The engine is extremely durable and doesn't require outlandish maintenance, but is susceptible to rough running due to dirty throttle bodies and sensor problems. However, high mileage engines treated with infrequent oil changes are known to spin rod bearings. SHOs are very hard on clutches; you'll want to ensure that a car built previous to February 1991 has had the factory clutch upgrade performed. Signs of clutch wear (thanks to Dennis Krebs):
High clutch engagement
Excessive heavy pedal
Rough idle with A/C on
Rough gear shift
Clutch slippage
Excessive reverse grind
Sometimes, shady shifting problems can be solved with nothing but synthetic transmission fluid, so if you're dream SHO won't shift into reverse easily, don't give up on it.
Many SHO owners will dump off their SHO right before 60,000 or 120,000 miles to avoid the expense and trouble of the 60k tune-up. It is always a good idea to ask if the 60k/120k/180k tune-up has been performed and if it hasn't, adjust the price accordingly.
Taking a look at the intake can reveal motor mount problems and bad subframe bushings. Shiny spots visible on the intake manifold that appear to have been rubbed in a vertical pattern usually indicate bad motor mounts and a horizontal pattern may hint at bad subframe bushings.
Oil in the plug wells - a VERY common SHO problem. The cause is bad plug well seals. Signs will be rough running, and oil smoke out of the tail pipes. This problem is usually indicative of a SHO in need of a 60,000 mile tuneup.
Radiator and other coolant leaks - I don't know if I've ever seen an SHO without one!
Broken climate control buttons - Again, I don't know if I've ever seen an SHO without one! I would invest a little more in an SHO with good climate control buttons - you know it's been babied.
Also, the battery is in a poorly ventilated location and suffers a high rate of heat failures, so you'll want to pay particular attention to its age and condition. Particular problems of Tauri in general include warped front brake rotors, steering graunches, splotchy paint, water leaks around the trunk, and rust. The mechanical problems have been addressed by Ford technical service bulletins for the most part; you'll want to look for proof that these have been performed on the car you're interested in, or else deduct the service cost from your offer. It's a good idea to call the NHTSA Technical Library and get service bulletin info for the model year you're after (see Appendix A ). For general car-shopping advice, my personal favorite is Remar Sutton's excellent Don't Get Taken Every Time (Penguin Books, $9.95).
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Re: What should I look for in a Used SHO?
(Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2002 - 01:01 PM
Addendum to used SHO warning signs.
Don't mistake Carfax query for absolute truth, their info is based only on officially reported incidents. I recently ran a 95 MTX which came back clean for major repairs,looked great, bought the car. First oil change two days later discovered frame-pull stretches @ frt.rt.,rr.rt., & two @ rr.lt., one of these LARGE. Also found trans mt. to frame mt. bolts gone. Can't wait for the next revelation! I repeat, use Carfax only as a guide. Much of the info is valuable, interesting,even entertaining. However, serious damage only shows up if it was reported to insurance.
Re: What should I look for in a Used SHO?
(Score: 1)
by imarip on May 24, 2003 - 07:20 AM
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i'm looking at a 93 sho limited edition atx. with 116000 miles. the body is in top shape, from looking at it inside and out( without a test drive yet) it's very sound. i really dont have alot of knowledge about these cars, but i heard alot about them. i'm really interested but i heard about the transmission problems as well as others, which can be very costly. considering they didn't get a 60,000 service done and if it has it's close to 120000 what is the absolute most i should pay for this car. they're asking 3500 but i prepared to get the 120000 svc. done and hopefully and upgrade if any for the tranny. please help, ready to buy.
Re: What should I look for in a Used SHO?
(Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Mar 25, 2004 - 07:08 PM
Check all the bolts of the air filter box is complete if not you will fill the engine jumps in in every shift and change the two cats and mufflers if it has more than 100,000 miles cause the exhaust will be clogged at that time.
Re: What should I look for in a Used SHO?
(Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Jun 24, 2004 - 10:49 PM
I'm looking at a 92' mtx. The clutch is origional and has about ten percent left, but the engine had not been run in over three months and cobb webs, bugs made a home in there, (all dead after the owner started to drive it again) The engine in covered with a fine dust but is extremely clean under the dust. The owner has no service records as he just bought it six months earlier. car has low miles (101k) body and interior are in VGC. What parts can I inspect to tell me if the 60/90/120 has been done. Plus any other adds if you have some.
