Opinions on the Ford Taurus SHO?

[Bubbleawsome]

I'm thinking of buying one used if I save up a bit over the summer. A 2010 can be found pretty easily for $14k, and it fits what I want with full-size and a bit of extra power.

Are there any outstanding reliability issues with the SHO? I haven't heard of any personally, but I could be horribly under informed.
I've also heard that it's fairly easy to tune. I've never worked under the hood of a car, and I doubt I would practice on the SHO, but assuming I get some experience in, how easy is the SHO to tune? Chances are I wouldn't be spending $3/5 grand on the level 4 tuning kit, but it's an interest of mine to experiment with.

Thanks guys!

 

[SearchMaster]

A simple Stage 1 tune should be simply a matter of buying a device that plugs into the OBD port for $400-600 and letting it override the engine's computer settings. Simple, safe *, and pretty cheap to get another 50-70hp. Of course if you get the upgrade bug it can get a lot more expensive and less safe as you install new exhausts, intercoolers, downpipes, etc. The tuning devices usually double as an advanced monitoring system as well, so if you leave them plugged in, they will show AFR, charge temps, and other important pieces of information not displayed by the car otherwise.

* "Safe" is relative here of course, but generally manufacturers of turbo engines are somewhat conservative on the power capabilities they put in the stock configuration to account for how different consumers use their products while under warranty.
Non-turbo engines can be tuned as well but usually not as easily.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Wow, that sounds deceptively simple. Still though, breaking 400hp is something very temping.

First order of business would be buying a SHO though, and that's the hard part.

 

[jlee]

Wow, that sounds deceptively simple. Still though, breaking 400hp is something very temping.

First order of business would be buying a SHO though, and that's the hard part.

It's ridiculously easy to squeeze a few extra ponies out of most forced-induction cars (turbocharger/supercharger). All the stuff is there for forcing more air in- just have to turn it up a little.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Assuming I run 91 octane (max I can find around here) and I let the tuner do its job, how would that effect reliability? My route is mostly hills and even near redline my Accord manages ~35mph up from a dead stop. I suspect I'd be putting a fair amount of wear on the transmission, though it's probably built for that.

 

[jlee]

Assuming I run 91 octane (max I can find around here) and I let the tuner do its job, how would that effect reliability? My route is mostly hills and even near redline my Accord manages ~35mph up from a dead stop. I suspect I'd be putting a fair amount of wear on the transmission, though it's probably built for that.

A mild tune has basically no impact on reliability.

 

[jdoggg12]

A mild tune has basically no impact on reliability.

...assuming the owner stays well within scheduled service intervals*

 

[SearchMaster]

...assuming the owner stays well within scheduled service intervals*

And doesn't drive like a moron (e.g. trying to keep max boost going all the time).

From what I've read, the drivetrain of the SHO is pretty stout and you are unlikely to have any failures caused by the tune. But anyone who modifies their car should adopt the motto "you gotta pay to play" and understand that even if the risk is minimal, it's still there. Most off-the-shelf tunes are still somewhat conservative and many of them will do custom tunes for a small amount more where you email them data logs from your tuning device and they use that data to further customize your tune. IMO it's this "squeeze every bit of performance out" approach that increases the risk to your drivetrain but I'm far from an expert in the field.

If it REALLY concerns you, most tunes allow you to load multiple re-programmings so changing from stock tune to mild tune to performance tune should be just clicking a few buttons on the steering wheel before you start the car.

A 2010 is out of warranty anyway so I would be less concerned. I have not yet tuned my Focus ST because it still has a few more months of warranty but I might do so later this year. The ST tune (with its small turbo on a small engine) adds ~20HP/70ft.lb.

 

[ElFenix]

A 2010 is out of warranty anyway so I would be less concerned. I have not yet tuned my Focus ST because it still has a few more months of warranty but I might do so later this year. The ST tune (with its small turbo on a small engine) adds ~20HP/70ft.lb.

 

[KIAman]

My co-worker had a 2011 Taurus SHO and the thing is a sleeper. It totally blew my expectations. Inside felt very refined, quiet and comfortable but the ecoboost engine makes this car very quick.

Oh and the car is huge, the height was about equivalent to a smaller SUV and the rear just looks huge lol. But the rear seats didn't feel like it had the room considering how huge it looks outside. Could be just me.

The only problem he mentioned was a early coil-pack failure (10k miles) and something electrical with his HVAC but besides that, it's his daily driver and he loves it.

 

[joutlaw]

The 3.5 ecoboost in the F-150s responds very well to tunes. See this thread:
http://www.morepowertuning.com/2015-f150-ecoboost-3.5-review

109 HP and 158 lb/ft with a tune.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I was shopping for these for a long time, waiting for the one I wanted, but the whole experience got cancelled after the dealership I was going to buy from tried to sneak several thousand worth of extras into the paperwork. Walked out on the deal.

The engines are great, but the PTU's (power transfer units) in it and the Edge are glass. On early models like 2010, ask for service records and see if the PTU has ever been replaced or serviced.

The fluid was initially rated as lifetime fluid, but there were alot of issues with seal leaks and pinion gears stripping within 25K miles. Later revisions in replacement units were better about it. Even if the PTU is rated lifetime, if you plan to tune and do any sort of aggressive driving, you should consider having it changed readily, and having a drain plug installed in the unit so it can be changed regularly.

2013+ models are allegedly a bit more robust, and have cooling monitors and fluid monitors installed so that the car diagnostics will tell you if the PTU needs to be services. In models before at least 2013, the PTU does not have a drain plug, and while many people have figured out ways to get the fluid out, the official method requires Ford to drop the PTU.

SHO's with the Performance Package, Ford Explorer, and the Police Interceptor versions of the SHO all have water jackets installed on the PTU and are connected to the lower portion of the Radiator for active cooling.

If the 2013 with the revised PTU (with a drain plug) is out of your budget, I'd stick to getting the Performance Package variant so you can get the actively cooled PTU. You'll have to give up the camera based advanced cruise control, lane detection, and collision avoidance system to have that though.

If the new Taurus does come out on US Shores at the end of the year, it will make current Taurus prices crash, as its a significant redesign. Of course, there's also the possible chance of them ending production, as China is Ford's primary market for the large Taurus sedan. Here, Ford is only selling 45,000 of them a year, and almost 10,000 of those are for Police.

It's a great car though, no doubt! Still think about having one.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Huh, my local PD is selling some interceptors for $9k. They should be pretty robust, though they would have a rougher ride.

Since it seems there are no huge reliability issues I'll probably keep an eye on the car. Thanks guys!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

The downside to the PD is that until roughly 2013 they were using wet clutch disks in the PTU with the active cooling systems. They're robust, but PD's were likely beat on too. If the unit *does* go bad, its considered non-serviceable. The entire PTU has to be replaced. Since its a PD-specific unit, you'd probably have wait a while at a Ford dealer to get one sourced.

Not to mention a PD Taurus SHO would be spartan as all hell inside! But if you're cool with that, then its a cheap way to get a very robust car.

 

[basslover1]

The gains aren't as nice on the Fiesta ST, but most of that torque gained in below 3k RPMs so goodbye tires.

 

[Raduque]

The engines are great, but the PTU's (power transfer units) in it and the Edge are glass. On early models like 2010, ask for service records and see if the PTU has ever been replaced or serviced.

2013+ models are allegedly a bit more robust, and have cooling monitors and fluid monitors installed so that the car diagnostics will tell you if the PTU needs to be services. In models before at least 2013, the PTU does not have a drain plug, and while many people have figured out ways to get the fluid out, the official method requires Ford to drop the PTU.

SHO's with the Performance Package, Ford Explorer, and the Police Interceptor versions of the SHO all have water jackets installed on the PTU and are connected to the lower portion of the Radiator for active cooling.

If the 2013 with the revised PTU (with a drain plug) is out of your budget, I'd stick to getting the Performance Package variant so you can get the actively cooled PTU..

PTU, is that what they're calling the transfer case in the AWD?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

PTU, is that what they're calling the transfer case in the AWD?

Correct. I think different manufacturers are latching on to different terms for their AWD systems to differentiate from 4x4. Ford still refers to all of their truck 4x4 systems with fixed ratio chain driven systems as transfer cases. But from what I've seen Ford refers to all of their dynamic, clutched, AWD systems as PTUs. It is definitely the case with the SHO.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Something that isn't clear, if I grab a 2013 is there any need for a PP? I plan to use it on a track and also take it to a drag strip a couple times, but I'd put new brakes, tires, and new exhaust on it anyway when I buy it.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

The PTU is not meant for a drag racing car. You have to remember that you're taking a car that is designed to be low to the ground and has limited undercarriage room for components, and then making it slingshot 5000 pounds as fast as it can.

By your posting, you sound money conscious, which means you should not be drag racing a 5000 pound luxury sedan if you don't expect to break a PTU or 2.

If you're going to drag, get the Performance Pack for sure, as it comes with with PTO water jackets, water to oil cooler for the engine oil, better suspension, larger brakes on the rear, and an extra piston on the fronts.

But even then, if you're drag racing, you best be ready to pay to play. SHO's are simply not designed to be drag raced.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I wouldn't be entering it in actual competitions or doing it more than 3 times a year, but I would do a couple quarter mile runs. I'd figure I'd be looking at a fluid replacement every 15-20k if I was tracking it. I can't seem to find how much a PTU is, but I'm assuming around $3k? It may also be on the ecoboost forums, but I can't seem to access those on mobile. Looks like I'll be going performance pack regardless of if I decide to track it or not.

I might be a bit rough on the car, but you've got to show off that 365hp somehow. The 2013 should also have the lifetime warranty on its PTU so I would hope it was covered. I'll be keeping a couple grand for repairs no matter what though as I don't have any great trust for used cars.

EDIT: A PTU seems to be working around $2k. Hm

 

[yh125d]

I sat in a '16 yesterday while waiting for my ST oil change. Here's some impressions

The center console is too wide. It would be really annoying to me to be touching it the whole time, and basically with my entire right leg since the accelerator is pretty close to it too. This effect is more obvious since on the left side there's TONS of room before my left hits the door. Gives you the impression that the seat is about 2 inches too far inboard.

The seats were not bad, but there's very little bolster, probably not any more than any other Taurus. I know the SHO isn't a canyon carver but for a clearly performance oriented vehicle, I'd expect something a little more. Dunno if there are optional recaros or something maybe.

The back seats were comfy but sat too high in the car IMO. I had the feeling of being above the driver, and not great headroom for a full size sedan (I am 6' though).

It's hard to put it to words, but the car felt... outdated a little, in comparison to the escape and edge I was in. Like there should have been a new gen a year or two ago (old school parking brake on the floor maybe did it for me)

 

[Dr. Detroit]

It's hard to put it to words, but the car felt... outdated a little, in comparison to the escape and edge I was in. Like there should have been a new gen a year or two ago (old school parking brake on the floor maybe did it for me)

It is very outdated - the Fusion has more interior room than the Taurus. When the Fusion Sport 3.0TT AWD comes out later this year there will be no reason for anyone to choose a Taurus over a Fusion unless you need the mammoth trunk the Taurus has.

Next generation Taurus and Explorer are due and why the Taurus SHO is such a bargain used.

 

[yh125d]

It is very outdated - the Fusion has more interior room than the Taurus. When the Fusion Sport 3.0TT AWD comes out later this year there will be no reason for anyone to choose a Taurus over a Fusion unless you need the mammoth trunk the Taurus has.

Next generation Taurus and Explorer are due and why the Taurus SHO is such a bargain used.

Something tells me the next gen SHO will get the 400hp 6 from the upcoming MKZ, maybe with a little higher output

 

[Bubbleawsome]

The new Taurus UHO, ultra high output.
The taurus is old though, it hasn't been really redone since 2010, but it's got the 2017 refresh coming up. I'm 6'2" so height might be an issue, but I'll be test driving one before I buy. I fit into the focus fine though, so I assumed I'd fit the taurus.
It's not easy to find a SHO for sale at a dealer around where I am.

 

[metroplex]

The 2013-up SHO's still suffer the same problem with the PTU. Ford has not changed the PTU design for the CX-9/Edge/Explorer/Taurus. Even the police interceptor utility/sedan with the coolant hoses running to the integrated PTU cooler, are still blowing up PTU's at about 30k miles from what I have read. The 75W-140 gear oil is getting cooked somehow (it doesn't help a catalytic converter is right under it, along with both exhaust pipes), and the low capacity (0.5 qt) doesn't help things either. If you do get a SHO, get the 2013-up with the Performance Package and prepare to change the PTU oil every 20k miles with a suction gun.