I might be all out of Mark VIIIs soon

[sprocket]

Someone came and test drove the Toreador '96 just a little while ago. He seemed to really like it. He has a town car he is going to look at and then will let me know on Monday. I'm asking $2000. I think if I can get that or even close to that it would be in my best interest to let it go. '96 is a risky year to own. There are several parts that are one year only and they can be hard to find. Also the body is good now, but I can see where rust is starting to creep on the rockers. If I drove it this winter who knows what it might look like by spring. If I'm not going to drive it, then why own it?

It's never going to be worth anymore than it is at this very moment. If I sell it and sell or part the DA, I can also sell off my extra parts.

I gave it a good interior cleaning today. Have you guys ever tried that Awesome Clean stuff from the dollar store? It comes in an orange bottle. This stuff will clean ANYTHING with minimal effort. I even used it on the carpet and got a bunch of spots out. If you use it on the vinyl and rub it in with a Magic Eraser you can basically just wipe all the dirt off. It's pretty concentrated so I followed it up with a mild cleaner so it doesn't feel tacky.

The car never looked so good. Isn't that the way it always goes?

 

[olddavid]

It's like when an old girlfriend leaves - they're never so sexy as the moment they walk out that door. Cue a slide guitar solo......

 

[OchoMarko]

Don't know what you got, til its gone. That's why I bought my old Mark Viii back 2.5 years later, I'm more in love with it now than I was before!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i28UEoLXVFQ

 

[sprocket]

Having second thoughts...My friend says "he's gonna be pissed if he drove all the way down here for nothing". I said "So? I'm supposed to give up a car I love just to not let someone else down? I'd rather just apologize and be done with it."

Here's my reasoning:

1) I KNOW this car. I wouldn't know the next one and it won't be new.
2) It runs great and might run for another 100,000 miles
3) I've got a car I can part to get parts I absolutely should have spares of. Like the IMRCs, the ECM, and the VCRM
4) I can find parts I need from guys here.
5) I just basically redid the whole front end. Hub assys, upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods, and SRBs. The coil conversion is fairly new.
6) Every part you would routinely change for the engine has been done.
7) The rear shocks are new. It does feel like it needs bushings back there, but if I do that pretty much the entire suspension is done. Get a good alignment and it will ride like a dream.
8) I was surprised how clean the interior came out. Having a spotless interior makes a HUGE difference in how one feels about a car.
9) If it rusts, it rusts. I live in MN. that's life. Unless I buy a really new car, which I won't, the next one will rust too. Whatever I would do to prevent or delay that, I can do with this car as well as any other.
10) I LOVE THIS CAR. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and yes it kind of sucks having my kids crawl in the back seat and fight about who gets to sit up front. But they're KIDS. They don't get to decide what they ride in. If we go on a trip and need more space I will just rent something.

11) IT'S PAID FOR!

 

[OchoMarko]

My fellow brethren on this forum admonished me back in 2010 that I'd regret it, and sure enough, they were right. I figure, if I put in $3000 to $3500, she's gonna be awesome, since I only paid $1400 for it. I think you're even in better shape because of all the newer parts you've installed. I vote for you to keep it and enjoy for another 100k miles.

 

[keVIIIn]

I'd have a hard time buying my car back after I sold it..it would be like breaking up with your girlfriend and getting back with her knowing she's been with a few more dudes after you..ehh.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

I'd have a hard time buying my car back after I sold it..it would be like breaking up with your girlfriend and getting back with her knowing she's been with a few more dudes after you..ehh.

Sloppy thirds....eww