Already in love with the SHO

[iceberg65]

Hi everyone, coming from my 2000 mercury cougar which has become impractical for driving through Alberta winters. It has pretty much everything you can think of done to it (lots of suspension, supercharger, Roush goodies etc.) and is pushing 360,000km.

I've been shopping around for a while now, I've always waned a performance orientated all wheel drive car. I was eyeing some Quattro's, and STi's and a couple Evo's, a mazdaspeed 6 caught my eye too. Been chatting with a friend about it for a few weeks. Then I came across some SHO's for sale, They weren't even on my radar because they were retailing around 50k well equipped here in Canada when new, I was originally shopping in the 20-23k mark.

Then I started looking into their aftermarket and stock limit and I got very excited. They can make huge power gains and maintain reliability with pretty basic bolt ons. Compared to older evos and sti's these things are a hell of a lot of car for the money (although not the same market).

So I started targeting 2010 to 2012 SHO's Ideally in the Calgary area (3 hrs away) they were going in the 18-23k mark. With plans to do a couple things right away.

Then I was sent a link, and it was the perfect fit (well worth the extra stretch in what I had in mind for a budget and travel distance to Edmonton (twice as far)

I present my 2013 ford Taurus PP SHO.






As soon as I saw the ad this one stuck out ahead of all the others (most of which were all black)

It came with a full set of winter tires with tons of tread on the stock rims, another set of aftermarket rims and tires, it has Corsa Catback exhaust, a cold air intake and a livernoise tuner. Even with it running the stock tune for winter currently this thing still hauls ass!

I was riding in comfort for the 5.5 hour drive home with massaging heated seats and steering wheel! Packed with all the tech I could possibly want.

Oh, And it's Red too!

I plan to keep this guy for a long time!

[PokerMunkee]

Congrats!

These cars are great for cruising in comfort but also quick enough to put distance on just about any other car out there.

Does your car have HIDs?  I've heard the Canadian cars didn't get HID headlights, which seems odd to me. 

[panther427]

Congrats on the new purchase. These cars are so enjoyable to drive in the winter with the snow tires. Not a care in the world. Sounds like you got an amazing deal.

[iceberg65]

Unfortunately I don't appear to have HID's. The light output is still quite good however.

It is an excellent highway cruiser with plenty of power. Driving this car really makes me see how far automotive tech has come! It's practical and a blast to drive! (and I still haven't even tried the livernoise tune)

Yea Panther, I feel I paid a very reasonable price for what I got, more then I was looking to spend, but with lots of extras, and A seller that I trust took great care of it!

[SHOdded]

Congrats on the new acquisition, iceberg, that redhead sure is gorgeous   Sounds like your Cougar was (is?) pretty tricked out too!  Wanna put up some pics/storylines over in the Non-Ecoboost Build Forum?
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/board,133.0.html

Looking forward to what you think of the SHO as you acclimate to it, and what mods you put on   Again, welcome to the community!

[iceberg65]

Thanks,

I will post up some info on my cougar, I do like my redheads. For the time Being I'm parking it for the winter, It's future is uncertain at this time. The SHO will never out corner it but in a straight line it wouldn't even break a sweat spanking the cougar.

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,5585.0.html

As far as mods go, I'll probably end up doing down-pipes and meth injection eventually. I've already setup meth injection in my cougar and was impressed with the results. Seems like a good way to keep the intake valves clean with some solid performance benefits. Wouldn't mind a boost and wideband gauge either...

It probably wont get touched on performance mods till after winter tho. it already cant use all its power with winter rubber on it haha.

[ZSHO]

Welcome aboard Iceberg,Great looking SHO you have but a very poor taste in color(lol)Best of luck with the new ride.  Z     

[iceberg65]

Yes, nobody else buy red cars, its the WORST color .....It's so pretty

[92BlackGT]

since your car uses HB3 (9005) bulbs, you can get more light without HID's. all you have to do is switch over to HIR1 (9011) bulbs. HIR1 put out 2300 lumens compared to 1700 lumens of the HB3. all you have to do is trim a bit of the mounting tabs for the HIR1 to fit. The filament is in the exact position as the HB3 so you'll get the same beam pattern as stock. No wiring changes or ballasts to buy... the bulbs are the same wattage as stock, just gotta trim the mounting tab.



I did this upgrade on my wife's 2004 Honda Accord 9006 to 9012 low beams and 9005 to 9011 high beams. definitely brighter and a whiter light. I will be doing this to the Explorer Sport we get next year.

oh and welcome!

[derfdog15]

Yes, nobody else buy red cars, its the WORST color .....It's so pretty

Truth, my mustang it redfire and I always contemplate doing a full color change to either gloss black, matte black, or tuxedo black, but then think about how gorgeous the redfire is

[iceberg65]

since your car uses HB3 (9005) bulbs, you can get more light without HID's. all you have to do is switch over to HIR1 (9011) bulbs. HIR1 put out 2300 lumens compared to 1700 lumens of the HB3. all you have to do is trim a bit of the mounting tabs for the HIR1 to fit. The filament is in the exact position as the HB3 so you'll get the same beam pattern as stock. No wiring changes or ballasts to buy... the bulbs are the same wattage as stock, just gotta trim the mounting tab.



I did this upgrade on my wife's 2004 Honda Accord 9006 to 9012 low beams and 9005 to 9011 high beams. definitely brighter and a whiter light. I will be doing this to the Explorer Sport we get next year.

oh and welcome!

Awesome! I love this kinda info! Thanks