So.....what's my car worth?

black97lsc

black97lsc

New member
Hi all,
I don't get a chance to post up much anymore but I do browse the site and see what's going on; especially who is building what exciting project. Those are always great reading.

Well, I've been holding on to my 97 Mark for as long as I could but it looks like we're coming to the end of the road. Not because the car is dying but because I need more room. I have a 4 year old which I was able to get in and out OK as there is a good amount of rear seat room back there for her car seat while a stroller was a tight fit in the trunk. Now I have added to the family and getting in and out with a toddler on one side and an infant car seat on the other in the rear seats is getting rough. I'm going to need a four door or an SUV.

Looking at my Mark VIII, the salty winter roads have beaten on it bad. The paint still shines, the wheels still make it look great as I get compliments still, but get close and the rust is evident on the lower quarter panels in front of the rear wheels and the lower passenger door. Mechanically it runs well and very reliable. Airbags are good, windows were re-tinted recently, original starter was replaced over the summer and got a new battery just before the winter. Not sure what I would get for it on trade in, selling it on my own or what people would be interested in (buying to part it out to the community?)

Any thoughts? Thanks,

http://s517.photobucket.com/user/maverickxz/library/97 Mark VIII

 
tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
I just looked at your photos. You're right. It does look great still.

Around this forum anyway, it seems like a "good" car goes for about $3k. The rust would presumably detract from that somewhat, depending upon the severity.

I know a handful of folks have cut out the rockers, and welded in rust free ones from CA and FL cars, but that is a very big job, and often just scratching the surface on a midwest car. (subframes, etc..)

Of course, demand seems to be pretty low right now. OnlyTonyy has a couple for sale that look real nice as well, priced fairly. I don't think people are biting.

It's also worth pointing out that the "great" examples are still going for $10-15k, so there's a lot of room in this market if you find the right buyer. :)
 
driller

driller

El Presidente
Get a four door or SUV for the family and keep the Mark as a backup or 2nd vehicle. You'll not get enough from the Mark VIII to make a significant difference on the purchase of another vehicle anyway you do it, as a trade or as a private sale.
 
Trixie

Trixie

Moderator
Manny! So good to see you! I miss you! Congrats on the new addition to the family!

We're really happy with our MKZ, which we bought used 3 years ago, it's a 2009. And we have the 2 Marks still, but mine sucks now. Don't know what we're going to do, but Mike says mine's rusted pretty bad, in fact, the entire exhaust fell off last month, and now I have a crappy exhaust. The thing is, it doesn't cost much to insure as I hardly drive it, so the rates went way down. But yeah, even getting plates/emissions, etc. is a pain.

If you get a chance to come up this way or something, let us know! We should get together!
 
black97lsc

black97lsc

New member
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I didn't think I was looking at much in trade in based on year, mileage (158,000), and the rust. Sounds like major surgery to replace a door, parts of both quarter panels and passenger rocker. Not to mention anything else that may be uncovered.
I need to be Overhauled on Chip Foose' show!

I may make it available for parts if there's enough interest.

Sharon, it's been way to long. Hope you and the family are doing well! Sorry about your Mark, these winters really kill our cars. I don't get out much your way but maybe we should do something in the Spring.
I was looking at the MKZ and a little at the MKX; the MKC is very nice but more than I'm looking to spend. I may stay in the Lincoln family depending on what I find.
 
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Lownslowlsc

New member
Mine is pretty much identical to yours, right down to the location, miles (160k) and rust in the rear and passenger door. I have a bit of attachment to mine, but if I had to sell it i'd take no less then 2k.

Since it sounds like yours is well taken care of I'd start at 3-3250k. The wheels really make it look good so that works in your favor. As it sits I wouldn't take less than $2500 if it were mine.

As for trading it in, all said and done you'll get $500 for it. Anything more and they're just taking money off the car you're buying (that you'd normally haggle for) and adding it to the trade to make you feel good. And for goodness sakes please take the wheels off beforehand, you won't get anything extra for them.

Sell it on CL, tax monies will be coming in soon....
 
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Kona97

New member
Default
Sorry need to post 5 times to send a visitor message. Truly am sorry but I don't see any other way.
 
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ONLYTONY

New member
That's a real nice looking car. Most wanted===BOB. Need pics of the "surface rust", interior, and vacuum tray. If front end, and mechanicals are good, I ask $3800, you can always take less. That's a nice package, BOB, LSC, wheels. Good luck selling it on all the MK VIII sites. MK VIII guys want to pay very little, unless it's full of hot rod crap. Best of luck on the sale. TONYyyy
 
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Lownslowlsc

New member
ONLYTONY said:
That's a real nice looking car. Most wanted===BOB. Need pics of the "surface rust", interior, and vacuum tray. If front end, and mechanicals are good, I ask $3800, you can always take less. That's a nice package, BOB, LSC, wheels. Good luck selling it on all the MK VIII sites. MK VIII guys want to pay very little, unless it's full of hot rod crap. Best of luck on the sale. TONYyyy
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You can see it in front of the rear wheel in the pic he supplied, though i'm not sure if it has gotten worse since that photo was taken.

I'd actually pay less if a m8 was enhanced performance wise. I'd pay more for a unmolested version.

For the most we are kinda cheap, we know what goes wrong with them and how much it costs to fix. We almost have to assume any car we pick up is going to need some $$ put into it right off the bat. Who wants to pay a ton for a short run luxury car that is going on 17 years old at it's youngest?
 
black97lsc

black97lsc

New member
Thank you all for the input. I would prefer to sell it to someone in the community instead of having the dealer offer me low dollars AND send it to the crusher.

I took a few shots before we got hit with a snow storm last week. You can really see the rust damage in the last picture; it hurts. Here it is with winter tire package (Blizzaks with peeling chrome directionals).











And yes, Blizzaks are awesome!
The Mark VIII has no business being out in this snow storm but I traveled through it with no problem.

 
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Lownslowlsc

New member
black97lsc said:
Thank you all for the input. I would prefer to sell it to someone in the community instead of having the dealer offer me low dollars AND send it to the crusher.

I took a few shots before we got hit with a snow storm last week. You can really see the rust damage in the last picture; it hurts. Here it is with winter tire package (Blizzaks with peeling chrome directionals).
Click to expand...
I've always wanted to get a dedicated set of snow tires but could never justify the expense at my cars mileage. Having a short ride to work factors in too.. I have driven in a couple vics/marquis with them and it's a dream even in the heaviest of snows, I'd imagine a Mark is very similar.

Rust looks a bit worse than I expected on the door and qp. Otherwise it's a very sharp car. Damn rust.

I would have an option to include the wheels with the car for $xxx. I'd start at 2,750-3k and take whatever your comfortable with. I wouldn't go below $2k~.

Again, just this guys opinion.
 
black97lsc

black97lsc

New member
Thanks Lownslowlsc.
The winter tires make a huge difference. My wife drove it a few times last winter in deep snow and she preferred driving it to her front wheel drive car. I can confidently throw into unshoveled parking spots in the city.
 
Trixie

Trixie

Moderator
I'll add a +1 to a dedicated set of blizzaks for the car. The drive is so much better, plus it protects your nice summer rims. Depending on who you sell the car to, you could probably sell the rims/tires separately. Hubby hasn't been taking his car out in the winter, so I don't know if he'd want them (we may have rims that size not sure anymore what we have).

Manny I don't know what to say, besides that rust, which I hear my car is developing, my car looks worse than that. I really really really hope you get a buyer.
 
black97lsc

black97lsc

New member
Trixie said:
I'll add a +1 to a dedicated set of blizzaks for the car. The drive is so much better, plus it protects your nice summer rims. Depending on who you sell the car to, you could probably sell the rims/tires separately. Hubby hasn't been taking his car out in the winter, so I don't know if he'd want them (we may have rims that size not sure anymore what we have).

Manny I don't know what to say, besides that rust, which I hear my car is developing, my car looks worse than that. I really really really hope you get a buyer.
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Thanks Sharon. Depending on what I do with the car, I will make stuff available here. I don't have much but maybe a set of wheels/tires, audio equipment, I have a drivers side headlight and maybe a few parts I'm not thinking about. I thought i would need to sell it after we had our first child but it wasn't difficult getting her in and out of the car and now, she climbs in by herself. Getting two in the back, not so easy. :thumbsup: I did see a Mark at a bone yard by me in the fall that had rust free body, if you are interested, I can take a look and tell you what it looks like.
 
Trixie

Trixie

Moderator
I'm not sure what we're doing. e-mail or message beerdog. yesterday my computer fell down, was wondering why my braking was so bad, smh.

But, we have to figure out something to have a good send off for the car. I can try to remember with the young couple across the street, I know he liked our car collection, and has a lot of friends with some icky cars that come out to visit ;)
 
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