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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

3389 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Sedan

Messages Page 18 of 340

#163 of 3389 To regfootball by robnis

Jun 16, 2000 (3:26 am)

Have you heard anything more about a SHO replacement? Also, have you driven the 2000 Taurus? How does the engine compare with the 235hp SHO 32 valve? I have a hunch the the 2000 Taurus would feel like I was driving some 4 cylinder again. Going to miss my SHO come next Spring, but I don't want to keep it long term. It was a 10 year love affair, a new SHO every two years from 1989-1999. Now Ford shoots themselves on the foot and no longer produces the sports sedan.

#164 of 3389 robnis by regfootball

Jun 16, 2000 (4:53 am)

when i was shopping recently i waited until the 2000 taurus came out before i bought either the 99 sho or the new 2000 v6.


I had previously owned an 89 Taurus SHO which still remains the most fun car I ever owned (thrill ride). My brother in law owned a 92 SHO (auto) and a couple years ago bought a 97 which I became quite familiar with and grew to like. i decided I really wanted the Yamaha motor again and coming off owning a v8 thunderbird and v8 buick I really wanted to stay with a v8 because my wife and i take many long trips and wanted a car with a strong durable motor (certainly not a 4 cyl. like in some Camrys Passats and Accords).


But I left open the chance of getting a 2000 Taurus only because of the new body style and interior updates so I delayed may purchase until the y2k's came out.


I narrowed out cars I really didn't want and was left basically with the Ford products. I decided to test drive these cars (because I wouldn't be caught slumming in an Impala or a Grand Prix and couldn't afford a Maxima)...


-99 SHO with as few miles as I could find
-New 99 Holdover Taurus or Sable with Duratec v6
-99 Contour SVT
-New 2000 Taurus


My budget was 20 grand +/-, and required leather, moonroof, abs and alum wheels min.


My first decision was that the Contour SVT was absolutely the best and most fun affordable car I had driven around this price range. Handling and power and sound of the motor were fabulous. If I was single I would've bought one. This car is a car for those who really loved the old orignal SHO's. They are 7/8 scale versions of those cars except faster, more refined, handle better. Alas they are smaller and the wife doesn't want a stick for the main traveling car. So we ruled it out even though its an incredible car.


Then I took out a 99 SHO and of course liked it a lot. V8 power, fabulous sound, large and comfortable car. Note: I really liked the style of the interior and exterior even though some folks thought it too ovoid. In the right colors.....this car can generate many compliments (and does). Of course, I wanted this car. Couldn't afford a new one though.


So I looked for good deals on the new 99's loaded up and with big rebates and good financing. I decided that the handling was nearly equal to the SHO and the v6 Duratec was a powertrain of very similar character. Very lively, nice sound. Yet I held off for the y2k taurus.


Then they arrived and I drove the y2k. I did like the exterior redo but now there was no "performance version" available. I thought the interior was a step too far in the conservative direction, although it is functional and tastefully done for an inexpensive car. I just thought the shapes and controls were not that exciting. I really prefered the oval, non cluttered monchromatic look of the 99 (in tan or light gray). The 99 feels airier and more spacious inside. Also the handling was softened and the sound of the motor was tuned down. Didn't like the 2000 near as much. So although my dad may prefer the 2000 more, I thought it was less of what I wanted than the 99.


So I snapped up a 99 SHO in green with tan leather and 6000 miles on it for right around 20 grand.


Figured I better get one while I still could. Of course now there is no more SHO.


I have not seen anything new in the press within the last month on a new SHO upcoming, but I did see one or two items previously.


I think Ford will bring back the SHO in 2001 or 2002, just a hunch. I think it will be an SVT vehicle, similar to the SVT Contour. The mods will be done here in the US and will most likely be a hopped up v6. It's too bad they have given up on the v8 with so much invested in it. It is truly a 5 star motor. Ford should have tweaked this v8 with variable valve timing and a manual transmission to get public interest going again.


And get people away from those fat SUV's. I see gas is over 2 bucks a gallon in some spots......


anyways, if I was a marketer for Ford here is what I would tell them to get ready for 2001....


A new updated Taurus SHO with the 2000 body plus ground effects, deeper fascia etc. This car would have the v8 motor of the 96-99 SHO except it would add variable valve timing and would be up around 275 hp. Manual 6 speed tranny and traction control would be standard. Auto tranny a no cost option. This car would also have a completely different dash, doors, and seats than the 2000. It could have seats like the SVT contour and a more driver oriented dash and shifter column. Keep this car under 30 grand and make a wagon version available. A Limited collector's version (cobra) would add a supercharger to get around 350 hp, stability control, 19 inch wheels, and all wheel drive for around 35k (Ford could use this car to develop an AWD drivetrain for other applications on the Taurus platform.


But Robnis we can hope. My bets are we'll see a new v6 SHO late 2001 or early 2002. May have to wait a bit. Pray for at least 250 hp.

#165 of 3389 Robnis, sorry I forgot this by regfootball

Jun 16, 2000 (4:54 am)

the 2000 v6 doesn't feel as lively as the v8 its quite different.

#166 of 3389 To regfootball by robnis

Jun 16, 2000 (8:12 pm)

Great post. Thanks. The SHO you got is exactly like mine- green with a tan interior. Your description of the ideal next generation SHO is really on target. However, I suspect that Ford marketing people have their heads in a place where the sun doesn't shine and will thus probably not make that available, even though it would sell 20,000 plus units a year for Ford.


Next Spring when my lease is over I will hate to part with it but really want a vehicle that will have traction control, heated seats, etc.


As I have reached the place in life where I want to reward myself, I am considering an I30 although it is a 1/2 second slower than the SHO time of 0-60, it has all the other amenities. I would consider the Aurora if it were not for the fact they lowered their warranty, beside it is a GM (if you know what I mean).


I can dream that Ford will bring out our car in the Spring again.

#167 of 3389 . by regfootball

Jun 16, 2000 (11:26 pm)

"it is a GM (if
you know what I mean)."


Oh yeah, I know what you mean.

#168 of 3389 SEL Owners, guess what I saw! by barjon

Jun 17, 2000 (3:14 am)

On my way home tonight I just saw a brand new Taurus that looked like it had just been driven off the dealer's lot, with the machined aluminum wheels, and on the back of the car the nameplate said "TAURUS S E L " (not just S E).


Time to head to the dealer for an "L".

#169 of 3389 Get a LS by slunar

Jun 18, 2000 (2:53 am)

robnis: If you really want to reward yourself get a LS V8. It's the spiritual successor to the SHO, take one test drive and you'll know what I mean. The I-30 is a nice car (solid and well built) but it's boring and the price is too high for a luxo version of a Maxima.

#170 of 3389 To slunar by robnis

Jun 18, 2000 (3:37 am)

Appreciate your thoughts. In fact I did test drive the LS V8 and it had a lot going for it; however I need to stick with front wheel drive. Still all in all, the Lincoln is a very nice car. It would certainly be on my list if I didn't want my next one to be FWD.

#171 of 3389 Time to trade? by andre1969

Jun 19, 2000 (3:07 pm)

Hi everyone,
My grandfather has a 1994 Taurus GL with only 26,000 miles on it. He was thinking about trading it in on a 2000 Taurus. We looked at some, but he just didn't get excited about them (although he's really conservative, and the last car he had that he REALLY liked the looks of was his '81 Granada).


Anyway, we talked him out of trading, convincing him that he didn't need a new car. It's just that he has been trading up every 3-4 years since 1950, and I guess it's hard to break old habits.


I'm a Chrysler man myself, so I don't know too much about Ford products. Are there any particular trouble spots from the '92-95 generation of Taurus? I know someone with a '93 wagon, who's tranny is about to go, but she's got about 100K miles on it now. At the rate my grandfather drives, he'll have 100K miles on his by the time it qualifies for historic plates.


I told him just to change the fluids fairly regularly, and check the tires, hoses, belts, etc for dry rot, and he should be fine.


Any other advice? Thanks! -Andre

#172 of 3389 FWD or RWD cars? by slunar

Jun 19, 2000 (3:12 pm)

robnis: What is the specific reason you want a FWD car? I had 16 Taurus's (Company cars) and bought 4 of them for my wife, she still has a 97 wagon. Before I bought my LS I test drove a lot of cars, Taurus, Sable, Intrigue, Maxima, ES-300, 300M, 3.2TL, S80, I-30, Aurora and several more. In the end I thought that the 3.2TL was the best of the FWD cars, very solid and refined and felt less like a FWD car than the others. The BMW 328i, 528i & LS felt different, to me more balanced anj just plain felt more satisfying to drive. Maybe 15 years of FWD Taurus driving has jaded me but I now no longer consider FWD that typically has 65% of its weight on the front wheels to be an advantage.

Messages Page 18 of 340

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