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Cadillac Forums: I sat in the Lincoln MKS yesterday
I know very little about Town Cars. I have ridden in a few and have driven some several years back. They obviously are useful and favored by the livery services and those that are in need of a driver to make business appointments in NY, LA and D.C. There definitely is a need for such a car, but private, non-commercial ownership seems to be dwindling as the true anti-boomer generation dies off. Cadillac had their executive "special" sedan a fews years back but it didn't seem to go anywhere. And Cadillac has no presence among "Head of State" transportation ......... except for our own President ( and he damned well ought to drive American!) ...... although being familiar with many of D.C.s better residential neighborhoods, I'd say the rest of his regime prefers German makes.
It will be interesting to see whether the Queen and her government stay with Jaguars now that they will be an Indian make.
Somebody's got to make a car suitable for chauferred travel that doesn't cost over a hundred grand when armoring is not required!
'98+ is the "current" generation.... of the notable year changes, 2003 it got the face lift and rack & pinion steering, other then that in 2006? the interior was updated again to match Ford current theme with the big bulky steering wheel and vertical-inspired interior.... something that is neat tho, Town Car finally got a tachometer, tho all the guages are analog... still has the digital driver/fuel center.
I really don't think much is in the way to improve, as it is slated to end production, same with adding a bigger engine... I think this year the options on a new Town Car are extremely limited, not even a moon roof is avalible.
I like my '96 alot... inside and outside better then the '98+ generation, tho of course the '98+ have the "new" thing going for them.... but I prefer the outside styling of my car, and much perfer the interior with the "organic" designed and full digital (thats a biggie!) dash.
I thought about a current (2005-2007ish) Town Car way in the future.... they would definitly be a great used car bargain, as the TC is now.... but I dunno if I want to do the TC thing over again.... the new ones, other then being new, really don't appeal to me more then my '96 does... in fact when I list the points side by side, I like the '96 more... but... who knows... if I want a big car for the family (not a van or SUV) and highway driving, theres really no better choice for a no-frills, reliable and nice car.
It's all about the marketing tho..... Ford just gave up on the Town Car... sad tho.... I guess Cadillac did it in 1996 though, atleast the TC managed to get another ~15yrs of life...
__________________ ~ Rick
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~1994 Isuzu Amigo - Daily driver/work truck, back to life
~1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature - Highway cruiser/personal limo, semi-retired
I want to get a retired livery fleet Town Car as a spare road tripper. Usually they're mechanically sound, and Ford's leather holds up pretty well.
eh, you would probably be better off finding a well-maintained private owner car.... but thats just me. Livery cars get alot of use and abuse, plus most are basic models, the Executive or whichever is cheapest, the lower grade seats, sound system, less options etc.....
They make awesome road trip cars.... tho that is expected It's neat to drive a modern version of a type of car that is just not around anymore.
I want to get a retired livery fleet Town Car as a spare road tripper. Usually they're mechanically sound, and Ford's leather holds up pretty well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Night Wolf
eh, you would probably be better off finding a well-maintained private owner car.... but thats just me. Livery cars get alot of use and abuse, plus most are basic models, the Executive or whichever is cheapest, the lower grade seats, sound system, less options etc.....
They make awesome road trip cars.... tho that is expected It's neat to drive a modern version of a type of car that is just not around anymore.
Well, I wish you were in the market 7 months ago. The TC mechanically is bulletproof, although the electronics are typical Ford, ie a pain in the ass. I could have gone private sale and got $12-13G for my '04 w/ 218,000 miles. Instead, I went to the dealer and they got on the phone with their wholesaler. I got a check for $9,500 the next day. But the car was in very good condition. Always try to find a car that's owned by an independent, not a company. You've got a better shot of finding a quality model.
__________________ The Caddy that zigs?
So they were a generation late...
'98+ is the "current" generation.... of the notable year changes, 2003 it got the face lift and rack & pinion steering, other then that in 2006? the interior was updated again to match Ford current theme with the big bulky steering wheel and vertical-inspired interior.... something that is neat tho, Town Car finally got a tachometer, tho all the guages are analog... still has the digital driver/fuel center.
I really don't think much is in the way to improve, as it is slated to end production, same with adding a bigger engine... I think this year the options on a new Town Car are extremely limited, not even a moon roof is avalible.
I like my '96 alot... inside and outside better then the '98+ generation, tho of course the '98+ have the "new" thing going for them.... but I prefer the outside styling of my car, and much perfer the interior with the "organic" designed and full digital (thats a biggie!) dash.
I thought about a current (2005-2007ish) Town Car way in the future.... they would definitly be a great used car bargain, as the TC is now.... but I dunno if I want to do the TC thing over again.... the new ones, other then being new, really don't appeal to me more then my '96 does... in fact when I list the points side by side, I like the '96 more... but... who knows... if I want a big car for the family (not a van or SUV) and highway driving, theres really no better choice for a no-frills, reliable and nice car.
It's all about the marketing tho..... Ford just gave up on the Town Car... sad tho.... I guess Cadillac did it in 1996 though, atleast the TC managed to get another ~15yrs of life...
I appreciate the 90's TC for that clean, classic executive look. The '98 TC was WORLDS better in ride and handling over the previous model. The previous model sacrificed EVERYTHING to get a squishy ride. The '98 was able to keep a soft ride but also control body motions much better. However, it had that goofy Batman look and interior and trunk room was sacrificed greatly. Until the L. And the ONLY good thing about the digital dash was that you could black it out when you need to speed with a client...
The '03 and newer are that much better in the ride and handling dept...except for '07. My '04 rode much better. The new one is too stiff. The look of the '03+ is perfect to me. A natural, modern progression of the '97. As for the options, there are few on the Executive Series. You can't even get navigation. So I had my own in-dash installed...
The look of the '03+ is perfect to me. A natural, modern progression of the '97. As for the options, there are few on the Executive Series. You can't even get navigation. So I had my own in-dash installed...
I agree, the Cartier/Ultimate models will offer alot of value for the money in the used market in a few years. Those had Nav, Xenon headlights, Sunroof and everything else available, and of course the Cartier also had the L model you mentioned.
Also the thing you said about a privately owned car is very true. It gives me some comfort that your TC made it to 218k and was an 04. I'm currently looking at Jesda's parents 2004 LX470 with a whopping 192k on it, but they are METICULOUS with their car's maintenances and the thing looks brand new. Tell you what though... if there's 2 cars on this planet I would trust to do 300k a Town Car and a Land Cruiser would definitely be them.
__________________ "You ough'ta go and find a brain sale... And find a cheap one, cause you ain't got no trade-in!" - Red Fox
--Automobile Magazine, May 2004
