Hey guys,I am usually over in the LS forum,but I am looking to buy a '96/'97 Iown Car for a daily driver. I found a nice '97 signature series at a local dealer this morning that looks real nice (sage green metallic,light grey leather,laced alloys,etc.) .However,they did not have a price on it,and it is being sold as-is,no warranty,so I am assuming it does have a bit of mileage.Do you guys have any ballpark figures for these cars?I also was curious about any problem areas on these cars. Thanks for your help...........
Looking to buy a 1996/1997 Town Car......
- Thread starter mint05LS
- Start date
thamarkman
Well-Known LVC Member
As long as the plastic intake manifold has been replaced those towncars are very reliable. It depends on how clean it is and mileage and everything but I wouldn't spend more than about $6000. Preferably way cheaper.
92SedandeVille-TownCar94
Active LVC Member
Yeah the intake manifold is the big problem on the 96-98 SOHC 4.6's. Other little things are air springs and the power windows tend to go out..
No really big problems like on a 88-94 Continental.
No really big problems like on a 88-94 Continental.
92 Arizona Towncar
Active LVC Member
I would NOT even think about buying the car if the intake manifold($500-$1000) has not been replaced... Make sure you either get them to change it out(and show you proof), or to take the money out of the overall price if you plan on doing it or taking it somewhere else to get it done...
Air suspension - $400-$1000, as mentioned before, needs to be either inspected for damage/wear and tear, or replaced... This also includes the air compressor... See if you can get them to either replace with new, or give you a discount to replace... One way to check is to turn the car on, and see if the CAS(check air suspension) light comes on. stand at the front drivers side and listen to see if the air compressor cycles on and off... A good compressor will turn on for about 10-30 seconds to inflate the bags than shut off...
Valve Stem Seals... You will see a puff of blue smoke when you accellerate from a stop... Stem seals need to be replaced, an $800-$1000 job... The way I check it is to turn the car on and leave it on while the salesman is chatting... Look at other things while the car is on and when you get in, accidentally "floor" the accelerator... IF a puff of blue smoke comes out, the stem seals are bad and hill eventually need to be changed...
Everything else is pretty much normal wear and tear... and always remember "caveat emptor"
Air suspension - $400-$1000, as mentioned before, needs to be either inspected for damage/wear and tear, or replaced... This also includes the air compressor... See if you can get them to either replace with new, or give you a discount to replace... One way to check is to turn the car on, and see if the CAS(check air suspension) light comes on. stand at the front drivers side and listen to see if the air compressor cycles on and off... A good compressor will turn on for about 10-30 seconds to inflate the bags than shut off...
Valve Stem Seals... You will see a puff of blue smoke when you accellerate from a stop... Stem seals need to be replaced, an $800-$1000 job... The way I check it is to turn the car on and leave it on while the salesman is chatting... Look at other things while the car is on and when you get in, accidentally "floor" the accelerator... IF a puff of blue smoke comes out, the stem seals are bad and hill eventually need to be changed...
Everything else is pretty much normal wear and tear... and always remember "caveat emptor"
HyeLifeLS
Dedicated LVC Member
Oh, I love those TCs, I saw one the other day in the Lincoln dealership. It was a 97 black on black Signature with 33,000 miles, they were askin 11,000 for it. I looked it over, no dings, no scratches, interior like new. Very nice car. All original, it wan't even tinted.
back to the subject at hand mint05LS, you should deffinatly get a TC! Signatures are great, I have an executive, but its nothing compared to the sig. or cartier!