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Comments
I was ready to buy my 4th Grand Marquis until I rented a new one and immediately was struck by the jittery, harsh ride.
They eliminated a bit of the traditional "float" in the ride...which yonger buyers find so offensive. hahaha. So they are trying to appease buyers of all ages. Leave a little float but improve the ride and handling overall....
Ask your dealer if you can take an extended test drive for a few hours....I think after you get familiar with the change you will find it to be improved overall. example...the previous GMQ when going over a pothole would bounce for 1/4 mile. No more. This is a big change for a traditional GMQ buyer and takes a bit of getting use to.
Good luck
Rich
Ford needs to be true to the original strengths of it's vehicles. The Crown Vics, Grand
Marquis and Town Cars are true Anerican luxury cars that can be world class in ride, quietness and room. The simple laws of physics dictate that they can NEVER handle like some of the small euro sedans so do NOT try to make them do so. Instead focus on the inherent strengths of this line and refine them until they are best in class. There is still a huge market for this type of car.
Here is my idea - an aluminum block 5.4V8 Triton SOHC 2-valve per cylinder engine running through a five speed automatic. This motor could easily put out 270-280hp and about 350lb-ft of torque while maintaining very low levels of NVH. This engine transmission combo would provide what the TC is missing all at a lower cost than a DOHC design.
Only qualm I have is the wind noise that kicks up at about 45MPH and up. There is a moon roof, but the noise seems to be coming from farther forward, where the windshield meets the roof. Anyone else notice this? Is there a service bulletin or work around? I was even kicking around putting an exterior "Moon Visor" on there, but I'm certain it wouldn't look too great! Well, I'd do it if that were the only way to fix it. Any other suggestions?
TIA,
Ornery
Re:the differential. replace the lubricant with a synthetic. Now. Our factory lube turned to foam prior to the whine costing over 11 hundred to fix. That was at 97,000 miles. After getting a new set of plug wires the car runs on 87 octane again. IMO the price you paid is a very good deal for you. The 94 is an excellent automobile.
I listened closer today to the noise. It may be the 'A' pillars. If that's the case, I can adjust the doors to close tighter on the seal in the upper front corners.
If it does turn out to be mirrors, I'll scream! I'll rip 'em off! I ain't listening to that racket, no way!
Just ordered a set of floor mats and hood latch from the dealer. When I get those installed, and this noise taken care of, I'll be 99% happy with the car. It runs like a champ, smooth as silk. I do like it... A LOT!
Guess what my next question is? Yep, is it possible to upgrade to the newer mirrors? I've read they were made to address this noise problem. Perhaps there's an add-on deflector available... ???
Thanks for the help!
BTW, are you and navigator3740 the only ones that hang out here now? Seems kinda dead! Anyone else a long time Lincoln lover? I just took my "1977 Town Car" on it's last cruise this past week. Bought it in 1982 for $4,800. Babied it quite a bit at first, but it became a daily driver about 7 years ago. Ohio rust got to it after that. I only hope this "94" lasts half as long!
I just examined my wife's "1999 G. Marquis". It has the mirrors 6" farther forward and slanted back quite a bit. Not to mention being more rounded and "aerodynamic". If I get something working, that isn't a total eyesore, I'll post some pics.
Thanks Again!
Been driving Lincolns since 1990. Once they're in your blood, it's hard to get them out, I've found. Darn good, reasonably priced American Luxury, IMO. Keep passing that wind, ok!
Any help would be appreciated.
I've got a Helm service manual for 1995 C. Vic & G. Marquis, but not for this 1994 Town Car. It doesn't mention anything about this type of warning. Anybody here know what this might be?
TIA,
Ornery
Scratch that. My curiosity was killing me, so I went to see what switch was being made. Found these photodetectors" on either side of the front of the roof opening. My glasses were breaking the beam! Now, if I could only figure out what the purpose of these were...
...well, I do know the moon roof closes automatically when the car is turned off. It must be there to determine if somebody's body parts are in the way of the closing panel.
You mentioned that "it's no longer smooth". Does that mean it was smooth when you first got it? Really, the only thing that could effect it is the tire preasure, as navigator3740 said, or the shocks. Is it possible somebody replaced the shocks?
When I took the Continental tires off my Navigator and put BF Goodrich tires on, the whole truck changed its personality. I was amazed at the difference, and not a good change, BTW. Seems the cars are best with the factory spec tires on them these days.
Diana
Thank you all for your comments.
The reason I haven't gotten to it is because I spend too much time detailing it! Just no time to do what should be done, but plenty of time to wash & wax, bleach the whitewalls, apply silicone to the rubber, condition the leather... but God it looks grand!
The ride is to die for! Sorry yours doesn't suit you remo9344. I know just what you mean. I took my wife's '99 G. Marquis on an errand this morning... ugh. Corners like it's on rails, but that ain't worth much to me. Too stiff! If I had to drive that all the time, I'd drop the tire pressure to 24lbs or something. I'd sacrifice tire life for a better ride any day!
Navigator - when you say that the interior was cheapened are you talking about the new 2003 model or the 2002? To me, it would be very difficult to argue that the 2003 interior is cheaper looking than the 2002 interior. If you are talking about the 2003, what aspects of its interior are inferior to the previous generation? Just curious.
1) Digital dash deleted in favor of ugly analog dials, with digital computer readouts for fuel computer, etc. An incongruous mix in an unattractive layout.
2) Sculpted dash panel replaced with straight across flat panel, no character, no fun.
3) Seat pockets deleted.
4) Seats lack lateral support, no design, pleating or cushion.
5) Door panels cheapened - no pocket under armrest in Executive any longer, no pocket in right door on Signature anymore.
The list can go on. Then, there's the matter of the A/C blower, which starting in 98, does not move nearly enough air, at least for this climate.
I just feel now, that getting into a Town Car, it no longer reflects a luxury feel inside. The Grand Marquis is much nicer inside IMO. Not saying it is a bad car, just way cheapened inside from the 95-97 models. I think sales kindof bear that out too. The Town Car used to outsell Cadillac DeVille during those mid 90's years. My friend had a 94, a 96, and now has a 2000. He's now looking at Cadillacs. This little freshening up just done did not address the inside, which was the biggest problem IMO.
Steering: I thought the new TC had a huge improvement in steering feel. The older ones always felt numb and a bit tiring to me - seemed like constant corrections were needed. The new model tracks straight and true.
Interior: Again, a big improvement, IMO. Much nicer trim and appointments. However, I would like more lateral support in the seats and would welcome an optional bucket seat/console/floor shifter arrangement.
Ride: This surprised me. While I welcome the stiffer structure, the suspension tuning really seems out of character in this car. The ride is stiffer and noisier than I expected. I am not surprised that a number of buyers coming from older TCs or Grand Marquis' find this set-up unappealing.
Performance: Another big disappointment. I know the new model has a bit more power. However, it must also be heavier because my rental was the slowest TC I have driven in years. Why on earth they don't use the DOHC engine from the Marauder is a mystery to me. Performance-wise, this car is not competitive with a Taurus, let alone a De Ville or Park Avenue Ultra.
Overall, I just can't help but wonder what Lincoln engineers were trying to do with this car. If the firmer suspension was aimed at us younger buyers, why not put a competitive engine in the thing? They could make the bucket seats an option, too. If all they care about are the taxi and limo trade, maybe the current version is "good enough." And, finally, will the firmer suspension tuning turn off the traditional TC buyer?
My hope is that sometime the TC is again viewed as the "flagship" model of the Lincoln line. I personally do not think the 2003 version advances that notion.
OK, slap me around if you think I deserve it!