2004 Town Car
Does anyone know when the 2004 Town Cars will be available? I'm about to order a new 2003 and a friend suggested I wait for the 2004s. He seems to think they're only a month away. Does anyone know for sure?
Also, is there any info on the 2004 Town Car? Will the body style change? Any major improvements or additions to the vehicle or its features (other than the V12 engine.)
Thanks
Ed
Also, is there any info on the 2004 Town Car? Will the body style change? Any major improvements or additions to the vehicle or its features (other than the V12 engine.)
Thanks
Ed
0
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Comments
I have not heard any confirmed info. on the '04 TC, but my guess is that it will be unchanged, maybe a few minor changes.
The Town Car currently uses a SOHC two valve per cylinder iron block 4.6 liter V8 that puts out 239hp. I can't imagine Ford jumping from this uninspired lump to a V12. And what would that V12 be? Would it be a version of the 6.0 liter in the Vanquish (two 3.0 liter Duratechs) or would it be a 6.9 liter (based on the current modular V8)? Neither seems like a viable option.
Before Christmas one of a British car magazine that follows the American car scene over here published a small article that said Ford had approached Aston Martin about developing, one their V12?s for possible use in the Town car within the next few years.
That was basically all that was said and Ive heard no mention of it since.
Its performance was okay around town, and driving on the motorway was just effortless.
My only complaint was that the headlights could have been better. Dark twisting country lanes did prove to be a challenge. That said, I?d have one tomorrow if I could afford one!
Sorry
Also, these rumors of a larger V-12 engine, are not true. These came from a spy pic, as one was testing the 6.8 V-10 Triton engine. Making some journalists believe a V-12 version, was the answer to Cadillacs concept. When actually the V-10 was tested years ago, prior to Cadillac going upmarket as they are trying to do.
I do think they should offer the DOHC version of the 4.6L, which is now in the present Aviator, and this might be a viable option for the future. Although a 5.0L (bored out 4.6L, will definatly go into the vehicle, in a few years). Ford wont be concentrating much on this vehicle, and it will be phased out by 2008-2009, along with the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis. Probably be left for Limo conversions.
The Continental will fill the new flagship for Lincoln, so all these bigger engine rumors, will undoubtly occur in the new Continental. Also, Ford is not going upmarket with Lincoln, as GM is doing with Cadillac, so lets erase these notions that they MUST, to compete with the Jones'. Ford has Jaguar and Aston Martin in that segment.
The reason these vehicles (TownCar, CrownVic, GrandMarquis) arent getting much attention, is because they pretty much have paid themselves off. The platform (while intensively re-engineered last year) is Body On Frame, and that doesn't appeal to many customers.
Benefits of Body On Frame, is durability, stronger in an accident, easily adaptable for limo/extended lengths. Thats why they are highly used as Taxi's, Cop Cars, rental, Limos use them, consider the abuse they are placed on in relation to those. NO FWD vehicle could deal with that, throw a FWD into a curb like the Crown Vic cops do, and there went your front axle.
Unfortunatly the Crown Vic has received negative media attention. Some police officers have parked on the side of the highway, and they've been hit at 70MPH and the cars have burst into flames. Pretty much ANY car would burst into flames being hit by an SUV at that speed, so certain states have banned Crown Vic purchases for their dept., pending investigations.
Investigations so far conclude they are safe, and there's "kits" that allow people to retrofit their gas tank to lessen the issue or rupture. I would like to see a Camry get rear ended at 70MPH by an SUV and see the same occur, but the media watchdogs haven't testing this theory out yet.
Therefore, CrownVic, GrandMarquis, TownCar sales have dwindled a bit. And just like the Taurus, it'll be left for fleet/rental sales eventually, all depending what the sales state.
So this leaves us with a question, will Ford produce a RWD vehicle to replace these vehicles, one that is Unibody, to combat the Chrysler 300C ? Yes, that option is being considered, and work to investigate if it's viable, is well underway. Ford is studying Ford Falcon of Australia, as the possible vehicle to this. The UAW (United Auto Workers) would have a canniption of Ford would do, what GM is doing with the Pontiac GTO, exporting it here.
The Falcon was just released in Australia, and has received numerous awards. Now, common sense dictates that car was just relased, by the time they federalize the vehicle, for U.S. customers (emmissions, bumpers, safety, left hand side) it can easily take 2-3 more years. Already at that time, the Falcon would be considered dated...why bring a dated product to the U.S.
Instead, the senario that is being worked out, is building the vehicle on a Dew-Lite platform. (DEW is the basis for the Lag S-type, Lincoln LS, Tbird) Dew-LITE will share more with the new Mustang. The Falcon uses a platform that dates back, quite awhile. And give a similar version to Ford Australia, for the next Falcon cycle, meaning, we'll get the new version here before they do. So far this is the most spoken, and realistic plan.
Other hurdles need to be addressed. A) Will customers receive the Chrysler RWD, if so this will allow it
Once these factors are accomplished, then plan to see the vehicle by 2006-2007.
Instead of Lincoln, have you thought of another Ford brand...Volvo, Jaguar. I would think after leaving a Navigator, everything else would be considered small and cramp.
Years ago I went from a 98 Mark8, to 2000 Lincoln LS8. Space wise I was going up a size scale and noticed it well.
BTW, yes the LS is small, but at certain points it's larger in some ways than comparable vehicles. What glorifies this feeling, is the high side window sills. It's amazing what one inch here or two of window sill, can alter someone to feel tight and claustrophobic. This will be rectified on the next LS for 2005-06 .
Just like Pontiacs, VW, Audi, BMW red instrumentation makes many customers feel subconsciensly hot, bothered and angry. Ironic some of the things we learn.
If it's going to be a Jag, it has to be the XJ sedan series. I haven't driven a new one lately, but the ones I have driven are nice....little low to the ground for my taste, but certainly in the running.
This is exactly where I would go if Lincoln isn't there for me in 2006. But I've driven Lincolns for 11 years now, except for a brief moment of insanity when I leased a Mountaineer for 24 agonizing months because I needed the SUV, but the Navigator wasn't out yet. I'm really fond of the Lincoln feel. I've never owned a Town Car, but I have rented them for years when out of town, and have always liked them a lot-until 98 when they forgot to put a blower in the A/C. In Las Vegas, that's a problem. I notice they haven't fixed that yet. But if they did by 2006, and didn't cheapen something else up, I could be happy in one. I'm probably old enough for one now.......
I really can't discuss personal experience with the dealer because I've never needed anything done on my vehicles that relates with me having to take it into the dealership. When I've needed new tires, I'll do Sears. Oil change (when I remember), on my own. So I couldn't give you a confirmed answer. Personally (wild guess here), if it's an emergency sitation such as being stranded 100 miles from the nearest Jag dealership, I would guess a Lincoln or Ford dealership can give you a quick fit, because of the LS and Tbird sharing kinship.
BUT if the dealership is really giving you a hassle over it (which they probably will because Ford/dealer relations are horrible, they might not want to help you being it might come out of their pocket.
Navigator,
For 2006, you might have 3 Lincolns to look into. One based off the Futura platform. (Not many specifics have landed on my eyes yet). The Continental (this hasn't been confirmed by Ford yet). Also look for a longer/larger LS that will answer the tight rear seat issue. The Conti will not be confirmed till (a few factors) are resolved. Look for a Ford confirmation (or denial) next year at one of the auto shows on the first week oif January. If you do not hear it by then, maybe March-April of 2004 (if these other factors are answered).