What the ____ is that?!?!

E

evlgt85

Registered
How often do you hear that when someone sees you with your Mark VIII for the first time? It's been two weeks with my 95 LSC, and I'm continually asked what my "new" car is. My next door neighbor rolls up and says, "WTF IS that thing? I've been staring at it for a WEEK now!!" She then expresses her amazement that it's a 95 and not a 2000 something. Many people find it hard to believe that the car is approaching 9 years old.

Everyone where I work had to come see this car as they had no idea what a Mark VIII was. Upon seeing it, many just "had to get in it" and commence touching the interior...??? As soon as each person has seen it, they have emphatically expressed their positive impression of the car. I had one gal offer me a grand more than I'd paid for the car, wanting to buy it. Someone last night found out the story behind my getting the car and declared he was going to get rid of his newish Toyota truck.

It's very strange watching the reactions of people to this apparently mysterious and strange vehicle.

Have you had similar reactions from others? I just find it interesting that no one knows what they are, but they seem to like it quite a bit as soon as they get to know the car. The first week I had it, I was having to give tours of the vehicle at work, take people for rides. It was weird.
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

Yes, when I had mine (Winkin) I got that responce from time to time. They were always amazed at the condition it was in, "for being 4 or 5 years old" ..... They never had a clue at to what kinda car it was, either {Honda owners, no doubt). It is absolutely amazing how little the average joe (mary) knows about cars. Ever see a description of a car from a witness at a crime scene? "A witness told police that the bank robber escaped in a LATE MODEL WHITE SEDAN. {Well, THAT really narrows it done alot!} :)
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

So I broke down the other day....

On the freeway and walked into a resale shop of old GTO's, Mustangs, Camaro's, Bentley's, Hummers and such.

I mention that I have a mark viii and the guys eyes perk up and he immediately states "that's a nice car", and then because I've rebuilt my own 65 mustang we bigin talking cars. 20 minutes later were talking and cops have pulled up to my car and begun writting me a ticket (I'm guessing for not having my hood up while parked with emergenciese on ?? )

I hastily take off to try and see what's going on b/c I still don't know what the deal is but the wrecker the guy had previously called for me had shown up and scared the cops away. :)
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

I think its a real hoot, as everyone who knows me knows I love cars and have had alot of them. They see me in one of my 96ers and ask if its a 2004 or 2003. Quality is "Never out Style". Then I give them a ride, and they are even more amazed that a car that old rides so well and (with the J Mod) scoots so well in total comfort.
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

I too can relate. You don't see hardly any Mark VIII's around where I live(Subaru country), and passerbys remark how nice a car it is and cannot believe it is a '93. I get compliments on the '91 LSC also, but most recognize it as an 'older Lincoln'.
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

About 4 months after getting my '97 I was driving around to used car lots looking for a car for my sister, and *MOST* of the <sarcasm> very knowledgeble sales-people</sarcasm> asked me if I was going to be trading in that Brand New Lincoln towards the mid-90's acuras and BMW's I was looking at. They seemd disappointed when I said no.

The funny thing is, around here people can't move them. I had my eye on my car for over 5 months before I bought it. They wanted $18,995 for it ('97 with 32k on the clock at the time). As soon as I called and said I was intersted in it, the proce miraculously dropped to $13,495, and since my uncle is good friends with the sales manager, I got another grand off of it. I have seen many many of these cars just sit on lots. For instance, the '94 (good shape 79k) that I would drive by just about every day up until a couple weeks ago sold for $2500 and the guy was just gonna tear out the drive train for a hot rod that he was building and scrap the car...
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

You KNOW that I was a knowledgeable Dodge salesman! If you'd like I'll give you the 1970 paint codes :) Really!!
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

The funny thing is, around here people can't move them. I had my eye on my car for over 5 months before I bought it. They wanted $18,995 for it ('97 with 32k on the clock at the time). As soon as I called and said I was intersted in it, the proce miraculously dropped to $13,495, and since my uncle is good friends with the sales manager, I got another grand off of it. I have seen many many of these cars just sit on lots. For instance, the '94 (good shape 79k) that I would drive by just about every day up until a couple weeks ago sold for $2500 and the guy was just gonna tear out the drive train for a hot rod that he was building and scrap the car...
Click to expand...

We have a jobsite in Illinois, where back in July/August, I passed a '98 on a used car lot everyday. I even stopped once and evaluated it(pretty rough shape actually for average mileage). It was there all summer and fall up 'till my last trip out there a couple weeks ago. That makes it at least four months.

I'm no car salesman, but I'd think you would need faster turnover than that to make a buck.
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

Down here, on the Redneck Riviera (land of retirees & snowbirds), the Mark hardly gets a second glance. I get an occasional compliment... though I get FAR MORE when I'm cruising in the stang with the top down. Weird... no accounting for taste.

Was funny... when I went to get my Florida plates for the Mark, had to go to dealer to get the odometer verification section filled out. Had 22k on the odo at the time. The guy at the dealership curiously asked "is THAT the CORRECT MILEAGE?" to which I responded... "can't you TELL???" I mean, there's nary a scratch on it. Not even a speck of dirt in the rain gutter around the trunk. I even scrub my wheelwells when I wash it. Maybe I misinterpreted his intonation, but was funny nonetheless...
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

Rule of Thumb:--

30 days on the lot = decent profit
60 on the lot = break even
90 days on lot = loss

If you're giving the consumer a decent warrantee, you'd better be moving 'em out after 40 days, or wholesale the thing out. If it don't sell in 40....it ain't gonna sell in 80. 45 days & bye bye :)
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

I get that alot, ppl freak when I tell them it is nearly nine years old, then seem bummed that they are no longer made. wierd.
 
RE: What the ____ is that?!?!

I've had it happen with my 93 too, a couple of times this year when she was all cleaned up.

I had one guy that liked it so much he went out and bought one for himself. He's a friend of a friend. He wants to go fast bags with it as well...Should be a cool Spring project.

Kale
 
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