I love driving my tbird, but with the sentimental value and the work going into it, I find it hard to justify driving it more than on nice days.
I have been searching for months for basically a clone 88 merc or bird with the five-slow that peaked me 26mpg once on a 400 mile trip. Seems like either they are built up, and the owner wants too much, or they are too far gone, and would need more to maintain than it would take to restore mine.
Seems my next best bet would be a 97-98 mark. I have a reliable explorer that has never failed me, but I would much prefer an auto over my manual with as much traffic as I sit in during my commute to work. If you guys were in the market for a luxury coupe, what would you be test driving?
Hard for me to say, because there's so few cars made in the last 20 years I really like. I suppose I'd be looking for a Crown Vic, Lincoln Town Car, or Grand Marquis but those aren't coupes.
Lincoln Mark VII or VIII LSC for sure.
88-92 Mark VII.
If you want better mileage, the BB model has a higher rear end ratio and gets you 26 - 27 highway. The LSC's get 22 -23 highway.
Personally, there is an 84' Mark in my garage. Its my grandfathers and is in mint condition. I've always thought it was hideous and mis-proportioned. I'm not a fan of the 94-96 as much as the 97-98 mark, and even then I'm not exactly excited about the design. But its as close as I can find in similarities compared to my thunderbird. Even any affordable GM made in the last 15 years is FWD. Seems I'm SOL domestically outside of a 'stang, and I'm not willing to dip into the german makes. Really my other option is a lexus SC.... but even then by the time they are in my price range, theyre generally trashed...
I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 97-98 mark then...
I see you are in Ohio but if you are willing to drive http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/2600465690.html He has been dropping the price on this one about every 5 days
hmmmm, definitely worth asking him some questions about. My luck would be something that far will give me troubles on the way back. I'll see if its worth anything and low-ball the hell outta him if hes pushing it that fast.
I sent him a text the other day this was his response: Very little rust, digital not sure if it's the sport model ,interior is fair to good except dash has tears from sun interior is bluish grey
The old 2 door Crown Victorias and Grand Marquis might be another possibility. They seem to be a little easier to find. Other than that I got nothing.
If you want them fuel injected, its an 86 to 87 only thing. Hard to find. The gas mileage is also less then stellar.
There's one here for $1395... but I've seen it on CL for a while, so I bet you could get it for less.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/ctd/2596291924.html
Here's one closer to you...86 vert for $700...I know its not much now, but for $700! Thats almost s prices.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2567758597.html
I posted that vert a couple days back in the leads section. I'm pretty set on a mark 8 now, I've seen a few around ohio for 3-5k with low miles and full options. We'll see where it gets me.
Why not an mn12 bird or cat? Seem to be pretty available and cheaper than a Mark series...
I've actually seen a trend in the birds and cats of being higher then a well maintained mark.
Someone needs to snag that 'Vert :eek:
Marks do have the air suspension. Just a FYI.
Any MN-12/FN-12 T-bird, Cougar, or Mark VIII should have its ball joints checked. They don't tend to last more than about 90,000 miles or so. They are not nearly as durable as the Fox ball joints.
Agreed, the frontend was shot in the '95 LX I owned before it rolled up 80K mi... That's one car I've never missed...
Luxury coupe, I'd have to go with a Mark VII or VIII. I prefer the VII (has more of a "Hot Rod Lincoln" look), and like you, if i was going for a Mark VIII it'd be a 97 or 98. Ideally, I'd like a Mark 7.5 - the body of the 7 but the drivetrain of the 8...
Tell me about it. The front end of the 95 LX I had was shot at 73,000. It was so bad I could wiggle the tires back and forth and top to bottom. I kinda miss it, but not the 3.8. My new Focus would spank the out of that 3.8.....
I redid the front end on the 88 T-bird about two years ago. At 22 years old and 130K the ball joints were like new. The control arm bushings were a little worn but serviceable. I doubt a MN-12 front end would have lasted that long.....