Ford sold a ton of Taurus sedans and wagons across more than 30 years, beginning in 1986. It was your typical Detroit grocery-getter, which didn’t generate a lot of excitement – unless you opted for the SHO model (Super High Output). Using engines from Yamaha and transmissions from Mazda, these 4-door sedans were quite peppy. The seller has a sweet 1994 edition, which has been in the same family since it was new. Needing nothing but a new home, this SHO is in Lake Stevens, Washington, and is available here on craigslist for $7,500. A nod goes to Tony Primo for another cool tip!
While the Taurus saw several iterations from the mid-1980s to the end of the second decade of the 21st Century, the SHO was part of the mix during the middle period. Launched in 1989, the SHO was a performance sedan that may have been intended to compete with some of the European luxury sedans from the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Yamaha donated a V6 engine that was far from benign. If you opted for the SHO-only 5-speed manual tranny, it came from another Japanese supplier, Mazda.
Ford delivered about 13,800 SHOs in 1994, of which 82% came with an automatic transmission (such is the case with the seller’s car). SHOs had some adjustments to exterior body panels, such as the front fenders and bumpers. Bucket seats were standard, with leather optional (also in the seller’s car). The sellers of this survivor have owned it since new and have just put on 70,000 miles in 32 years.
We’re told the Ford runs and drives as good as it looks, and no issues are waiting for you to fix. It’s never been in an accident, and neither Rover nor Tabby has ever set paws into the vehicle. The seller has kept loads of documentation from Day 1, and the Taurus sports new tires at each corner. It’s a well-equipped cruiser with loads of power accessories, including a sunroof. Modern-day sleeper here?
Did they bump the hp up a bit in the autoloader models ?
I always thought it was lower Stan. The stick could take a little more oomph…. At least I think….. Where’s Bob-in-Tn when you need him??? Lol
-Dave
This is a really nice SHO, one of my favorite colors too. I’d go for a stick myself, at least normally, but this one is so nice, I’d consider it, despite having the autoloader.
I had forgotten this detail, so I looked it up. Assuming Wikipedia is correct, the 3.2L used with the automatic starting in 1993 had the same horsepower rating as the 3.0L used with the 5-speed, but had 15 more foot-pounds of torque.
I understand the appeal of the automatic, but for me, the enjoyment of the high-revving V6 is captured most readily with the 5-speed.
This is a nice SHO. Let’s say you would like to get a fun collector car, but don’t have much money to spend. You mention it to the wife, who says “well maybe, but it needs to be able to occasionally transport the growing kids (or grandkids), it can’t be some sports car with a tiny back seat. And it had better be cheap.” Here you go.
to bad its a slush box transmission
Nice example. I have an 89 I bought new. This is a good deal.