Someone wants me to buy their Lincoln Town Car

I mentioned it was a nice car once so now that they've decided to sell it they asked if I would be interested, would give me a good deal, no rush to make a decision, would rather it go to me than a random person, etc...

The question is: do I want it? It's a 2007 with a lotta miles and some wear and tear from children. The Lincolns are fancier than their Ford siblings so does that mean there is more potential for issues with complicated systems?

I just know it's like driving a comfy couch, which is nice.

I just bought one last night, but it's an 87. Hate the way it drives.

I have no first hand experience, but I hear the rear air ride suspension is a fortune to fix if it goes out.

Some friends have one and love it. They've had Lincolns for forever. If it's a car that makes you happy and you get it at a good price, why not?

Challenge?

NordicSaab wrote: I have no first hand experience, but I hear the rear air ride suspension is a fortune to fix if it goes out.

And is also rather easy to replace with standard shocks/springs from its panther siblings.

I do not have first hand experience with Lincolns but owned a Grand Marquis for several years. I really liked that car, enough that I was strongly considering getting a 2005+ town car or crown vic as a DD. Ended up going the minivan route instead.

I believe mechanically the town car is identical to the Vic and Marquis, its just some creature comfort stuff that is different. That is to say, its pretty bulletproof.

Stampie wrote: Challenge?

Is a Towncar eligible for "Aristocrat" status, or has that class come and gone?

failboat wrote:

NordicSaab wrote: I have no first hand experience, but I hear the rear air ride suspension is a fortune to fix if it goes out.

And is also rather easy to replace with standard shocks/springs from its panther siblings.

Good to hear. Knowing there is a simple solution for converting the air suspension would alleviate at least 85% of my concerns.

Hmm...

Panther platform cars are great for cruising the highway. I keep thinking i need another one, old enough too have a 302 though.

My dad has a 2000 and loves it. It has its issues but nothing crazy. If the price is good, go for it.

BlueInGreen44 wrote:

Stampie wrote: Challenge?

Is a Towncar eligible for "Aristocrat" status, or has that class come and gone?

failboat wrote:

NordicSaab wrote: I have no first hand experience, but I hear the rear air ride suspension is a fortune to fix if it goes out.

And is also rather easy to replace with standard shocks/springs from its panther siblings.

Good to hear. Knowing there is a simple solution for converting the air suspension would alleviate at least 85% of my concerns. Hmm...

It is about $200-$300 depending on brand but advance auto actually carries the monroe version in some stores. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/monroe-conversion-kit-90003/10005348-P

If it's a signature or executive series trim leven then yes, if it's not I'd hold out for one.

How many miles are high miles?
What are the interior issues? If ripped seats, the seats should be easily swapped across many model years and all Panther cars.
This means that even if you can not immediate find Lincoln seats, the Grand Marque seats will bolt right into place as well. Either should be readily available at any JY.

2007 model year should be a good year considering it is late in the Panther run so it will have all the improvements.

In reply to BlueInGreen44:

I think there's going to be a few "aristocrat" cars this year. I know of at least two Q45s. One is stripped down and the other has a full cage. Not sure if they are very aristocratic anymore.

I'm sorry, I have to bite; If I had a Lincoln Town Car, I'd want to you buy it too. ;)

Dusterbd13 wrote: I just bought one last night, but it's an 87. Hate the way it drives.

Why did you buy it if you hate the way it drives?

In reply to Devilsolsi:

$410 drivetrain and efi donor for the challenge car.

And I should be able to 0 it out after scrap run.

BlueInGreen44 wrote:

Stampie wrote: Challenge?

Is a Towncar eligible for "Aristocrat" status, or has that class come and gone?

failboat wrote:

NordicSaab wrote: I have no first hand experience, but I hear the rear air ride suspension is a fortune to fix if it goes out.

And is also rather easy to replace with standard shocks/springs from its panther siblings.

Good to hear. Knowing there is a simple solution for converting the air suspension would alleviate at least 85% of my concerns. Hmm...

Nooooooooooo! Don't John Wilkes Booth your Lincoln!

Do not convert to coils! It's very easy to replace rear air suspension & compressor. A friend recently bought an '03 with bad rear air suspension (RAS) and the air spring installation took less than an hour. Then a week later it started drooping on one side so I had him order new compressor & verbally explained how to swap it out. He was unsure if he'd be able to do it so I drove 45 minutes to his house to help and by the time I got there, he was done.

You don't even have to remove front wheel/fender liner to replace the compressor anymore!

Seems like people confuse the stone-simple RAS in the TCs with the much more complex system on Contis.

In reply to BlueInGreen44:

The older I get, the more I can appreciate a comfy couch.

I knew an older guy who always drove Town Cars and had owned 35 over the years. I know it sounds like they didn't last long, but I think he just LOVED those Town Cars and liked driving a new one. As for lasting long, I just saw an old Grand Marquis advertised on CL with 530K miles. The only caution is that Ford doesn't rate them to tow as much as you might think.

Danny Shields wrote: In reply to BlueInGreen44: The only caution is that Ford doesn't rate them to tow as much as you might think.

Is this because of air suspension?

In reply to BlueInGreen44:

IIRC none of the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Cars are rated to pull more than 1500 or 2000 pounds regardless of suspension.

In my experience, the biggest problem with a Lincoln version of anything is all the extraneous gadgets. For example, trying to find heater control parts for a ten year old fancy-pants Ford is not a simple task- nobody abandons model support faster than Ford. Most of my Lincoln type customers wouldn't be happy with a bank of toggle switches to control things.

I bought my dads 1987 town car. Some slick sales guy at work cornered me to tell me it was a Cartier model and that it was sweet.

I drove my dads 2005 for a bit - nice and comfy but uses too much gas for my tastes.

I always feel like I'm not old enough to drive a Town Car.

Cop cars, taxis and livery Towncars have proven that engine can run absolutely forever, like 300k plus miles, without significant issues. Every so often I have to suppress my urge to get one of those and leave it stock except for nitrous the everloving E36 M3 out of it.

Passing the offer on to my non-car person brother since he needs a car. If he doesn't want it then I may have a comfy cruiser in the driveway soon.

I had one as a rental car years ago and loved it. I like all types of cars and have no trouble enjoying a comfy plush luxury barge for what it is.