Rented a Town Car

P

Pauls dropped 8

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03 or 04 Town car signature series to be exact. man this thing makes my mark feel like the lowrider it is when taken over the same roads i drive on. this thing takes the potholes and dips in the road like a champ. hands down the smoothest ride ive ever ridden in. i can see what sandy means by the lack of a stereo though. theres not much volume but it has pretty damn good bass response for a couple of 5 1/4's in the doors. i thought there may have been a sub hidden somewhere but im pretty sure its the doors.

now these next few questions are just for sandy since he knows best...

1. how many different trim models are there for this car and what are their differences.

2. how much do each of them cost.

3. whats with the giant shelf in the trunk. its deep but then theres this giant space stealer over the wheel-well. my friends late 80s TC had the same deal.

4. hows the depreciation on these? my dads strongly considering one.

theres probably more so be ready to answer sandy! i could use these asap since ill be leaving for FLA on wednesday evening.

thanks.
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Man damn it i spend 20 min typing up a messege and then it dissapeared... xo xo oh well here we go again.
There are 3 trim models

Signature $42,290
Most basic TC with almoust no available options except for two tone paint and different tires.

Ultimate $45,210
Has wooden inserts in steering wheel
Full power trunk
Heated front seats
Upgraded audio system

Has tons of options
Trunk Mounted CD Changer (6-Disc) $605.00
Two-Tone Paint $295.00
HID Headlamps $495.00
Power Moonroof $1,595.00
Navigation System (6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer Included) $3,100.00
Trunk Organizer $195.00
P225/60R17 All-Season WSW Tires $125.00
17" 9-Spoke Chrome Wheels $895.00


Ultimate L $50,815
longer wheelbase for more rear leg room.
has rear audio and climate controls
Rear heated seats

The depreciation on these cars is insane a 1 year old signature town car with less than 30k miles can be had from 25-30k. Craig drives these things for a living and he was saying that since the redesign in 2003 they started to be really unreliable. So I would concider a 1998-2002 Cartier Towncar with low miles instead.
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Hey, thanks. He did all the work for me. Very little I can add. The 2003 model line up and options were totally different. They did alot of shuffling around. Downgrading the Signature Premium to the lowest price model, replacing the former "Executive" and stripping it of its option list.

Then took the former Cartier and moved it down to what had been the Signature Premium, and took off options as well.

The Ultimate replaces the former Cartier. Also stripped of options.

There is a LIMITTED EDITION (again) BUT for '04 it includes 2-tone paint. Lt. Beige over Dark Beige
Silver over Charcoal
and White over Lt. Beige.

In 2003, it was monotone in any of 8 colors.

The shelf you mention in the trunk is best suited for suitcases, providing you also fill up the well with suitcases to a level amount.

I love mine dearly and have had not one trip to dealer for even the slightest flaw. (Far cry from my Mark 8). You've experienced the ultra smooth ride - now try this. Travel down a residential street at the posed 25 MPH, make a turn into another (side) street, do not slow down!! Take turn ast 25 and cut the steering wheel H*A*R*D and watch that 4,300 pounder whip around that corner like a fish! Notice the absence of any body lean, too.

any other ??? fire away.
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Also.... I forgot.....regarding PRICE.

You can get $1,600 of of MSRLP. There is $4,000 Factory-to-Consumer rebate. Have Dad put it in his name. IF he is over 52 years old, have him join AARP (American Assn'. of Retired Persons) ((He don't have to be retired)) ~ ~ It costs $25.00 unless they are having a special, then it's $10.00. IF a member you get an additional $500.00 of the price...so that's $6,100.00 off of MSRLP. If he ORDERS it from the factory, he'll DO better!!!! Here's why. If he buys it off the lot he gets the above discounts......

There's a thing of price protection. That means that if he orders it, he get the above discounts. Even if they are removed and/or cancelled.....(They won't be, trust me). Now during the 6 weeks it takes to get a factory fresh piece, should the factory-to-consumer rebate go UP, to say $5,000, HE GETS THAT !! It's a win-win situation!!!
When I ordered mine, the rebate was $3,500. When it arrived the rebate went to $4,500. I got the $4,500. (Sadly a month later it went to $6,000) But that was only to clear out the leftovers, and what I wanted was not around. (Only 370 2003 Limited Editions in my Silver-Jade were made)...

IF you shop one dealer against another, you might get a little of the Back-Door Money, as well, but don't get your hopes up!

You could try the sneak attack, and just come out and say "I WANT SOME OF THE BACK DOOR MONEY, TOO< AND THEN I'LL SIGN THE CONTRACT RIGHT NOW NOW NOW NOW !!
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

thank u sandy. im curious, have u ever driven the previous gen town car? if so, does the difference justify buying new as opposed to a near new, much cheaper alternative? u gotta keep in mind, my dad and step-mother pull in a good amount of cash both being registered nurses, yet they drive a hyundai now. theyre very thrifty to put it mildly. i was shocked when he agreed to spring for the TC (granted, we got it at cheaper than 50% of what its normally rented for). needless to say, he is enjoying the ride and is actually considering one. this is a guy who is always nagging me about my enjoyment of both luxury and power. hes into raw sports cars and wouldnt think twice about buying a viper. this is why im so blown away by this.

also, is that trunk "shelf" removable? i mean, i can see fitting a couple small speakers in it but id love to remove it and put in some BIG speakers. without that shelf thing, there'd be a ton more space.

btw, i did try that taking a corner at a higher than a TC should go speed and i was impressed. i noticed the lack of body roll coming around a corner and decided to see how far i could go with it. i got it to a little over 30 on the next try with the same results. i figured this car would be much more boat-like.

thanks again guys.
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Paul, I have no idea what is under that shelf-thing. However, a call to ANY dealer's service dept. would answer that question! There is NO comparasion between a 2003 and earlier model. EVERYTING underneath was re-engineered for '03. Geometry was re-designed, shocks, springs (front) the car has air bags (like the Mark) in the rear, the axle ratio, the steering....simply everything. Find a left over '03 - there's like $6,000 rebate & back door money, too. On a 2003, do not purchase unless you are getting $11,000 off of MSRLP. They can (and will give) $ 11,000 of list on that car.

I'd be afraid to buy a prior unit used as LIVERY. They run the heck outta them.
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Speaking of discounts, you should check out www.carsdirect.com A new Ultimate Town car is 38,131 thats over 7k under MSRP if you do decided to go new, and the options are cheaper as well. 2700 for the navigation system and 431 for the HIDs. Yes they did do a lot on the 2003 TCs and Grand Marquis/Crown vics. They made them quiter and reworked the entire front end (steering, suspention, etc).
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

These are the options on the Ultimate

Trunk Mounted CD Changer (6-Disc) $605.00
Two-Tone Paint $295.00
HID Headlamps $495.00
Power Moonroof $1,595.00
Navigation System (6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer Included) $3,100.00
Trunk Organizer $195.00
P225/60R17 All-Season WSW Tires $125.00
17" 9-Spoke Chrome Wheels $895.00
Limited Edition
(Includes the above CD, 2-Tone & Chromed Wheels)
 
RE: Rented a Town Car

Want to know what's under the"shelfy-thing",boys and girls?
The fuel tank.
It's mounted vertically and forward for wieght distribution
and impact safety.
Town Cars are truly beautiful machines that last forever with
a little care. See my post under "Daily Driver" in this forum.
 
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