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lincoln mark 8

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Had a '95 Mark VIII for several years. Decent car. Pretty reliable. It used the 4.6 DOHC engine that's common enough to keep parts reasonable, and it used the good old 4R70W (aka AODE) transmission that shows up in literally millions of Ford products.

The early years ('95-ish) had some problems with the 1-2 shift solenoid in the transmission sticking and making the car hold onto first for a long time when cold, but the later years resolved that.

Their definitely not sporty cars though; they're in the mold of the classic two-door boats. Big, comfy, enough power not to be sluggish but still not fast. It's built to be a freeway cruiser and just eat up big amounts of highway at 70-80 mph. At highway speeds mine managed 27 mpg. In city commuting, however, it managed 18. The car is also very front-heavy and RWD, a combination that makes it largely inept in snow and a bit squirrely in rain. Not uncontrollable, but also not ideal as a daily driver in the winter.

ZV
 
Air suspensions went out in them all the time and it is like $2500 for an air pump..... Don't know any other specifics...
 
Zenmervolt said:
Had a '95 Mark VIII for several years. Decent car. Pretty reliable. It used the 4.6 DOHC engine that's common enough to keep parts reasonable, and it used the good old 4R70W (aka AODE) transmission that shows up in literally millions of Ford products.

The early years ('95-ish) had some problems with the 1-2 shift solenoid in the transmission sticking and making the car hold onto first for a long time when cold, but the later years resolved that.

Their definitely not sporty cars though; they're in the mold of the classic two-door boats. Big, comfy, enough power not to be sluggish but still not fast. It's built to be a freeway cruiser and just eat up big amounts of highway at 70-80 mph. At highway speeds mine managed 27 mpg. In city commuting, however, it managed 18. The car is also very front-heavy and RWD, a combination that makes it largely inept in snow and a bit squirrely in rain. Not uncontrollable, but also not ideal as a daily driver in the winter.

ZV
Click to expand...

I live in TX and the RWD thing shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I'll go look at it over the weekend. Car is in Dallas.
 
cardiac said:
Air suspensions went out in them all the time and it is like $2500 for an air pump..... Don't know any other specifics...
Click to expand...

That's what I was concerned about. I mean if I want a comfortable car with air suspension I'd have to fix it myself in order to not break the bank...
 
Zenmervolt said:
Their definitely not sporty cars though; they're in the mold of the classic two-door boats. Big, comfy, enough power not to be sluggish but still not fast. It's built to be a freeway cruiser and just eat up big amounts of highway at 70-80 mph. At highway speeds mine managed 27 mpg. In city commuting, however, it managed 18. The car is also very front-heavy and RWD, a combination that makes it largely inept in snow and a bit squirrely in rain. Not uncontrollable, but also not ideal as a daily driver in the winter.

ZV
Click to expand...

You know, Lincoln used to have unique vehicles that were pretty bad ass IMO. Mark 8, Continental, LS, etc. I mean they were unique and not for everyone, but still it made the brand stand out. Now they are nothing more than souped-up Fords.
 
I've always liked the Mark VIII's. Still may pick one up eventually as a nice cruiser.

I seriously researched it at one point. The only major concern was the air suspension, as previously mentioned. A concern for me would be too much float in the suspension; I understand comfy, but it needs a bit of control for my tastes.
 
alphatarget1 said:
You know, Lincoln used to have unique vehicles that were pretty bad ass IMO. Mark 8, Continental, LS, etc. I mean they were unique and not for everyone, but still it made the brand stand out. Now they are nothing more than souped-up Fords.
Click to expand...

Agreed, however watch Lincoln over the next 2 years. With the removal of Mercury, Ford is going to completely reinvent Lincoln.

Alan Mulally is a god.
 
fbrdphreak said:
I've always liked the Mark VIII's. Still may pick one up eventually as a nice cruiser.

I seriously researched it at one point. The only major concern was the air suspension, as previously mentioned. A concern for me would be too much float in the suspension; I understand comfy, but it needs a bit of control for my tastes.
Click to expand...


You can buy conversion kits to switch over to traditional springs/shocks for about $350.
 
cardiac said:
Air suspensions went out in them all the time and it is like $2500 for an air pump..... Don't know any other specifics...
Click to expand...

The pumps don't usually fail; usually it's the air springs that develop leaks as the rubber ages.

As another user pointed out, there are kits to swap it over to conventional springs for much less than the cost of replacing the air springs.

ZV
 
alphatarget1 said:
That's what I was concerned about. I mean if I want a comfortable car with air suspension I'd have to fix it myself in order to not break the bank...
Click to expand...

air suspension parts aren't too hard to replace in your driveway, and 2500 for a pump is laughable.

I wouldn't mind a mark VIII.
 
Zenmervolt said:
The pumps don't usually fail; usually it's the air springs that develop leaks as the rubber ages.

As another user pointed out, there are kits to swap it over to conventional springs for much less than the cost of replacing the air springs.

ZV
Click to expand...

Earlier versions of the air suspension were horrible. We owned an 88 Continental a few years back. The ride quality was amazing, but at the same time the repair costs were horrid. They improved it in recent years, but if the sensors/computer are the issue, then prepare for some serious monetary hurt if you can't fix it yourself.
 
MovingTarget said:
Earlier versions of the air suspension were horrible. We owned an 88 Continental a few years back. The ride quality was amazing, but at the same time the repair costs were horrid. They improved it in recent years, but if the sensors/computer are the issue, then prepare for some serious monetary hurt if you can't fix it yourself.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my grandfather had one of those Continentals and by the time he got rid of it the thing had a tendency to "kneel" if it sat for a day or two.

The Mark VIII never had a suspension issue while I owned it (it was a '95 model and I got rid of it in '06). I did have the 1-2 shift solenoid issue though.

ZV
 
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