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
No, hp was the same at 220. Just a bit more torque from the different cams and the slight increase in displacement (3.2 vs 3.0 for the MTX).
If memory is correct, the automatics got a 3.2 liter engine.
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.
Thanks for the info Bob 👍
Excellent, I was just going to respond. The automatic cars had more torque, I think due to different camshafts. The manual was still quicker though.
I agree. Without a 5spd, a SHO is just another Taurus . . .
to bad its a slush box transmission
Nice example. I have an 89 I bought new. This is a good deal.
I had the same car same year and colors with the automatic so my wife could drive it. I bought it around 1999 paid $2400.00 and was as nice as this one great car i loved it even with the auto. Never had any trouble with it was a quick car that handled great for a four door Taurus. After that car i got a 2000 ford contour SVT with a 5 speed that was a fast car that handled amazing. Still wish i never sold that car.
1989 model, the launch of the SHO, was a big deal. Cover of Car & Driver, Dec ’88: “America’s Best Sedan”. 143 mph, $20 K. Still have the copy and after I bought my used ’91 5-spd in 1994 I joined the SHO Registry and got the qtrly magazine.
The Registry partnered with Ford Plant Hapeville GA and did cool things like partner with the Skip Barber driving School. Toured with a group around Atl Motor Spdway. Best was when we rented the Talledaga Grand Prix, Alabama motorcycle track in Sept ’94. 20 stock and tuned SHOs burning around hairpins and straightening out in 2nd at 7,000 rpms, then blasting past 100 on the straights. Handling was excellent and engine well up to the track demands. Finest auto experience of my life. Had installed true, separate dual exhaust which opened up the engine like I have never seen- factory system was horrible.
Automatic – drives ok but the one I drove felt muted to me. Early 5 speed models ran in the 6s to 60 – mine did. This one looks really nice and ownership history key with these!
Like I said, these were a big deal.
I wanted a 91 SHO 5 -spd always thought they were the best looking sorry to this day i never bought one. Also joined the SHO Registry worth every penny with some great performance upgrades and some really nice builds and stories. You hit on history was a big key buying a used SHO i had a 1994 and later a 1999 with the 8 cylinder both were well cared for as both were used when i bought them.
So clean and we’ll presented…pleasant to see a seller know how to list a car. I’m not sure you could do better for $7500 these days. It’s not too far away from me, might just respond!
2nd gear was a blast in the 5.0 Mustangs also of that era Torino. Remember racing an SHO with a buddy driving my car an 89LX. He ham fisted a shift and it was all SHOGUN backside for us 😲🏁 👋 Such neat cars, credit to Ford for offering them.
This looks like a nice car for a good price. When I look at the Craiglist ad the price surely looks like $5,500. I checked it 3 times and I’d swear it says $5,500.
As a long time listener of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, he would be reminding us that this is a 30 year old vehicle and parts might not that readily available.
Big John, the Craig list does say $5,500.00. That price makes this car an even better deal
Seems many of the nicer cars reside in WA. And for good reason.
I have a 2016 SHO, what a blast to drive! Of course totally different engine but the concept is the same. Take the ho hum Taurus and turn in to a street brute. Plus the handle is not only for straight lines. These early SHO are great cars and this one is really nice. The auto is a bummer but its still an impressive car. Only complaint I have with my 2016 is I wish Ford would have made a 5 speed an option. If I had space I just might consider another SHO.
Current ad shows the asking price at $5,500, shouldn’t last long.
Of all the vehicles I’ve owned in the past, my 93 SHO ranks in the top five. I really liked the size,interior room,performance, handling and stopping. They got decent upgrades. Lifting the hood would just oogle your eyes,like early 928 engines did. You knew by looking at that SHO motor,it was something special. I would definitely park another SHO in my garage.
looks clean. never was a fan of as i had to work on too many of those engines
I like this car except for one thing, the color, which I find very attractive, but we have here a car that is relatively low to the ground compared to the much higher SUV’s that are on the highways. This car might blend into the roadway, especially in the dark, early and late day light, even in shadows during mid-day. Motorcycles are even worse it that respect. I almost hit a motorcycle that had a dark color in broad daylight. It was in a shadow. Eyes take time to adjust in that case. So, I would like one like this car in a light color.
Looking back, I am surprised they did not make a SHO wagon.
That would have been sweet!
Didn’t Car & Driver build one? Seem to recall it being one of their Boss Wagons…
Has so much going for it. Orig. owner, low mileage, great condition, pre jelly bean era 😝, until you get to the tranny. ☹
And do you think they put enough tire dressing on those wheels? Looks like they’ve been Amour All’d within an inch of their life. 😂
If it were a southern car, I would’ve bought it already.
I bought a 91 Pearl White. 5 speed of course. Recaro seats. Would fly. Brought it to 135 with ease. You could wind through the gears with ease. 2nd was definitely a beast. Most fun sedan I’ve ever owned. If this was closer (I’m in NC) Once you drove one you would want one. Turned it over to my 16 year old. He still talks about it 30 years later.
Lucky 16-year-old! And the perfect color that would meet my mentioned criteria, above, to BE SEEN BY OTHERS.
Oh Dave, you would see it in your rear view just before it would blow by you. LOL
I raced an SHO in the 1991 IMSA Firestone Firehawk series. We were allowed to upgrade the wheels and tires to a taller wheel and wider tires. Made a huge difference in the handling. A few tweeks to the suspension, and open exhaust and they would really fly.
Wow, what a unicorn. So clean and such low mileage after all these years, a true beauty and great find. I had two SHOs, a used 89 and a new 92, both black 5 speeds. They were my baby/kid haulers during my young Dad period, filling in for my trusty 5.0 Fox body (also a black 5 speed).
The SHOs were quiet, comfortable and relatively fast when allowed to wind out. The 5 speeds made them very fun to drive, altho the front wheel drive torque steer under acceleration was kind of weird.