How Low Will it Go?

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
02/15/2015 at 13:58 • Filed to: HLWG, Ford Taurus SHO

Welcome to How Low Will it Go? In this game we will try to predict the low point of a cars depreciation curve. Keep in mind we cannot predict inflation rates, therefore keep all predictions in 2015 dollars. Enjoy and good luck!

On today's episode we will be looking at a more pedestrian option the current generation Ford Taurus SHO. This tantalizing choice comes with a 3.5 liter Turbo V6 engine. The current life blood of Ford performance, the ecoboost engine can be found in the Ford Daytona Prototypes, the Ford GT, and the upcoming Ford Raptor. So the Taurus has an interesting history, even if it is in one of Ford's more vanilla options. With AWD this plucky little Taurus could be a budget Audi. Currently this 365hp beast can be had for as little at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Maybe even less if you look hard enough. I have personally always enjoyed the SHO. I hope to one day get the chance to drive one. But I wonder how cheap will this car one day be? You decide.

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Hint: A good idea would be to look at previous generation SHOs.

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DISCUSSION (15)

TopSirloin > JR1
02/15/2015 at 14:14

With AWD this plucky little Taurus this Taurus is a whopping 4346 pounds. Shes a big gal.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > JR1
02/15/2015 at 14:19

well right now after building a 2015 model I learned ford is offering almost 6 grand in incentives on the taurus right now including the SHO, i built mine as a base SHO with the SHO performance pack and the micro suade insert seats and it came in at just under 37 grand. pretty good deal if you ask me

JR1 > TopSirloin
02/15/2015 at 14:53

All the better to be saved in a crash

JR1 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/15/2015 at 14:53

So you are saying screw deprecation and buy new?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > JR1
02/15/2015 at 14:59

In this case if you can swing it yeah. I mean from a new car standpoint that's a hell of a deal IMO

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
02/15/2015 at 15:42

I bought a '97 SHO new - got a great deal (25, sticker around 32) because it had been 1) a demonstrator that had maybe 2 grand on the clock; and 2) had cloth interior, which no one wanted. I was a vegetarian at the time, so I'd have had to explain a leather interior to everyone. Sold it w/100K four years later for 7 grand.

The current car? I'd love to have one - of course I don't need a car where I live. I'm guessing they'll be sub 10K next year, depending on the options and the mileage. Get one with a CarMax warranty and party on Garth!

JR1 > Steve in Manhattan
02/15/2015 at 16:27

Even without a CarMax warranty it will still be far more reliable than anything Travish is pushing on the FP!

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
02/15/2015 at 16:38

I'll tell you what - my '97 SHO was the most reliable car I've ever owned, and that includes a CRX Si, two Toyotas, and an '87 300D. The only thing that broke on the SHO - and I'll admit to switching it to Mobil 1 and pampering it - was the 6CD changer in the trunk, and that was JBL's fault, not Ford's.

What worries me about the new one is the BHP combined with an AWD system that may or may not have been sorted out. That it's a six speed autobox instead of a CVT gives me hope.

JR1 > Steve in Manhattan
02/15/2015 at 16:57

I'm sure the AWD isn't up to snuff compared to the systems of Audi/Subaru but I'm sure it can handle 365hp. If one were to tune the power train however they might have to take into account the quality of the drivetrain.

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
02/15/2015 at 17:31

I'd still probably pay for a CarMax warranty. Could not tease a quote out of the website for this 54K example . Seems overpriced given the mileage/age.

JR1 > Steve in Manhattan
02/15/2015 at 17:45

Maybe it is just me but CarMax seems to have higher prices than most places.

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
02/15/2015 at 17:52

Agree - if you're selling the car to me for what a reasonable private seller might, that's one thing. If you're overcharging me but throwing in the CM warranty that's one thing. But if you're overcharging me and making me pay for the warranty, that's another.

greenagain > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/15/2015 at 18:10

By next year that car will be $ 20,000 though.

JR1 > Steve in Manhattan
02/15/2015 at 18:54

With certain cars such as Doug's Range Rover it is totally worth it. For most however it is not,

Steve in Manhattan > JR1
02/15/2015 at 20:48

I am risk averse by nature - probably the result of graduating from law school. But the CM warranty might be a bridge too far for some cars. Probably not a decision I'll have to face.