![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:23 • Filed to: Beyond Motoring | ![]() | ![]() |
If you're like me, you probably don't own an American car (or you !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) but the styling, power, and price always intrigued you. I've been a German auto guy for a very long time having owned an E39M5, C5S6 and a Phaeton but recently I've been looking ever so longingly at the big American bruisers. I've never been one to buy a car because of a brand, I don't care what brand it is so long as the car is the best car in its class. I have been a stickler for a manual transmission but I'm beginning to realize that that's probably a pipe dream for a big sedan so it boils down to this: All three major American manufacturers make at least one big, brash and powerful full size sedan. All of them range between $40k and $65k and all of them are unquestionably wonderful cars to own. If you had the money to buy a brand new 2014 (or an upcoming 2015) which one would it be? Let's delve into the options!
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Ford Motor Company
Ford makes two full size sedans with the chops to be considered in this group, the Taurus SHO and the Lincoln MKS. Essentially twins with two different personalities, the SHO is definitely the more athletic choice but the MKS is the more luxurious one. The Ecoboost engine is a marvelous engine proving that you don't need a big V8 to be competitive. The power isn't as high as most of the other models @ 365hp but when we're talking about 350+ machines you're not really sacrificing now are you? Most enthusiasts would fault these cars for being front wheel drive based all wheel drivers instead of rear wheel drive, and that's a fair criticism but I personally think the styling of the MKS and Taurus are up there with the Cadillac models, aka really damn good. Especially the redesigned SHO, which is in my opinion, the best take of Ford's new "Aston Martin-esque" front grille. The interiors of the two models wowed me as well, essentially the sedan version of the MKT which I just purchased, I really couldn't believe how nice they were. It used to be that you had to buy a German or a Lexus to get the type of quality interior that'd really make you appreciate a car, but thankfully that is no longer true as even the Americans and Koreans makes cars with interiors worth desiring. The SHO sadly dropped the absolutely stunning dark green after just one year (dammit people! Buy different colored cars!) but Lincoln still offers the delicious Kodiak Brown.
General Motors
GM has three models to choose from in this category, though technically only the XTS VSport and Chevy SS are full size sedans, we'd be remiss not to include the CTS V. The XTS and CTS V both run into the $60k price range which makes them a harder sell than the $45k Chevy SS, but if we account for fit and finish (and at an average price of $50 thousand dollars, of course we do) the price seems almost...justified. I like the CTS V for it's big Corvette V8 and rear wheel drive as apposed to the V6TT and front wheel drive based AWD of the XTS. 410hp is nothing to scoff at and a decade ago it'd be class leading, but now it is middle of the pack. The 556hp of the CTS V, besides being absolutely mental, is the best in class and intoxicating. The CTS V also has a manual transmission which wins my personal choice by default. The Chevy SS is an exciting mix of Australian and American, I like that it's a big V8, RWD car that comes fully loaded as is, but I find it odd that it doesn't come with the option of an MTX considering how few Chevy plans on selling and the highly specific (enthusiast, patriot) customer base it is marketing to. No car better signifies the "America! Fuck Yeah!" mentality of these machines than the Chevy SS which is funny to me because it's also the only one of the bunch that isn't technically American. I also like that Chevrolet has very little say in the interior of the SS. The interior is decidedly "Cadillac-like" in it's fit and finish which makes the $45k price tag of the SS that much more of an overall bargain and not just simply a "performance" bargain.
Chrysler If you like your cars "Imported from Detroit" then Chrysler offers you two big RWD, V8 sedans the 300 SRT and the Charger SRT. As with the SHO/MKS two different takes on essentially the same drivetrain and platform, the 300 is easily the more luxurious model while the charger is the more sporty. Both run the 6.4L Hemi V8 pushing out 470hp and both are pretty similarly priced at $45k starting. I think it comes down to your own personal history, is your family a Charger/Challenger family or are you new to the brand? The 300 definitely is appointed more akin to the Lincoln and Cadillacs but the Charger is clearly the more "bad-ass" looking of the pair. I really like the styling of the 300 SRT versus the Charger though. I'm a firm believer that every car should have a proper open faced mesh or plastic grille, it's why I prefer GMC trucks to Chevy trucks and why I'm so happy that Ford ditched that terrible chrome noggin for the Taurus. The Charger would definitely look better as a Police Interceptor (when they pull behind you, it's terrifying) but as a Gentlemen Cruiser I think the 300, especially in white as below, just has that much more "presence" than the Charger.
So What'll It Be?
If I'm spending the money, I'm having a very hard time picking just one. I really like the SHO, CTS V, and 300SRT. I want Chevy to meet it's sales goal with the SS because I want to see them release a manual transmission model in the future, though with the demise of Holden in Australia that remains to be seen. I also like that there are so many options now in this segment, the big three have finally realized that a big engine is not enough to pry away customers from the Germans. At the end of the day I'd be driving a 300 SRT, the Ford models have the nicer interior but the 300 is just so darn imposing in white that I'd be hard pressed to pick a different model. But if either Ford or GM was to put the 5.8 from the Shelby or the LT1 from the Stingray and a proper MTX in the SHO or SS, I'll change allegiance in a heartbeat. Everyone of these models has an exceptionally appointed interior, technology up to the gills and yes, a big engine. I know many of you are thinking that for between 40 and 60 thousand dollars you could get an Audi or a BMW or Mercedes Benz but when we have so many great domestic options that are as nicely appointed, if not nicer, why do you need too? The argument that Americans make luxury a checklist is no longer valid, and that gets me excited. So again, which one? Which one would you choose?
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:25 |
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I really like the looks of the SHO, but the CTS V (or Vsport) look really good as well and have a lot more power.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:28 |
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Agreed. I've been driving the Ecoboost in a much bigger car now for a few days and it's intoxicating putting your foot down on it, but in this playing field it's definitely "underpowered"
Ford could fix this easily though. There is this massive 662hp rocket that they own. Put it in a SHO, call it the SHOMAX or something and call it a day :)
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:28 |
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I wouldnt buy a super sedan per say...
however, that CTS-V wagon looks tempting
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:28 |
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*coughcough*
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:30 |
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It's pretty great agreed. I wish they still made the Magnum, an SRT version of that with the updated style and proper interior would be amazing.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:30 |
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Wow that would be awesome , I'd totally buy one. The SHO is a really good-looking car.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:31 |
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You could buy TWO of most of these sedans for the price of one Model S. Great car but my word please for the love of everything change that grille to something mesh and less chrome!
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:32 |
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I'm gonna have to go with the 300. Even though it lacks a manual and the V8 is still saddled with that dinosaur of a 5-speed automatic, I just really like the package. It's not about being the fastest or the plushest, it just has the right air about it.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:33 |
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*jumps into V bandwagon*
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:33 |
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I would too. The patriot in me wants to own lots of American autos
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:33 |
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I need that manual transmission.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:34 |
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I'm more of a Ford man myself, but I'll be damned if I didn't find that white image and absolutely lose my breath. It's so imposing in white with gloss black wheels.
They need one with a 6 speed *sigh*
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:34 |
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Owning one of these cars would make me SO damn patriotic.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:35 |
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I'd go for the 300SRT, it's classy, there's enough minor visual differences to set it apart from the normal 300C but subtle enough for non-Mopar fans to not notice it's SRT-ness right away. It's a sleeper compared to the aggressive SS and CTS-V, and a bargain at 46k$ for the core SRT and 49k$ for the premium (52k$ if you get the awesome sound package) which is still cheaper than a CTS-V.
Also available in black, red, white, or blue! I'll take the dark blue please.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:35 |
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This one with a custom third pedal setup.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:35 |
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agreed. It's just A LOT smaller than the others. You don't realize how big the Full Size American cars are until you drive one and then drive something smaller. The Taurus SHO is gargantuan compared to it.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:36 |
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I agree. A blacked out Model S would look great. They should take a page out of the Maserati Quattroporte book:
But in the sub-$55,000 price market, I'd have to go with the SRT8. I need a manual V8 for my badass Muscle Sedan.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:36 |
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Charger, hands down. It's much cooler than all other offerings and, for me, that's enough. Also, it doesn't pass that "luxury" vibe that I dislike so much that the other cars seem to have. If it weren't for that, I might go with the caddy, but right now the Charger would be my car of choice
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:37 |
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Doing a bit of research, the only MTX that'd work is the one from the Viper.
If I had the money I'd do it.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:37 |
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Gimmie a charger, I love their looks!!
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:37 |
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I'm more of a GM person, but that has been an acquired taste. I grew up with Chrysler, and unlike many we never really had any problems with their cars.
I'd actually settle for that 8-speed automatic they've got being mated to the Hemi with paddles. To me this is more of a boulevard intimidator than a back-road warrior.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:38 |
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And let's not forget that being full sized it can actually carry all your crap too! The CTS, even in wagon form is a bit too small for me.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:39 |
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Interesting. I once sat in a CTS-V coupe, but never the sedan. It's hard to tell these things from the pictures. Despite the price difference, I'd have to go with the Cadillac.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:39 |
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My neighbor has a Model S and I see about 30 of them a day. In black the grille isn't as polarizing, but in the popular Red or White it looks so freaking out of place.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:39 |
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yea. and sell it as a cheaper V wagon maybe. oh tell.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:40 |
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agreed. I just really like a clutch. So much so that I swapped the O1E 6 speed into my Audi S6 wagon
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:40 |
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Just a Magnum-swap away from Imperial Station Wagon goodness.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:41 |
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I like that Ford and Chrysler offer both looks. You want the more luxurious look? Get the Chrysler or the Lincoln. You want the bigger brakes, stiffer suspension and the muscle/sport look? Get the SHO or the Charger.
And the price difference is negligible. It's all about taste.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:43 |
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I drove a Taurus limited (rental car) to JFK and I fit 5 full size suitcases (29 inches) in the trunk. And my 5'10 frame could stretch out in the back.
My experience with the CTS was more like a big 3 series
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:47 |
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Wow, that's impressive. Points for the Taurus on that one. I'm a former Euro fanboy finally loving American cars, and it's damn exciting seeing all these recent offerings from the Big Three.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:53 |
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Another reason I wouldn't want the SHO personally. I think Ford messed up by making the Taurus as unruly-large as they did. And it isn't for interior space or anything I would care about. Just a boat dropped on a big car chassis.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:53 |
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Say what you will, there's no denying that the new 300C SRT8 looks outstanding.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:56 |
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I dunno, I kind of like the size. It's a big, fast, car. It could use the bigger 5.8 from the Shelby though, maybe sans blower but it'd still make 500+ hp.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:56 |
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100% agreed.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:57 |
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Interesting, and yes I think if anyone had the money they would do that swap.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 13:59 |
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I say this as a hardened Caddie guy, too.
Then again lets be honest, when it comes to stuff like this no one's making complete crap these days.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:00 |
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Agreed. but then you get posts like this saying that 4 door supercars don't exist anymore. smh.
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![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:04 |
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For me, the only option is the CTS V. Which is sad because I really want it to be the Charger. The Charger checks all the boxes (almost). Four doors, enough room, looks great, SRT trim and great power.
But, in my 10 car history, almost all of them have been manual. Two cars ago I was DDing an auto, and the wife's car was also auto. I realized I care more for a manual than all the other bits and pieces put together. I wouldn't own another auto unless it was what the Ferarri F12 Berlinetta has. Otherwise, every trip to the grocery store will be a disappointment and it will fill me with resentment towards the car.
I think the best question I can ask myself about these cars, which one would I (or you) prefer over my current car? For me, the incumbent is an 8th generation Honda Civic Si sedan. The only big American car I would replace it with, is the one with the manual, the CTS-V.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:05 |
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What a laughable post.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:09 |
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The size alone isn't the issue, for me. Its that it is uselessly large. Like someone took a good design and blew it up on the Xerox by 30%. The current Mustang has the same issue, I think.
Big cars can be awesome, say a 66 Impala or Lincoln Continental. Both of those are also uselessly large but they look awesome. The Taurus looks like they took the Fusion and over inflated it, then decided to make two versions of the Taurus... The Taurus and the higher riding Explorer.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:17 |
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fair enough. Thankfully ford isn't the only one making an awesome Full Size right now. The SS and 300/Charger are great too
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:27 |
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Haha, yes.
The SS is great in Australia at least, where it comes with a manual. I really want a Charger though, SR/T of course, but... Not manual.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:29 |
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i'm absolutely sure the Charger SRT is automatic only.. like all the sedans here unfortunately
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:32 |
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If I'm buying new, I'd take the SS. I want a manual CTS-V wagon, but you're looking at 70K for a new one. The SHO has a nice interior, but I drove one and the powertrain just didn't have enough emotion for me. It was quick, yes, but I'd like to rattle the pavement a little bit, and have the option to do a burnout if I so please, which leaves me with the SS and Charger /300. While the seats in the Mopars are amazing, I prefer the interior layout of the Chevy, as well as the transmission. I haven't gotten to drive the SS (I drove a Camaro SS with the same transmission, in regards to the comment above) but everything I've heard says that it's more nimble and a better handler, which earn it big points in my book. Besides, I'm a huge Chevy fanboi, and it's the closest thing I can get to a 1996 Impala SS. Make mine black.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:35 |
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yep. I wasn't going to correct him, but yep. Autobox only.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:41 |
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No one else offers orange. It also has essentially the same interior as my car, as far as switches and the 8.4 Uconnect(which is the best of this group) and is cheaper than the 300. Also, those taillights. I can live with the 5-speed autotragic.
I want to like the SS, but I don't find it attractive at all(though I love the G8), doesn't offer a third pedal, the color choices suck, and it has no options whatsoever.
The CTS-V is due to be replaced though I am a big fan. I'd probably go for the wagon though. The XTS V Sport is more of a cruiser than I'd want, and the CTS V Sport is pricey but easily the most attractive of any of these.
The Ford and Lincoln are nice for what they are, but they fall short in this group. They more compete with the 300C and Charger R/T. If they sold the Falcon here it'd be my choice 7 days a week. I love that car. I'd love to import an XR8 come 2035.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 14:48 |
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I'll give em that. Dodge has the best color options around.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:15 |
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The Ford mustang. With the LSD, very good.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:22 |
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I would personally buy the core 300 srt8. $45k.
Then with the savings a 4x4 base GC for $30k
Still cheaper than an optioned out 550i ....
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:26 |
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I'll have to go with the Chrysler 300 SRT or the Caddy CTS-V. The CTS-V's got the power, the 300's got the looks. The 300 manages to be classy and imposing at the same time, which is pretty hard to pull off. That car is amazing looking in black, honestly I don't see why you'd get it in any other color. I gained a lot of respect for Walter White when he ditched the Aztek for a 300.
But the CTS-V has so much delicious hp...
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:36 |
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not really a sedan now is it?
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:37 |
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Looks pretty damn good in white don't you think?
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:39 |
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American Cars aren't just bargains. They're brilliant cars AND bargains
![]() 02/08/2014 at 17:49 |
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Yeah, it's pretty good in white too, but it's better in black. Ups the intimidation factor. People who put bland colors on their 300's really bug me though. What a waste.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:08 |
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Well I mean it's not like they give you much of an option on the 300 SRT
Black, White, Silver, Grey, Red, Blue.
That's like the bare minimum of colors. I agree beige is a terrible color for cars, but why do we never give the option for Forest Green or orange or dark brown, or yellow, or any of these great colors? 300SRT would look great in that green that the SHO is in the article.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:17 |
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Forest Green on a 300 SRT8? I approve. Grey and silver are pretty bland though, and the factory red on this car doesn't have much of a pop to it. I've actually seen a 300 in a tan/beige, I was not pleased.
Although if we're talking ugly 300's, this deserves to win something:
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:23 |
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Lol just because they made a nice car doesn't mean they accounted for the idiots that buy them!
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:28 |
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For sure! I'm wondering how easy it would be to smack someone opening the rear door with corner of the front door. If you're going to modify the doors on this car, why you would go with anything but suicide doors is beyond me.
Just goes to show that enough money and stupidity can turn even an awesome looking car into a vomit-inducing pimpmobile.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:31 |
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Come to LA and look at half of the cars produced between the years 1998 and 2005. Confirm your suspicions
![]() 02/08/2014 at 18:34 |
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Dallas is fairly similar, but it's bro trucks instead of pimp mobiles.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 20:28 |
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at least bro trucks don't look atrocious. they're just...bro trucks. so they're obnoxious
![]() 02/08/2014 at 21:04 |
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Super Sedan, I want this, Kenne Bell supercharged for less $'s.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 21:08 |
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![]() 02/08/2014 at 21:14 |
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I always liked the Marauder. I mean it has a terrible late 90s early 00s FoMoCo interior but the car was just so dang cool.
I think if I was to get one I'd install a blower, HR Race springs/Koni Yellow shocks, a proper radio and most importantly the 6 speed swap from the mustang cobra.
and I'd probably get rid of the chrome wheels
that'd be a sweet ride
![]() 02/08/2014 at 21:27 |
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I think the center caps are cool.
As you described would be awesome and still a sleeper.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 21:55 |
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Yeah, you've got to choose your poison. Pimp mobiles poison your eyes with their looks while bro trucks poison your ears with their sound and occasionally your lungs when they blow diesel smoke in your face.
![]() 02/08/2014 at 23:24 |
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Yeah the God Head centercaps were cool. I know a lot of Marauder guys had those made into a front emblem to replace the rather staid logo they ended the brand with.
![]() 02/09/2014 at 14:00 |
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not sure how this is even a choice... of all of the cars mentioned, only one directly competes with BMW and Mercedes. Cadillac CTS-V for me.
![]() 02/09/2014 at 14:13 |
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how do none of the others compete with bimmer and merc? Am I missing something?
![]() 02/09/2014 at 16:22 |
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Well. I own the SHO, so my money has already spoken on this matter! Haha.
An argument I would make in its favor is the fact that it's turbocharged, meaning you can net huge gains with a simple tune, bringing performance in line with most of your other contenders, in a straight line at any rate. After just $600 I can expect roughly 60 more horsepower and another 600 spent on downpipes gets me another 20-40. Those two mods in conjunction make this a car very near 450 horsepower at the crank.
![]() 02/09/2014 at 16:41 |
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Dude! good for you! I love the SHO and I love you for owning one!
And yeah, people are idiots if they don't think the SHO is detuned on purpose
![]() 02/09/2014 at 17:15 |
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Simple internet test.
Google "Taurus SHO shootout" and "Taurus SHO comparison". You will find the Taurus compared to against the Infiniti G37, Chrysler 300, etc.
Google "CTS-V shootout" and "CTS-V comparison". You will find the CTS-V compared to against the Porsche Panamera, BMW M3/M5, Audi RS5, etc.
I'm not trying to insult the other American sedans. I'm merely stating that it stands apart from the other cars listed as thus is why I chose it. Honestly, Buick should be representing GM here instead of Cadillac.
Having the CTS-V in here is like comparing the Challenger and Mustang to the Corvette instead of the Camaro. Given a choice between those three, I would obviously go with the Porsche 911/Audi R8 fighter despite the Challenger and Mustang being great muscle cars.
![]() 02/09/2014 at 17:41 |
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The reason the others aren't compared to the same cars as the CTSV is because traditionally, even auto magazines have inherent bias towards high water badges.
Trust me, I was a eurosnob for the longest time, but pound for pound these car compete not only in power, but luxury and fit and finish and especially price to their german counterparts.
The notion that the SHO can't compete with the 535/550 or whatever and so on is slowly disintegrating. As Americans continue to make great products this will only be proved further.
![]() 02/09/2014 at 20:46 |
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When you say pound for pound, I'm not sure if you mean excessive weight or British Pounds...
One person I work with has a 2014 Taurus SHO. And one other person I work with has, I believe, a 2009 BMW M6. And the M6 is an exponentially better car. But with a MSRP of nearly three times higher, it should be.
And I know I sound euro-snobby, but I really just don't get the Taurus SHO. It's basically Ford's version of the STi - take a platform designed for econobox cars, and see what performance you can get out of it. But does that make it a better car than one designed by a factory where the engineers and designers were practically given a blank cheque to design the platform? I have to disagree.
Since the Great Recession, American cars have gotten a lot better. But as a person who emphasizes driving experience over leather cupholders and iTunes integration, just how much better have the cars gotten? My daily driver (car) is a Porsche 996 C2, which thus becomes my measuring stick. Used, the 996 costs roughly half as much as a new Taurus SHO. It lacks all-wheel drive for getting a launch, its naturally aspirated motor is not only smaller in displacement than the SHO, but it lacks the twin turbos. And yet, somehow, through weight and gearing, the fifteen year old Porsche, designed for handling over straight-line performance, actually posts better numbers in a drag race.
Besides the nearly two-tonne weight of the SHO, this just shows that Ford had to completely neuter the SHO for warranty or Mustang braging rights reasons. So with a chip, exhaust, etc., could the SHO be a much faster car than my reference 996? Absolutely. But in such case, the warranty is voided, the resale value likely depreciates, and you're spending more on a car that costs twice as much.
But, if we are forced to only buy new cars, and then look at the value associated with them, then yes, a Ford Taurus SHO at $40k is a better value than a Cadillac CTS-V at $64k. In fact, that price difference almost buys you a Scion FR-S, and a SHO/FR-S tandem is more interesting as a driver than just having a CTS-V.
But, all of these arguments and comparisons are just hypothetical. The original question asked was which current American sedan would I like to own - which I took to mean if price was no object. And, as such, a supercharged 6.2L V8 in a chassis that even euro-snob journalists give praise to does win out.
![]() 02/14/2014 at 08:37 |
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Until you torque-steer into tree.
![]() 02/01/2015 at 18:17 |
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The Scat Pack, SRT 392 and Hellcat Charger will compete with the Hennessey MaxBoost 445 and the CTS-V and outrun the SHO and the SS. The SHO and SS are competitors for the R/T.
![]() 02/01/2015 at 19:31 |
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yeah this post is gonna need an update no?!
I'll have to do it sometime this week!