How long will your Lincoln last???

driller

driller

El Presidente
Staff member
Here's an interesting topic of discussion.

Basically the question is how long do you think your Lincoln will last (or how long did it last)?

Since my very first Lincoln in 2000, I've owned 11 Lincoln vehicles of which I still have 5 (not counting parts cars or rescues). My oldest is a 1993 and my latest is a 2024. I would have no problem driving any of them virtually anywhere at any given time. But as vehicles age, things break and go wrong. It's just a fact of life. There comes a point where you have to question is the vehicle really worth keeping (unless it has some sort of sentimental value).

I think most any car enthusiast would agree the 'old school' vehicles of yesteryear are cheaper and easier to maintain - especially if parts are readily available. Therein lies the rub with the vehicles through the ages - IF the parts are available. Most of us would have to agree the classic Mark VIII owner either has a collection of spare parts or has difficulty obtaining parts when needed. I think besides the basics, it's the lack of availability of electronic modules and Mark VIII specific components that keep us awake at night. The Mark VIII is now basically 30 years old which is far beyond the typical age of cars on the road.

So now, shift your thoughts to "today's vehicles". For example my latest Navigator which is a 2024 model. Do I see it lasting three decades or beyond? I think not, if for no other reason than the propensity of various computer modules for seemingly every function. There's not even gauges anymore, everything is a sensor feeding a computer module with a LCD screen for a display. Where do you think that's going to be in 30 years? Do I think my 2024 Lincoln will last twenty years? Maybe, maybe not. Most likely it will see me through 10 years, more or less. Oddly enough I don't see a major issue keeping my now 30 year old Lincolns another 10 years while I question the longevity of the newest Lincoln.

So, how long do you think your Lincoln will last? :unsure:
 
I got my 97 Mark VIII new in 1997, was still running very well when i sold it in 2015, so ~18 years, only big issues was the clear coat coming off. I wonder what happened to it. Like you said the only real issue keeping it going would be part availability, i see the same issue with my current 2013 ford FLex was built in late 2012 so coming up on 14 years. The electronic control modules can be an issue since some are unique to the Flex and if you need a replacement guys are going to junk yard to pick them and some you have to learn Forscan to reprogram it. Shared parts with the explorer can be had though, like the power strut to raise the rear hatched i replaced last year.
 
I'm definitely waiting for a new generation of hot rodder more akin to the "maker" crowd to take the lead. The kind of folks who think "Hey, it's just canbus. I can replace that proprietary module with an Arduino and some relays."

They're out there already, but not as many as I'd have expected by now. this kind of work enables the sorts of updates we could only dream of with our cars. I think there's still hope.
 
This is exactly why I don't buy new cars. I can fix my Mark VIII's myself without having to take it to a dealer to have something "Flashed". I've heard of friends having to have simple new parts flashed by the dealer even if they install the new parts themselves. (like new steering parts brake parts, etc.)
I've also kept a lot of spare parts and modules from my old parted out winter beaters Marks.
The new cars also have very cheap lightweight parts and materials for economy mandates. My brother's girlfriend has a 2011 MKS and it is already rusted out more (she had to replace a rear crossmember already) than any of my winter beaters were when I decided to part them out.

When all my Mark VIII's are gone (parts and modules used up) I'll buy a restored 60's car with points ignition and carburetor (parts very available) that will be cheaper than a new car, as they are now.
 
The problem now is that we live in a throw-away society. I make it a point to keep all my old appliances too. Washing machine, dryer, fridge, stove, even my old furnace. They are all easily repaired, No 500 dollar microprocessor module needed. I don't need to talk to them with my phone. Even my 100 year old Victrolas and player pianos are relatively easy to repair.
 
billcu said:
I make it a point to keep all my old appliances too. Washing machine, dryer, fridge, stove,
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Same here, with appliances that is. With recent renovations to the kitchen and laundry room, all the appliances except one remained. When it comes to appliances, my motto has been "if it ain't broke, don't replace it." Now I did replace the 15 year old heat pump in an effort to lower utility costs with higher efficiency while taking advantage of a tax credit.
 
driller said:
Same here, with appliances that is. With recent renovations to the kitchen and laundry room, all the appliances except one remained. When it comes to appliances, my motto has been "if it ain't broke, don't replace it." Now I did replace the 15 year old heat pump in an effort to lower utility costs with higher efficiency while taking advantage of a tax credit.
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Check out this vintage beauty. Fast self cleaning cal rod elements (not slow dirty glass tops) self cleaning oven, electric clock/timer, simple knobs for oven and elements, no beeping or costly microprocessor needed.Stove.jpg
 
I'm actually more impressed by the pegboard backsplash. That's genius. :D
 
tixer said:
I'm actually more impressed by the pegboard backsplash. That's genius. :D
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A friend of mine gave me those. I didn't know what to do with them until I thought about putting them there. It was just bare wall before. I get a chuckle every time I walk into the kitchen now. My sister says it's trendy now and called "Industrial style". :)
 
The Mark is driven about 200 miles a year. I drive it to the monthly Caffeine and Octane car show - 10 miles round trip, and the rest short trips to the store. It will clearly outlast me at this rate. It shows signs of age with the typical Lincoln Mark issues with slow working windows and seats.

Since I retired, the vehicle inventory went from four to two. What prompted the reduction was Wendy's 2015 Explorer dual panel roof motors failed after a hurricane overwhelmed the roof drains. that in turn shorted the motors in the open position and filled the drivers side cabin floor with water. It sat at the Ford store I use to work at for over 90 days waiting for backorder motors that were actually obsolete. They tried using aftermarket ebay parts and they just blew fuses.

That, plus the recalled failed and obsolete backup camera and failed a-pillar trim on a 10 year old SUV with 80k miles told me it was time to move away from Ford.

Our current needs are to travel and cart grandchildren, so a 3 row SUV with a V6 would meet our needs. We decided on a Chevy Traverse RS. It has known issues like exhaust welds cracking, and a 9 speed transmission that lives longer if you fluid flush every 35-40k miles. So far, so good with my fingers crossed. I even deleted that hated auto start/stop feature with a under hood byoass connector from amazon.

497506387_10160848789810598_4555536219045763374_n.jpg
 
Hey, Mike! it pleases me greatly to hear that The Mark is still out there, making the occasional grocery run and car show. What an incredible car.

Your story about the Explorer is ominous though. It's funny, I knew someone recently who wanted to get rid of an Edge about that age due to a moonroof malfunction. It was otherwise a very nice vehicle, and I seriously considered making an offer to obtain it. perhaps I dodged a bullet there.

I have yet to spend any time in a Traverse, but my mother has an Equinox, and I've determined it to be a "perfectly good, regular car." She bought it in 2018, and it has yet to turn 10,000 miles.. I suspect it'll be around for quite a while at this rate.
 
mlschultz said:
The Mark is driven about 200 miles a year. I drive it to the monthly Caffeine and Octane car show - 10 miles round trip, and the rest short trips to the store. It will clearly outlast me at this rate.
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Since I retired, the vehicle inventory went from four to two.
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Mike! 👋

Glad to hear The Mark survived the retirement fleet reduction. LOL :D

I started my own retirement fleet reduction program, but I'm not doing as well. :giggle:
 
Thanks Guys. I still have hope to find a Mark VIII besides mine to show up at the largest monthly car show in the south to get something local going again. All the locals I use to run with have moved away, passed on, or lost interest.

So lately, my retired neighbor recently purchased a Viper and I got him hooked going to the car show. We cruise in and park together. What a sight lol.

574570359_10161581521745598_9169616573020670880_n.jpg


Mike, Wish I still had the Explorer. It serviced us well. I can't say the same for Ford's decision to discontinue parts manufacturing on 10yo cars. I hope Chevy does better in parts availability, I plan on keeping the Traverse for a long time.

JP, Fleet reduction just made sense for me financially. Having the Audi A8, and Buick Encore sitting in the driveway and paying thousands a year on insurance helped make the decision. We traded the A8, Encore, and Explorer even up for the Traverse. I do miss the A8 horribly. What a fantastic car.
 
Got my 1998 Mark in 2006 for 36500 with 60000 miles. Still have it. Stopped driving it in winter in 2010. Just replaced 3 brake lines. What a PIA! I need ot sell it. I don't have the patience any more
 
beerdog said:
Got my 1998 Mark in 2006 for 36500 with 60000 miles. Still have it. Stopped driving it in winter in 2010. Just replaced 3 brake lines. What a PIA! I need ot sell it. I don't have the patience any more
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Yes, don't sell it now, it will last longer than any new car and it's already paid for. Do what I do, insure it for liability only. I pay less than 400 bucks for 6 months for 4 Mark VIII's. Once you fix all the big things they are good for many trouble free miles.
 
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