I LOVE LINCOLN BUT.......

[cheetos2323]

ok i wrote about this in another forum but i guess i have to share it with everyone ...i love lincolns but is it me or do they have alot of problems no matter how u take care of them but as i glance at all the forums i wonder if anyone has ever brought it to anyones attention that might work for lincoln(not that it would make a difference)but come on im 25 and i first sat on a mark march of 1993 i was 13 my dad and i went to the pasadena lincoln dealer and he baught the car black very nice i said to my self this car looks like a space ship inside so i knew one day i would own one. my first car was a 1986 thunderchicken then in 2000 came my first mark 1994 white mark with 37000 miles first the door ajar would come on and off then the front lights would burn out all the time and the seats would work when they felt like it then to add insult to injury a week before trade in the air bags went out got rid of that problem to inherit another one. Nov.2001 got a 1996 forrest green mark with 55000 within the first 6 months drivers seat went out the horn died out i replaced the alternator 3 times the triple a guy knew me by name already the tranny started to slip alot then the cd changer that was it i got rid of that mark both cars were purchased in downey lincoln mercury.in sep.03 i see the best mark i have ever seen 43000 miles on a 1997 pewter mk8 i got it for 10000 smackers from galpin lincoln it had belonged to a capitan in the army who traded it for a navi...my dream car but then the problems started rolling in the telescope steering stoped working within 2 months of purchase then the front light then the neon light the sun roof went out the drivers seat and the cruise control including the little lights that light up the the cruise control and set accel buttons and on the way back from woodland hills near hollywood coming back from training the air bags went out on the 101 fwy...i took it in to the lincoln dealer and while waiting to pick the mark up 2 days later i had just been promoted at work and i talked to a sales guy for about 1 hour took a test drive and ended up buyng a 2004 ls v8 but this is my last lincoln im trough spending all the money to fix them i love them but there is no quality in to these cars just by looking at the forums alot of guys have problems with the marks that are expensive to fix my wife wants a 98 mark but its not going to happen i have learned the hard way ill go the sure way now...honda..i love lincolns but hate the problems....anyone in the so cal area i will be selling the 97 peweter mark 8 78500 miles clarion tv dvd and two clarion 7 inch wide screen head rest tvs 6000 firm...thanks for reading...

 

[flamark]

The first thing I thought was "what the heck are you doing to your cars?". Many of the problems you mentioned are not common to lincoln mk 8's. I did notice a pattern though. Most of your problems sound electrical. I also noticed that you have extensive stereo upgrades. Is is possible that the stereo work you are having done is causing the problem? I had my 93 mark for 6 years and never blew a headlight or had a problem with my seat. I have also never heard of an air suspension just blowing out while driving on the highway.

Yup, just re-read your post before finishing. Most of your problems are very uncommon electrical issues. Sounds like somebody is doing a bad job of hooking up electrical components.


If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

 

[maxmk8]

A lot of the problems you described are common on the mark. And yes the mark does have its fair share of problems, above average i'd say. You can't expect to have no problems with a used car that is now at least 7 yrs old. But you can get them so dirt cheap that you can fix all that's wrong and have money left to burn if you're doing things right.
In the faqs on the board there are most of your problems described.

 

[steve]

I have had a few problems but all of them were fixed under warranty. I now have over 100k miles on my 97 LSC and I have never had an out-of-pocket expense other then routine maintenance. Every thing is working fine. This year I will replace the front air springs even though they are working right now. I think after 100k they are a maintenance item.

 

[budpytko]

I too have a '97 LSC and I love it. Purchased it from the local dealer in 2002. It had the usual Gen II problems, blend door, telescopic steering wheel, door ajar (I fixed that one), and a few of the COP's went bad. All were repaired uinder warranty. Haven't had a problem for over a year and now have amassed over 100,000 miles.

The dealer used this vehicle for a couple of years to pick up, drop off, etc. and I haven't the slightest idea of what maintenence they did to it, but I gotta believe they really maintained it.

I agree that you should really look at who you are using to install and maintain your vehicle, esp the electrical work. I don't think it would matter WHAT car you take to them, there would have been problems. You need a bigger alternator from what it sounds like...and some TLC.


Bud Pytko
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'92 F250 Banks TurboDiesel Bimini Blue
'92 Prowler 5th Wheel
http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/charlespytko/Lincoln/BudPytko97LSC.JPG

 

[sleeper]

You're a "glass is half empty" kinda guy, i see.

I've replaced plenty of parts on my '97, but i never considered it an unreliable car.

The struts on these cars are wear items, they eventually need to be replaced. That's just the way it goes.

The neon light on the trunklid is expensive, and they do burn out. I've been told by someone who talked to someone who developed that light that the major problem is shock... so don't slam your trunk and it'll last forever. Unless you have a serious sound system. And headlights just burn out after awhile, it's a fact of life.

As for your alternator problem, if you don't fully charge your battery when you install a new alternator, you will kill the new alternator very quickly. Just a fact of life.

The problem with the telescoping steering wheel isn't all that uncommon, and it sucks. Mine stops working sometimes when it's all the way in, but if i give it a tug it works fine. Shut off easy entry and it'll last a lot longer. I had to replace my multifunction switch when i got the car though, the tilt/telescoping function was sort of on the fritz.

It doesn't sound like you've had any serious problems with your car, at least none that are unexpected or uncommon. That's just the way it goes with used cars. You save $35,000 over the new price, you have to put a couple grand back in to keep it going strong. If i told you everything that i replaced on my '94 and my '97, you'd think my car was a POS! But i drive a 100,000 mile car that runs 13.9 in the quarter mile, and i drive it hard. I expect a few little problems here and there. But i have no problem getting in the car and taking it on a 3000 mile trip.

Go ahead and buy a Honda. I can guarantee you right now, you won't have a problem with the neon taillight going out, the tilt/telescoping steering wheel won't crap out, the air ride won't leak, and the HID's won't burn out. But you may very well have to replace the alternator!

Oh, and for the love of god, learn how to use a period! it's that little key with the > and the . on it, right below the L.

 

[Stpro]

Jonah maybe your next lemon should be a 13 year old Caddy.
Keith
93 BLACK
93 MAROON
Only use the brakes to stop and get gas.

 

[driller]

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Jonah maybe your next lemon should be a 13 year old Caddy. Keith 93 BLACK 93 MAROONOnly use the brakes to stop and get gas.
[/div]

LMAO - Unless times have changed, trust me - you only need a 6-7 year old Caddy if you think Lincoln is bad. :7

 

[scotty96lsc]

When I first bought my 96LSC I was so nervous about driving it. I saw all these posts about this problem and that problem. I thought to myself, "Self, what did you get yourself into? You can't afford to make all these repairs all the time."
I posted the concerns right after I joined the club.
I can't remember who, but someone set me straight and I thank them everyday for it. The forums are designed to help people with problems when they do occur and that is what most of the discussions are about. It's not that these cars have more problems than the average LUXURY car, its just that when they do go wrong this is place to ask questions and get the answers. With 1,000+ members and others just asking questions, the forums look ominous. "WOW these cars are trouble!"
In reality, if you do your homework on this site and others before you buy a Lincoln, you can anticipate what will eventually go wrong, what to look for when you buy, and what you can expect to pay for a repair, etc. Now you make a decision: is the speed, performance and luxury of this car worth the anticipated outflow of cash over the years? If it is yes, you buy it. If not you don't. I bought because the ride, style, and performance was what I wanted and I could afford.
We have forums to say things like. "That it was a nice drive to Indian Wells, Pa., or Comfort, Texas? Anyone catch the Lincoln on the Super Bowl ad?" But most of our fourms are there to help with a problem when one does arise. And, these posts have saved me money when I have had a problem. They have also saved me money by suggesting preventive maintenance before I get a problem. I ALWAYS ask a question before I do something to my car. Chances are someone has the experience to help.
I'm sorry you have had bad experiences with your Lincolns. My father drove them and never had a problem. I will drive them too.

 

[M Darrah]

You must be of the opinion that "a paragraph is a terrible thing to waste". Seriously, I can't read this.

 

[apbpetey]

I have to agree that most of the problems you have/had are not that bad. Every used car has things to fix. Yes I just got rid of my Mark because of some of the things going wrong with it, But I can say that it was a great car. I got the car 2 years ago with 91k on it. Now it has 127k. Runs strong and will not leave my stranded. it is just time for me to move on. I have replaced the tranny, blend door, starter, 2 Coils, a set of plug boots, the rear shocks (not air bags). Now the car needs front air shocks and the blower motor works when it wants to. Both nothing major and easy to fix. Only reason I got rid of the Mark is because I have always loved and wanted a Land Rover. Trust Me I will get another Mark shortly.

 

[Trixie]

Well, just the other day I told everyone I work with how much I LOVE my car. So much so, that if it had a vibrating seat I'd marry it.

She's never let me down, she's great on road trips or at the track. Sure I've had some problems, but considering all I get back in enjoyment, it's been worth every penny.

We bought her 4 years ago, and she's still just like a new car to me. I LOVE MY CAR!! :*

 

[alexf]

I had an exorcism performed on my '98 and everything's been swell since.

 

[enriquei]

I've put 15k miles on my mark in a little over a year. The following things I've had to fix:
1. Clean IAC valve (unanticipated, cost $0).
2. Replace front air suspension bags (anticipated, cost ~$400)
3. Replace right rear window seal (unanticipated, cost $40)
4. Alternator (anticipated, cost $80)

Considering it seemed that I had problems with my jeep ever 2-3 thousand miles, I'd consider the Lincoln to be much more reliable.

 

[Ford nut]

Holy thread revival batman

 

[Green Machine]

The Mark VIII is a big option laden vehicle. Tons of electrical stuff. IE: The more stuff you have on a car to break or wear out, the more you have to fix. If you look at the drivetrain big picture, the Motor and transmission and rear end last forever if driven reasonably. they are very reliable cars. you start doing burnouts, power slides and 120mph WOT runs, and basically running it hard, stuffs gonna break. but every car needs preventative maintenance.
Overall IMHO, I think the Mark VIII's are pretty darned reliable. That's my story and im stickin to it. :=)