There’s not much I yearn for in the way of a new project car at the moment, but the first-generation Ford Taurus SHO always gives me pause. Having a good-sized sedan to carry the family in while still getting the satisfaction that comes with owning a limited-production sports sedan will always be a temptation for me. Find this clean SHO with under 60,000 miles here on craigslist for $4,400, and go here if the ad is archived.
The mileage is interesting, as almost every generation of SHO with the Yamaha-built six-cylinder requires a major servicing at 60,000 miles. For years, I’ve seen first and second-generation models go up for sale right before this major service is due, typically at the hands of spendthrift second or third owners. Still, it’s better than finding one with 70K miles or more that hasn’t had the major servicing done.
The interior looks quite clean, and it has the desirable 5-speed manual transmission. While I tend to shy away from cars with limo-black tint on the windows, it may have played a role in keeping this interior so well preserved. The seller is located in Myrtle Beach, where the sun certainly can beat down for months at a time. Little other information is offered about the car, but it’s obvious the seller has dropped the price at least once.
As I’ve relayed on previous posts, here’s what the 60K engine service consists of: repairs include the replacement of the water pump, crankshaft position sensor, drive belts, plugs/wires and replacing the shims that contact the camshaft. There’s a few other items that fall under the “while you’re in there” checklist, but that’s some of the heavier lifting involved. If this SHO could be snagged for $4K, I’d call it a good deal if the condition checks out.
and access everything from the pass wheel well!
All ’89-’92 Taurus SHOs had manual transmissions.
Not that I’ve priced Tauruses lately, but this seems to be a really nice car for less that $4,500. Good mileage, great color, seems to be in solid condition. Considering how important the Taurus was to Ford in the 1980s, and how much the auto media loved the SHO at the time, this has the makings of an interesting future collectable.
At that price and mileage along with condition I think this is a great deal for someone. If I hadn’t just bought another Mustang I would be all over this.
Under $5 hits at the “good time, not long time” price range for a lot of people. I would expect they would pass on the costly service and junk it when it blows up.
Yamaha built, major servicing at 60,g
Never heard of that!?
I’ll pass on the Taurus but what’s the story on the Ford pickup?
I like the SHO and that concept. I have an SVT Contour, that has a few tweeks, that I enjoy from time to time. I have heard that the Yamaha engine has a few parts that are near impossible to source but I don’t remember specifically what the particulars are. It’s what scared me to the SVTC (and not being able to find a Viggen). When these first came out they caused quite a stir, rightfully so. I prefer the second gen (93?) styling to this version and Ford kind of lost its way with that 3rd gen oval back window thing. Eeeeww. But hey, for 4 or 5 grand it looks like fun to me!
Now here’s a blast from the past I forgot about. These were pretty happening back then when horsepower was making its way back.
I bought one of these with 10k miles in 1990. Mine was silver with cloth seats. What a sleeper. Also one of the coolest looking engines ever with that ram air system. It started to disintegrate however right before my eyes. The clear coat started falling off the wheels and on sections of the paint. The black accent strip started to bubble up with rust and the rear shocks clunked. Most of it was covered under warranty, but I sold it 8 months later and took a major bath on it as nobody wanted a stick shift Taurus. Neat car but I certainly don’t miss domestic cars from the ’80’s.
“Ram Air” is something different, lol.
Like the old pickup better (64-66) f150
It would be an F100 or F250, no f150’s until 1975. But yeah, nice truck.
I bought a 96 Taurus 3.0L “u” motor. Not a Sho, but I bought that car in Naples, Florida in 96. My wife and I drove it in Florida unto 2002, when we moved to a a small town near Dallas, Texas. I continued to drive that car until 2017 until the water pump gave up overheating the engine. I pulled the heads, replaced the head gaskets (after having the heads checked at a machine shop), replaced the water pump and thermostat along with new spark plugs, but the car would not start due to low compression. So I sold it for $100 bucks with over 300k miles on it. It was a great car, hated to see it go.
I owned a ’89 for 4 years, great motor, plenty fast, I can honestly say the rest of the car was crap. When I got rid of it, only the drivers door would open, the AC packed it in after repairing it twice. It was black on black and the summer heat was unbearable even with the sun roof open. I put 160,000 miles on it and never did the major motor servicing. That engine was great and I loved rowing through the gears. Sold it for $1000. peeling paint and all.
I have a friend with one of these and the body and interior are in gorgeous condition but the engine needs a few simple items. It has been sitting for years because there are are various hoses and parts that it requires that are no longer obtainable. They just don’t exist anymore anwhere it seems. If I’m wrong, please point me in the right direction.
Go here my friend:
http://www.shosource.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=61_7_15
I worked for Ford until I retired a few years ago. I was a field representative contacting dealerships. On a couple occasions a customer would come into the dealership with a pristine 1993 or so Taurus SHO with the Yamaha engine which needed internal engine work usually due to overheating. In those instances there were no parts to repair it and the entire vehicle was done. Obviously the customer was not happy.
The clutch in our 89 SHO went out at about 15,000 miles or so. We took it back to the dealer, and they told us it wasn’t a warranty item. However, when the mechanic pulled the clutch, it was from the part from a Ford Escort. I don’t know how it ended up there – a production problem or perhaps a parts shortage that was ‘fixed’ with a substandard part. In the end, Ford did the right thing and replaced it with a correct part free of charge.
Service records service records service records service records! Essential on any SHO. There do seem to be a lot of decent ones popping up for sale lately. If this has had it’s service done, at $4k this is a nice ride.
Talk-show host, Conan O’Brien, had one of these, and featured it on his show a few times, many years ago. His had a wasp nest near the back license plate, I believe. It was the first car he bought after he knew he had “made it” in show business. It was a fond memory for him. BTW, if you come down to Myrtle Beach, bring your bathing suit. The ocean is getting quite warm.
Back in 1989, my wife had an 89 Taurus SHO (220 HP) and I have an 88 Mustang GT (225 HP). With more torque and cubes, I could beat her in a quarter-mile run, but she was running me down at the end, and by the end of a half mile or so, I was reading her back license plate. The Taurus was not only fast, but it was a comfortable cruiser. We took several 1000+ mile road trips on that car, and it was always a joy. I really wish I’d kept both of those cars!
I inherited a 1997 SHO Taurus and I can’t figure out why they aren’t highly regarded. With the Yamaha V-8, the car is strong and feels great on the open road, especially between 90mph and 100mph. Think I’ll keep her.
I feel the same way about limo tint, because here in CA it’s just a cheesy fashion accessory. But in places like FL and AZ it serves a purpose and makes perfect sense.
OK car guys I need some info, I have a 1997 Ford Taurus I’m the second owner I bought it from a friend anyway I took to the local Ford dealer for an oil change and the tech who worked on it said I have the Vulcan engine in it and HE said it was the same one used in the 1997 Taurus SHO. I have no idea it has power for what it’s worth but I have no idea. Thanks, Victor
I’m no SHO expert, but I believe the ’97 Taurus SHO has a V8 rather than the V6. I believe by then the Vulcan V6 was the base motor for the Taurus. The V6 SHO engine might be based on the same block, but Yahama made a ton of modification that the standard Vulcan engine didn’t receive. It’s possible someone swapped a SHO engine into your car. A photo of the engine bay might be in order!
Check your VIN. I believe it’s the 8th digit. If it’s a “U” then it’s the standard Vulcan V6 3.0 Liter engine. A good engine but not high power.
Thanks for the info my friends I’m not trying to make my car anything it’s not it’s our second car so we just drive it probably till the wheels fall off.I checked the vin and the 8th digit is an S /// again thanks guys , Victor
Hello victor sanchez… So the mechanic mistook the DOHC Duratec, a fine engine with some history beginning at Porsche, for the earlier SHO’s Yamaha 3.0 V6. Josh is right that by ’97 the SHO had a 3.4L 235? HP V8. That doesn’t sound like much today but a few years earlier everyone’s 3.0 V6 engines made about 140 HP.
Digit 8 (Engine Type)
1= 3.0 (DOHC) (Duratec)
2= 3.0 (OHV) (Vulcan – FFV)
3= 3.0 (OHV Essex)
N= 3.4 (DOHC) (Yamaha – SHO)
U= 3.0 (OHV) (Vulcan)
S= 3.0 (DOHC) (Duratec)
http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/124-taurus-sable-general-discussion/89988-96-08-owners-manuals-reading-vin-numbers.html
Now, why would this POS appear here?
I had this cars twin, down to the black tinted windows and sunroof. Although, mine had leather and it appears this does not. Loved that car but it was a time in my life where I couldn’t keep it. This one looks great. If were closer to SF, I might give it a go, although a cross country jaunt in this thing might be what the doctor ordered.
Thank you Todd for the info I knew there was a car guy that could help, again thank you so much, Victor Sanchez
I leased a 93 SHO for two years and absolutely loved it. First year of auto (which I needed since I used it for work). Myself and two others in my sales office had them and loved them. Great performance for 1993!
Heck, one of things I’ve learned from Barn Finds is that cars are almost always fixable if you have a bit of cash and the will to do it. If I had an older Taurus SHO that wore out its original motor, I’d see if a newer, Taurus, or other Ford motor would fit into the SHO. But, only if the rest of the SHO were in decent shape, of course.
Was a great sleeper when new, would be an ultra great sleeper now when most people do not know what it is.