New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

T

Tommykwikstep

Registered
Yay...just picked up my Mark tonight!

I will be posting pix after work tomorrow - its too dark and WAY too windy tonight.

I have some pretty out of the ordinary questions for all of you.

1. *Sniffle*Sniffle* There's no place to plug in my fuzz buster. My neighbor said it would be simple to hard wire it into the radio's wiring. Any thoughts/comments?

2. What's up with the cup holders? LOL I drove all the way across town after I picked up my Mark to my favorite burger joint. I get in the car press the button and end up being scared as hell that my drink is going to go top down on the pass. seat. Are their any aftermarket replacements that will actually hold a full 20 oz fast food container?

3. I don't know why, but my MARK did not come with front floor mats. I 'd like to get originals (can this be done?)- but am open to suggestions. Carpet only please.

4. I took her down the interstate for the 2nd time (1st time was when I test drove). My rearview did wobble when I got it up to 80-85. Not excessive vibrations - but noticeable. Once I hit 100-105 she seemed to settle down some. 2 piece shaft, I read about it. I can live with it....but can this vibration be harmful when I'm cruising at 85-95 for a long period?

Enough for now. I'll post in the reader rides with my pics tomorrow.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

Well, I am sorry to say that you didnt clarify what year of Mark you bought. 1st and 2nd generation Marks have different cup holders. In my 97, I use a stainless steel travel mug, and every time I hit full throttle, it ends up in the back seat. Good thing I never put anything in it but water. In 96 and earlier, they are even worse. I have never seen a replacment cupholder for a Mark. The driveshaft, all driveshafts for that matter, will at some rpm resonate. Needless to say, if you constantly drive at that rpm, sooner rather than later some part or another will fail. At this time, a good replacment driveshaft is not available. They are whats known as a metal matrix driveshaft. High quality, one piece. There is some talk of them going back into production. Until one of them or a similar one is available, you can shop around for a used one piece 93 shaft. Most of them are one piece. You can identify the correct one by a cirumfrential weld a few inches away from the rear U-joint. You might shop at "car-part.com" for the shaft. Make sure you specify what exactly you want and accept no substitutes. Good luck with your new purchase, and welcome.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

Congrats!

Re: cupholders - I just don't use them.

Welcome and looking forward to seeing pictures.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
1. *Sniffle*Sniffle* There's no place to plug in my fuzz buster. My neighbor said it would be simple to hard wire it into the radio's wiring. Any thoughts/comments?[/div]

I use a radar detector in the '93. I set one of those 'sticky mats' in the left corner of the windshield and set the radar detector on it. The cord drapes across the steering wheel to the cig lighter plug on the center console. When not in use I simply place detector and cord in the drivers door pocket.

Depending on your mounting preference, you can hard-wire most detectors. For me that would best be in the fuse box on the left side of the instrument panel. Use fuse taps that add a circuit to a standard mini-fuse.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]2. What's up with the cup holders?[/div]

Don't eat/drink in the car! :+

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]3. I don't know why, but my MARK did not come with front floor mats. I 'd like to get originals (can this be done?)- but am open to suggestions. Carpet only please.[/div]

Ebay.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]4. I took her down the interstate for the 2nd time (1st time was when I test drove). My rearview did wobble when I got it up to 80-85. Not excessive vibrations - but noticeable. Once I hit 100-105 she seemed to settle down some. 2 piece shaft, I read about it. I can live with it....but can this vibration be harmful when I'm cruising at 85-95 for a long period?
[/div]

If it's noticeable, avoid it. If it's unavoidable, replace it.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

•Auction sites for carpet.
•Don't use the cup holders
•Don't use the radar detector -- ummm don't speed
•Most important -- welcome to the site.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions



Thx all for the suggestions. I will check ebay and others for some good floor mats. I was at advanced auto and their selection bites the big one.

I've stayed away from the cup holders unless I'm working with a bottle of water or gatorade with a cap SECURELY fastened.
The fuzz buster will have to be only taken out during long interstate trips (when I'm more likely to get a heavy foot).

As for the drive shaft, I'm little disappointed. I find it very odd that Lincoln made these shafts in two pieces. The cruising speed for I95 and the turnpike here in south florida is generally between 75-85 to 90 - which is where the vibration is most severe. During my Xmas trip to see family, I found myself speeding up just so the shiver would go away.

Anyways...I love the car so far and have had no problems with it. It did however stutter a bit during it's first 10 miles after sitting for three days out in the heaviest rain I've seen all year. I was scared my transmission was doing it...but it had something to do with sitting in the rain...as it hasn't acted funny since.
 
RE: New Mark Owner w/ Some Off the Wall Questions

You've got a 2nd gen, right? The cup holders appear to be quite weak. Mine was broken when I bought it, and the only way to replace it is to replace the whole center section.

Also, if you had problems after a heavy rain, check inside the plugs, especially the back ones for water. I seem to get water in mine every now and again.
 
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