Tips to new 2012 SHO owner?

SeriousFrank · March 30, 2014, 06:16:27 PM

Hello Everyone!

NEW TO THE FORUMS!

I'm Frank and I will soon be the owner of a 2012 SHO. I know that the 2012 SHO should be somewhat different from a 2010, which was the year I test drove.

I need tips,

Basically is the car solid? Does it handle well? (My test drive sucked!) How is it as far as maintenance goes?

I will be coming from a Dodge SRT-4 I have had since 08... So, what I want now is a mature looking vehicle that is quick.

Anyways, I've heard things about stopping distance and all that.

Basically what can it "DO" and what can't it do? -- Realistically.

I am in love with the car for some reason, I just really want this car to be a car I have 8 years down the road or something.

If you SHO owners can shed light on your experience that would be great!

BiGMaC · March 30, 2014, 06:58:08 PM

Hi SeriousFrank!... First, Welcome to EBPF!

Please take a minute when you can to introduce yourselfe in the new members introductions area... TIA

I personally own a 2013 SHO... bought for many of the reasons you relate. You are gonna love your SHO after you get it. Like all cars there are some issues that you'll want to watch out for and do preventive maintenance so you don't have problems... like the PTU... but the forum is full of info on these. Brake upgrades are out there... many do.... how-to threads are here.

You can do many things.... A lot of aesthetic mods exist, and you can mod performance easily up to 350-400 AWHP (about equal to 420-480 CHP)... and wih a little work can get at least as much as 600 AWHP

You can't leap tall buildings in a single bound..... Sorry. Folks here keep creating and testing mods so the options are excellent and choices for each one are growing.

If you have specific questions places list them for us... someone will have your answer.

BUT... if you think you love the SHO now.... Just wait!

Night Hawk · March 30, 2014, 07:09:02 PM

Welcome aboard!! SP534 plugs gapped to .030, change the PTU fluid every 25 to 30k, swap out the brakes with aftermarket units of your choice, 6qts of 5w/30 motor oil preferably synthetic for oil change, install oil catch cans on both the front and rear PCV lines. Familiarize yourself with climate door motor replacement. If the chrome around your tailights peel, plastidip, SEL replacements(no chrome)MMM I may have missed something. Aftermarket tunes are really fun either LMS or Torrie have great choices.

BiGMaC · March 30, 2014, 07:14:08 PM

Another option on the tails... with pic from another member:

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=2335.msg36400#msg36400

SHOdded · March 30, 2014, 07:38:49 PM

2010-12 was the first iteration, 2013+ is the second iteration for this Gen SHO. Since your test driver was not the intended vehicle of purchase, hard to say whether to purchase or not. You may get the one bad apple in the lot, you know?

H&R springs will lower your SHO and make it a tad faster as it will prevent the car from "squatting" as much as the OEM suspension.

Get good tires on there. What comes with the 2012 you are buying? Depending on the conditions you see, you can pick from Michelin, Continental, General, Hankook, etc.

Braking performance varies, though it was upgraded OEM for 2013. If you feel the brakes are inadequate, flush the brake fluid, and change out the pads/rotors for aftermarket (pads at the very least).

SeriousFrank · March 30, 2014, 09:11:34 PM

Quote from: SHOdded on March 30, 2014, 07:38:49 PM
2010-12 was the first iteration, 2013+ is the second iteration for this Gen SHO. Since your test driver was not the intended vehicle of purchase, hard to say whether to purchase or not. You may get the one bad apple in the lot, you know?

H&R springs will lower your SHO and make it a tad faster as it will prevent the car from "squatting" as much as the OEM suspension.

Get good tires on there. What comes with the 2012 you are buying? Depending on the conditions you see, you can pick from Michelin, Continental, General, Hankook, etc.

Braking performance varies, though it was upgraded OEM for 2013. If you feel the brakes are inadequate, flush the brake fluid, and change out the pads/rotors for aftermarket (pads at the very least).

The Car was fine , but the Test Drive sucked because I couldn't push the car like I wanted to. When someone I don't know is with me in a car I don't know how they will react lol, so I drive safer.

I will try to stay as close as I can to keeping the car at peak.

im looking for a 2012 with a 401A PP or 402A PP, but really I will take what I can get.

BiGMaC · March 30, 2014, 09:47:00 PM

Quote from: SeriousFrank on March 30, 2014, 09:11:34 PM
Quote from: SHOdded on March 30, 2014, 07:38:49 PM
2010-12 was the first iteration, 2013+ is the second iteration for this Gen SHO. Since your test driver was not the intended vehicle of purchase, hard to say whether to purchase or not. You may get the one bad apple in the lot, you know?

H&R springs will lower your SHO and make it a tad faster as it will prevent the car from "squatting" as much as the OEM suspension.

Get good tires on there. What comes with the 2012 you are buying? Depending on the conditions you see, you can pick from Michelin, Continental, General, Hankook, etc.

Braking performance varies, though it was upgraded OEM for 2013. If you feel the brakes are inadequate, flush the brake fluid, and change out the pads/rotors for aftermarket (pads at the very least).

The Car was fine , but the Test Drive sucked because I couldn't push the car like I wanted to. When someone I don't know is with me in a car I don't know how they will react lol, so I drive safer.

I will try to stay as close as I can to keeping the car at peak.

im looking for a 2012 with a 401A PP or 402A PP, but really I will take what I can get.

When I test drove, both times, I just told the salesman that I wanted to get a feel for the car..... and drove it... WOT accells to 60, U-turns, etc.... I mean, it's what you want to know, right? Anyway, one even said he wished everyone would actually push the car a little 'cz he could sell them easier... LOL

SwampRat · March 30, 2014, 10:25:59 PM

Welcometo EBPF ..... lots of good info on this site and good people.
The SHO is a damned good base car to start with and has TONS of potential in regards to performance .

mjhpadi · March 31, 2014, 12:46:45 AM

Glad to see you've joined us! Told you that you would find a lot of info here. Hope you can find a nice SHO equipped like you want it soon!

shoman04 · March 31, 2014, 05:03:33 AM

Quote from: SeriousFrank on March 30, 2014, 09:11:34 PM
Quote from: SHOdded on March 30, 2014, 07:38:49 PM
2010-12 was the first iteration, 2013+ is the second iteration for this Gen SHO. Since your test driver was not the intended vehicle of purchase, hard to say whether to purchase or not. You may get the one bad apple in the lot, you know?

H&R springs will lower your SHO and make it a tad faster as it will prevent the car from "squatting" as much as the OEM suspension.

Get good tires on there. What comes with the 2012 you are buying? Depending on the conditions you see, you can pick from Michelin, Continental, General, Hankook, etc.

Braking performance varies, though it was upgraded OEM for 2013. If you feel the brakes are inadequate, flush the brake fluid, and change out the pads/rotors for aftermarket (pads at the very least).

The Car was fine , but the Test Drive sucked because I couldn't push the car like I wanted to. When someone I don't know is with me in a car I don't know how they will react lol, so I drive safer.

I will try to stay as close as I can to keeping the car at peak.

im looking for a 2012 with a 401A PP or 402A PP, but really I will take what I can get.

Welcome from "HOT ATLANTA" I get that same thing from (then) Girl friend (now) wife. So I'm glad I test drop a 2010 in 2009 before she was a girl friend. Because I made the salesman call "UNCLE" (IT"S THE DEALER OWNER's CAR). Just a month ago a young salesman sold my youngest a Fiesta and they both love Mustang's and putting My SHO down!!!!! A week later I ask him if he had time for a test drive (in my car with me driving) (BAD NEWS FOR HIM) I have 3yrs of auto-crossing this car and LMS TUNE, Down-pipes, X-pipe, Meth injection, 2.5" exhaust, and DynoMax Mufflers!!!!!!! lets say he needed to change his under paint after the test ride!!!!! I LMBO!!! He will not talk BAD ABOUT a SHO NO MORE!!!!!

SeriousFrank · March 31, 2014, 03:17:27 PM

Well my idea so far is the land in either a 2012 or a 2010 SHO.

I hear that the 2012s have remote start functions, also I might be able to get a better interior package like: Heated Seats, Steering wheel, rear view warnings... ect the Sony Package.

As far as upgrades go.... I guess the "Hennessey" upgrade aka Maxboost is out of the question in the long run because I live in California and that upgrade will not pass for the emissions. I am looking into Exhaust kits right now and intakes, so we'll see.

I am very glad that you guys love your cars and it I find it funny because there really are not that many on the streets unless alot of people debadge lol. I can't wait though!
Ill continue to stay active and keep you guys posted on the deals I've found.

So far the best I have seen was a 2010 SHO for 19,600 with 55k Mileage , BUT! the damn thing is almost as basic as the inside of my SRT-4 05 man... lol I rather give it more time and find a better one. Longer I wait the more money I have saved for the car, plus Ill have my SRT-4 paid off by the end of the year and I am saving money for it on the side. I WILL have a FORD SHO!

panther427 · March 31, 2014, 03:27:09 PM

If money isnt a huge issue.. get a lease return 13 at the end of this year

SeriousFrank · March 31, 2014, 03:36:40 PM

Quote from: panther427 on March 31, 2014, 03:27:09 PM
If money isnt a huge issue.. get a lease return 13 at the end of this year

I wanna keep it forever

--- Plus my credit is kind of ass.

mjhpadi · March 31, 2014, 03:43:04 PM

Stay away from anything Hennessy! They do not have a good reputation with the Ecoboost engines and have had many engine failures. Plus their stuff is way to expensive...you will be better served getting work done by Unleashed Tuning or Livernois Motorsports, both have done a ton of work and experience with the Ecoboost and have proven their work to be safe and work great. Also, the only real difference better the interior between 2010 and 2012 (besides the dash) is the shifter design and heated steering wheel. My 2010 has headted/cooled massaging seats, rear view camera and warnings, Sony Stereo and Adaptive Cruise Control...however, since you want the Performance Package, it makes the ACC unavailable in any year.

SeriousFrank · March 31, 2014, 04:12:20 PM

Quote from: mjhpadi on March 31, 2014, 03:43:04 PM
Stay away from anything Hennessy! They do not have a good reputation with the Ecoboost engines and have had many engine failures. Plus their stuff is way to expensive...you will be better served getting work done by Unleashed Tuning or Livernois Motorsports, both have done a ton of work and experience with the Ecoboost and have proven their work to be safe and work great. Also, the only real difference better the interior between 2010 and 2012 (besides the dash) is the shifter design and heated steering wheel. My 2010 has headted/cooled massaging seats, rear view camera and warnings, Sony Stereo and Adaptive Cruise Control...however, since you want the Performance Package, it makes the ACC unavailable in any year.

If I can't get it , ill take what I can get. I understand how it goes. I really want the car so much that I would be willing to overlook things for the better deal.