Well I might be posting here more soon enough..

[jj Blue Bird]

I joined back when my friend "Luis Kane" did because he bought his second Mark VIII. I TRY to be a little car savvy, and I'm still learning but I read up a lot on Mark VIIIs and I'm started to love them. Anyways, as you can see from my name, I own a Thunderbird. Sadly things aren't working out with it as the brakes just won't work no matter what we do to them, so we're probably going to sell it. My parents told me that they would help me get a car for my 18th birthday if the Thunderbird didn't work out, and well, I'm only a month away from being 18. So I figured if they don't work out, I want a Mark VIII. I'm considering buying The_Purple_Lincoln_Slayer's blue Mark VIII (My friend already has his purple one ) so what do you guys think? Could you possibly help me find a decent Mark VIII in my area? Anywhere 150miles from Pensacola, Florida will do. I search and search and NOBODY is selling Mark VIIIs around here. Only one I can find is an ugly teal one that has all air bags leaking and they are still asking $3k for it.

Thanks guys.

 

[mespock]

First don't just jump on the first Mark VIII that comes around. The Mark VIII is a great car and can be a lot of fun but, Mark VIIIs can come with their share of problems.

Repairs for some issues can be costly.

But if you get a good Mark VIII it can last you many years and 100 of Thousands of miles.

Read through the threads and look for common problems. Ask questions about the cars..

Then take it to someone who you know that knows cars. Let them check it out good.

As for a good car if you don't mind traveling a few miles... GMAN has a nice Gen II (yes chicken I said a nice Gen II) that he's sell you. He takes great care of his cars and he has fixed most of the common wear problems that happen with Mark VIII's.

Go to GMAN's garage and take a look.

 

[BAD97LSC]

well i'm down the west coast a ways from you in tarpon springs, just north of clearwater, i have a nice deep jewel green with tan interior 93 for sale. just turned 110k still has air ride in it and doesnt leak what so ever, new rear shocks, new radiator, 2 week old tinted windows, good brakes and tires, cold ac, runs great, needs new sway bar end links in the front, they clunk a little but the control arms and ball joints were done last year. i would drive it to california and back without a bead of sweat, i just bought my wife a 4 door so no need for the mark VIII anymore. this is my 5th mark VIII i have personally owned. i love the cars. this is a pic of it.
i'd like $2,400 for it.

 

[bryantaylor]

im in jax and am kinda halfway thinking about selling mine.

 

[wood_e]

Yeah - you'll want to research around a bit. I bought my Mark for 2 grand and I already have over a grand in it.

 

[jj Blue Bird]

I wish my parents were more understanding with these cars. All they have ever seen with them are bad things and them both being car inclined doesn't help. I've seen the good and tell them about it but they are still opted on getting my Thunderbird fixed. Which would be awesome yeah, but I don't see it happening. Plus it's not all the safe with conventional brakes.

Anyways, thanks guys. That's a really nice Mark VIII for the price...Maybe once I get a job I'll save up for my own Mark VIII and not depend on my parents since it won't be my first car.

 

[bryantaylor]

a bird is basically the same car man. get a GOOD repair manual (you can find helm manuals on ebay for under $100 shipped) and just go step by step, take your time. buy decent tools, i like craftsman because they are very good quaility and less than 1/4 of the cost of the other good tool brands. buy good name brand parts, rockauto.com is a great place to shop for parts. read the forums and go from there. i worked my ass off on my first car, put a motor in, auto to manual trans swap, and so on. all the work YOU do will deffently pay off when you have something you can be proud of. take what you have and make it into something great.

 

[jj Blue Bird]

Oh believe me I love my Bird. I already have a repair manual about three feet away from me. I've read up about both Thunderbirds and Mark VIIIs and their common problems. And I'll never have to worry about tools, my step-dad has over $15k in tools around this house and a work truck outside just incase I need anything from there. So I guess I'm lucky there.

I love to work on my car though! It makes me feel way more comfortable when driving my car knowing that I fixed it.

 

[bryantaylor]

good, your on the right trac then man. have fun, be safe, and get used to ALWAYS being broke, because the mod bug bites hard.

 

[The Rev]

get used to ALWAYS being broke, because the mod bug bites hard.

Couldn't have said it better;

I'm getting a bonus in the next 45 or so days, next mod: new 02's and custom exhaust. woohoo

 

[kustomizingkid]

I hate not having enough money to mod my car!

 

[turborich]

jamie97lsc, that's a nice looking mark at a fair price! Toss some wheels on her & it would be set! I'm sure someone will grab it for that price!

 

[The Rev]

And I'm sure with the bagillion parts he has there shouldn't be any problems he hasn't fixed!

Swaybar endlinks are stupid easy. 2 15mm bolts, a hammer, 15 minutes and you'd be done.

Funny how Jamie didn't drop what kind of a 4door he bought.

For 400 I'd be super proud of that 4door!

 

[kustomizingkid]

He got a Catera.

 

[The Rev]

I know, a very nice one at that. I was being facetious

 

[jj Blue Bird]

I wish I could get Jamie's Mark VIII. Less trouble for me.

 

[BAD97LSC]

thats why i had no problem selling my black 93 that needed paint because the guy who bought it knows what i do, he knew he could buy a nice looking mark VIII with nothing done to it and get screwed, or buy a crappy looking mark VIII with everything replaced, including the entire interior which is incredible condition, and all he has to do is paint it. i sold it cheap, had i painted it i would have doubled my asking price. the green one i am selling cheap because i really dont have a ton into it, its been the best one mechanically i have owned out of the 5 of them, and i want it gone quick and cash in my hand, the car is worth more than i'm asking no doubt, but im not gonna spend the rest of my life trying to squeeze every penny out of it, its not worth my time!

 

[jj Blue Bird]

Update, after we put the brake pads on my T-Bird we're going to see if it's safe or not. If it isn't, we are going to sell it. So Jamie, you might not be totally out of a sale! lol. I kinda have to wait until September to do anything though, that's when I turn 18.