Well, I have a new job making $27K a year now (big money for me). I am now interested in a MK8. I have a MK7 (most of you have seen my website by now) and the cost is not that bad. My question is: what unexpected costs (big $$$) have risen in your ownership experiences. I hear nightmares of exploding oil filters, hydro-locked motors, and AOD-E's that are cursed. I have found MK8's around Atlanta for less than 10 grand, so purchase price is livable, but it's the maintanence that scares me. Is the 4.6 as easy to maintain as my Rock-O-Gibralter 5.0? I have been wondering about this for a while.

my website:
http://www.designpointe.com/LSC/

BrianM
"Drive it like you rented it!"

Ah, a fellow Atlantan. I've found my Mark pretty inexpensive to maintain, just change the tranny fluid religiously, and plan for the airbags to go out anywhere from 80-100k. 10K gets you a 93 or 94, with fairly high miles, but mine has been rock solid. Just look out for accidents, this one's tab is running a tad over $7k so far...
As with any car this complex, there are expensive items to repair, but that's part of owning a high performance sports coupe.

Calvin Louie

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

So that's what happened to your Mark huh Calvin? My '94 has almost 95K on it and has been ROCK solid.Have only done maintenance of fluids and such.I haven't even had to change the trans fluid to Mercon V yet, no shudder or nothing.Allthough I do plan on this in the near future.This car has been just as reliable as all my other Fords, VERY!!
Matt

'94 Mark VIII
opel frost color(hey Ford named it)
Grey interior
Ram-Air, all intake garb gutted
K&N
Lowered
Bassani X over
Edelbrock RPM True Flows
3.27 posi
HID lights (this week)

For me, I bought my LSC which was clean but high miles at a year old. Then i bought the ESP warranty and resigned to be very vigelant about making repairs under warranty and making sure they were done right. I have been very lucky, since the warranty expired at 75k I have had no srious problems. My car now has about 103,000 miles on it and it runs as good as the day I bought it. I think many cars will have problems if it was a bad day on the assembly line, so it is somewhat of a crap shoot... My early LSC seems to be fine now... ]

Well, I bought the car with the unsightly front tag holder, never did care for it. So I took it off, but using a Mitsubishi Mirage going about 15 mph probably wasn't the best way to go about it. Basically grabbed the bumper and moved it a foot left. Both fenders, hood, grill, headlights, etc. all replaced, and they goofed up the fix the first time. Fired the guy who worked on it, a more experienced tech is working on it now, they had to cut out all the work the first guy did, plus order 2 new fenders (not used or aftermarket, new from Ford). Might have it back this week, if all goes well, haven't had the car since Oct. 1.


Calvin Louie

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

My mark has 110,000 miles on it, and I'm an 18 year old lead foot. My car has had on major problems. If a Mark could stand up to my driving lifestyle, they must be a great car. I've replace the alternator, battery, rebuilt the tranney once, and been through 5 sets of back tires in one years. So you decide.

/rebuilt tranny with Transgo kit = $1800 installed.

/new struts at 67000mi = $1200 (friggin dealer install), I wish I had known of Bagmaster at that time.

Many modifications - $2200 so far.

MB

Tough question! I would recommend that you talk to several shops where the service manager will give you some objective advice.

My '95 has been horrendous! I bought it with 18,000 miles in Aug, 98, and have put 10,000 miles on it. I love the car, but the glitches are driving me nuts! At least, Ford is still willing to try to work with me! The usual message center door ajar error message, dimmer switch, rotor warpage, etc., that seems to be inherent in these cars. But the main problem is the vibration in the drivetrain which seems to be a built-in feature. This, according to two shop managers at Ford dealerships.

I also have a 96 Impala SS which I have put 6,000 miles on since purchasing it in July 99. Car now has 56,000 miles, and after fixing emission related problem w/egr valve and related parts, as well as leaking differential, is solid. The Impala seems to be less trouble prone, but is not nearly as enjoyable to drive as the Mark.

Keep checking out the various Ford/Lincoln sites, and you can get a good feeling for what you're going to encounter. Good luck. If you get a good one they seem to run forever...

T

I'm the reluctant owner of 94 mk8, and I've yet to repair anything but I can tell its on the way. Although the car can set for 2 months and not leak down, it just seems to be riding terrible(left-rear to right-front) rocking over dips, and occasionally the check air ride comes on and drops the front end (Hi-way) only. And now the tranny shudders hard between 2nd and 3rd gear at low speed/or it sounds like running over rumble strips sometimes at 45mph for about 1-2 seconds. Other than that, I've just been keeping fluids checked/changed. Was about to get rid of it till I found this group. Stick with it, its a good car.

I am in a similar position having just purchased a '94 with 20,000 miles for a little more than the going $10,000. I have a '89 Mark VII that has been a great car but needing a little back-up since it is now at 152,000 miles. I appreciate the board for tips. Have you been on a Mark VII board? If so, please send the URL. Thanks.

Try http://www.hotrodlincoln.org for the message board on your VII. Loads SLOWLY, but the info there is geared towards the VII.

Calvin Louie

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

I got mine wtih 22k and has 73K, I had problems earlier with it, radiator ($180 p&l) two control arms ($200 p&l), rack and pinion ($550)F'N dealer! Rear shocks ($120) diy and brake jobs. The last 25k miles have been nothing but perfect....it seems that the car rides and performs better each day I drive it. BTW-be a proactive maintence anal manic......I am and it works wonders.

You wouldn't believe me if i told you!

Thanks guys, you helped me a lot. I think I'm gonna wait for that first good pay raise. In the mean time, I'm preparing my 88 LSC for a 9# Powerdyne. This should be fun, hehe.....

Come on Geno, spill your guts LOL
Matt

'94 Mark VIII
opel frost color(hey Ford named it)
Grey interior
Ram-Air, all intake garb gutted
K&N
Lowered
Bassani X over
Edelbrock RPM True Flows
3.27 posi
HID lights (this week)

17 year old lead foot here, besides tires and fluid changes this car never skips a beat. And Im only really roasting 1 back tire, stupid open diff. Hey geno, where in jersey are you? Maybe if I can save up some money you can set me up with some new gears and posi...

-alex