95-97 towncar

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wa9zug

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I am presently shopping for a 1995 to 1997 Towncar. I have never had a towncar and would appreciate any tips and nuances. What is the difference between Cartier, Signiture, and Executive?
Most Townies seem to have the same multitude of features, however, what else should I look for?( Like sun roof etc).
I have seen these cars on the net and locally for 5-6K with 80K miles. Should I hold out and look for one with 50K?
Many seem to be in Florida, is it worth it to fly to Florida to pick one up?

I used to have a 71 Mark III when I was a young stud, now a Townie will be about as much fun as the wife and kids can handle.
 
RE: 95-97 towncar

Welcome! :)

I know a little! I almost bought a '96 and ended up a current owner of a 2002!

The Town Cars came optioned from the basic "Executive" model, then the "Signature" and finally the "Cartier", each with it's own level of features and options.

You're correct, most are amply supplied with amenities and features.

Here's some cut and paste on year to year highlights...

1995 Lincoln Town Car: To accommodate differing tastes in steering effort, a new dashboard-mounted switch, standard on Signature and Cartier models, electronically adjusts steering effort. Exterior changes include new headlamps, taillamps, grille, front and rear bumper fascias, color-keyed side moldings, and larger, color-keyed outside mirrors that are moved forward slightly to improve visibility. Inside, the Town Car provides new seats that provide extra travel, a redesigned instrument panel, and a new 2-spoke steering wheel.

1996 Lincoln Town Car: Lincoln celebrates its 75th anniversary in 1996 and marks the occasion with a Diamond Anniversary Edition of the Town Car. The anniversary edition comes in two color schemes: cordovan with a charcoal interior and silver with a red interior. Upgrades are also performed on the 4.6-liter V8, designed to make the Town Car's engine smoother, quieter, and more efficient. Finally, the Cartier Series gains real wood trim on the dashboard and around the window controls.

1997 Lincoln Town Car: The Town Car gains a revised power-steering system designed to provide more feel, but loses some standard features that help hold down prices, especially on the base Executive and Signature Series models. Both cars return for 1997 without a dual exhaust system, resulting in a loss of 20 horsepower. Power from the standard 4.6-liter V8 drops from 210 to 190.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1990-to-1997-lincoln-town-car-6.htm

You can tell from above, the '96 Cartier would be the one to seek. ;)
 
RE: 95-97 towncar

I just got home from Ft Meyers, FL with my new/old 1995 Cartier with 50K on it. Power sunroof and all the toys. Pretty comfy ride. Now to fix the little stuff.
 
RE: 95-97 towncar

I just joined the forum and have owned Town Cars since my first in 1977. I recently bought a 1997 Town Car Cartier for my wife to drive. She will be retiring the 1989 Signature Series Town Car she had, she is in real estate and needs something newer.

When we bought it the car had 127K on it but was so well taken care of it seems like a 30,000 mile car. I did a lot of research and went with the cartier for a lot of reasons:

A little more horsepower than the Exec or Signature

Dual exhaust

16" wheels instead of 15"

ALL of the luxury options; heated seats, power lumbar/recliner,am-fm/tape/cd stacker

Pearlescent white exterior

Additional accessories control on the steering wheel (radio volume, vent fan speed etc)

We paid $4850 for it. Have had to repl drivers seat belt buckle. Have two minor challenges with it that I will get to; "washer fluid" warning comes on even though reservoir is full, and a "click" from the dashboard that comes and goes in the vent duct system.

Overall, I am very pleased with it. I still have a 1989 Town Car Signature Series (w/factory moonroof) as my daily driver. It has nearly 180K on it and still goes pretty reliably.

But, the gas mileage diff btwn the 89 and 97 is pretty dramatic. Both use 87 octane regular, but the 89 gets maybe 13-16mpg, where the 97 gets an average of 21 mpg.
 
97 TownCar inner-dash clicking???

97 TownCar inner-dash clicking???

I couldnt figure out how to start a new topic, so I am posting this way.

My wife and I were out in the 97 Cartier last night and from the inner dash area, btwn the radio/glovebox, comes this regular tick or clunk.

Sounds like an air duct door trying to close repeatedly. Climate control system works fine.

The noise is intermittent; doesnt seem to be related to temp setting, however, I don't recall it on warmer days when we were using just the A/C.

Is this related to the dreaded 'blend door' prob on Mark VIII? Can this be accessed thru the glove box, I dont wanna have to drop the dash.
 
RE: 95-97 towncar

I have heard,Im not 100 percent sure,that these units have a plastic intake manifold,and that under hard acceleration the stress applied from the alternator atachment bracket,will snap these units leaving you inoperable.
 
RE: 97 TownCar inner-dash clicking???

RE: 97 TownCar inner-dash clicking???

Sad news: It is the temperature blend motor and yes, the dash has to be pulled back. The motor is on the top of the heater case up tight against the "firewall". If you move the entire dash back ~ 6" you can reach your hand into the space you've made between the dash upper edge and the windshield and replace the motor/actuator.

There's a TSB specifically for your problem: #98-06-03

"• AIR CONDITIONING—NO TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND/OR “CLICKING” NOISE FROM BEHIND GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA—VEHICLES BUILT
THROUGH 8/31/97
• NOISE—“CLICKING” NOISE HEARD FROM BEHIND GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA-VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 8/31/97

FORD: 1997 CROWN VICTORIA
LINCOLN: 1997 TOWN CAR
MERCURY: 1997 GRAND MARQUIS

ISSUE
Some vehicles may exhibit no temperature control and/or a “clicking” noise may be heard coming from the glove compartment area. This may be caused by a broken helical gear within the blend air door actuator.

ACTION
Replace the blend air door actuator. The revised A/C Electronic Blend Door Actuator is more robust and should reduce the possibility of the gear breaking. Refer to the 1997 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis or 1997 Town Car Service Procedure for details.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
F6VZ-19E616-AA Blend Door Actuator
Copyright © 1998 Ford Motor Company PAGE 1"
 
RE: 95-97 towncar

I drove a '97 G.M. at work. Had a water leak up top somewhere. Took it to dealer and they replaced the plastic intake with a new one.Dealer said it was a recall repair. No charge.

Bud Pytko - LOD Moderator
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'05 F250 SD CC PSD 4 X 4 AZ Beige
'94 Prowler 5th Wheel
http://squarebirds.org/images/BudPytko97LSC.jpg
 
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