I can't believe I am actually torn between a 98 Mark VIII and a 98 Taurus SHO.
- Thread starter Bouncer88
- Start date
topher5150
Dedicated LVC Member
I've heard some bad things about the taurus cams coming apart
87TTOPGT420
Dedicated LVC Member
reliablity, mark VIII all the way...that more powerful as well
unless the cams have been welded on teh SHO i would run, and keep running
unless the cams have been welded on teh SHO i would run, and keep running
lincoln_lurker
that dude from the thing
the camshaft gears are held on with non welded keys. over time and higher revs they can (and a LOT of them have) gotten loose causing the cam gear to turn on the camshaft throwing the engine out of timing which causes the engine to basically commit suicide. best bet if you decide on the sho is to have them welded. there is a list of guys around the nation who do it and have done many of them on v8sho.com
here's a picture of a cam that almost failed on one:
jrherald420
Dedicated LVC Member
In the end the SHO is still a Taurus.......not something to brag about.
I know all about the cam problem I know all about the car. North East SHO is only 15 minutes from my house and they would also be fixing the trans problem by swapping in a 5 speed mtx tranny for me since they have a kit available.
They also do the cam welding service.
I understand you're logic here I say the same thing about the SRT-4s but then I realized they are different.
You can't tell me this isn't one sweet ford.
They also do the cam welding service.
I understand you're logic here I say the same thing about the SRT-4s but then I realized they are different.
You can't tell me this isn't one sweet ford.
Stangman
Project car a.d.d.
There was actually an involved debate in your mind as to which car to choose? Come on guy.... Mark Viii all the way 
... If it was Mark Viii vs. something like a Cobra or whatever then I could see it...
SHO or not... it's still a Taurus, err "Tortoise"... lol
... If it was Mark Viii vs. something like a Cobra or whatever then I could see it...
SHO or not... it's still a Taurus, err "Tortoise"... lol
lincoln_lurker
that dude from the thing
plus the mark is rwd, has much better handling and a better ride....get the mark
jrherald420
Dedicated LVC Member
I understand you're logic here I say the same thing about the SRT-4s but then I realized they are different.
You can't tell me this isn't one sweet ford.
Not really, im not into the whole 4 door thing. Unless its a Lincoln LS.
Stangman
Project car a.d.d.
Maybe I will just buy both!
I could so see myself doing that.
Both these cars are cheap enough where could I easily do that.
We have a winner!
if they are cheap... go for it!
I mean... one can not have enough cars...
We have a winner!
if they are cheap... go for it!
I mean... one can not have enough cars...
I have a thread in the general discussion session anyway about wanting to collect odd lincoln/ford/mercury vehicle .
The mark VIII and the sho are both on the list.
Then I need to find me a King Cobra II Stang and an SVO stang like my old one.
I quite like the Taurus' - not a good car by any means, but certainly interesting and different! (the old shapes remind me of Robocop and the 'ovalish' shape reminds me of The Truman show - good films! )
That black one you linked looks nice.
)That black one you linked looks nice.
87TTOPGT420
Dedicated LVC Member
at the end of a day a tauras is a tauras, and a Mark VIII is a mark VIII....simple enough
I quite like the Taurus' - not a good car by any means, but certainly interesting and different! (the old shapes remind me of Robocop and the 'ovalish' shape reminds me of the Truman show - good films!
That black one you linked looks nice.
I have owned an 01 Taurus and it was nothing but good to me, except for the transmission. I replaced the transmission twice. Everything else on the car took the beatings I gave it like a tank.
ford nut
Local nut case
MarkVIII93
Dedicated LVC Member
I actually like 4 doors. And I'm a young guy lol.
dnehthend
Dedicated LVC Member
and a mark viii is just a glorified thunderbird
The SHO is great.... but the parts are being coming exceptionally difficult to get since Ford doesn't support the car anymore. It can be extremely expensive to own.
From a driving enthusiast standpoint, I'd actually recommend one of the earlier SHOs with the 5 speed.
Ultimately, the VIII is faster and a hell of a lot more reliable, and easier to repair.
From a driving enthusiast standpoint, I'd actually recommend one of the earlier SHOs with the 5 speed.
Ultimately, the VIII is faster and a hell of a lot more reliable, and easier to repair.
87TTOPGT420
Dedicated LVC Member
sure in a sense...but a mark viii picks up where the tbirds left off...having owned all of the above...mark viii wins hands down
I actually liked the V-8 SHO but they have virtually no aftermarket support and as mentioned, parts are scarce. If you can swing it then both would be a good idea but if only one then the Mark would be (and was) my choice. If I had both I would alternate between the two every week.
richduty455
Dedicated LVC Member
its a tarus.....atleat with the mark your driving a "lincoln" luxury style and class
Moes8
Dedicated LVC Member
one thing i like about our 97 Taurus is the chassis is very stout, compared to the mark its like a solid block of titanium.
front wheel drive nice for snow,
other than that rear wheel drive and more power, the sho is heavy for the amount of torque that little v8 makes,
that v8 never made the power it should have, the six almost matched it and weighed less.
the black one looks nice,i say get both if you can!
front wheel drive nice for snow,
other than that rear wheel drive and more power, the sho is heavy for the amount of torque that little v8 makes,
that v8 never made the power it should have, the six almost matched it and weighed less.
the black one looks nice,i say get both if you can!
lincoln_lurker
that dude from the thing
i've got a solution.....you buy the sho, and then tell me where the mark is for sale