Hello Everyone,

New here and wanted to to say hello. I have finally joined!!

I have owned 3 Marks so far. My first was a 1994 Rose Mist(4yrs), second was an 1993 Opalescent(2yrs). Now a 98 LSC this time. I have been driving the 98 for about a week now.

The 94 seemed(never ran for times) to be the fastest of the lot so far, with the 93 a really close second. The only mods to the 93 and 94 were ,straight air tubes, punched cats with custom stainless exhaust from manifolds back with Magnaflows and K&N filters.The 98 is going to get a much better treatment.

That being said.........I love the 98's seats and refinements but the performance......well I can't stand the nice safe tranny shifts, boy are they mushy compared to my other two. I will have this tranny apart for J mod for sure. The variable steering makes me feel way to disconnected!!! I used to practice in under grounds and boy this car would have me in the wall! I wonder what if anything can be done about that? Will have to talk to my ace in the hole on that one.



I just got my 98 with 58000 miles. I am still getting to know the car at this point. This one needed the mass air cleaned and some coil boots replaced, to run well, as did my others. I'm not thrilled with the performance compared to my gen 1's. To be fair though I need to run it on the machine to get it to run 100%. I have really found this to make a world of difference by the way to un gum the variable runners, injectors and help the cats. It really got the grocery getter out of my Gen 1's. They felt like different cars after.

I know there are a lot of memebers on here who have had both. I wondered what your likes and dislikes are?

I have searched the forums and found some of course but I'm sure many are not mentioned like the steering feel.

What did you do to over come them?

Thanks everyone:)

Gen 2: I love the looks of the Black LSC, HID's, heated seats, seat comfort in general makes the gen 1 seats seem cheap.

Gen 1: I like the gen 1 intake manifold design/performance, steering response is quicker (but less "sporty"), and they can be lowered more by sensor lowering.

Gen 1... way sportier and sexier looking.... it just looks "meaner" to me...

Gen 2... definitely classier looking.... not as mean looking but.... definitely looks more like a luxury car

performance wise.... i have no idea ..ive only owned 2 gen 1's

I agree with 98LSC32V on the looks of the Gen 2. I always loved the sleek look of the Gen2 the color matched grill, and neon back lamp. I was thrilled to find this one. The seats do feel fantastic! Mmmm.

Now to make her fast!!

I like the "timeless" look of a Gen II. Take someone who is not too familiar with Lincolns and show them a detailed 98 and I bet they would have no problem if you told then its a 2007/8. A Gen 1 looks its age.

With that said, I still prefer the look of a Gen 1. More of a F-16 appeal, sharper edges and more sporty looking.

[QUOTE=unity;339620]I like the "timeless" look of a Gen II. Take someone who is not too familiar with Lincolns and show them a detailed 98 and I bet they would have no problem if you told then its a 2007/8. A Gen 1 looks its age.

QUOTE]

i agree

gen 2 likes:

neon
hids
seats /heated
center console
dash
grill (lsc's only)
Dash (everythiing)
Available int/ext colors
Exhuast tips

Dislikes:

Position of cup holder
Cup holder often breaks though i never open it cuase its in a crappy position
Hids situation
neon situation
Drivers leather side bolster
blend door (all)
Rear hump

Off the top of my head here are some pro's for each generation of Mark VIII.

Gen 1: Faster, proven repeatedly by my 94 against my friend's 97 LSC. Has a hood light. Doesn't have HID's, and doesn't have a neon taillight.

Gen 2: Inside of doors are more than an uninspired slab of plastic. Seats actually have side bolsters. Has a cruise control light. Has HID's and a neon taillight. Has non-retarded throttle body mounting location.

I like the "timeless" look of a Gen II. Take someone who is not too familiar with Lincolns and show them a detailed 98 and I bet they would have no problem if you told then its a 2007/8. A Gen 1 looks its age.

i like the look on peoples faces when i tell them she is turning 10 soon
*edit* rocking with my cruise light :D

I like the smooth gen 1 door panels

Off the top of my head here are some pro's for each generation of Mark VIII.

Gen 1: Faster, proven repeatedly by my 94 against my friend's 97 LSC. Has a hood light. Doesn't have HID's, and doesn't have a neon taillight.

Gen 2: Inside of doors are more than an uninspired slab of plastic. Seats actually have side bolsters. Has a cruise control light. Has HID's and a neon taillight. Has non-retarded throttle body mounting location.

Well not for all gens :D (not to nit pick)

Not all Gen 1s have hood lights, 96 never had one, and 95 on up have lighted cruise controls.

Having owned 2 different Gen I Marks, I especially agree with the throtttle body location being in a retarded location, and add to that the IAC, which requires an act of God to remove and install again with the engine installed in the car. Having just done the O2 sensors last week, someone at Ford also didn't want them to be easily removed without using swear words. That being said, I have a friend with a Gen II (98), and his is not as quick, and I'm biased, mine looks better/meaner. I'd own either one, though, these are the most bang for the buck in automobiles.

I dislike the fact that i dont own a gen 2 and like the fact that i own a gen 1,maybe later i will grab a gen 2 while my gen 1 is being restored

I am with you all on the throttle body location!!! After having two gen 1's.

Agreed Gen 2 has timeless looks.......so far. Some people didn't like the dated look of the exterior of my Gen 1's,but loved the interior and the jam!!

The refinement of the 2 is great in so many ways but the steering and performance so far are my biggest peeves.............and I here a nice squeak when my heat is shut off.............is this what a blend door does before it breaks? This is a first for me.

I dislike the fact that i dont own a gen 2 and like the fact that i own a gen 1,

Haha good laugh. I always wanted a Gen 2 also.:D

I like the back pockets of the gen 1 seats better versus the nets on the gen 2 seats.

My 98 was the best looking, but my 96 was the best running- transmission excluded.

I have never liked the front end of the Gen 2's. Just too elderly looking for me. I think the only way you can pull it off is with a black LSC, lower it & tint the windows. The Hids are nice as well as the neon tail lamp but now pretty much obsolete. The interior is a bit more refined in the Gen 2 also.

I like the sleek & mean look of the Gen 1. Not stock of course, but when lowered, tinted, wheels, etc. The car just looks long & sleek. It looks like its flying down the highway when it's standing still. The headlights suck but a set of $400 housings and a $150 aftermarket HID kit will nicely solve that.

Like mmtphoto said, I too would own either one & as far as the most bang for the buck, Yep I agree! These cars have it all, luxury,performance & style. I really think that Lincoln did a heck of a job on the Mark VIII. The only other car that I would consider in the same class would be the 2 door cadillac with the northstar. Only thing is that real men don't spin their front tires.

I would rather own the RWD Lexus SC400 than the FWD Cadillac Northstars.

My new dislikes for my Gen 2. A fuel leak grrrr either lines or tank not sure but I now know it wasn't the junker parked beside me!! Guess I have to put the 255 Walbro in now................Had it out for a 100 mile run today in the country to work the grocery getter out of her. Now I need to fix my exhaust rattle and a funny whine I can't pin down yet..........and a noisey steering column,wrattles over bumps and noisey on the auto retract.Time to get her up on the hoist!!

The gen I's were made by guys who owned mustangs, the gen II's were made by guys who owned town cars.

Don't mind being a passenger in a gen II but own one...if given I'd take it.

Of the gen II's, I would like to have the collapsible grill (minus the "bunny nose" hood), + neon taillights if they changed the "plumbers butt" look and made it straight across...oh, the crush job on the console from gen I to II's is a shame, makes me want to have nothing to with the interior, the steering wheel does feel...well, weird. Power seemed dumbed down..very different from gen I's.

Gen 1's, each year is a work of art...I really dont think a year came off the assembly line like the last years design. The sleek body is breathtaking, 93's had integrated in the stereo, hands free cell phones, then with the LSC's introduced in 95..well the engineers and designers had a ball introducing the first HID's being sold in the United States.

I wouldn't trade my 96 for anything, just personal preference I guess....oh and I never have trouble heating my butt up. Still, they are amazing vehicles.

Smooches

MsM8

Don't put a Walbro in it, the gen 2 basket is different, use a SVT Focus pump, it flows 255LPH and is a perfect fit in the stock basket, is quieter than the Walbro, all you have to do is splice two wires.

I've owned a Gen 1, and now I own a Gen 2. The Gen 1 is definately faster, but the Gen 2 can be made faster. I hate the fact that parts are no longer made for them anymore. Which is why I have spares of the hard to find parts, like the neon ballast and the HID's for when mine go out.

And Movie Muscle, I had a leak in my gas tank of my Gen 1, when I filled up, I would smell gas all through the car. When I went to change the fuel pump, I found that the fuel pump wasn't bad, but the oring around the sending unit. I used one of the Orings used for oil field tools and it sealed great. I believe you have the same problem with your sending unit.

Hi G! Ummmm did you say owned a VIII...did you sell it?
Smooches!
MsM8

Hi G! Ummmm did you say owned a VIII...did you sell it?
Smooches!
MsM8

Hey Debi! I sold my 93 to Mark0101.

Don't put a Walbro in it, the gen 2 basket is different, use a SVT Focus pump, it flows 255LPH and is a perfect fit in the stock basket, is quieter than the Walbro, all you have to do is splice two wires.


Thanks 98. I had heard you had to modify things to fit right if you wanted to use the Walbro. You just made my other ford friend happy since he has been plugging the Focus pump to me haha.

and i'll get a better price likely on the Focus pump through a friend..........I hope

I've owned a Gen 1, and now I own a Gen 2. The Gen 1 is definately faster, but the Gen 2 can be made faster. I hate the fact that parts are no longer made for them anymore. Which is why I have spares of the hard to find parts, like the neon ballast and the HID's for when mine go out.

And Movie Muscle, I had a leak in my gas tank of my Gen 1, when I filled up, I would smell gas all through the car. When I went to change the fuel pump, I found that the fuel pump wasn't bad, but the oring around the sending unit. I used one of the Orings used for oil field tools and it sealed great. I believe you have the same problem with your sending unit.

I agree with you GMAN, it is only when full and I smell it in the car.Very little fuel on the ground. Only once right after it was filled to the brim and driven a bit. I 'll bet you're right. The only reason I wonder about the lines is this car sat a lot and other lines are rough. I here sometimes the lines can go where they meet at the tank. I have yet to get my car up on a hoist with me under it. I rushed to get it on the road since I had a buyer for my 93 Opalescent. I saw the power steering lines when I had the front up to do front hubs and bearings. They were so bad I bet I could break them by hand. My oil pan was really bad!!! Damn Canadian winters. I'll remedy that when I drop the K for the Kooks!!


I was thinking of getting a parts car. I knew about a 98 LSC unmolested with 180 000 miles for 2000 but short on cash. I just spent ten minutes staring at my hood. I might just try to find a used hood and modify it(tastefully) to a raised scoop. I will need a used hood and tons of time. I did a lot of glass work on boats and I am thinking of shaving some foam mock ups to lay on and eye up 1st. I have a half baked idea already.......but think it would look best with a slight taper into the upper grill. If ,or when I start mock ups it will be likely next year but will post pics with the foam mocks. I fear it will look to front heavy from the side though due to the altered grille profile.......and I'll likely have to really taper it to get the main mass and height back farther and not ruin the lines........only one way to find out!! It has to look just right not like a cheap insulting add on.

my 93 (RIP) would leak gas from underneath when full, so I always figured about 3 gallons from full when getting gas-did that for 2 or 3 years, PITA but I got used to it:rolleyes: must be a GEN 1 thing...

I leased 1994 Mark VIII for my wife after we were married to get her out of death-trap piece of @#$ rice hauler she was driving. The 94 was nice. Probably the quickest of the three. My wife thinks it was the quickest. I don't remember, but the Marks were her everyday drivers. Replaced that with another leased 96 Mark VIII. Nearly the same with a few updates to the interior. Before that car was a year old, a heavy-duty truck rear-ended the cars. The car took the hit and spared my wife from permanent back injuries. Good car. The cop who responded, the ambulance drivers, and her doctors all said the car saved her. We leased, but if we bought it, it would have easily been worth the $42,600 sticker. The insurance elected to fix the car. The dealer replaced pretty much everything aft of the doors. Total was around 28 large.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/fc3other/StartingReassembly-Leftview.JPG

Ford announced no more Mark VIII and no new Mark IX, so we bought a 1998. Love the HID lights. The 94/96 halogens were mediocre even when the cars were new. The original traction control system wasn't all-speed, and would deactivate above 25 MPH. The all-speed system is much better. Wish the 1998's trip computer still displayed fuel burned like the other ones did. But the vehicle and driver setup pages on the trip computer is nicer than non-configurable 94/96 had. The touch-screen settings in my wife's new Jaguar Vanden Plas don't offer as many configurable settings. Some things we can set in the Mark have to be set by the Jaguar dealer. (Like reverse mirrors.)

The electronic tilt and telescope steering column is great. When the mechanism broke was bad. When the stupid dealer fixed it wrong the first time (for a grand) and then it had to be repaired again (for another grand) because he straightened and re-used the rails instead of installing new ones was really bad. I don't go back there for service.

Still have the 1998. I kept it when we got the Jag. The dealer wanted it as a trade, but I like the car, so might as well keep her.

I've replaced both headlight modules because they were yellowing. Car looks good. The dealer's body shop manager would like to buy her. I still see the fellow who was the used car manager at the now closed Lincoln dealer where I was a customer; he keeps asking if I'm ready to sell the car. He also wants my 83 Imperial and 76 New Yorker Brougham. He likes old cars, too.

I have to replace the driver's side power seat rack. The seat does not move properly and sometimes hangs up, which was making my wife crazy. Replaced the struts and springs a few years ago. So other than the seat rack, she's good to go.

My wife drove the Mark a few weeks ago when she left the ignition on the Jag in the "accessory" position and ran down the battery. She said the Mark has nicer seats than the Jag, despite the Vanden Plas having Jaguar's top-of-the-line 16 way adjustable seat.

Have some interesting items. All the original paperwork for all three cars. Also have the new car brochures. Most interesting piece is the dealer orientation book for the Mark VIII when Ford introduced the model. It's 100 pages that details everything from market positioning, to styling prototypes, to engineering features, etc.

Best regards,
Frank C.

Thats quite the pic Frank. If you didn't tell me what it was I would have had a hard time identifying it as a Mark!

What did your steering do before it broke? My is making a lot of noise when it retracts hoping a good lube with some white lithium will take car of it. My car was a sitter and had issues with lack of use.

I have seen that dealers book - very interesting!!!! Your wife is a lucky lady!

Smooches
MsM8

my opinions.. since im a 98 lsc owner to date..;)

i owned 89, 88 lsc's and 98 lsc(current) ..all different rides all together.btw no comparrision.

likes on 98 gen 2 lsc:
love the over all sleek lines ,style and performance. it was made way before it's time when other cars started copying the features like what we now have todays cars-thinkin they are comin out with something new..lol..which i find funny

dislikes.. gen 2 lsc..it's too sensitive..coils..and tranny seals,sad to say im going on second tranny repair in 3 yrs after first repair done.
and sensitivity on the both head and rear lamps. i try to avoid using DTRL so i dont blow them out too early in it's life while i still have it all on great condition..and not slamming the rear trunk to bang the ballest and light out of place..lol ..who ever touches the car to work on it to turn off air switch..usulally i'll do it..but if anyhting else..lol..im like omg please EASY ON THE TRUNK ..(omg omg!)!!!!..lol--im a mess! lol...lol ;)

lol ..i admit, i suffer anxity over my car..lol

88 lsc, well the one i had was a kids job..lol tying to muscel it up..but couldnt finish it..turned out engine and exaust was bad..lol and leaked gas..
8-(

89 lsc got it cheep and played around with the interior.it was a recovery CAR ..loved it THE CHANGES WENT WELL but my dislikes on this one was body frame noise which was hard to find to correct.. lets say..did 3 front end jobs keep in mind complete WITH arms and all and still had noise IT WAS LIKE A GHOST..IT WOULD CREEK AND CREEK AND THEN GO AWAY..LOL the mechanic thought i was crazy..quite embarrassing i may say...had her for 4.5 yrs and sold to get my downpayment for my 98 ;)

which i love. if you havent read my other posts...lol.

Seeing as how we've been getting some new members i'd like to bump the back up.