I purchased the '90 Lincoln Town Car in 1993 for $14.5K. It was a great ride and returned 27 on the highway. The problem was when it rolled over 100K in 1996, the value dropped significantly. I ended up trading it for the W123 on an even deal. The W123 also had just over 100K at that time.

The value of both of them was about $5.5K in 1996. The Town Car developed a very loud rapping sound in the engine on a cold start. It only lasted for 1 second or so, but, I couldn't see selling it privately with such a condition.

I prever the W126.........similar size and probably more durable overall.

My full-size Ford experience:

Grandpa had a 1978 Grand Marquis. What a whale. Such a soft ride! (he's still kickin' at 82, now owns a Subaru Forester)

Roommate owned a 1990 Crown Vic P71 interceptor. The 302 in that thing was completely worn out. 300 miles to a quart of oil, 11 mpg. Never quit running, though.

I personally owned a 1990 Lincoln MkVII LSC. This was in 2001, I knew a little about Mercedes but hadn't driven my first W126 yet(Overall, the Mark looked like an MB facsimile but materials quality on the Benz blows it outta the water. Developed rod knock and leaky air ride at 210K miles. Bought for $700 at pawn shop, drove six months, donated to charity. Not full size, but a V8 Linc with air ride.

In 2001, when getting the air ride looked over at the now defunct Jack Ross L-M dealership in Scottsdale, salesman offered me a brand new Grand Marquis for "$14 grand plus yer Mark VII"... this kind of deal is commonplace on these. I understand the depreciation's a b*tch on these cars but that's cheaper than a Scion xB with no options.

Long ramble; I think they're good cars, but I just don't think I could bear to part with either of my MBs or my Audi to own one. As a new car, great value for money as no one seems to want a classical American sedan unless it says HEMI somewhere on it...

__________________
1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D

You are thinking about the Ford Pinto. This was never an issue on the Lincolns.

I don't think he's thinking about the Pinto. I wish he were.

Concerns have been raised about what can happen to the fuel tanks on "Panther" platform cars - Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car - when subjected to rear impact.

Thats right! That body style ran from 1979-1991. Overall- that generation of full-size Fords were good cars. The biggest woes were electrical glitches- on the loaded up models.

As a side note- 1991 was the last year for the big Ford/Mercury wagons (Country Squire (Ford) and Colony Park (Mercury).

I almost bought a 1993 Town Car last year, before I bought my Suburban/Mercedes. It had 79K and it was only $2500 (like new), but the transmission was acting quirky and it was developing the valve seal problem that plagued many of the early 4.6L models. I think even the 90' Town Car with the 5.0L had the issue. I am sure you have seen many early-mid 90s Town Cars/Crown Victorias/Grand Marquis putting out a little blue smoke after accelerating from a stop. The post 1980 Lincolns were tanks. We had a 76' Town Car, as well as a 78' Town Car back in the 1980s. Both were excellent cars. I remember the 76' had a 460 V8, with over 350K - no squeaks or rattles. The 78' had a 400 V8 - not as many miles, but did not run as strong as the 460.

My favorite big Fords are the 1971-1978 generation- especially the wagons. I am actually looking for a 1973-78 Country Squire wagon- they are gaining collector values.

Another good old American car are the full-size Chevrolets (well- all of the big GM cars in general). They seemed to have less electrical issues and a little higher resell value. The 76-older models now have collector interests, especially the wagons. Actually, even the 77-96 Caprices are pretty popular- even with the younger set. Many like to make low riders out of them. I have a 69' Caprice - still 100% squeak and rattle free. It is getting ready to undergo restoration. I also have a 89' Pontiac Safari (which was the competetor to the 1989 Mercury Colony Park) and it has been a very good car, save for low power.

Conclusion- the big Town Cars are hard to beat- but if you get a 1990-97 model- avoid the air suspension. Also make sure the transmission is in good order and that the valve seals have been replaced.

The 99+ models seem to be good cars. My grandmothers best friend has a 2002 Town Car and she had had no issues.

If the air-ride goes kaput it is possible to convert the car to metal springs, the cab and livery companies do it all the time around here.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

If you are serious, I know a guy in Bakersfield, CA that has several of this generation country squire wagons for sale.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi Paul and thanks. I am very interested. Only bad thing is that shipping is going to be $$$$. There is currently a 74' Country Squire on e-bay right now for $890, in fair shape, but I checked shipping and its going to cost $1000. It is in California as well.

If he is reasonable, I may be able to justify shipping costs. Yes, I would appreciate that info on those. Perhaps he knows of a low cost shipping.

My great aunt used to have a 1978 Country Squire (last year of the huge body style) that she bought brand new. She sold it in 1995- it was still like new. At the time however, I really was not into those cars. Then, in 2001, a local 76' CS wagon became available at a local Ford dealership for $900. It was in excellent shape. I passed on it, because I was out of room. Still strapped for space. If I were to buy another, either my Mercedes or Grand Ville would have to go. And it would probably not be the Grand Ville.

Thanks again!

Well, as an owner of both a W126 ('86 560SEL) and a Panther Platform Ford
('94 Lincoln Town Car), and having owned quite a few Lincolns, I can tell you that the current body styles (1990 and up) are probably about as simple as an american car can be (in the last 15 years). The ones I have had have been good cars, reliable, and fairly well built. They aren't M-B's, nor are they trying to be. They are designed for customers who want a car which isolates the driver and passengers from the road, not which exposes them to the experience of driving. The '94 is the best that I have had, (Have owned, '68 Continental, '78 Continental Town Car, '85 Mark VII, '85 Town Car), and if someone wanted a daily driver to supplement their benz, any full size fomoco product would be good. (Just stay away from the front wheel drive Continentals from '88 up, hard to work on, and frequently needing repairs, and for all of that, they still don't drive or ride as good as their american front wheel drive rival, the Cadillac Seville and Deville) As both a Caddy Seville ('81) and Deville ('94) owner or former owner, I can say that lincolns are cheaper to repair, but depending on the car may or may not require more repair. But, basically any full size ford-lincoln-mercury is ok.
Thanks, Dave.

__________________
Currently Driving:
1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL
1994 Lincoln Town Car
1994 Cadillac Deville
1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired

The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car
The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class

I rode in a Town Car to the airport in Sept. The driver said it was a special Town Car that was 4" longer than normal, not sure where you'd buy it or if it was customized. Real luxury ride

What 40 posts on this thread, and no one has yet mentioned the Mercury Marauder? This was a limited production version of the Grand Marquis with a hot engine and the suspension mods neceasry to better connect that power to the ground.
Panther chasis has been a good car for FoMoCo, rock solid, reliable, isolated ( maybe too isolated). Steering feel was non existent on earlier versions, but has improved in the past couple of years.
One of my "bench racing" fantasies involves putting a Lincoln LSC IRS under a Crown Vic, or GM, and installing really stiff shocks to dampen the motions of those too soft springs. It would cost more than it would be worth, but I bet it would be a sweet ride.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

That's good to know. Come to think of it, I did have some problems not too long after I bought mine (it had about 20K on it when I got it) with the air suspension. I can hear the pump occassinally, which makes me nervous. I have also read posts on a Lincoln forum about AS problems.

Don't know why my mileage is so low. Probably has something to do with the fact that I have almost all city driving on the car.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Good point about the front-wheel drive. I've never really thought much of that design and after having owned this Continental for a few years, do not want another one. It sounds logical to pull, rather than push, a car, but I prefer the drive of a rear-wheel drive car. You're absoultely right about access for maintenance. It's so tight under the hood, you practically have to take the engine out to fix anything on it.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I love my 1989 T/C - just hit 181K miles - stills purrs like a kitten - baby butt smooth idle. I have slight blowback at hard acceleration, will probably need to redo the top end soon. The trunk pulldown motor tends to be a PIA. The car provides suitable backup to my 126. Doesn't handle like a Benz, but sure feels as plush as my living room when I'm in it! A million livery drivers can't be wrong!

I gave my 84 year old Mom a 1999 Conti for XMAS. She had her Mark VI Givenchy since new in 1980 and it was a basket case. Despite that, she says that the Conti doesn't ride a smoothly as her Mark VI did - even with all the work it needed. I'm going to restore the Mark VI.

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1991 560SEL (254K miles)
1980 Lincoln Mark VI - Givenchy
1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector's Series
1979 Lincoln Town Car Collector's Series
1979 Ford "Effie" Pickup (in gradual transformation to a show/street truck)
1969 Lincoln Mark III (waiting for "Overhaulin" to call)
1989 Lincoln Towncar
2001 Lexus GS300 (spousal unit's daily driver)

Yeah, the front wheel drive can be a handful. Especially on the 95 and up V8 Continentals. That engine is so squeezed to get into that engine compartment, you would probably have to lift the engine with a jack, and remove the motor mounts, and raise it about 6 inches, to get to the back spark plugs. I have worked (limitedly) on the Northstar in my Deville. It is not that hard to repair, (you just have to think about what your doing, not unlike a MB), but they are time consuming to repair. The best front wheel drive car I ever had was a '81 Seville, with the infamous V-8-6-4 (disabled that system the day I bought the car), bought it used with low miles, and due to the fact that in the early '80s, GM Front Wheel Drive transmission development was still based on the Turbo-Hydra-Matic 350 transmission, it was a longitudinally mounted front-wheel-drive. Believe it or not, that was about the easiest to work on car I ever had, (which was good, because it was always breaking down ). I had an '81 Olds Delta 88 before that, and it was a decent car (underpowered with a 3.8 V6), then went to the caddy, then had the '68 Conny at the same time, got the '68 MB 280S, got a '78 Conny in place of the '68, and from that point it starts to get fuzzy .
Happy New Year ,
Dave.

__________________
Currently Driving:
1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL
1994 Lincoln Town Car
1994 Cadillac Deville
1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired

The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car
The Official Car of the Successful Independent Insurance Agent- Mercedes Benz S Class