RPM. The instructor shut it down, and they went back
to class. My mechanic said the entire class came away impressed.

>
> Secondly, if you've got a mechanic who will (and more importantly, CAN) work
> on the engine - be sure to order the parts in advance. My car went into
> the shop last Wednesday, but due to having to order the parts from Detroit
> (maybe Japan, who knows), and Good Friday (Ford's distribution center was
> shut down) the valve shims didn't arrive here in Houston until today, and I
> won't get the car back 'til tomorrow. That's nearly a week of no car for

It seems that you were bitten by a long holiday weekend. Another question - do
the shims that Yamaha uses on their motorcycle engines fit the SHO? If so, the
cycle shops might be a source for the shims. Anyone know?

> 1 day of work.
>
> Happy driving.
>
> ----
> The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
> Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB
>
Chuck

From rec.autos Wed Apr 14 14:32:41 1993
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!usenet.coe.montana.edu!ogicse!reed!news
From: rseymour@reed.edu (Robert Seymour)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Message-ID: <1993Apr14.065401.28038@reed.edu>
Date: 14 Apr 93 06:54:01 GMT
Article-I.D.: reed.1993Apr14.065401.28038
References: <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Sender: news@reed.edu (USENET News System)
Reply-To: rseymour@reed.edu
Organization: Reed College, Portland, OR
Lines: 34

In article <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene
Kim) writes:
>
> I've almost decided to buy a maroon '89 SHO. The car has 92K miles
> on it (!) but is in really great shape -- I would have guessed no more than
> 40K had I not seen the leather seat wear-and-tear!
>
> The only qualm I have about this car is a relatively loud grinding
> noise coming from the engine compartment whenver I lift the clutch after
> shifting. The noise begins as a whir, and then grinds to a halt whenver
> I shift to a higher gear.
>
> The owner says that he's tried to get this fixed twice under the
> Extended Service Plan when he first got the car, but after driving loaner
> SHOs, he was convinced that all SHOs have this problem.
>
> Anyone else have this problem? If so, any solutions? Do all '89 SHOs
> really have such unhealthy-sounding clutches?
>
> (Counting the days until I become a member of the SHO family! :-)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Gene

No they don't all have this problem. Have the clutch disc, pressure plate, and
flywheel checked out to see that they are OK. With 92k, I'd move to a new
clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing anyway. Try a Centerforce II Dual
Friction, they are very nice and have an easy pedal feel to boot.

--
Robert Seymour rseymour@reed.edu
Physics and Philosophy, Reed College (NeXTmail accepted)
Artificial Life Project Reed College
Reed Solar Energy Project (SolTrain) Portland, OR

From rec.autos Wed Apr 14 14:32:55 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!gatech!swrinde!sdd.hp.com!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!eng.ufl.edu!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!uunet!pipex!uknet!bnr.co.uk!bnrgate!corpgate!crchh327!crchh574!jcyuhn
From: jcyuhn@crchh574.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (James Yuhn)
Subject: Re: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Message-ID: <C5H6F8.LDu@news.rich.bnr.ca>
Sender: jcyuhn@crchh574 (James Yuhn)
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1993 13:21:07 GMT
References: <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
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In article <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>, kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene
Kim) writes:
|>
|> I've almost decided to buy a maroon '89 SHO. The car has 92K miles
|> on it (!) but is in really great shape -- I would have guessed no more than
|> 40K had I not seen the leather seat wear-and-tear!
|>
|> The only qualm I have about this car is a relatively loud grinding
|> noise coming from the engine compartment whenver I lift the clutch after
|> shifting. The noise begins as a whir, and then grinds to a halt whenver
|> I shift to a higher gear.
|>
|> The owner says that he's tried to get this fixed twice under the
|> Extended Service Plan when he first got the car, but after driving loaner
|> SHOs, he was convinced that all SHOs have this problem.
|>
|> Anyone else have this problem? If so, any solutions? Do all '89 SHOs
|> really have such unhealthy-sounding clutches?
|>
|> (Counting the days until I become a member of the SHO family! :-)
|>
|> Thanks in advance,
|> Gene
|>

Gene,

That's not the clutch you're hearing, its the gearbox. Early SHOs have
a lot of what is referred to as 'gear rollover' noise. You can generally
hear this grinding noise once the clutch is fully engaged, and engine
RPM is in the range of 1000-2000 RPM. It's normal for early SHOs, nothing
to worry about. I believe the noise is caused by the use of relatively
straight cut gears in the transmission, similar to the GM 'rock crusher'
transmissions of the '60s musclecar era. (No verification on this theory
yet.) Different transmission lubricants can slightly quiet things down.

Jim

From rec.autos Wed Apr 14 14:33:08 1993
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From: jfox@hooksett.East.Sun.COM (John Fox - SunExpress IR)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Date: 14 Apr 1993 14:39:22 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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In article LDu@news.rich.bnr.ca, jcyuhn@crchh574.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (James Yuhn) writes:
>In article <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>, kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene
>Kim) writes:
>|>
>|> I've almost decided to buy a maroon '89 SHO. The car has 92K miles
>|> on it (!) but is in really great shape -- I would have guessed no more than
>|> 40K had I not seen the leather seat wear-and-tear!
>|>
>|> The only qualm I have about this car is a relatively loud grinding
>|> noise coming from the engine compartment whenver I lift the clutch after
>|> shifting. The noise begins as a whir, and then grinds to a halt whenver
>|> I shift to a higher gear.
>|>
>|> The owner says that he's tried to get this fixed twice under the
>|> Extended Service Plan when he first got the car, but after driving loaner
>|> SHOs, he was convinced that all SHOs have this problem.
>|>
>|> Anyone else have this problem? If so, any solutions? Do all '89 SHOs
>|> really have such unhealthy-sounding clutches?
>|>
>|> (Counting the days until I become a member of the SHO family! :-)
>|>
>|> Thanks in advance,
>|> Gene
>|>
>
> Gene,
>
> That's not the clutch you're hearing, its the gearbox. Early SHOs have
> a lot of what is referred to as 'gear rollover' noise. You can generally
> hear this grinding noise once the clutch is fully engaged, and engine
> RPM is in the range of 1000-2000 RPM. It's normal for early SHOs, nothing
> to worry about. I believe the noise is caused by the use of relatively
> straight cut gears in the transmission, similar to the GM 'rock crusher'
> transmissions of the '60s musclecar era. (No verification on this theory
> yet.) Different transmission lubricants can slightly quiet things down.
>
> Jim

It's not unique to early SHO's either. I have a 91 (and a half) which does it
as well. I haven't tried any of the oils that supposed to fix it. It's not
really something to get concerned about (if indeed it's gear rollover you're
hearing).

John

From rec.autos Thu Apr 22 14:30:50 1993
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From: weisberg@primail.pr.cyanamid.com (Alan Weisberg)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: SHO Shifter Upgrade
Message-ID: <1qu80p$7p7@c3po.jvnc.net>
Date: 19 Apr 93 13:04:25 GMT
Distribution: all
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NNTP-Posting-Host: primail.pr.cyanamid.com

I am the proud owner (most of the time except for the rotor and clutch
replacement I just went through) of a 1990 SHO. I agree that it has the
worlds worst shifter. My 10 speed bicycle shifts better than my SHO.

I know that I can replace the shifter to 1993 standards. I have a few
questions:

1. Where can I get it?

2. How much does it cost?

3. Has anyone tried to do this themselves?

4. How difficult was the install.

I am quite adept at auto repari, but do not want to get in over my head as I
have no access to heavy duty tools/lifts/etc and am strictly a "driveway
repair" kind of guy.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Alan
WEISBERG@PR.CYANAMID.COM

From david.bonds@Cutting.Hou.TX.US Sun Apr 11 03:50:02 1993
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To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Subject: Platinum plug & SHO p
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Message-Id: <17925.143.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 93 01:44:00 -0600
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Status: OR

Re: Platinum plug & SHO parts

GK> Just out of curiousity, what ails your SHO? I am a week away from
GK>buying an 89 SHO with 75,000 miles on it. It has new platinum plugs
GK>as well as the upgraded clutch. The idea of the engine pooping out
GK>and having my "new" SHO in the shop gives me chills just thinking about
GK>it! :-)

All in all, pretty minor stuff. The speedometer cable broke, resulting in
no way other then guestimation for how fast you were actually going, with
the added benefit of "free" milage on the car (only ~200 miles, til I could
get it into the shop). Also had squeaky belts on startup (needed an
adjustment), and lastly, my left front wheel bearings needed replacing
(strange sounds coming from the tire). While it was in there, I decided to
have the valve adjustment done (supposed to be part of the 60k service, I
stretched it a bit.)

One thing to check for - the other maintenance that was scheduled for 60k
(valve adjustment, new belts, etc) and all regular maintence should be
recorded - if the car has been maintained well, it's got quite a few more
good years in it. I've been immensely satisified with mine, and would
suggest a SHO to others who like the idea of a sports sedan.

Let me know how it works out for you.

----
The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB

From rec.autos Sun Mar 21 16:22:29 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
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From: mrice@mozart.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Mark W. Rice)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO -- do they
Message-ID: <1993Mar18.092926.24906@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM>
Nntp-Posting-Host: mozart.columbiasc.ncr.com
Organization: NCR Corp., Columbia SC
References: <21218.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 93 14:29:26 GMT
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In article <21218.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us> david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) writes:
>Mark W. Rice wrote:
>MW>Don't know. My 89 had 39K when purchased and has 52K now. I drove
>MW>another 89 that had about 70K. The seat on the 70K showed some wear
>MW>but the motor was very strong (could tell no difference from mine).
>
>I have an '89 with 75.4k miles on it. The seat is worn just the same, but
>the engine is still running strong. With good care, I expect to keep it to
>200k miles or so. There was a guy in the SHO Registry who had 200k miles on
>his, and the only sign of age was "a little grey smoke from the exhaust at
>6k+ RPMs."

Good to know. I know I want to hang on to this car for a while.

>MW>> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I
>Beware the OEM Ford "60 Month" battery, mine lasted about 36.

Now that you mention that, the previous owner (my car) had his go bad too.

>MW>Power similar to a 5.0L Mustang although the Mustang shifter feels faster.
>
>From what I've seen, Mustang can usually accelerate faster from a start
>because of better low end torque, but SHO is better on freeway speeds because
>of it's love of high rev speeds.

I'm sure that's true. I'm going by gut feel which is unreliable. But,
if you slide the clutch, you can get the power to the wheels at low
speeds too. You have to constantly fight that fine-line of
power/traction, but it works. If neither driver (Mustang/SHO) slides
the clutch, then the Mustang will leave the SHO. If both work the
clutch, the cars will be much closer. The driver may be more of a
factor here.

At the low end, Mustang has much more power. At the high end, there's
very little difference (M:225/S:220) although Mustang is likely lighter
too. Does anyone know the weight of these two? I think the 'stang
tends to get better traction too, because of rear-wheel drive.

mark
--
-- mark rice 803-791-6361 mark.rice@ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM My views.

From rec.autos Sun Mar 21 16:22:30 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!uunet!gatech!hubcap!Chuck@clemson.edu
From: Chuck@clemson.edu (Chuck Heck)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO brake rotors - warping?
Message-ID: <1993Mar20.163248.6854@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Sender: news@hubcap.clemson.edu (news)
Organization: Clemson University
References: <21331.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1993 16:32:48 GMT
Lines: 34

In article <21331.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>, david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) writes:
>
>
> I've got an '89 SHO, and have noticed a "waa-waa-waa-waa" noise from the
> front end. I'd say it was tire noise, but it just started overnight,
> and didn't go away with a tire rotation. Someone told me horror stories
> about the brake rotors on the SHO warping - does this sound like a
> possibility here? The wheel does not shake or anything, and the noise
> dosen't seem to be any different when braking (think it's almost always
> present, but quiet).
>
> Suggestions/comments appreciated...
>
> ----
> The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us) A PCBoard 14.5a system
> Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB
>
Waa-waa-waa-waa with the brakes off or applied? My stock Eagle GT+4 tires
made a sound like that all the time. Warped rotors are usually more noticeable
for what they do to the steering wheel (not to mention the rest of the vehicle)
when the brakes are applied, rather than any noise that is produced.

In any event, the Taurus model line seems to be sensitive to wheel nut torque
and how it is applied. So much so that Ford issued a TSB in 1990 saying that
the wheel nuts should be hand torqued to the specified amount, which I believe
is between 85lb/ft to 105lb/ft (check the shop manual to be sure, I'm quoting
from memory).

On the SHO, the '89 and '90 MY used composite steel and iron disk assemblies,
with the cast iron rotor riveted to a steel hub. For the '91 and later MYs
the disks were changed to one piece cast iron units. I suspect this change
was made because of warping problems.

Chuck

From rec.autos Sun Mar 21 16:22:30 1993
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Path: mentor.cc.purdue.edu!purdue!haven.umd.edu!ames!sun-barr!decwrl!pa.dec.com!engage.pko.dec.com!helix.enet.dec.com!sontakke
From: sontakke@helix.enet.dec.com (Vikas Sontakke)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO brake rotors - warping?
Message-ID: <1993Mar21.192517.18682@engage.pko.dec.com>
Sender: newsdaemon@engage.pko.dec.com (USENET News Daemon)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
References: <21331.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us> <1993Mar20.163248.6854@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1993 19:23:18 GMT
Lines: 16

>
>On the SHO, the '89 and '90 MY used composite steel and iron disk assemblies,
>with the cast iron rotor riveted to a steel hub. For the '91 and later MYs
>the disks were changed to one piece cast iron units. I suspect this change
>was made because of warping problems.
>
>Chuck

There is a rotor recall, 91S36. I got the front rotors replaced on my 90 SHO
when the clutch recall was applied in the April 91.

Vikas Sontakke Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard MA.
Internet: sontakke@helix.enet.dec.com
uucp: {decvax,ucbvax,allegra}!decwrl!helix.enet!sontakke
sontakke%helix.enet@decwrl.dec.com

From mikes@tellabs.com Tue Mar 16 11:02:39 1993
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Date: Tue, 16 Mar 93 08:50:48 CST
From: mikes@tellabs.com
Message-Id: <9303161450.AA21136@tellaba.tellabs.com>
To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO -- do they age well?
Newsgroups: rec.autos
In-Reply-To: <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Organization: Tellabs, Lisle,IL
Status: ORr

In article <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> you write:
> I'm currently looking at several 1989 SHOs. I've wanted one
>for years, but I'm a bit concerned about how well they'll hold
>up. Two of the SHOs I've looked at have over 60,000 miles on
>it. Do you see the Yamaha engines still kicking after 100K
>miles?

The SHO Registry has had some testimonials about cars with well over 100,000 miles. In
addition, about the only part of the car that is never complained about is the engine.
They have had articles on how to do the 60,000 mile maintenance (change plugs, timing
belts, and adjust valves) yourself.

> These cars all have the upgraded clutch and new platinum
>plugs (which have to be replaced at 50K, right?). The shifter
>was extremely smooth, although the 1st gear synchros on both cars
>seemed to have failed. Is this normal on SHOs? Is there
>anything else that needs to replaced at the 50K hump?

You should not buy an '89, '90, or early '91 unless it has had the clutch upgrade. The
plugs are supposed to be replace at 60,000 miles. Not many people describe the old
cable shifter as smooth. Ford offers a retro-fit of the new rod shifter for ~$350.00. I
haven't seen complaints about the first gear synchros in the SHO Registry or on the
net. I would assume it's not normal.

> I've looked for an SHO mailing list, but to no avail. Found
>a Sentra-R list, a Honda list, but no SHO list. What's wrong
>with this picture?

It'd be great if someone would start one; there certainly seems to be enough
interest. BTW, if you do buy an SHO, the SHO Registry is well worth the $35.00 per year
membership cost. They have information from the factory on trouble spots and remedies,
as well as upgrades and events. I don't have the address with me; let me know if you
need it.

> I'd appreciate any hints on Taurus SHO trouble spots that I
>should keep an eye out for. I would also love to hear what SHO
>owners think about their cars. Email is fine, but so is a Usenet
>follow-up. I'll compile them all and try to get a summary into the
>rec.autos mail archive when it comes back online.

Rattling sunroofs, early battery fatalities, tires wear too fast seem to be the most
common complaints. I have 40,000 miles on my '90 and I still love it. I would buy again
without hesitation.

> (An aside: I've noticed many early model Tauri suffering
>from paint chips on the front grills. Because of this, I
>expected '89 SHOs to be suffering from this, too. To my
>surprise, the paint job on the two SHOs I looked at were
>immaculate! Why?)

Perhaps SHO owners take better care of their toys.

>Thanks in advance,
>Gene

No problem.

Regards,
Mike Schwartz
--
-

------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Schwartz **
Tellabs Operations, Inc. **
Lisle, IL **
------------------------------------------------------------------

From Dave_Egner@NeXT.COM Tue Mar 23 13:23:20 1993
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To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Gene Kim)
Subject: Re: Taurus SHO -- do they age well?
Cc: degner@NeXT.COM
Status: OR

In rec.autos article <C3w91B.8H2@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> you wrote:
>

> I'm currently looking at several 1989 SHOs. I've wanted one
> for years, but I'm a bit concerned about how well they'll hold
> up.

My '89 SHO just rolled past 82,000 miles. The car is used for a daily commute through
three counties to work; some of the route is on Highway 17, a locally infamous bit of
mountainous twisties. Let's just say that I drive agressively.

I've had grief with the original clutch (two failures in 48K miles); once the heavy-duty
clutch was installed, no trouble since (48K onwards...).

The worst experiences with this car have been with the Ford dealership service centers.
I've had to go travelling well out of my way before finding a dealership who would
competently service the car.

The engine is a jewel. It's just as gutsy as the day I bought the car and it doesn't drip or
burn oil. I've visions of the engine living on well past the day when the car falls apart.

The interior has held up well. My wife's spilled coffee stains on the carpet are the worst
tale of wear and tear to be seen so far.

This car has me convinced that the ultimate automotive luxury is POWER and
SURE-FOOTEDNESS. One gets used to being able to slide into any hole in the traffic as
soon as it pops into existance. This car will get you there.

The SHO Registry is your best bet for current SHO events and after-market goodies.

Good luck,

From pacyga@maize.rtsg.mot.com Thu Apr 15 15:03:12 1993
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Date: Thu, 15 Apr 93 15:00:50 CDT
From: pacyga@maize.rtsg.mot.com (Jim Pacyga)
Message-Id: <9304152000@clear21>
To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Subject: Re: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
In-Reply-To: <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Cc:
Status: ORr

In article <C5GGMM.6x8@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> you write:
>
> I've almost decided to buy a maroon '89 SHO. The car has 92K miles
>on it (!) but is in really great shape -- I would have guessed no more than
>40K had I not seen the leather seat wear-and-tear!

By the by, if you are referring to the bolster on the front seats. They wear
out after about 6 months. I had the dealer replace mine and it still looks
bad. I am going to find if there is a way to "re-tan" it. Other than that
my leather looks okay with just the typical wrinkles.

>
> The only qualm I have about this car is a relatively loud grinding
>noise coming from the engine compartment whenver I lift the clutch after
>shifting. The noise begins as a whir, and then grinds to a halt whenver
>I shift to a higher gear.
>
> The owner says that he's tried to get this fixed twice under the
>Extended Service Plan when he first got the car, but after driving loaner
>SHOs, he was convinced that all SHOs have this problem.
>
> Anyone else have this problem? If so, any solutions? Do all '89 SHOs
>really have such unhealthy-sounding clutches?
>
> (Counting the days until I become a member of the SHO family! :-)
>
Gene,

Here is what I have found. At low RPM (under 1.5k) when the clutch is fully
let out I hear a raspy sound. It sounds like metal rubbing against metal.
It is audible, but not extremely loud. It also only happens in 1st, 2nd, and
a little bit in 3rd.

If this is what you are hearing, then the guy is right. It is a SHO sound.
Every SHO I have driven sounds like this ( I don't remember of hand about
the 93 ), but I am now so used to it that I ignore it.

Like always it is really hard to describe a noise via e-mail. If you need
some more detail, I can try to pay closer attention to mine. Send me mail
if you are interested.

Make sure that usuals have already been replaced: front rotors, old clutch
for heavy duty job, etc.

Enjoy !

Jim

From pacyga@maize.rtsg.mot.com Thu Apr 15 17:07:57 1993
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Date: Thu, 15 Apr 93 17:05:35 CDT
From: pacyga@maize.rtsg.mot.com (Jim Pacyga)
Message-Id: <9304152205@clear21>
To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Subject: Re: SHO clutch question (grinding noise?)
Status: ORr

Gene,

I, too, thought the grinding was the throwout bearing or a bad bearing in the
trans, but it is just "designed-in". History: Ford replaced a truly bad
bearing in my trans, but forgot to fill 'er up with tranny fluid. My trans
lasted about 3k before I lost 2nd, 4th, and almost 1st. I ended up with a
completely new ground up rebuilt trans (all but top casing), still has the
noise though. Unfortunately, my shifter has been acting up since (ie. hard
to get into gear). Gotta go beat up those Ford dopes again, if I can ever
figure out how to consistently reproduce the problem.

I didn't get the rod linkage, since I drove a 93 and didn't consider the
upgrade to feel that much better.

The 1-2 shift under fast acceleration is a real bear, but once you get the
hang of strong-arming it...No prob.

Look into joining the SHO registry. It's only $30 a year and has some good
tips. I can get you the address if you need it.

Jim

From david.bonds@Cutting.Hou.TX.US Mon Apr 12 18:44:26 1993
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To: kimgh@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Subject: SHO Time
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Message-Id: <17990.143.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 93 14:20:00 -0600
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds)
Status: OR

GK>(Amazingly, the car with 92K felt remarkably solid. Aside from the
GK>completely worn floormats and a partially worn lumbar supoort on the
GK>driver's side, the car felt the same as a Taurus I've driven that only
GK>had 45K.)
GK>
GK>How many miles did you buy yours with? How many have you piled on
GK>since then? :-)

Hehe.. I got mine on July 14, 1992 with ~68.5 miles. When I took it into the
shop last Wednesday for what I thought would be a 1 or 2 day job (which brings
up the point - if you DO get a SHO, and you have any engine work done on it,
make sure and order the parts in advance - turns out Ford dosen't even stock
parts for their own car because Yamaha won't let them touch it) it had around
75.5k miles on it. I'll let you do the math. ;-)

Mine has (and had when I got it) wear on the lumbar support on the drivers
side, just as you mention, just a high wear part. As long as the car is
mechanically sound, minor cosmetic problems like that aren't really of
much concern. If they bother you, they can be repaired relativly cheaply.
A bit of advice - if you find on that you are seriously considering, have a
mechanic do a "used car buyers check" on it before the purchase. Will help
in the long run, especially if the mechanic finds something wrong with it.
Remember the SHO isn't your typical powerplant, and you'll have to do a bit
of phoning around to find a mechanic who will know what it is, much less
enough about it to look it over well, and work on it.

----
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Houston, Texas, USA +1.713.466.1525 running uuPCB