Retro Review: 1989 Ford Taurus SHO

[@fredaydaybae8450]

As a 7x owner and current 94 Manual owner this makes me not want to get rid of my S.H.O. every time someone asks why I keep that "crappy Taurus" haha. Still puts a smile on my face at 7300rpms. SHOtyme

[@thatextrachromosometho7345]

I've owned 3 of them and have regretted every time I sold one....I will own one again! Awesome cars

[@DIZAZZO]

Make a video and SHO us. I love Taurus, it's a shame that we don't have that much of them here in Brazil...

[@NateFosterSR]

Whoever disliked this video probably got pulled on by a sho

[@NateFosterSR]

your right about his logic. however if me and mr fuzy were in a jail cell fuzzy would probably learn what it means to be a bottom.

[@NateFosterSR]

good idea sir

[@MODeration_nXS]

Pontiac GTP owners. Lol

[@fordrac1ng81]

"I call it the ranch, because it's where my 220 horses live"

[@mluu2991]

Team coco?

[@mattautomotive5738]

Family owned an '89 and '93 that were bought new. Both black on gray leather with 5-speed and loaded with options. We put over 200,000 miles on each with minimal troubles. Overall the '93 was a much nicer car and had less problems than the '89, but both were incredibly fun to drive and great cars. They got a lot of attention back in their day and surprised a whole lot of people.

[@bliglum]

220hp from a 3L V6 in 1989.. Hot damn!

[@generalzod7959]

Considering it was an 89 model, they were actually putting them out in the early fall of 88. Yes, they were very impressive!

[@Mabeylater293]

Japanese engineering precision and reliability under the hood of a Ford

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@generalzod7959 Fantastic car this Ford Taurus SHO

[@BernonCars]

Still a really good looking sedan almost 30 Years later

[@juliolopez53]

ford for the win

[@theoparke]

When I was in high school, I wanted one of these cars so much. Sleeper cars were so much cooler to me than flashy sports cars with stupid spoilers, bodywork, etc. Never owned one, but my respect for these vehicles has never diminished.

[@SonOfTamriel]

Best looking engine ever

[@yadidimeanmaine]

The Busso V6 edges it out a bit with the polished runners IMHO.

[@SonOfTamriel]

oh ya that's definitely a beauty!

[@yadidimeanmaine]

EFK93 - We haven't seen that engine yet, and GM LS series engines are notoriously ugly on the intake side. I guess a polished supercharger on top would go a long way in having a clean look though. We shall see...

[@yadidimeanmaine]

EFK93 - Oh yeah, the Lotus topped small block. VERY cool.

[@cedb7115]

Son of Tamriel Agreed. engine looked fantastic

[@atfsgeoff]

Had a '93 MTX SHO, it was an awesome car. Very comfortable and reasonably quick, also returned 30 mpg on the highway. This engine really was a jewel.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Damn thing was just as fast as a period Mustang GT

[@johncollins7423]

Yep, I used to take either my 1990 V-6, or my 1997 V-8 & blow Mustangs into the weeds. I actually think that's why Ford killed it after the '99 model year. They didn't want a "family sedan" that could beat their flagship pony car. Thoughts?

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

They still make them but they sell in low volumes. The Fusion has replaced the Taurus and the SHO as a sales leader.

[@johncollins7423]

Oh yeah, you are correct. I meant to say "suspended production after the V-8". I like the Fusion, & would love to see one with the SHO engine in it. I think that would be a bad-ass ride, for sure.

[@mlee6136]

The Car Crazy Guy actually the SHO Yamaha engine and car was way better than the 5.0 Stang. At the time SHO felt very European vs the dated mustang.

[@J30A4V6er]

They pretty much have it. the 2017 Fusion sport with the F-150's 2.7L TT in it. 325hp and 380 tq (30 more torque than the 17 SHO)

[@Tool0GT92]

In 2000 I was at an auto auction (I was 16) one of these in a 5 speed came through and sold for $800. I didn't drive stick at the time so I went home with a Thunderbird LX auto for $2400. One of the big regrets in my life.

[@thatextrachromosometho7345]

I've owned 3 SHO's (2 1990's and 1 1989) they are seriously fun to drive...I miss having an SHO!

[@wranglerlife4ever42]

Back in 1996 had a 93 Silver with grey leather interior, moon roof, JBL system and automatic...I miss that car. I got it when it had 38,000 miles on it and sold it in 1999 with 95,000 miles on it and only changed tires, brakes and oil...and battery. Super reliable, FAST (for the time) and it was fun to drive. 👍

[@KenjiShinomori]

Stories like this make me sad about how my friend literally has the color in the video. It needed a fuel pump, but its been sitting for like 6 years.. Sun has baked the insides, the seats are crumbling.. If I could restore it I would. 3: But dont have the funds. I bet its an awesome car to drive..

[@emeyer6963]

Saw one on Craigslist here on Long Island.Same story.Been sitting for years and needs everything from the tires up.

[@AightBro123]

WhiteNuckle ChargerR/T nice

[@AightBro123]

sad people abuse old cars cause they are old

[@brianmullins5957]

I have a 94 atx in 🌙 light blue. My dad bought it brand new & I bought it from him 2 1/2 yrs ago. Its my dd & I still enjoy it! I’ve replaced all the suspendion bushings, & just had 60k service done.. Its about to hit 200k on it😁. It was ziebart ‘ed when new & has no rust & still has the factory 2.25 exhaust system on it. I luv this car!

[@mi16t]

Its still faster then most new non performance cars in 2018

[@MyCatInABox]

Legendary.... Fact: This motor is an absolute jewel, and is also SERIOUSLY overbuilt.

[@proeyebry]

Boy the trips to the store or anywhere for that matter when we road with dad! He loved to scare our mother to death in our SHO! While my brothers and I swayed in the back seat! Good times!

[@TheMailmanOfSteel]

The only thing "unfortunate" about the SHO Auto was that the slushbox ruined the car.

[@me3333]

I know people that quit buying fords because of that stupid transmission. There would be a shit ton of these still around if they would have just stuck with the 5 speed

[@Skyhawk1987Turbo]

Umm no! The reason for the automatic was because of lack of sales with the manual. The auto was just fine and and slush box? Really? The first gen sho looked like a Taurus LX, thank god for the 92-95 ones,

[@me3333]

The later ones were better but the first gen's were steaming piles of shit. Mine didn't make it past 75k and I know of at least 3 more that didn't make it to 50k before they took a shit. I knew a trans shop in the 90's that always had at least one getting a new trans every week, they practically paid their bills off of Tauruses alone.

[@Cricis11700]

Skyhawk1987Turbo SLUSHHHH BOXXXXX

[@mental_modeler2952]

Skyhawk1987Turbo stop

[@ALIVE8455]

I have one! It's a 1995 manual.

[@jacyborreaux919]

Never let her go!

[@ChristopherOvrebo]

Did I miss something? John Davis didn't throw in "Boy racer" when describing the exterior style?

[@alfamonk]

i see what you did there..sho stopping performance etc.

[@NEO_RedPill_2024]

I had a 1993 in black. Put an exhaust and an intake on it. Was an auto but still a runner. Miss that car!!

[@johncollins7423]

My 1st one was a 1990 in black, with a 5-speed. Later on, I had a 1997 maroon V8 S.H.O.! Both were quick, but if I had to pick one over the other, I'd have to go with the 5-speed.

[@timmietz]

I had a 1991 one of these. 0-60 was about 6.4sec. Handling was pretty awesome. Brakes were its weakest point. I sold it for almost as much that I bought it for. Loved that car!

[@generalzod7959]

My pops had the 89. Fun car! I can confirm it would definitely hit 135 with some room to spare.

[@Acc0rd79]

Unfortunately we are going to have to remove your man card for saying you wished they had an automatic in it!

[@Noah_E]

Four speed automatics were considered a luxury back then. My 1992 Subaru SVX didn't offer a manual for that reason.

[@vetteluvnh]

They were considered a luxury, but even if you go all the way back to the 60's muscle car era, no self respecting car guy ever wanted a friggin' slush box in a performance car.

[@mrsad1255]

retro is the best

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Cars suck now. Average 1,000 lbs heavier, safety aids make people worse drivers, blind spots are worse, cars take up more space on the road, android auto and apple carplay make sure nobody's looking at the fucking road anymore.

[@KB-bh9hp]

GT6SuzukaTimeTrials Well cars now look better than they have since the 50s and 60s,brands like ford are actually reliable now,and I'm not as likely to be killed in a accident so there are certainly so pros.But I agree,there are certainly some cons such as weight,complexity etc but really it's owed to humanities stupidity more than anything,people just can't use their brain behind the wheel so cars have to think for them and save their ass,can't tell you how many times I see someone driving while heavily distracted.I'm not even a violent person but seeing that makes me want to pull them out and beat their head in,because those people if they don't learn will end up crossing the center line and hitting a small car head on in their suv,or run a redlight,they walk away while someone else dies as a result my father who handles claims in insurance sees it all the time.So although I don't particularly care for these safety aids if they help to prevent someone's loved one from dying at the hands of a moron then I'll accept them.

[@mrsad1255]

True you get good and you get bad with all years of cars

[@DIZAZZO]

@@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials The current complicated cars make me think that the last fun and nicest civic to drive was the 2000. After that, civics became more and more heavy and complicated, and the same to all other cars. The BMW 1 series is here to prove that, the cars is a new interpretation of the 3 series E30 and E 36.

[@DavidAndre657]

It's SHO-time! Check out that glorious snake-pit of an engine.

[@najirban]

that closing song gives me good feelings. man I haven't heard that since I was probably 6

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

I tested this car brand new.. i specifically remember the shifter! was soo loose.. felt soo cheap! Remember this car could beat the camaro 305 but couldnt beat the 5L mustang!

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

A fast sleeper for the early 90s that revolutionized Ford's overall image.

[@PhaQ2]

I was working as a mechanic in the late 80's early 90's and my first experience with an SHO was the test drive behind the shop. That thing took off like a shot from a gun and kept going. To say I was surprised by the power would be an understatement.

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

I had one of these -- same year, even the same color. It was definitely the "muscle car" of its era, which is to say, way too much motor for the chassis and brakes. Tell you what though, I wiped the smirk off a lot of smug "performance car" faces with that thing. That motor was just madness back in those days.

[@klasseact6663]

220 HP when a Corvette made 240 HP, LOL

[@sanstheskeleton2023]

Rumor has it the SHO V6 was originally going to make 300hp, but Ford made Yamaha restrict it because 'Can't be faster than the Mustang.' Same thing happened with the 3.4L Cosworth V8 in the 3rd gen Taurus SHO.

[@halohunter5217]

Might have more to do with the massive torque steer that would ensue from that kind of power to the front wheels. GM made that mistake with the V8 W-bodies.

[@randymiracle4958]

@@sanstheskeleton2023 I thought it WAS faster then the mustang. halo hunter is on to something with the torque steer i think.

[@B0xlife1]

@@randymiracle4958 they were, dynos showed shos to have 200k miles with no mods hitting 235hp to the wheels while gts had 190, my 92 gt would get walked by these shos, they were beasts!

[@7171-Ws6]

Great channel. Loves these old reviews

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love Motor Week Retro Reviews is my favorites

[@NYKgjl10]

My father had this Ford Taurus SHO. I prefer this Taurus over the new ones of today anytime.

[@broughamdecker4693]

Yeah That’s an interesting story how this car came about, The engine was originally for a two seater that Ford was developing to compete with the fiero but the people at research and development department decided not to continue with it and decided on something else. So the SVT Team was like hey let’s try this in the Taurus, thought they did pretty good! That’s something else the research and development department decided on rather than the two seater car was a “ Four door bronco 2“ As they called it back in 1986. It debuted in 1990 as the Ford Explorer, I forget how that turned out😂😂😂

[@kjparlay]

A relatively sporty version of a car. Then: Unfortunately an automatic is at least 2 years away. Now: Unfortunately it does not come with a manual gearbox.

[@jakey20022]

what a great engine

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

My kind of car! Always wanted one.

[@Ss31994]

I want to see a retro on 1997 Pontiac grand prix gtp !!

[@CodyBosch]

one of the original super sedans. LOVE IT.

[@TooLooze]

I loved my 1990 SHO. But it did have numerous electrical problems.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Hey Motorweek! Love this retro reviews. Any chance we could get a Lincoln Mark VI Coupe sometime? Absolutely love the cars and I'm really curious to see how automotive journalists felt about them back when they were new in the early 80s.

[@NeverSquid]

Indeed... bring back the manual for the SHO Ford! We beg you!

[@dillchives]

Ha -- I had a 1988 Taurus someone had put a SHO bumper on later, but it was just the regular 1988 6 cylinder. Disappointed at least one other person who wanted to check it out, but almost nobody else actually knew what it meant.

[@paa4mj]

I saw one for sale that I might get. It's a 94 SHO 5 speed.

[@cress7572]

Wasn't this video already uploaded, little over two years ago?

[@SereneSpeed]

I 'twas 'bout to say.

[@JacobFrey]

In 2015, a video of the '93 automatic was uploaded.

[@TommyboyGTP]

Yep someone forgot they had already uploaded this LOL

[@cpufreak101]

Sean James I thought I seen it before lol

[@JacobFrey]

Ah yeah, I do see this same video was already uploaded.

[@stevend3753]

Hmmmm,....I've never seen anyone shift using a yard stick before.

[@bandombeviews6035]

Steven D I was on a school bus with a 5 speed, and the shifter was legitimately about 4 feet off the ground

[@srcej6]

You've never driven a manual truck or SUV? Makes that look like a short shifter lol

[@risingembersgaming7740]

SHOtime would be the best license plate for this car

[@trevagraham1605]

This is one of the only three four doors that I ever wanted.

[@trevagraham1605]

@LifeBeginsWithChrist those aren't bad choices but the impreza wrx sti and the lancer evo are the other two

[@leereader3725]

turning ordinary people into mechanics since 1989!

[@transrus1]

Most fun i had was with my 1989 !!

[@TheZProtocol]

1990 Mazda Miata and 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL please!

[@ironinquisitor3656]

I don't know why anyone would want one of these with an automatic.

[@baddriversofnorthtexas6850]

Its funny seeing a taurus on a race track

[@DriftTaxi]

This is why we Americans get such a bad reputation: The SHO is actually a decent vehicle and to want that coupled with Ford's terrible automatic (at the time) is just laughable. Oh well. It was what it was.

[@rodirby5952]

I have a 1995 S.H.O. beautiful engine, was designed by YAMAHA to produce more than 300 hp. but FORD accessories and transmissions couldn't handle that much power.. my Oregon license plate= GR8-SHO

[@jriley1992]

First Gen Ford Taurus SHO! ❤️😍

[@rodirby5952]

2nd Gen better looking with 2nd Gen Sable headlights and turn signals

[@Barkevshadian]

We had a brand new one in 1989 and could never ever do better then 7.5 0-60, we also had a brand new 1990 mustang, and did 0-60 in 5.9 seconds regularly.

[@danc6774]

6.7 is decent today for a car that size.

[@thagreen72]

was the motor originally suppose to be in the probe

[@airminded8876]

Please upload the 2000 Celica GT review.

[@trebors386]

screw the GT GTS review instead my first car was a 2002 GTS with the TRD package which had the big factory spoiler miss that car

[@kclark8080]

That zero to 60 time is understated. It was much quicker.

[@jeepthing98]

I concur. With a good driver, it was closer to 6 seconds 0-60

[@kclark8080]

@@jeepthing98 that was my experience. It felt just as quick as my 5.0 LX and I could do it in 5.9 secs in that.

[@KenjiShinomori]

Its sad 3: My friend has one just rotting in his back yard.. It runs..

[@steveespinola7652]

Robocop's car. ( Dead or alive, you're coming with me)

[@1995RangeRover]

That's how how a base Taurus should've been.

[@titanicwhiz]

had one

[@annetteaponte1047]

You confuse the numbers, The real time is 7,6 second, 0-60, Check Motor Week 1993 in the same car,

[@saulgoodman2018]

Guy looks like Chevy Chase. For a second I didn't know if I was watching Motorweek, or National Lampoon.

[@emeyer6963]

SHOcation.LOL

[@TheMailmanOfSteel]

Dat 4 Runner doe.

[@mrsad1255]

DeCarlos Williams that is soo true..

[@shoDOHC]

Ya can't kill a SHO!

[@ShardsOfNarsil]

Great engine.

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

My buddy had one and that shifter SUCKED! It was SOOOOO long!

[@lowereastsideastrologist7769]

FO SHO!

[@swanblake]

clutch with every oil change

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

fun fact: Yamaha did work on the 4A-GE

[@NarrowStreetz]

AE86 of Mt. Akina and 3sgte

[@taunusv4power]

AE86 of Mt. Akina every toyota twin cam engine with a small black timing belt plastic cover to be precise. even the 1G-GEU from the toyota mark ii said "yamaha" in that cover. really nice engines. now i get why would someone buy a 1.6L celica rather than a 2.0L, they even had the same fuel consumption

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

taunusv4power​ Imagine if Yamaha built a car. Don't mind me looking at the XSR900/FZ09 and drooling at the thought. Same company is keeping a bike released in 1978 (SR400) in production too.

[@taunusv4power]

AE86 of Mt. Akina they actually made a car! 50 to be precise. this was posted a long ago by my friend funny looking car isn't it?: watch?v=7sC4eTc1ECM

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

taunusv4power I'm happy that exists but at the same time I really wonder what possesed someone to design and sell it haha

[@mi16t]

"Unfortunately an automatic option is two years away" no, that was fortunate. No one bought the v8 auto shos nor the second gen autos

[@tylongkicks8821]

RoboCop

[@mikaelwojciechowski7281]

Though, they used the 1986 or 1987 Taurus LX as the patrol cars of the Detroit Police Department in that movie. ;) I'd love to own one myself though.

[@Mabeylater293]

The engine was the only thing that was reliable.

[@misamisatv]

What year did Rococo have?

[@PatrickBaptist]

Taurus is a good car, shos on the other hand well I've worked on one parts are expensive and doesn't seem like it's near worth it. Just sold my 2000 Taurus, good little car, but I prefer the f350 I bought afterwards. But for a car Taurus are decent reliable cars, heaters suck something awful.

[@devincoble4993]

Lmao even on a automotive show , start the engine and start revving the engine before the oil even can circulate.

[@EDHBlvd]

💪🏽💪🏽👍

[@JDMHaze]

yamaha can do no wrong

[@1231nlp]

lol... 1989 Taurus rides like a break...

[@aayonce4]

3rd

[@chuckselvage3157]

More like 220 at the wheels.

[@nitinsoni137]

Robocop's car

[@tylongkicks8821]

Nitin Soni Drop it! Clarence Boodicker dead or alive you are coming with me.

[@Cyberdactyl]

0-60 in 6.7 seconds is very pedestrian nowadays. The 2016 SHO has dropped that to the low 5's.

[@Cyberdactyl]

Absolutely, for a relatively inexpensive sports sedan.

[@alexvieira7945]

Please upload the 2000 Celica review next, please :)

[@philtripe]

the exact same zero to sixty time as 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser... 6.7 seconds

[@suntoritime]

Not many cars from that era could make such a claim. Very impressive for its times.

[@Just_Zach]

Even for a number of years after that. Well over a decade after the SHO came out, the regular 3.0L Ford V6 engines were struggling to reach 200 hp.

[@dawge30]

SHO, pronounced S. H. O. I hate it when people say it like "show". Just like NOS is not " noss", it is N. O. S.; for Nitrous Oxide Systems. Sigh...

[@colton8552]

Shut up you whiny bitch

[@markk3652]

@@colton8552 ha!

[@xCPTxNEMO]

Tar-us?

[@frogchaser]

7nd

[@ColdCathode]

7nd? Seriously? Are you stupid?

[@jadebylund7061]

pretty funny how a piece of shit Taurus was lauded as one of the best cars off that yr. technology has came along way. 220hp is considered low in most cars today

[@oldtwins]

Yes, the stats are not so impressive by today's standards but it was very different back in the day when your typical upscale sedan still only came with a 160hp engine.

[@unluckyabsol]

69th

[@gamerofretro5111]

First

[@aayonce4]

GAMEROFRETRO. are you still watching the video lol