Mark Continentals compared to Continentals and TCs

[Lincoln Pimpin']

I have owned a 97 TC for 4 years now. Recently I have been considering a 98-02 Continental but I just found a Mark VIII on craigslist this evening for $3250, only 73k miles, two owner, same family. I am wondering what the overall quality of these cars are compared to the TCs and the newer Conts just for the hell of it.

 

[87TTOPGT420]

Biggest issue with the mark viiis is the air ride

Continentals are tauras with a sideways 4.6l dohc. Fairly nice cruising cars but ill take a mark any day

 

[Lincoln Pimpin']

Issues worse than the TCs air ride?

 

[mark0101]

Issues worse than the TCs air ride?

Yeah since it has front air ride also. Out of the Conti and the Mark VIII, The Mark is a far better car than the Continental.

 

[Lincoln Pimpin']

Yeah since it has front air ride also. Out of the Conti and the Mark VIII, The Mark is a far better car than the Continental.

Interesting, just built better?

 

[87TTOPGT420]

Ya its built on a much better chassis...rwd vs fwd

 

[mark0101]

Interesting, just built better?

I can only compare with the ownership I have had with my Continental and my Mark VIII. Had the Conti from 73K and it now has 226K. The continentals interior does not hold up well but since you are looking at a 01, it seems like the newer ones are built better. Changing anything on the Conti is hassle as everything is cramped in the front (FWD). Had to replace many front end suspension parts, Steering components and other random weird things. And now it needs a power steering pump. With the Mark VIII, had it since 59K and now it has 170K. The only major things I can think of is front air bags, air compressor, and IMRC module. It has needed a lot less things replaced than the Continental.

 

[MooJohn]

If I hadn't needed room for passengers I would have picked up a clean Mark VIII. My family has had a 95 and a 97 LSC so I'm quite familiar with them.

No complaints about my Conti though, other than a terrible 60ft time. From 30-90 it is door to door with the latest Charger R/T so I'm satisfied with its straight line performance. Changing the serpentine belt is a PITA but the plugs & ignition coils were a breeze.

If you start with a clean car you can keep it in great shape. Start with a junker and it'll cost you a fortune to put into working order. Well, that and avoid buying from the snow belt areas because the car will be 99% rust in no time.

Click the link in my sig to see a non-POS, non-pimped-out Continental.

 

[UltimateSVT]

I don't think you can compare because one's a 2 dr, the other's a 4dr. It comes down to what type of use it will obtain. I personally would sacrifice the 2 additional doors just because the conti is front wheel drive but if you've owned a TC for a long time then jumping into a Mark may be a challenge.

 

[mark0101]

Forgot that you had a TC also. Reliability wise, TC > Mark VIII > Continental. We have had our TC since new and it now has 192K, ROCK SOLID STILL. Hell, it will be hard to compare the TC to any car out there, these things are bullet-proof.