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Help me pick a town car (please!)

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Posted by: greg9807

Hey everyone, i just decided to sign up, i thought maybe some of you could steer me in the right direction because I love town cars and want to get one.

Im in college, working part time, so im looking to spend around $5k.

Searching autotrader, it looks like i can get the following:

1. 92-93 Town car, 60-75k miles.

2. 95-97 Town car, 80-90k miles.

My main issue because of my tight budget is I do not want a car that is not relaiable, and will cost me alot in repairs (dont work on cars myself, so id have to pay someone).

What do you think i should go with if i want to minimize repair/maintence costs? The older ones have lower milage, but they are also about 5 years older.

Should i go with the older/lower milage, or the newer but higher milage?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Posted by: pepperman

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg9807

Hey everyone, i just decided to sign up, i thought maybe some of you could steer me in the right direction because I love town cars and want to get one.

Im in college, working part time, so im looking to spend around $5k.

Searching autotrader, it looks like i can get the following:

1. 92-93 Town car, 60-75k miles.

2. 95-97 Town car, 80-90k miles.

My main issue because of my tight budget is I do not want a car that is not relaiable, and will cost me alot in repairs (dont work on cars myself, so id have to pay someone).

What do you think i should go with if i want to minimize repair/maintence costs? The older ones have lower milage, but they are also about 5 years older.

Should i go with the older/lower milage, or the newer but higher milage?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

I own a 91 Town Car, go and look at them if you can inspect them real good.

Posted by: Nakoa

it doesnt matter is they 5,000 or 555,000 on it, if it wasnt properly maintained, its going to be a problem car. my suggestion is to buy from a reputable dealer. i bought my 99 from the lincoln dealership because i know they will not sell a car that isnt a cut above the rest in terms of performance and reliability. dont buy one from one of those tote the note, 160 every other week places, the car wont last the duration of the payments.
i prefer the 95-97 exterior and the 90-94 interior. but if i was you, i would look for a nice 97 signature series or cartier. if youre not buying from a lincoln dealership, i would suggest talking the lot into letting you drive the car for 2 days and then taking it to a mechanic and have him look the car over and tell you if there are any problems, potential problems.. etc.. if im not mistaken, a car lot is required to give you a 72 hr road test. should be enough time to figure out if its the one for you or not.

Posted by: 95ltc

Yeah, a used fleet car has high miles, but their always maintenenced.

Posted by: 92 Arizona Towncar

Couple of things to look for:

All model years:

Air suspension
Make sure the air suspension is in GOOD order. check for any leaks, tears or over worked compressors... If it isn't insected you may find yourself replacing the bags not far down the road... Cost will run up to 1200+ at dealership...

Valve stem seals - Typically worse in the older years 90-94, but better with newer TC 95-98... Typical sign is it will puff blue smoke on acceleration. Some people say replace immediately, others like me, it has been 2+ yaers and mine is still smoking... Not a big deal to me because it isn;t a large puff... Fixing it will cost about 800+ at dealership...

95+ years - plastic intake manifold...
ASK if the original manifold has been replcaed... IF NOT, than DEMAND that they repolace it with a new one as the plastic one WILL break on you... FORD just wen through a class-action lawsuit over this... If they deny the car needs one, simply walk away as they are not being honest with you...

This is on top of everything else you would normally do to inspect a car before you buy...

Posted by: glydrflyr

I have a lot of experience with TCs in my limo business, from the late 70's on up to '06 models, and the ones I like best were the mid 90's, 95-97, Sig or Cartier models preferred. With proper maintenance, one of these will easily last until you finish school. Miles mean nothing to these cars, unless they are abused or neglected. A 95 with 12k on it will give you more trouble than the same year with 180K. Just sitting doesn't do a car any good, they gotta run.

Posted by: 95ltc

Quote:

Originally Posted by glydrflyr

I have a lot of experience with TCs in my limo business, from the late 70's on up to '06 models, and the ones I like best were the mid 90's, 95-97, Sig or Cartier models preferred. With proper maintenance, one of these will easily last until you finish school. Miles mean nothing to these cars, unless they are abused or neglected. A 95 with 12k on it will give you more trouble than the same year with 180K. Just sitting doesn't do a car any good, they gotta run.

That is true about the mileage, i never thought about it like that before, i have a 95 with 220440. Still going strong!!

Posted by: Nakoa

i know a great town car for you.

a 2002 deville.

=)

Posted by: 95ltc

Oh what kind of thing is that to say! lol

Posted by: beeftallywacker

I would go with the '95-'97.

The only thing is that the air bags will last you until around 100k (this also can vary due to geographical conditions, driving style, etc. etc.) The air bags themselves will run you about 800 USD, and a air compressor will run you around 600 USD.

I had the A/C unit in my '95 TC go out (1200 USD). I also had an intermittent starting problem (traced it back to a faulty electric relay...costing me about 37 USD and the installation is as easy as plugging something in lol).

Also, check and see if the Manual Lever Transmission Sensor has been replaced. There is a TSB on the '95-'97s. The actual part is about 53 USD. Labour price depends on where you take it. I recommend finding a reputable dealer.

Window switches (especially in the front passenger door) are notorious for going out. The part is about 98 USD, and labour prices vary.

I never had any type of electronic failure. However, the redundant audio/climate controls can wear out in time. That is a simple fix. Just make sure that the rocker switch is making contact with the connector.

The actual engine and transmission WILL NOT DIE!!! lol

I severely abused my '95 TC, to the point where the ENTIRE suspension was going to have to be replaced (at 174K miles).

Good luck!

Posted by: Nakoa

you can get air bags for 80 bucks a piece at arnottindustries.com, theyre better than oem. thats who i used to replace them in my old tc.

Posted by: beeftallywacker

Air bags for 80 USD a piece? That is a GREAT deal!

Have you been able to find a good deal on an air compressor?

Dood, I just realised that you are from Fort Worth! I'm now residing in Grapevine.

Posted by: Nakoa

theyre up to 92 now. they were around 80 when i bought em.

compressors are 175 i think.

heres a link:

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...Car_yid14.html

Posted by: Nakoa

yeah, west side of fort worth, i live in white settlement.

Posted by: pepperman

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeftallywacker

Air bags for 80 USD a piece? That is a GREAT deal!

Have you been able to find a good deal on an air compressor?

Dood, I just realised that you are from Fort Worth! I'm now residing in Grapevine.

Dude you can get a good rebuilt air ride compressor from Eddie Spinks at www.americanairsuspension.com for $160.00, that is where i got mine from!!!

Posted by: Nakoa

pepp, have you EVER ended a post wihtout the exclamation points?

Posted by: pepperman

Sometimes.

Posted by: Nakoa

no you dont, you did that to spite me.

Posted by: pepperman

Now why would I want to do that!!!

Posted by: Nakoa

Theres the pepp i know so well!!!!!

Posted by: pepperman

You didn't think i would really change do you!!!!!

Posted by: lincolntc94

I own a 94 town car and it is a great car, of course I got it from some old people, so it was pretty good condition when I got it, it has given me no trouble. And if you get one, get a signature or cartier.

Posted by: lincolntc94

hey pepperman, how do I get my msn messenger thingie to get on here?

Posted by: Nakoa

go to edit profile(in the user control panel(the last hyperling on the top row at the top of the page) and enter your msn handle there.

Posted by: pepperman

Click on user cp and go to edit profile click there and there will be a space for you to enter your msn handle.

Posted by: Mark9

AmericanAirSuspension.com sells great air compressors for $135 - if you need one.

You can't go by what your read in Auto Trader - you're going to HAVE to go and examine the vehicle in person, drive it, pay a couple bucks to put the one you like up on a lift to look at the underside closely. Especially examine the air springs in the rear - if you see anything more than surface cracks you're going to have to replace them in the near future.

Generally, the lowest, mileage vehicle will buy you more miles before you have to spend much money on it. The 95+ models started using the better 4R70W transmission (basically the same as the AODE transmission used in the early 90's, but with minor mods for strength and a wider gear ratio set). The 95+ models have a more modern looking interior, but the pre-95's are built just abit better in almost all areas in most opinions of people that own both.

When you drive the car do some heavy accelarating and have someone outside the car watch for excessive blue smoke. If there is some than more than likely some jack-ass changed plugs without blowing out the spark plug wells. This is the single largest cause of oil consumption in these engines (per a large fleet owners organization) - and not just by back yard mechanics. A lot of todays garages simply want to save time so they let the dirt and grit fall into the cylinder so the job gets done QUICK....

Bottom line normally is - MILES ON THE VEHICLE!!!!! There really isn't much difference, mechanically, between 1992's (the '90's only had the new body style, the '91's were a sorta in-between model in some areas) and the 1997's!!

I have three Town Cars currently: a '94 Signiture with 174,000 miles that still runs strong and burn almost NO oil between 3500 mile oil changes; a '96 Cartier with 82,000 miles, and an '03 Sig that my wife babies with 21,000 miles. Excluding the styling differences, in our case the '94 is the best of the three - so don't get hung up on age!

Lastly, if you're going to own one of these and operate it on a shoe string then you better get a shop manual, a small set of tools, a voltmeter, and plan on getting your hands dirty on a few occasions. Even a semi-retarded person (with some coaching) can perform most of the simple wear and tear repairs that will be required (cleaning the MAF, replacing the TPS, possibly the Transmission Range Selector on the side of the transmission eventually, Plug wires every 75,000-85,000 miles along with the plugs, etc). Otherwise buy aToyota or similar....

Posted by: John Hubertz

I'd vote the 95 - 97 because the headlights are better and the fuel economy on that late a car will astound you. Constant little tweaks all through the model run make the 96 and 97 the ones to look for - and that is the last of a fabulous breed. Try www.cars.com - plenty of listings and you'll want an elderly person's car if possible, and they don't use eBay as much.

I was a Lincoln Quality Care Engineer (reliability/parts/service) for the Ford Motor Company throughout that entire period, and I was assigned to our #1 market (Florida). I know what I'm talking about.

Durability? These cars are identical to the Taxi/Police car in terms of chassis and drivetrain. I can't recall if they came with cloth seats or not - they tend to last longer. If you can't get cloth, get navy or black. Lincoln leather is notoriously soft and you can't maintain the lighter colors as well. Make damn sure it has been garaged. Sunshine hurts cars... a lot.

Shop South and West of where you live - try to get a Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky or North Georgia car. Smoother roads, less sunshine and no salt. Smaller towns are much easier on cars then bigger - the ideal car is one that drove country roads in to a medium sized town like Asheville, North Carolina. Stop and go driving wears cars fast.

I'd buy a perfect 65K - 85K car - any lower mileage and it sat unused, which means doom to a lot of the juicy bits like compressor and water pump seals. Be darn sure the climate control works well and you've got it made.

Don't let the air suspension scare you. Junkyards and ebay are full of cheap parts. And DON'T succumb to temptation and buy a marginal car. "Nothing in this world is more expensive then a cheap luxury car."

Posted by: 95ltc

Be sure not to get one thats been through the hurricanes, I hear they are selling them and the salt will soon disolve the computer system!