My 7 Year/70,000 mile ownership

[mark0101]

Well I thought it would be good to share my experience with the Mark VIII. It has been a wonderful car to own and drive. I got the car back in 2003 with only 60,000 miles and it now has 130,000 miles. I plan on keeping this car for a very long time and hopefully I will still have it when I grow old. My Mark has had all the common problems like airbags leaking, broken door handle, ballast not working but still has not broken the actuator for the blend door. The window switches did come off also but I glued them back on except I messed up on of the switch. Am going to replace it soon. Here are some problems that I experienced and also fixed for the time I have had it.

Car bought for in 2003............................................................$8,250

IMRC cleaning and IMCR controller replaced.................................$600
Tires (two sets).....................................................................$1000
Oil change every 5,000 miles.....................................................$350
Alternator..............................................................................$350
Battery..................................................................................$90
Spark plugs and boots..............................................................$120
Transmission flush (two times)...................................................$250
front Airbags replaced..............................................................$600
Shocks..................................................................................$35
SCT tune...............................................................................$400
Brakes...................................................................................$150
Coolant Flush..........................................................................$50
Octastars...............................................................................$550
Broke cup holder......................................................................$60
Rearview mirror........................................................................$15
Car cleaners and stuff...............................................................$200

Total......................................................................................$4,820

Gas for 70,000 miles calculated by 20 MPG at
$3 per gallon.(Usually gets more MPG but just
to stay on the conservative side).................................................$10,370

End Total.................................................................................$23,440

Things that still need to be fixed
-Door handle
-Ballast for the neon tail light
-sanding the headlights
-Want LSC parts "monochrome"
-Want newer style airbag symbol for the steering wheel
-Fix the windshield washer fluid button

$334 for every 1,000 miles which includes repairs, maintenance, upgrades and gas.

Here are some pictures of before and after 70,000 miles later....Enjoy

BEFORE

AFTER

Once I sand the headlights, It will as good as it did 70,000 miles ago
BEFORE

AFTER

Now is it possible to fix that gap? As for the chrome button, I still have the button but lost the spring. So I am on a look out for a good MPS.
BEFORE

AFTER

Just need the newer style Lincoln logo on the steering wheel now.

Came back to find this after shopping even though I parked a mile away from the store. I think someones cart hit it

I REALLY don't know how this happened

 

[marked8]

Looks like a good detailed writeup.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

for the seat there are i beleive 3 or 4 scews holding it inplace....1 in front under a little cover, 1 or 2 on the side and 1 in back....i would check to see if any are loose. But with that many mile alittle gap is prob normal.

for the chip just go get some white touchup.. even if it doesnt match atleast it doesnt look like that

 

[danny_holtermann]

you bought shocks for 35 bucks?

 

[NoLimit95]

That's SOME write up. Interesting! Still a very clean car.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

......

 

[Lownslowlsc]

you bought shocks for 35 bucks?

i'll assume he means the rear shocks. i beleive the only ones that cost that much per pair are monroe sensatracs..there about 15 each.....i have them on my car..not bad for the price. but from what i hear they are only good for 2-3 years.