FastTaurusSHO

I want heated and cooled seats, the tow mirrors, max tow package, and the electronic locking axle on a Lariat trim package. What would be really awesome is the power fold feature on the tow mirrors like the Super duty has, but I doubt it will happen any time soon. i can't believe we're still waiting for the order guide one week before the order bank opens for MY2011.

I can't believe we haven't heard more solid news about engine choices and output, and other potential features. It's August and still nothing.

Bingo! I refuse to 'max out' my tow rating, especially if it's something I'll be doing regularly. I will not be replacing my explorer in the future with a new explorer if the tow rating maxes out at 5500, even though my RV trailer only weighs 4,500 lbs, when the truck is loaded up ready to camp, I'm pushing 5,000 easily, and I'm at my 700lb tongue weight limit. I'm guessing I'll be moving up to a F-150 when it's time to retire the 2002 explorer in a few more years.

The Camaro was out of production for 8 model years, that's a ton of pent up potential camaro sales. If the Mustang had been out of production since 02, I bet we would be seeing a lot more 2010 mustang sales. I think as soon as all the camaro faithful have bought their cars, we'll see the mustang back on top of sales.

I wouldn't suggest the swap, it's been done but with mixed results, and you need a very complete MTX donor car for parts, the general consensus is that it's not worth the time and effort. Leaving the 3.2 motor in and installing the MTX would be more difficult, since the 3.2 motor is a single serpentine belt system with a hydraulic tensioner for the timing belt, while the 3.0 MTX has two belts, and the timing belt is a fixed tensioner. The automatics have different battery tray, coolant overflow bottle, radiator fan, computer, wiring harness, subframe, exhaust all the way to and including the resonator, motor mounts, cruise control module, much softer suspension/swaybars. Then there is the obvious stuff like brake/clutch pedal, getting the shifter assembly and all it's attaching hardware. My dream SHO was a 95 MTX with all the options in the moonlight blue, silver or red. And I've never found it. But the 92-95's are all quite similar, and are a real hoot to drive, so don't limit yourself to the 94-95's and miss out. Also watch out for S rated crappy tires, they can make a SHO feel like a regular taurus handling wise. They came with Z rated tires from the factory for a reason.

Looks like you've gotten some great advice about the SHO. I've owned several over the years, and have a Red 92 currently. Definitely stay away from the Gen 3's, they were automatic only and the trannies were garbage, not to mention the cam gear failures that destroy the engine.(I will admit they sound awesome, especially with the exhaust dumped) Also the Gen 2 auto's were garbage. As for the 5 speeds, stay away from one wheel burnouts and the drivetrain is very robust. The 94-95's have only minor differences from the other gen 2's, as they have slightly larger brakes, and the rest is mostly limited to very minor apperance differences. 93 was the first year of the automatic, as well as the decklid spoiler. They also 'softened' the suspension in the later years, to make the ride smoother, less sporty. 92 was the first year the passenger airbag was available as an option, became standard in 94. Manual transmission cars are much more rare to find in the 94-95 model years, as most were automatics. Good luck on your search. If your ever in Houston and want to try out a 92, let me know.

hmm, hadn't paid much attention, and since mine is a second vehicle, I haven't driven it in a few weeks. I'll try and count the shifts next time I take her out for some exercise.

Acura TL will be available next year with a 3.7 liter awd 6 speed manual. Unfortunatly Ford doesn't have any plans for a manual tranny car to please us speed freaks. So we're gonna have to find another manufacturer to meet our wants.

Not that the Eco boost SHO has anything to do with the earlier Yamaha SHO's but I find it odd that your SHO wouldn't run on premium. I've owned a handful (about 6 I think) of them thru the years, (all 89-95 model years) and everyone of them ran on 87 octane with out issue. The only time I'd run premium is when I took it to a track weekend and knew I'd be flogging it non stop and wanted the maximum performance. Congrats to the OP on the Order of the SHO, I've been keeping my eye out on the progress and will drive one asap.

I wouldn't mind more aggression, but not too much. The great thing about the SHO was that you could drive past the cop, the corvette owner and your insurance carrier and nobody was the wiser. To me that was a large part of the appeal. I also loved having people get in the car for the first time and make a comment like...What kind of car is this??...and...I didn't know they made the Taurus with a manual, that's cool... While I'm very excited about the increasing evidence that a SHO will become available, I seriously doubt a Manual transmission will be offered, and I really enjoy the SVTF's 6 speed I currently drive.

Very well said, I've had the opportunity to meet Denise at a car convention and hear her speak to the group a few years back, the woman knows her stuff. Dissagree with her, ok fine, but to say she's (insert ignorant descriptive term here) is truely ignorant.

Not arguing the fact that the CV as the universal cop car is going away, in fact I agree with you. But that doesn't change the fact that fleet vehicles will have to be maintained, and they will always have maintaince/repair expenses, wether it's on the 'front side' or all along. Technology on the CV has developed at a disturbingly slow rate, and there are frankly better persuit/patrol cars available.

Oh no doubt swining a RWD into a powerslide is big fun, but it doesn't make you faster. My interest in a fusion is mostly in hot lapping on the road course. FWD is easier to push harder, and tends to be more forgiving. I've been on the rear end of more mustangs, camaros and even old z's on tracks that can't pull away from my FWD, and then spin out when they push it just a lil too hard, while I zip right on pass them. I always downshift/revmatch durring braking before entering the turn, downshifting mid turn is a very bad idea, be it FWD, RWD or AWD, it seriously upsets the balance of the car. But very few people buy a car and drive it like I do on the track, hell most people are afraid to activate the ABS or rev the car over 4,000 RPM

seems like the Flex is what the Taurus X should have been all along. Now for this uni explorer. My 2002 is rated at 7000 lbs towing. It pulls my 21 foot travel trailer (4,500 lbs) just fine, but I would be hesitant to replace my explorer with a vehicle rated at 4,500lbs. If Ford wants me to upgrade they need to keep the tow rating above 5K lbs. The Expedition, while nice,(and pricy) won't fit in my tiny garage.

Trust me, it DOES cost. That cost might be paid for up front with the warranty, but it still costs in the end.

I understand. In the snow belt, I'd insist on AWD on every vehicle I owned. But there are a lot of people that live in the southern part of the states that have no need for the extra expense of AWD. In Houston, the average low in January is 41 degrees. It doesn't snow here, basically ever. No more Automatics for this guy, unless it's in a pickup/suv.

If Ford wants me to consider the Fusion, I need to see a real Manual transmission option mated to the V6. Until then, I'll pass. Perhaps I'll go check out the Nissan.

I don't see why Ford can't take a page from their own family. Mazdaspeed 3 has it down pat. 280 hp, 6 speed manual, wrapped in a very expensive feeling package out the door for 24 grand. FWD is fine, just trade the turbo 4 cyl for a N/A V6 putting down 270 to 300 hp. Less expense and complications with a N/A motor than F/I. I loved the Mazdaspeed 6 with the exception that it was AWD, same output as the speed 3, yet it was $6,000+ more. There wasn't 6 grand more car. And the fusion is by far a better chassis than the mazda 6 was (yes, I know it's the same platform) - at the track, a set of sticky tires was all the fusion needed (besides a lot more power and a manual tranny, I was in a 4 cyl auto) to show off it's exceptional chassis.

Amen. I was in love with the SHO's back in the day, even buying several used models (89-95 manuals were out just before driving age for me.) Just sold my last one a few years ago and I miss it. Now that my 03 SVTfocus is getting tired and up in miles, I'm ready to step back into something with more power, but I want a 6 speed manual - don't shove an automatic-wants-to-be-a-manual automatic transmission down my throat. Love the mustang but I don't want one. Ford doesn't offer me anything, and I'd really like to own a Ford. Ask me to settle? ok, I'll settle for something less than I want, but I wont be settling at the Ford dealer, I'll be at a competitor who offers what I want, even if it doesn't come with the blue oval on the grille. Ford should offer a Fusion with a sports package (call it whatever you want, GT, SE, premium, hybrid, don't care, just make it) that is beyond apperance. Must have at least 40 more HP than the current 3.0, 6 speed manual, and don't force AWD. That will up the price ~1500 bucks, increase weight, and I don't need it.