I have a line on a '97 Mark VIII base - only 66K Km

N

Neilster

Guest
You know, I just might look at this car. A gentleman has contacted me with a '97 Mark VIII Base for sale. Very nice shape, never winter driven, Homelink and Heated Seats, no Sun Roof. While my '98 LSC is in good shape and well maintained, it does have 147K Km on it now. You know, if I could sell my '98 and pick up the '97 for a decent difference, it might be worth it. The '97 asking price is supposed to be $12,500 CDN. With the low mileage (66K Km), it might be worth it. Seems to me though, the '98 is supposed to have a better tranny. Also, the exhaust is a little different on '97 Base isn't it? I'm not a racer, so maybe these are not significant.

Just the same, I just might take a run out to see it (West End Toronto). Frankie, perhaps you might be interested?
 

apbpetey

New member
The exhaust is a little different and the gearing is a little different. Nothing that is greatly different though. The total HP difference claimed by lincoln is 10hp more for the LSC. If you don't race it then it doesn't really matter to much.
 

Frankie X

New member
Neil, I really hope you're not contemplating this based solely on mileage, because that means NOTHING. After a vehicle is ~6-7 years old, low mileage may actually be a determent.

The condition of a used vehicle is based upon other, more important variables:
1.Maintenance history - Was it done regularily, and at proper intervals for driving style?
2.Repair history - Were repairs done promptly, or were problems ignored until they became disasters?
3.Driving history - Was this car driven hard for years and stored for a long time? Was it driven daily for very short trips? (If this is the case, stay far, far away.)
If it truly was stored every winter, under what conditions? Contrary to popular myth, a heated garage is much worse than non-heated due to condensation, corrosion, mould, and rot.
4.Accident history - Has anything serious happened? Was the car pieced together by the cheapest shop in town? Is there hidden damage anywhere?

Your present car is better, from every aspect. You'll be giving up a lot for the sole sake of mileage numbers.

Speaking of numbers, this car would go ON OUR USED LOT for no more than $10,000! ...this is a private sale!
This car is 8 years old. When it comes to "Black Book" resale value for older vehicles, age becomes much more of a determining factor than condition or mileage.

Ask any technicians you meet, and we'll all say the same thing:
"Two vehicles, same model, same year - one has 50K, mostly short city trips. The other has 150K, mostly long highway drives. Assuming all other factors are the same, the high mileage vehicle will be the better vehicle."
 
N

Neilster

Guest
Thanks for chipping in. All your points are valid given that I haven't seen the car in person or driven it yet. I only have some pictures and emails the owner has sent me. I really like my car and of course, better the devil you know than the devil you don't!

I've fixed most common problems on mine so far and who knows about the other vehicle? I'd sure hate to fix the same things again such as the heater blend door (arrgggghh), leaking fresh air plenum to heater blower, door handle, DRL module and a few other minor things. I sure would like to get a decent paint job too this spring to fix the minor dings and other cosmetics.

The vehicle I mentioned looks as though it has been well maintained. I'd probably take a more serious look at it if the price was better and it wasn't black!!! Black cars always look better in the shade!!!

My LSC was paid for a while ago and has lots of miles left in her if I take car of her... :7

I guess it's probably time to change the coolant and transmission fluid given its mileage. Maybe even the rear sway bar before it lets go on me. And it's time to do the rear brakes too.

Cha ching.... Sounds like my tax refund just evaporated!!!
 
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