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YACT: Luxury for $10k

S

Syringer

Lifer
Hmm, recently I've really gotten into big old people type cars like the 7-series and S-classes..and also figured luxury cars tend to be lower on insurance as well, a definite plus for a 19-year-old. And..in my never ending quest to separate myself from the crowd, it also works. Not only that, I'll be making 350 mile drives from the Bay Area to UCLA every so often as well.

It'll probably be quite a while though, but I like to look into my options early. So, how good a deal would something like slightly used Lincoln Continental be? Since it uses the Mustang engine (right?) can I get a really nice sounding exhaust for it and all? And does anyone know how fast they are? I think they make about the same amount of power, and weighs some 400 lb. more than a Mustang which goes from 0-60 in under 6..
 
the exhaust has more to do with the underside of the car than which engine is in it. most likely you'd have to have one custom bent on a continental.

i'd look at a t-bird myself. pretty darn nice interiors. the later ones are in your price range as well.
 
I thought the Ford small block in a Mustang engine had a different firing order than the Ford small block put into other Ford products, thus exhaust characteristics are different as well 😕
 
Try a Buick.
Supercharged 3.8L V6 ~240hp. Great for long drives.

or

Oldsmobile Regency (88) the later models
3.8L V6 ~205hp, can also be found with SC (Eighty Eight LSS).


Both are really comfy for lonf drives. Got some kick too + great fuel economy.
 
Originally posted by: Syringer
Hmm, recently I've really gotten into big old people type cars like the 7-series and S-classes..and also figured luxury cars tend to be lower on insurance as well, a definite plus for a 19-year-old. And..in my never ending quest to separate myself from the crowd, it also works. Not only that, I'll be making 350 mile drives from the Bay Area to UCLA every so often as well.

It'll probably be quite a while though, but I like to look into my options early. So, how good a deal would something like slightly used Lincoln Continental be? Since it uses the Mustang engine (right?) can I get a really nice sounding exhaust for it and all? And does anyone know how fast they are? I think they make about the same amount of power, and weighs some 400 lb. more than a Mustang which goes from 0-60 in under 6..
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Insurance is NOT cheap on a luxo-car like a S-class or a LS400 compared to other cars. You'd think it would be, but nooo. A 94 LS400 is 100-more per month than a 99 GS300 and also more than a 95 240SX or Maxima.

Also if you still are looking for a luxury car, look no further than a LS400. Find the latest one that you can afford in your budget. They are reliable compared to 7 and S-class which are full of electrical gremlins.
 
Thunderbirds are really nice if you get the 4.6l version. They have 205hp and 280?ft-lbs of torque which I think the Town Car has. The 4.6l mustangs have around 215hp and 300ft-lbs till 99 when they got a big boost to 260hp. I don't like the FWD Continetal.

If you want something really nice $10k will buy a really nice Lincoln Mark VIII which is one of the nicest looking cars made in the last 20 years IMO. The Mustang Cobra's 4.6l DOHC engine came from the Mark VIII. The Thunderbird will be more reliable mainly because it has less do dads to break but the Mark VIII is a sweet ride.
 
Mark VIII's are huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!

I think the doors alone on the thing are longer than a Civic 🙂
 
I believe the Mark VIII has the Mustang engine and RWD, while Continental is FWD.
Also, conside the gas on those LA-SF trips.
Personally, I would look at picking up a used Q45. Not the current or the previous shape, but the one before that with the D-pillar. They drop resale fast and are pretty reliable.
 
Yes, a nice Q45 can be had much cheaper then a LS400 IMHO and they are more of a driver's car anyway. I say go for that.

But, I must agree... The Mark VIII is a really nice looking car.
 
Acording to edmunds.com both 1996 models
Q45
Automatic: : 17 mpg / 22 mpg
Horsepower: 278 hp
Torque: 292 ft-lbs.
$8,944 $10,359 $12,336

Mark VIII
Automatic: : 18 mpg / 26 mpg
Horsepower: 280 hp
Torque: 285 ft-lbs.
$6,514 $7,846 $9,724
Couple inches longer and wider but also a little lighter. Not a 4 door though.
 
Those are some pretty powerful cars. Must be pretty nice to ride in (and drive).

sick of gutless 4bangers... low-end power all the way! 😀
 
I would suggest checking out the Maxima. Get yourself a 2000 GXE. Very reliable, and it's the roomiest sedan out there. It's even roomier than the S430 and the LS400 according to edmunds. And the VQ has great power. It should be around 11-12K
 
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Thunderbirds are really nice if you get the 4.6l version. They have 205hp and 280?ft-lbs of torque which I think the Town Car has. The 4.6l mustangs have around 215hp and 300ft-lbs till 99 when they got a big boost to 260hp. I don't like the FWD Continetal.

If you want something really nice $10k will buy a really nice Lincoln Mark VIII which is one of the nicest looking cars made in the last 20 years IMO. The Mustang Cobra's 4.6l DOHC engine came from the Mark VIII. The Thunderbird will be more reliable mainly because it has less do dads to break but the Mark VIII is a sweet ride.
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Ooh, yumm

http://www.lodmw.org/images/steve/lows.jpg

Looks quite extreme.
 
1996 Lincoln Town Car
  • There are still lots of American buyers who crave automobiles on a bigger-is-better basis, and it's for these buyers that Cadillac and Lincoln persist with large, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered luxury sedans. For these buyers, size, weight, and interior roominess are the major reasons to buy, along with a desire to expend as little personal energy as possible in the act of getting from place to place. They want all the options there are to have, all the luxury touches that come as standard equipment in cars like these.
Skip the FWD Continental. I doubt the Mark is going to be lower in insurance than anything else you've considered, and it's going to cost! The Town Car will be lower priced and roomier. Best bang for the buck you can get, IMO.

The engine is just adequate for this car. Good mileage, but not fast. Dual exhausts are made to be QUIET, which is as it should be. $10,000 is way more than enough.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
1996 Lincoln Town Car
  • There are still lots of American buyers who crave automobiles on a bigger-is-better basis, and it's for these buyers that Cadillac and Lincoln persist with large, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered luxury sedans. For these buyers, size, weight, and interior roominess are the major reasons to buy, along with a desire to expend as little personal energy as possible in the act of getting from place to place. They want all the options there are to have, all the luxury touches that come as standard equipment in cars like these.
Skip the FWD Continental. I doubt the Mark is going to be lower in insurance than anything else you've considered, and it's going to cost! The Town Car will be lower priced and roomier. Best bang for the buck you can get, IMO.

The engine is just adequate for this car. Good mileage, but not fast. Dual exhausts are made to be QUIET, which is as it should be. $10,000 is way more than enough.
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Beware: NOT A CHICK MAGNET! 😛
 
You can get yourself into a newer Infiniti J30t for that money (210HP, RWD, pretty fun car if you wanna go fast)
The Mark VIII is awesome IMO

I wouldn't count on the Continental being fast 🙂
 
Don't overlook the 97-current Buick Park Avenues. You can get the ultra version which has about 230hp and a bullet proof V6.

and , yes Insurance will be dirt cheap....so will parts
 
I looked into an early 1990s Q45 the last time I was in the market for a car. I baled as soon as I got prices for parts and repairs... no thanks!
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
I looked into an early 1990s Q45 the last time I was in the market for a car. I baled as soon as I got prices for parts and repairs... no thanks!
Click to expand...
In Japan an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure 😉

Really though with a vehicle that expensive I'm not surprised. 🙁

 
We researched into Mark VIIIs as well ( I think I had a post about them), and they have insanely expensive repair costs. They have an air suspension (which lowers the car when you go above 70mph) that is known to fail and has to be replaced. Its around $500 per WHEEL to replace!!! That just turned us off on the car.

But its still a very nice & beautiful car.

However, I still suggest the LS400. It rarely breaks (if ever) and the only thing you ever need to do is oil changes and other regular maintance. And also they hold their value VERY well.
 
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