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Comments
He's looking to replace his '98 TC at the end of lease, and two questions have come up regarding the engine block heater option:
1. Just how exactly does the thing work and what does it do; and,
2. Would anyone in his right mind who lives in Tennessee ever actually need/order one (I should add that this car will spend its life under a carport, and hence effectively outside)?
Info/opinions welcome.
For what it is worth.
I think its only been in the last few years that Lincoln started labeling engines exclusive to their cars. IE the Continental's 4.6 DOHC.
My 1994 Continental has the exact same 3.8 liter engine as the Tauruses and Sables. Is that appropriate? Oh well, beside the head gasket going (covered by Lincoln ~ Thanks)...it is a fantastic car.
www.mercuryvehicles.com -> Site Index -> Marauder
www.blueovalnews.com/upcoming_vehicles.htm
Anyhow, I just wanted to correct you on that little misconception. I also fail to realize why you're complaining about the lack of performance in Lincoln Town Cars. I remember when I used to drive my dad's 1990 Town Car. The car lagged horribly when I went up hills, and I had to mash the gas pedal to avoid making enemies in back of me... Even so, I realized that this wasn't a car made for performance freaks and hot rodders. It was made for a smooth, quiet ride with equally quiet and refined power delivery. IMHO, the 210 h.p. and 275 ft/lbs of torque generated by the SOHC 4.6 liter engines in the '94-'96 TCs was more than sufficient power for these big 4,000 pound cars.
I also fail to realize why you're whining about "paying a Lincoln price for a Ford motor." The 4.6 liter modular V8 is a bulletproof engine whose reliability and dependability have been proven time and time again by law enforcement, so I suggest you not go knocking the so-called "cheap" Ford motor. If you insist upon blistering performance in a big luxury sedan, get a Mercedes-Benz S500. Otherwise, quit belly-aching about the already perfect engineering of Town Cars.
Personally, I kinda miss driving the Town Car... It always rode smooth as glass even on the bumpiest roads... In contrast, there's more road noise and wallowing over bumps in my Caddy than I care to put up with day in and day out. I think it may be time for new shocks, a new steering dampener, and maybe an inspection of the rear air suspension...
Like I said, if you're looking for Mark VIII or Thunderbird performance in a big sedan, get a Mercedes-Benz S500, or even a used S600, and leave the Town Car to more mature drivers who don't care about tire-spinning performance that throws you back in your seat. 99.9% Town Car owners buy this car for its ride rather than its driving "qualities".
And I still disagree with you about expecting a Town Car to perform like it was a Ferrari. These cars and their engines are made for a smooth and quiet ride and tuned for more sophisticated power delivery. You really shouldn't be driving a Town Car if you're expecting this much from a car that was never made to do what you want it to do.
I don't know if you like GM cars, but the '93-'96 Fleetwood Broughams with the trailer towing package could tow up to 7,000 pounds with no problem. The '93 models had the old 350 c.i. TBI Brougham engine (185 h.p.), whereas the '94-'96 had the SPFI LT1 engine with 260 h.p. and 330 ft/lbs of torque. On an additional note, the rear axle ratio on Fleetwoods with the trailer towing package are 3.42:1. You might want to check out the used car market for one, but good luck if you do... Finding them is like trying to find a virgin in a maternity ward.
I too live in a mountainous area, and I know very well how bad Town Cars lag when going up hills. If people were in back of me, I had to really mash the gas pedal on my dad's '90 TC to keep the car going at a decent speed, so I won't argue with you there. Ironically, my Fleetwood has no problem going up hills, since the engine has enough "oomph" to move the behemoth up steep grades with hardly any fuss or muss. I wish I could say its ride on bumpy roads was comparable to a Town Car's...
As for the '00 DTS, well... I don't think FWD could ever be as suited for towing as RWD. It may be worth a try, though.
It's too bad they don't make them like they used to. My 455 powered '71 Buick Riviera will school many a modern "sports" car.
A vibration in the right seat front and back which I thought was a need for the tires to be balanced. Hasn't helped. Then I thought alignment. Hasn't helped. I thought maybe tire not true but am told that has been checked.
In addition, it feels like the right front tire is bumping and I can feel it in the steering wheel although the dealer can't.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
1. great handling (slightly harsh for Towncar)
2. nice interior (Alpine radio/cd very good)
3. fantastic paint job
4. responsive (but noisy) engine (18-21 mpg)
5. very poor door stops...will not stay open
6. ineffective cup holders...cups will turn over
7. miss the auto closing trunk lid
Thanks for listening....
Don
However, the body design of the TC is the worst I have ever seen. It reminds me of the Hudson's and Nashes of the 40's and 50's. An upside down bathtub. The only thing they forgot was the drain! Lincoln/Ford should fire the whole design and Marketing crew.
The 2000 Town Car is simply not a Town Car anymore! After years of evolving an elegant, distinctively all-American "Lincoln" look they abandon success for this!!!! The grille looks like a cowcatcher! The headlamps look like cat's eyes. And the chrome (what little there is)is applied in random bits and pieces with no apparent relationship to the styling! Oh, and yes, the tail lamps have no bezel but the license-plate box has the giant glob of chrome. And the blackwall tires, every car has to have blackwall tires nowadays. What is wrong with that subtle white pinstripe the 97's have.
If I wanted a car that looked like a Bimmer, M-B or Lexus I would have bought one! What happens in 2001 when it is time to trade? Hopefully Lincoln will go back to building Lincolns. A car can: 1- look traditionally American, and 2- perform well, one does not negate the other!
Maybe the Continental wouldn't be such a sales dog if it, too, looked like a Lincoln!
Both cars are in beautiful shape, clean and obviously well cared for.
Is the 92 far superior technologically and worth twice the '89s price?
Is the 5 liter engine basically the same 302 For has been building for 35 years?
I'm looking for comfort, reliability, and affordability. Any info on these cars would be much appreciated.
thanks
I had the same problem with our 1997 town car,
changed tires, front end aligned, but my son said it could be the drive shaft, so he checked the
universal joints, and that was it, we no longer have the vibration.I hope this helps you.