28th Feb 2005, 14:07

Hi, I too have a 1994 SHO, it has 130,000 miles and I'm just now having my first real trouble with it. Yeah I have replaced the alternator and starter, but I bought it used what else can you expect from a used car, they don't last forever, As far as prices I'm not going to lie, they're a very costly car, but then again what ford is cheap. I'm now looking for transmission for it. I'm having troubles on my search but I've found it's cheaper to rebuild it then to buy a used headache from a scrap yard. and to who ever put on there why the oil gets into the spark plug well, thank you I couldn't for the world figure that out. But to all who is unhappy with there 94, sho be patient its cheaper to fix a car then to buy a new one.

4th Aug 2005, 10:50

I also have a 1994 Ford Taurus SHO. The transmissing has had to be replaced twice. My sunroof also does not work any longer. The spark plugs are in a terrible spot and are not the easiest thing to replace. The struts are also about gone in this car so I think its about time for me to move on to a better more reliable car. I also have to say that my SHO gets 13 miles to the gallon. No where near the 30 that some of these ppl say that they are getting.

27th Sep 2007, 14:43

I also have a 94 SHO Taurus. I purchased it with 117,500 miles and it now has 123,000. What I have found is that you need to do your homework with this car. Changing the spark plugs and wires yourself is easy and takes about 45 minutes if you know what you are doing. I did it myself in my garage.

Resources are available on the internet that will help you with maintenance issues if you are a do-it-yourself kinda person.

I love my 94. It handles great, is fast, and very well equipped. I bought it for $1900.00, and plan to keep it for some time.

9th Nov 2008, 08:32

I did have had a 1994 SHO for 5 years. Put a lot of money in it, but this car gave a ride like no other. I did sell the car; it had 266.000 miles on it. It's still running, but just one thing, I will never buy a special edition car. It cost a lot of money and I was getting serious parts problems. I did wait 10 days for a simple hose in back of the motor, and the computer is expensive when it fails.

4th Mar 2009, 11:56

I too have a 1994 SHO. I just replaced the struts, alternator and the radiator. It runs real good and burns little oil. But it rides great and starts every time.

6th Mar 2009, 12:47

I had some serious smoke coming from under my hood... turns out the bolts on the bottom of the engine were working themselves out! Try gently snugging them back in (if you tighten one too much it'll ruin the seal.

21st Mar 2009, 20:36

I have a 1994 Ford Taurus SHO with 106.5K miles. I have owned it from day one, and with the exception of one seal it has required only scheduled maintenance. As it's gotten older the handling has softened, the headliner is deteriorating and the sub-woofer has stopped working, but the motor still revs to 7000 RPM and it burns no oil. The acceleration to this day is awe inspiring. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

17th Nov 2009, 14:13

Hey, did you buy it? I got a line on a 1993 model with exact same issues. Have not pulled trigger yet, concerned about the burnt oil smell/smoke. How much was repair? Email me, jvs@bell.blackberry.net

18th Nov 2009, 07:59

You bargain seekers are just throwing good money after bad.

11th Dec 2009, 21:59

I have had my 94 SHO for 2 years now. I bought it for 900 dollars, and drove it 60 miles after finding it on a Craigslist ad.

The next day I took it for state inspection, and it passed with flying colors. Tan leather interior with emerald green exterior.

The only problem with it so far at 200 thousand miles. It came up with crank cancer. The crank key broke where the crankshaft connects to the timing chain, and started making a noise. 900 dollars and my mechanic put in a new key, which I got from another SHO at a junkyard. New water pump, new timing belt, new fuel pump, new computer module, new timing belt pulley. Now runs in great condition.

I changed all 3 motor mounts myself, took me 2 days due for it being my first time, but I know next time I can do all 3 in 4 to 5 hours. Paid 130 for the front motor mount at shosource.com and 54 for the tranny mount. Found the rear mount on eBay for 90 bucks OEM. Changed the struts for 150 for all 4. Put them on myself.

It has been a great car. Went 140 in it a couple of times and beat a lot of newer model cars in it too. Mustang GTs, Accords, VTEC's, Audis. It's a really fun car, and reliable if you take care of it. Just bought another 94 silver, but automatic. Needs work, but I'm ready to break a sweat to have another classic.

If y'all have any questions, I'll be more than glad to help... Sp360xxx@yahoo.com.

13th Dec 2009, 13:06

"You bargain seekers are just throwing good money after bad."

Not always the case. I'm a car enthusiast and mechanic. We often own 3 to 5 cars at any given time, and I often will buy inexpensive "beaters" to use to drive to places I don't want to drive my good cars. My all-time best buy was a 1990 Dodge Omni with 183,000 miles on it that I gave $800 for and drove to 240,000 miles. In that time I put on new tires ($100), brake pads ($25), one new heater hose, $7.50) and a timing belt ($18). After driving the car 57,000 miles, I sold it for exactly what I paid for it.

My other good "beater" (actually, I never had a BAD one) was a 1980 Pinto with 180,000 miles on it when I bought it. I replaced a valve cover gasket ($7.50) and drove it 3 years and another 28,000 miles. I also sold it for what I paid for it.

If you can do your own repairs, you are far BETTER off to buy an inexpensive older car if you don't have the cash for a new one. I'm currently looking for a small truck to use as a light hauler and around town vehicle. I don't bat an eye at Rangers or S10's with 200,000+ miles.

14th Dec 2009, 10:57

13:06

Point well taken. If you can do your own repairs and have a good idea of what those repairs might be, I'm sure you can do well with a "beater" (as you call it).

However, when a buyer thinks they have found the "deal of a lifetime" in an older vehicle with high miles, and go into it with the expectation that it "only" needs this or that, chances are the vehicle could well turn into a money pit.

I've owned money pit or two in my day, so unfortunately I speak from experience.