My Brother Is Trying To Decide. Gen1, 2, or 3

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Well, where do i start.

My brother really likes the Gen 3's but thinks that maybe they aren't as reliable as the Gen1 or 2. I really don't know. I haven't ever researched the Gen 3's.

I know that when looking for one we should check to see if the cams had been welded. But, what else?

Of course I'll be using the search function, but I'd love to hear from current owners too.

Thanks!

[SHOmethewayhome]

Gen 1 FTW.

unless you can't drive a stick. then just watch your skirt on the latch when you get in your gen 2 or gen 3 ATX.

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Originally Posted by SHOmethewayhome

Gen 1 FTW.

unless you can't drive a stick. then just watch your skirt on the latch when you get in your gen 2 or gen 3 ATX.

No no, he can drive a stick. He had mine for a while after I got the SRT4.

He likes the way the Gen 3 sounds. But, he likes the way the V6's haul ass.

I think a big thing that will push him over the edge is reliablility. If the Gen 3's are just as reliable as the others, he'll go Gen 3.

[firebat45]

Gen 3 aren't bad once the cams are welded. The ATX isn't perfect, but none of the SHO trannies are. I just drove a Gen 3 for the first time last night and I was quite a bit more impressed than I thought I would be, and they do sound nice.

If he's used to newer vehicles like the SRT getting into a Gen 1 SHO is going to feel like driving a horse cart (in terms of conveniences/fit&finish, not performance). Unless he's a hobby/professional mechanic I wouldn't pick a V6 SHO. Not that they're unreliable, but they're getting a bit old nowadays, and are usually pretty far behind on maintenance.

Anyways, if he's fine with driving an auto or doesn't want to spend lots of time working on them, I'd say Gen 3. Otherwise, MTX gen 1/2 is my pick. No point buying an ATX gen 2 IMO.

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Originally Posted by firebat45

Gen 3 aren't bad once the cams are welded. The ATX isn't perfect, but none of the SHO trannies are. I just drove a Gen 3 for the first time last night and I was quite a bit more impressed than I thought I would be, and they do sound nice.

If he's used to newer vehicles like the SRT getting into a Gen 1 SHO is going to feel like driving a horse cart (in terms of conveniences/fit&finish, not performance). Unless he's a hobby/professional mechanic I wouldn't pick a V6 SHO. Not that they're unreliable, but they're getting a bit old nowadays, and are usually pretty far behind on maintenance.

Anyways, if he's fine with driving an auto or doesn't want to spend lots of time working on them, I'd say Gen 3. Otherwise, MTX gen 1/2 is my pick. No point buying an ATX gen 2 IMO.

I had the SRT4. My little brother (the one wanting an SHO again) was driving my current Gen 1 while I was paying payments.


We both know our way around a garage so working on them isn't a problem. I think he just wants a faster car for the days he doesn't work. His DD is a 1991 Jetta EcoDiesel. Slowest thing on the road, it has to be!

[jedhead]

My GEN1 is more of an animal. Much faster and handles better than the GEN3 I had. The GEN3 was more of a cruiser. It would eat up miles of freeway with ease and the sound of the V8 was intoxicating. One of main reasons I bought the STS-V was for the V8 sound, supercharged power and luxury all at the same time. In some ways its like I have the GEN1 and GEN3 at the same time. I think the choice boils down to what you want out the car.

Bob

[firebat45]

Originally Posted by SHO_ROLLER_2

We both know our way around a garage so working on them isn't a problem.!

Sorry for the mixup on who drove what, and I didn't mean to imply that you/him couldn't work on them but actually wanting to on a regular basis is another thing. Sounds like you/him would be fine with the maintenance part of it though, so go for a V6 MTX!

[zblackbeast]

I vote gen 2 MTX... granted im a little bias.. The gen 1 exterior is growing on me, but i like the feel and look of the gen 2 a little better.. It just feels more convenient.. My 92 has the gen 1 center consul and i really dont like it.. But, its all a matte of opinion.. If you can find a gen 1/2 MTX that has been taken care of.. It makes ownership much easier when it comes maintenance time.. My 94 was taken care of, and it is much easier to work on that the 92 which is a complete pile of shit..

[SHOspazz92]

Since your brother is not dead set on a V6 MTX car, I'm going to go ahead and assume that a Manual Transmission is really not all that important.

With that said, I'd go with a Gen III over a V6 ATX any day. As far as whats more reliable? It depends on how the car was maintained obviously. Then Gen III we used to have never gave us a single problem except for an Axle going bad and we put 50,000 Miles on that car in less then a year (And it already had 115,000 Miles on it when we bought it). Not to mention, The Gen III's feel so much more Solid then any Gen 1-2 in terms of how it drives (The steering rack/subframe have a lot do with that) and how its built (My Gen III was never the rattle trap that most Gen 1/2's become).

-Sam

[zblackbeast]

Originally Posted by SHOspazz92

Since your brother is not dead set on a V6 MTX car, I'm going to go ahead and assume that a Manual Transmission is really not all that important.

With that said, I'd go with a Gen III over a V6 ATX any day. As far as whats more reliable? It depends on how the car was maintained obviously. Then Gen III we used to have never gave us a single problem except for an Axle going bad and we put 50,000 Miles on that car in less then a year (And it already had 115,000 Miles on it when we bought it). Not to mention, The Gen III's feel so much more Solid then any Gen 1-2 in terms of how it drives (The steering rack/subframe have a lot do with that) and how its built (My Gen III was never the rattle trap that most Gen 1/2's become).

-Sam

The same can be said about a properly maintained gen 2. Like i said about, my 92 is a complete hell hole.. i drove it for a week and then drove the 94 and it is a much more solid car.. it doesnt creek, it doesnt rattle, the steering is tight.. Ive never driven a gen 3 SHO, but many gen 3 SLO's.. and my 94 feels a lot tighter and all..

[SHOspazz92]

Originally Posted by zblackbeast

The same can be said about a properly maintained gen 2. Like i said about, my 92 is a complete hell hole.. i drove it for a week and then drove the 94 and it is a much more solid car.. it doesnt creek, it doesnt rattle, the steering is tight.. Ive never driven a gen 3 SHO, but many gen 3 SLO's.. and my 94 feels a lot tighter and all..

I'm talking about how it drives. It's a far smoother car to drive, Stock for Stock, They handle better and give you a lot more confidence when attacking the turns. The steering Feel is just WORLDS better with the ZF rack as well. If you drove a Gen III, Then jumped right back in to a Gen 1/2... You'd understand.

-Sam

[zblackbeast]

I will have to try this.. Ive always wanted a gen 3 as a nice DD car.. but Ford FWD ATX's scare me.. id rather know that if i drive nicely and take care of my MTX i wont have tranny problems we as if i treat the ATX the same.. it could blow any time?!!? if he wants that handling im sure he could swap the subframes over.. but for a DD, the gen 2 is pretty decent IMO.. again, i have never driven a gen 3.. and want to see the difference everyone speaks of.. SO i guess i cant be TOO helpful other than my experience with a well maintained gen 2.

[NebraskaSHO]

Gen III if he is looking for a nice cruiser. My 93 MTX felt like a Ford Escort compared to the 99 interior wise.

[luigisho]

I agree with most of the comparisons above. The manual SHOs are more fun to drive and I miss the manual tranny but my Gen III is far more reliable than other SHOs I have owned. The interior and exhaust note are superior and the steering rack is way better than the GenII. I still miss rowing gears sometimes though.

[RCADDELL]

There is a medium graphite gen III with 5 speed swap for sale .....


I miss my Gen III more than any V6 I had. I would still rather have my Gen III as opposed to my current 95. They are solid cars.

[medgraphsho]

[QUOTE=RCADDELL;1147969]There is a medium graphite gen III with 5 speed swap for sale .....


Best of both worlds!!!!

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Originally Posted by firebat45

Sorry for the mixup on who drove what, and I didn't mean to imply that you/him couldn't work on them but actually wanting to on a regular basis is another thing. Sounds like you/him would be fine with the maintenance part of it though, so go for a V6 MTX!

Didn't mean to add the >!!<



I appreciate any input

[warmonger]

i've had all three gens at one point...i'd go for a gen3 personally(but i'm getting older and dont mind not shifting) the feel is def'n much more solid than the gen1/2..and they handle for a big car...weld the cams,flush the tranny,replace the cooler lines and through a gen2 cooler on it and call it a day..oh and remove the 3rd cat

[Daedalus]

I've had all 3 SHO gens as well, and I have no hesitancy to say that my Gen 3 is by far my favorite of the 3. The interior of the Gen 1 was horrible IMO and it was a huge pain to work on. I liked the Gen 2 a lot, but the Gen 3 is a much better car in many ways, and I can't think of any ways that it's worse. I'm tech-savvy enough to recognize that a computer can shift faster and more accurately than I can, and again, IMO, the transmission in the Gen 3 is a fine transmission for a Ford automatic. The stiff body and excellent steering, as several have already pointed out, make it feel like a *nice* car, well built, rather than the "cheap old car with high-end features" impression that I got from the Gen 2.

Again, I'd have no problem with a Gen 2, but I do prefer the Gen 3. I just flat-out didn't like my Gen 1. Maybe it was just a lemon, but it was not fun to drive or maintain.

[Shoman594]

Originally Posted by RCADDELL

There is a medium graphite gen III with 5 speed swap for sale .....


I miss my Gen III more than any V6 I had. I would still rather have my Gen III as opposed to my current 95. They are solid cars.

Sounds like a nice car.

[Inkertinker]

I have a GenI with a GenIII, sub frame (thanks James) and a GenIII. Hardest thing I do each day is to pick which car I'm going to drive. I normally pick the GenI for around town because of the better gas mileage but the GenIII is great to drive (and sounds much better) and better for long trips.

[RCADDELL]

Originally Posted by Shoman594

Sounds like a nice car.

It is, I heard some Butt Scratcher from IL use to own it.

[tardboy21]

Originally Posted by RCADDELL

There is a medium graphite gen III with 5 speed swap for sale .....


I miss my Gen III more than any V6 I had. I would still rather have my Gen III as opposed to my current 95. They are solid cars.

This was one of the reason I have 2 SHOs now. 98 was my first. Loved it, but some foreigner without insurance ending up totaling it. Picked up a decent 92, fun and quick, but the Gen3 is just a better all-round car IMHO (as cars go, not race cars). So when I found another good one I bought it.

[luigisho]

Originally Posted by RCADDELL

There is a medium graphite gen III with 5 speed swap for sale .....

Listed somewhere?

[stephen newberg]

Originally Posted by Daedalus

I've had all 3 SHO gens as well, and I have no hesitancy to say that my Gen 3 is by far my favorite of the 3. The interior of the Gen 1 was horrible IMO and it was a huge pain to work on. I liked the Gen 2 a lot, but the Gen 3 is a much better car in many ways, and I can't think of any ways that it's worse. I'm tech-savvy enough to recognize that a computer can shift faster and more accurately than I can, and again, IMO, the transmission in the Gen 3 is a fine transmission for a Ford automatic. The stiff body and excellent steering, as several have already pointed out, make it feel like a *nice* car, well built, rather than the "cheap old car with high-end features" impression that I got from the Gen 2.

Again, I'd have no problem with a Gen 2, but I do prefer the Gen 3. I just flat-out didn't like my Gen 1. Maybe it was just a lemon, but it was not fun to drive or maintain.

I think that is an excellent summary.

pax, smn

[SHOZ123]

My '97 is the only car I have ever driven 16 hours straight with few breaks and didn't feel run over when I got out. Done this quite a few times too.

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Thanks for all the input!

I think if we can find a good deal on a well maintained Gen 3, he'll go for it.

[Brett]

Used to think first gens were ugly. Id give up my 93 for one in a second now, they've grown on me.

[SHO1]

Originally Posted by SHOZ123

My '97 is the only car I have ever driven 16 hours straight with few breaks and didn't feel run over when I got out. Done this quite a few times too.

Depends on the person, I guess. For me my '89's have been like that. Most comfortable car (front seats anyway) that I've ever driven. Cloth/leather, not sure if full leather would have been same, pretty sure gen 2 leather wouldn't have been as it's much harder. Have made atleast a dozen 10/12+ hr runs and pretty much straight thru to Seattle convention w/minimal stops. My G3 I couldn't go 6 hr's w/o needing a break, would have prob spent atleast 2-3 more hrs stopped had I been driving one to Seattle. Took it 10 hrs to OK and had to stop a few extra times just for a stand up and stretch break.

[venom]

Originally Posted by Shoman594

Sounds like a nice car.

No bias in that opinion :-)

Heck my 96 MG MTX is for sale to for the right price. I sure would miss it however, it makes the daily drive to work quite bearable.