1993 Ford Taurus - Long-Term Wrapup

The European Sport Sedan With American CitizenshipFor the domestic auto industry, 1986 marked a year of rebirth. Ford introduced the Taurus, an aerodynamic sedan created using the successful team philosophy learned from the import manufacturers.

In 1989, Ford added something special to the Taurus: a super-high output (hence: SHO) Yamaha-built 3.0-liter DOHC V-6 that made performance enthusiasts around the world salivate uncontrollably.

As we were among the drooling, we ordered a revised '93 version for our long-term fleet. We started out with a dark blue exterior and the five-speed manual transmission. For those readers who remember seeing a red model in the Update columns, you're not colorblind. A talented car thief relieved us of the blue SHO during our 1993 Car of the Year testing in San Diego. This turned out to be a mixed blessing; we missed the five-speed SHO, but started over with a shiny red one, this time with the newly available automatic transmission and larger 3.2-liter version of the DOHC V-6. (For those who've followed the story, the SHO-stealer was caught and convicted, and the Taurus was recovered, sans seats, doors, mirrors, and SHO trim, but with the engine intact.)

Seems we made a good second choice. Almost three quarters of our survey respondents also opted for the automatic over the five-speed (72.4 versus 27.6 percent). While owners averaged 19,333 miles to date on their SHOs-for a total of 6.6 million miles-we spun the odometer to 15,590. If youinclude the miles put on our first SHO, the total would be just over 20,000. Like most of you, we can't be blamed for being lead-footed in this sport sedan. Those with the manual averaged 22 mpg, while automatic owners did marginally worse at 21.6, and we trailed with 19.4. Respondents also did well in the bargaining department: The average price they paid was $24,067, while ours stickered at $27,780. Ours, however, was loaded with power seats, a leather interior, a JBL sound system, a passenger airbag, and the aforementioned automatic transmission.

Judging by the write-in comments on the survey (and there were plenty), what everyone liked best about the SHO was, obviously, performance. It was the primary purchase influence at 92.8 percent, followed in order by handling, looks/style, and safety features. The output from the Yamaha engine is more than half again as much as from the 3.8-liter six-cylinder in the regular Taurus: 220 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 215 pound-feet of torque at 4800. A 7.5-second 0-60 time and a 15.4-second/88.9-mph quarter-mile run backed up its performance claims-so much so that many owners rambled on about how much better they liked the SHO over more-expensive hardware like BMWs, Mercedeses, and other European sport sedans. "I had a BMW before this car," wrote one happy owner. "I never thought I'd ever like to drive something as much as that BMW. The SHO is every bit as nice. I like a fast car and a family car; the SHO is it!" Logbook comments praised the SHO's good low-end torque and passing performance, and noted that the car actually seems happier with an automatic than with the notchy five-speed.

Four out of five performance-related categories scored in the 90th percentile. Over 64 percent rated overall performance as excellent, and 32 percent agreed it was good. Less than five percent ranked it average to poor. Another 77 percent replied excellent to the fun-to-drive category, with 20 percent saying it was good. The acceleration column recorded the same story: 86.5 percent replied excellent and 12.7 percent responded with good. Handling scores shifted a bit, with 62.8 percent rating it excellent and 34.3 percent noting good handling. The braking response lagged considerably behind the others, with just under 50 percent saying it was excellent. The reason for the fall off in this group was related to the SHO's problem brakes; rotors that wore out quickly, squealing, excessive brake dust, and rapid brake pad wear were just some of the negative comments about the SHO's binders. We also experienced the warped rotor problem on our long-term vehicle at 8800 miles, and at 15,000 clicks, we were advised to replace the brake pads.

Comfort was a hotly debated area in both the survey and our logbook. Overall comfort was awarded 54.9 percent excellent and 40.2 percent good. Only 25 percent said the back seats were excellent, with over 56 percent reporting only good. Almost 20 percent ranked the rear seats average to poor. There was a bit of name-calling in our logbook over the Taurus' seats. One editor said the seat cushion didn't offer enough support and put his legs to sleep; another called him a wimp and said the adjustable side bolsters and lumbar were a lot more supportive and comfortable than most other "performance" sedans of late. Overall, although most owners were positive, especially those who did 12-hour stints in their cars during vacations or extra- long commutes.

The overall quality and workmanship scores show a higher percentage of good quality than excellent-46.3 percent versus 38.3. This is mirrored by almost half the survey respondents, who said they had some type of significant problem with their cars. At the top of the problems list was worn out brake rotors at 25.9 percent. Transmission woes followed at 21 percent (not including the recall to replace the entire tranny on a few early production models), then the entire braking system, electrical system, starting problems, the steering box, and struts. Although many of these problems were fixed under warranty, complaints ranged from anger at having to waste so much time taking the vehicle in for service, to having to deal with the same problem numerous times, to general fit and finish troubles. Many said it's hard to believe Ford's slogan, "Quality is Job One." "The car is fun, but not worth it because of constant problems. I should have bought a Lexus; I will next time." Many other respondents echoed this owner's frustrations.

We had more than a few repair orders on our SHO, as well. Besides the brake rotor malady, we had it looked at three times for mysterious suspension noises. The first time the technicans found nothing; the second time they tightened a bolt on the subframe and secured a loose plate behind the dash. The third time they found a stripped stud in the spindle and replaced the knuckle, strut, and bushings. We also corrected a stereo speaker malfunction. Our first SHO needed a major portion of its electronic system replaced after it died unexpectedly, stranding Executive Editor Bob Nagy on a busy freeway late at night (hmmm, maybe Bob had something to do with its disappearance).

Because the SHO is such fun to drive, 87.3 percent overlooked the problems and said they'd definitely recommend it to others. Only 4 percent said no, and 8.6 said maybe. A high percentage (84.4) said they'd buy another SHO.

Those who wouldn't buy again cited unsatisfactory dealer sales/service treatment in addition to quality-control problems. Only 44.5 percent said buying a car from their dealer was an excellent experience; 34.3 said it was good. When it came to service, 40.7 percent said the dealerships were excellent, while 35.2 said good. The same complaints we hear every month in our surveys held true here, as well-salesmen were smooth talkers and didn't know that much about the product. An interesting note: Those who dealt with female sales reps were a lot more pleased with the personal attention and service, noting that they seemed to "try harder" to satisfy the customer. "My dealership's service department is open 24 hours," wrote one happy buyer. Others wished their dealers would offer a loaner vehicle, and some said they got their cars back in worse shape than when they took them in.

We contacted Ford and asked if changes have been made to the brakes; we were told the problem hasn't been researched yet. There are no major changes for '95 because an all-new Taurus is due for '96. Grapevine gossip hints at even more horsepower for the SHO, so keep an eye on our Trends section.

The Taurus SHO is a wonderful example of how domestic manufacturers have regained their status in the performance marketplace. Many respondents previously owned Porsches, Jaguars, and BMWs, and agree that, "dollar for dollar, the SHO is the best-engineered, reasonably priced performance vehicle on the road."

Subtle differences distinguish the SHO from its lower-priced, lower-powered brethren: Note the SHO emblem molded into the rear fascia. No major exterior changes this year; an all-new Taurus is coming in '96.

The Yamaha-built 3.2 liter DOHC V-6 produces 220 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. Engineering wizardry-including dual intake runners, one for low engine speeds and one for high-helps deliver the SHO's quick 7.5-second 0-60 time and nice torque band.

We added leather upholstery to our automatic SHO, along with power seats and a passenger-side airbag, all of which bumped the price up a bit to an as-tested figure of $27,780.