SHO!

[Eye of the Tiger]

SHO!

The car was located across the road from one of the wild blueberry fields I worked in this summer, and come to find out, the seller is related to the owner of the field. Small world, eh? The drive out to wild blueberry country was great - the foliage, the cool crips air, the winding country roads, blah blah baloney, but as soon as I got to the SHO, it started raining. WTF.

It's red! I like red.  The seller goes into the passenger side to unlock the driver's door, then gets in and fires 'er up... it runs, sputters and dies. Several tries later, it fired up and settled into a normal idle. Could this be caused by the crank position sensor? She has a new one in hand, and claims it will solve the problem. I got down in a push up position and took a look at the undercarriage before the gravel lot could turn to mud. It looked good, with no obvious leaks or rust problems. With the hood up, I could hear a squeal from the front of the motor - a pulley might need a bearing, but it eventually quiets down. A few blips on the throttle revealed no other unusual noises.

I've had enough of that, it's time to drive... I sink into the black, leather-trimmed bucket seats - the side bolsters are huge and supportive, yet cushy. The interior is in bad need of cleaning - sticky spills with dog hair, dirty windows, floors covered in sand. Under the filth, however, the interior appears to be in good shape - no tears in the upholstry, no cracks in the plastic, everything is there. I push the clutch in - it's hydraulic, and feels like any Ranger or Mustang from the same era - that is, appropriately stiff and smooth, yet a bit lacking in feel. The shifter leans in towards the driver and is tight, if a bit vague and notchy. Here we go... wipers? Check. Defroster? Check. The roads are now soaked with rain, so I take off easy in 1st gear but once in 2nd, I give the go pedal a little playful stab - oh yeah... it's packing heat. From the driver's seat, I would swear I'm driving some kind of muscle car. I go easy through the rest of the gears to get familiar with the gates and the clutch. Cruising down the highway, the steering pulls to the right, but is easy to compensate for because the feedback is excellent. Yeah, it needs an alignment, and some new tires to boot. The ABS is on the fritz, engaging for no reason - wheel speed sensors? Nevermind that, I'll just take the ABS fuse out, since I don't care for it anyway.

After cruising down Route 1 for a while, I find a good turn around point and get back on the highway, this time I want to see how it goes in 1st gear. I let the clutch out, then ease into the throttle and get it almost to the floor before the front tires start fighting for traction - I let off so the tires can regain their grip, but it keeps going! And going! Foot off the throttle, pinned back in my seat, I push the clutch in and the motor ferociously shoots up to 7,000 rpm and bounces off the rev limiter... quickly, I cut the ignition, pull the gas pedal up with my foot, put it in 3rd gear and let the clutch out... it takes off again! I shut 'er down, and pull off the road. The seller may need to change her pants now, but I don't have time for shenanigans. I pop the hood and take a look at the throttle linkage - it is stuck open, alright. Is the the cruise control actuator is the culprit? I'm not sure, but I disconnect it from the throttle linkage and check the return action - it's good now. It starts up on the first try and idles normally.

I take it easy from there on, just in case the throttle sticks again. Besides, I already know this is no ordinary Taurus.

These are the problems that I know of:

• Crankshaft Position Sensor
• ABS
• Driver's door lock
• Squeaky accessory pulley
• Needs tires and alignment
• Last timing belt change and valve adjustment are unknown
• Speedo needle a little bouncy - may need a cable soon

Reason for selling? She has a Forester now - she needed a 4wd car for the winter. Otherwise, she was planning on keeping the SHO and had done considerable work on it with that in mind. She fully admits that it is a high maintenece car. The inspection sticker is two months old. I don't think it's a lemon, but it does need some TLC. For $1000, I can't expect much more. Besides, I think it would be a great learning experience for an automotive student.

[CJ]

Do it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Do it.

Give me one good reason why I should.

[Laconian]

Give me one good reason why I should.

Bananifold.

[CJ]

Give me one good reason why I should.

It's not a Jetta.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Bananifold.

That is one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vWm47yPLGc

[Eye of the Tiger]

It's not a Jetta.

That is not one.

[Danish]

I remember Will (AutobahnSHO) saying that the motors require regular crank bearing replacement.... or something like that He didn't go it on her car and his motor ate itself.... or something like that

Point is, PM him, see what he thinks. I also remember him saying that there were some good SHO forums here and very helpful people on there. Get the linky from Will, go on the forum and ask about common troubles with SHOs so you have a better idea of whether or not this is a good buy.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I remember Will (AutobahnSHO) saying that the motors require regular crank bearing replacement.... or something like that He didn't go it on her car and his motor ate itself.... or something like that

Point is, PM him, see what he thinks. I also remember him saying that there were some good SHO forums here and very helpful people on there. Get the linky from Will, go on the forum and ask about common troubles with SHOs so you have a better idea of whether or not this is a good buy.

He has already been helping me out... in secret.     

[Danish]

[Danish]

So you think you might get this over the Saab?

[Eye of the Tiger]

So you think you might get this over the Saab?

I want this over the Saab. Whether or not I get it is a question of money. I expect to be paid my financial aid this week (FINALLY!), but until then I'm flat broke. I've been living out of pocket with no income for over a month now.

[Soup DeVille]

In all honesty- I'd go for the crapbox most likely to remain reliable. Think "mid '80s small block Chevy four door with a hydramatic." Think "grandma car." Think '88 Caprice owned by a church deacon.

I like SHOs, especially the V6 "real" SHOs. Run like a chimp on skates when they run; but they can and do break more often than your average bear.

[Eye of the Tiger]

In all honesty- I'd go for the crapbox most likely to remain reliable. Think "mid '80s small block Chevy four door with a hydramatic." Think "grandma car." Think '88 Caprice owned by a church deacon.

I like SHOs, especially the V6 "real" SHOs. Run like a chimp on skates when they run; but they can and do break more often than your average bear.

I wonder if the timing belt breaks, does the whole engine explode like M-power's Contour's? Other than that, I don't see how it would be so bad. It's just a Taurus.

[Soup DeVille]

I wonder if the timing belt breaks, does the whole engine explode like M-power's Contour's? Other than that, I don't see how it would be so bad. It's just a Taurus.

Yes. it does. And yes, its just a Taurus. A Taurus with a limited production high compression Yamaha engine.

What could posibly go wrong?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yes. it does. And yes, its just a Taurus. A Taurus with a limited production high compression Yamaha engine.

What could posibly go wrong?

Every Yamaha I've owned has been so reliable, I eventually got bored and started taking things apart for no apparent reason.

[Danish]

Every Yamaha I've owned has been so reliable, I eventually got bored and started taking things apart for no apparent reason.

Well according to Soup, you will have a reason for this one!

[Soup DeVille]

Just giving you my two cents, man.

[Soup DeVille]

Well according to Soup, you will have a reason for this one!

May, just may. I wish him the best of luck, and there are certainly worse options.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Just giving you my two cents, man.

I know... but dammit, it's a cool car, and dammit, I have a shop where I can work on it, and dammit if it breaks and I can't afford to fix it right away I can take the bus to school, althought it is very inconvenient. I'd rather dump money into a SHO than an automatic non-tuerbow Saab 900.

[the Teuton]

I think you should get something small, fuel-efficient, reliable, cheap, and easy to find parts for.  Therefore, while both the Saab and the SHO rock, do yourself a favor and buy something with a non-interference engine, a manual transmission, and good gas mileage.  A Civic, Impreza, Corolla, newer Escort, or Saturn come to mind.

You don't have a full-time job and you need reliable transportation.  Think with your brain this time -- not your heart.

[Secret Chimp]

Yamaha made the V8 for Volvo's XC90. They also make pianos and speakers. And outboard engines. And maybe violins. And motorcycles. Ford makes F-150s and used to make dump trucks.

[Soup DeVille]

I know... but dammit, it's a cool car, and dammit, I have a shop where I can work on it, and dammit if it breaks and I can't afford to fix it right away I can take the bus to school, althought it is very inconvenient. I'd rather dump money into a SHO than an automatic non-tuerbow Saab 900.

You haven't been listening: I'm not recommending either of those cars- although if you force me to choose between the two, I'd go with the SHO. Smog era BOF V8/hydramatic GM product in "grandma driven/ garage kept" condition. You can find one for $1000, and you can drive it till it rusts off the frame.

[The Pirate]

I think you should get something small, fuel-efficient, reliable, cheap, and easy to find parts for.  Therefore, while both the Saab and the SHO rock, do yourself a favor and buy something with a non-interference engine, a manual transmission, and good gas mileage.  A Civic, Impreza, Corolla, newer Escort, or Saturn come to mind.

You don't have a full-time job and you need reliable transportation.  Think with your brain this time -- not your heart.

Civic (up through 2005) was an interference engine. 

And to the original topic, my vote is no.  When buying cars in the $1K range and not having a ton of money for repairs, fast and/or rare just isn't a good choice.  I'd look for something a bit more mundane if I were you.  Even something like a Volvo 240 wagon would be a better choice, IMO.

And yes, I know what you are going through, I test drove and seriously thought about buying (even got an insurance quote) an SVT Contour not too long ago.  Sweet car, but I just can't be dumping a ton of money into my vehicle right now.  And now that the Proteg? appears to be over it's fondness for blowing out rear brake calipers, I'm pretty content with it.

Keep the Jetta for the time being, and locate something a bit more robust.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You haven't been listening: I'm not recommending either of those cars- although if you force me to choose between the two, I'd go with the SHO. Smog era BOF V8/hydramatic GM product in "grandma driven/ garage kept" condition. You can find one for $1000, and you can drive it till it rusts off the frame.

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/866585077.html   

Seriously, that would be pretty cool... I like those.

[The Pirate]

Smog era BOF V8/hydramatic GM product in "grandma driven/ garage kept" condition. You can find one for $1000, and you can drive it till it rusts off the frame.

Heh, I'm tempted to do that.  With some basic bolt ons, a shift kit, and some suspension goodies (all with wheels/hub caps and bodywork, naturally), you'd have some fun!

[Soup DeVille]

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/866585077.html   

Seriously, that would be pretty cool... I like those.

That's more like it!

[Eye of the Tiger]

Civic (up through 2005) was an interference engine. 

And to the original topic, my vote is no.  When buying cars in the $1K range and not having a ton of money for repairs, fast and/or rare just isn't a good choice.  I'd look for something a bit more mundane if I were you.  Even something like a Volvo 240 wagon would be a better choice, IMO.

And yes, I know what you are going through, I test drove and seriously thought about buying (even got an insurance quote) an SVT Contour not too long ago.  Sweet car, but I just can't be dumping a ton of money into my vehicle right now.  And now that the Proteg? appears to be over it's fondness for blowing out rear brake calipers, I'm pretty content with it.

Keep the Jetta for the time being, and locate something a bit more robust.

Maybe I should learn my lesson from the V8Q, but it's a dumb lesson.

[Eye of the Tiger]

That's more like it!

The old non-electrical hydramatics are one of the few kind automatics that I can actually enjoy. I bet that's a 2.8 or 4.3 V6, and I could live with that. If it's a 305, that'll work too.

[the Teuton]

The old non-electrical hydramatics are one of the few kind automatics that I can actually enjoy. I bet that's a 2.8 or 4.3 V6, and I could live with that. If it's a 305, that'll work too.

Nick:  Common sense.  Use it.

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/840599976.html

That Monte is tempting, though.