SHO or SEL?

[Smileyboy]

So im trying to find a new DD now that the GT is gone and i have found me a couple of possibilities. One is a 2001 Ford Taurus SEL, fully loaded with 134K miles. Other is a 1995 Taurus SHO fully loaded with 100K miles.

2001 Taurus pros: Newer and parts are easier to come by. No feel or need to modify. In other words, not make into a project car. Reminds me of my old 01 Taurus. Slight chance it is.

2001 Taurus cons: More miles, cost more to buy, and bland.

1995 SHO pros: Faster, less miles, more fun to drive, could autox it more effectively.

1995 SHO cons: Parts harder to find if motor goes, older, and could end up becoming a project car which i don't need another one.

What do you all think? SHO or SEL?

2001 Ford Taurus SEL 3.0L, V6 (Best Motor) SEL

1995 Ford Taurus SHO - $1500 (Fayetteville) SHO

 

[Torch10th]

I honestly vote neither, but if you're down to those two I'd go for the 2001 Taurus.

It's my opinion that a daily driver needs to be just that. An A-B vehicle. Nobody says you have to hate it or anything, but I see a lot of people with a performance car, then they've got a daily driver which is just another project for them. That ends up taking money away from the car that should be your project and then starts to diminish the reliability of the car you're supposed to be counting on to get you where you need to go.

It's for that reason only that I would say don't go with the SHO.

As long as the 2001 has been maintained properly, I wouldn't worry too much about the miles. The duratec is a good engine.

 

[05satinGT]

I've never driven a 2001 Taurus, but I have a 1993 SHO with an Auto. Paid $700. It had 141k on it when I got it and now it has 147k. Car runs mint, and it's a nice car. I don't really beat on it so it doens't blow but it's a good running car and I like driving it. Only thing I hate is the auto trans. Not sure if it helped but I tried lol.

 

[devin1986]

neither. I've never driven an older SHO but I know I wouldn't want to daily one, and I had a 2003 Taurus as a loaner when my car was in the shop and I hated everything about it.

 

[ibleedblue65]

I work at a shop that does a lot of shos. My boss road races a first gen, I daily my second. Pros to the sho are that with a couple of simple suspension mods they can really handle and they are a lot faster out of first gear than you'd expect. I've definitely surprised a few people in mine. They are very comfortable commuters. I average 18-20 mpg commuting, mine is a five speed. Few down sides. #1 transmission. They aren't very strong, tend to break third and diffs. Do not do burn outs or flat foot shifts. #2 parts. A lot of the parts from these cars are obsolete now. We have a yard full of parts cars and probably 20-30 spare drive trains. There are some other issues but for the most part they are pretty solid cars. The engines are pretty solid but 60ks get a bit expensive. 96 brake upgrade is a must and then you have some decent brakes. O and they are ugly as sin. Anything else just ask.

 

[NC85]

Sel.

I used to daily an 03 sable that was rock solid.

 

[NC85]

neither. I've never driven an older SHO but I know I wouldn't want to daily one, and I had a 2003 Taurus as a loaner when my car was in the shop and I hated everything about it.

Are you comparing granny mobile to granny mobile? Or granny mobile to your something else? If nothing else, you're nuts.

As torched mentioned, those duratecs are tough.

 

[leo2hot4tv]

I'd rock a SHO. I agree with a DD being a DD, but if you can avoid it being a piece of crap ,and actually like it, it can be rewarding.

 

[SHOdown220]

I had a second gen SHO. I miss it, I'll probably own another when I have money to waste. I was always fixing shit on it. But surprised a lot of people with it and that was always fun.

 

[devin1986]

Are you comparing granny mobile to granny mobile? Or granny mobile to your something else? If nothing else, you're nuts.

As torched mentioned, those duratecs are tough.

My granny car isn't my only car, but that's beside the point. I'm not comparing my granny mobile to anything, but if that's what your getting at.... the Taurus with the reliable motor is a car with half the hp, worse mileage, less interior space, less features, and a seat that made me feel like I was crammed against the windshield. But, once again... we're talking about DDs, so I suppose my first point wasn't applicable.


Sent from my TI-83+

 

[Gray_Ghost]

I had a '93 SHO Automatic. Loved that car. Even though it was auto. It was comfy, quick, & reliable. If I could find one with a manual that hasn't been dogged out I'd have another one. Nothing inherently wrong with the newer ones. Comfy, reliable, NOT a cop magnet. Lol.

 

[mustangmanjeff]

I daily drive a 2000 ford taurus Se and it hasbeen the biggest P.O.S every just this last summer out of nowhere blew head gasket cracked the block $3,000 later its now need a new head gasket again 2nd time along with soon as the car hit 99,000 miles to now it just hit 119,000 miles I have had every single part and problem go wrong on it and need to be replaced good old ford quality lol

 

[SweetSVT99]

This statement would bother me about the SHO: " It might need a couple of minor sensors or something minor, but nothing that affects the way it drives". It looks like the guy has a shop, yet he isn't fixing those "minor" things before selling the car? Suggests to me that there's more wrong with it than he's eluding to.

I have had several Tauruses (Tauri?) over the years, ranging from 1997-2004 as DDs with both the Duratec and the Vulcan 3L. The Vulcan is a gutless POS, but the Duratec is a great motor. I have never kept one past 130k, but up to that point I never had any major issues. Literally the worst problem out of any of them was a water pump on my 2001.

 

[devin1986]

I have kind of the same stance. I'm not shooting down SHOs in general, because keeping up on maintenance and fixing common issues here and there isn't a big deal, but I wouldn't want to pay that much attention to a DD. And yes... I'm a hypocrite.


Sent from my TI-83+

 

[Steve@TF]

I daily drive a 2000 ford taurus Se and it hasbeen the biggest P.O.S every just this last summer out of nowhere blew head gasket cracked the block $3,000 later its now need a new head gasket again 2nd time along with soon as the car hit 99,000 miles to now it just hit 119,000 miles I have had every single part and problem go wrong on it and need to be replaced good old ford quality lol

the 3 liter duratec is a great motor. im surprised youre having those issues.

the gen 1 and 2 shos are great cars for performance/modding but i dont know about a DD unless you really know them. theyre really old cars and parts are obsolete. you're just asking for trouble as a DD imo. i know guys do DD them but they likely either really know the car really well and how to fix them or their car is in great condition still.


the 3 liter taurus you're referring to is a pretty decent car but that's a lot of miles. those old fords will start falling apart after so many miles. little things here and there.

unless you've got a reallllly small budget and no other choices id look elsewhere with less mileage. if you depend on getting to school or work then get something a little more dependable. less miles and years on it. my buddy picked up a really clean, fully loaded 2000 accord that ran fantastic for about $5k.

heck ive got a csvt with a duratec 3 liter that has low miles and would blow both of those away that ill sell you, but for a bit more.

 

[Gray_Ghost]

heck ive got a csvt with a duratec 3 liter that has low miles and would blow both of those away that ill sell you, but for a bit more.

Does it have a one-off set of your fantastic, beautiful wheels???

 

[Steve@TF]

Does it have a one-off set of your fantastic, beautiful wheels???

it did lol. i recently gave them to my bro in law for his turbo focus.

 

[mach14604]

Good potential with the SHO

 

[Blown_By_You]

Newer taurus.. But you can find one with less miles that is still dirt cheap..

 

[Rotzs99]

Of those two I'd say SHO, but have you considered a SVTF? Cars are so much fun and can be had pretty cheap in good condition with low miles. 5 door if needed, WAAAY more driver room than a mustang and cargo room was excellent too. Auto-x would be a breeze and mine got 27-31mpg no matter how I drove it.

Dammit, always getting sucked into older threads. NO matter, I'll still push my SVTF agenda!