Test drove a 97 LSC, 71k miles. Wicked ride, I should have replaced my aging 89 Cougar a few years ago.
Well, thanks to sites like this, I was armed with a little information, and I am gonna have to pass this one up. They wanted 7k for it. I think it is too abused and neglected.
It has the yellow side view mirror, the lasgna weatherstripping around the rear window, broken blend door, info center showing door ajar when it wasn't, one headlight was full of condesation, tranny fluid smelled real bad.
Then the scary stuff. It probably had a wheel bearing going out, any speed above 30 you could feel it in the passenger floorboard and it sound horrible. That was the nail in the coffin. It could mask so many problems that I wouldn't want to touch it. It also needed an idler pulley and a belt, that could be masking lots of stuff going on in the engine.
I am sure it has the same cartidge type wheel bearings my 89 Cougar and 2000 Grand Marquis has, but I would like to hear and drive it before I buy it with that fixed, and the the idler pulley.
It didn't seem to have excessive valve train noise, it is noisier than my 2000 Grand Marquis with the SOHC 4.6, but it has twice the mechanicals and 90 more ponies, so it should be!
Anyways, I am hooked, and I will find me one. My Cougar should hold on long enough that I can take my time and find one.
I really want a 98 LSC, white with grey interior, and moon roof (which this had all, and the 10 disc changer). I don't want to have to settle on a later model Thunderchicken or Cougar with the 4.6 SOHC, not after the short test drive of the Mark VIII. I also don't want another Grand Marquis. I love the one I have, and the wife taking it over as a people mover is fine. RWD, V8, not an SUV. Narrows down the field alot. I also want another 2 door.
Well, thanks to sites like this, I was armed with a little information, and I am gonna have to pass this one up. They wanted 7k for it. I think it is too abused and neglected.
It has the yellow side view mirror, the lasgna weatherstripping around the rear window, broken blend door, info center showing door ajar when it wasn't, one headlight was full of condesation, tranny fluid smelled real bad.
Then the scary stuff. It probably had a wheel bearing going out, any speed above 30 you could feel it in the passenger floorboard and it sound horrible. That was the nail in the coffin. It could mask so many problems that I wouldn't want to touch it. It also needed an idler pulley and a belt, that could be masking lots of stuff going on in the engine.
I am sure it has the same cartidge type wheel bearings my 89 Cougar and 2000 Grand Marquis has, but I would like to hear and drive it before I buy it with that fixed, and the the idler pulley.
It didn't seem to have excessive valve train noise, it is noisier than my 2000 Grand Marquis with the SOHC 4.6, but it has twice the mechanicals and 90 more ponies, so it should be!
Anyways, I am hooked, and I will find me one. My Cougar should hold on long enough that I can take my time and find one.
I really want a 98 LSC, white with grey interior, and moon roof (which this had all, and the 10 disc changer). I don't want to have to settle on a later model Thunderchicken or Cougar with the 4.6 SOHC, not after the short test drive of the Mark VIII. I also don't want another Grand Marquis. I love the one I have, and the wife taking it over as a people mover is fine. RWD, V8, not an SUV. Narrows down the field alot. I also want another 2 door.
