Calling all MARK VIII experts...I've got questions

[MrWilson]

How is the 97 the worst base model? It's the LSC btw,if you missed that...

i was just saying what i thought the worst was, i know your lookin at an lsc

the reason i say that is It looks ugly with the chrome grille and chrome moulding, also being a 97 it doesnt have the upgraded tranny as the 98 does. gen 2s are also slower than gen 1s, and it only would have 3.08 gears, not 3.27s so your even slower off the line, so youd have the slowest and ugliest mark, with tranny problems. IMO the best package deal you can get is a 96LSC, and for comfort sake 98LSC. Though im fond of my 95 base.

 

[mespock]

I don't think it matters who has had the car. Old lady? Did she keep up with the maintenance? Did the car just sit. Now if someone much younger let's say for the sake of argument (Mr. Wilson LOL J/K) well.... LOL... just picking on you I'm not trashing you... OK how about Nitrobasher... OK is that better..LOL...

But Mike had a point the other day. If they have over 150K many of the issues that arise when the car ages. (Parts that are going to wear out) have been replaced.

You are going to have some things go wrong. It doesn't matter what car you buy. The Mark VIII will cost for repairs if you take it to a dealer or shop.

If you can do them yourself, you will save lots of money. Still with LvC if you purchase the car and we can help you through many of the issues that your Mark VIII will have, as we've all had things go wrong. Plus, from reading other threads the owners are more experienced than the service stations on these cars.

I have 3 Mark VIII's and love them. I've had a bunch of things go wrong and have repaired them myself. Before LvC I was a car idiot (OK I opened it up for you Mr. Wilson LOL). Now I'm a car moron and moving up. But LvC has helped me learn a lot about cars and the Mark VIII.

What I have found out is, that the Mark VIII is not a hard car to work on plus most of the diagnosis from this site are correct. Plus you have many people who will help you over the phone while you are turning the wrench... (Thanks Ray)... And plenty others who are there to answer the questions.. Torquemonkey, 94m5, Jibit, Mr. Wilson, brentalan, ONEBADMK8, 1wykdmk8, MonsterMark, Marked8, Joeychcgo, Calabrio, Sergmark, JC1994, to name a few who have helped me from time to time.

Remember I have 3 Mark VIIIs highest miles 202K lowest 139K.. you will have things wear out from time to time. Mark VIIIs are great cars that are fun to drive, Class with some get up and go...

I don't think you can go wrong with any of he years. It doesn't matter whether they are LSCs or not (doesn't really mean a lot, although some think so just a few extra toys and 10 hp that doesn't show up).

98s have the best tranny, 93s the fastest, 94 bugs out from the 93s, 95 are suppose to be the slowest (although I haven't noticed), 96 finally got HIDs, 97 new toys and a different look from the gen 1s.

LSC got 3.27 gears, true duals and perf seats... what else...

All I know is that once you own a Mark VIII you fall in love with the car ask (MsM8tress LOL) and LvC helps keep the affair lasting..

Good luck with your 97 choice.. if the old lady 97 falls through you have a lot of nice offers from guys on the site. I don't know of any offered that you couldn't trust.

 

[MrWilson]

I don't think it matters who has had the car. Old lady? Did she keep up with the maintenance? Did the car just sit. Now if someone much younger let's say for the sake of argument (Mr. Wilson LOL J/K) well.... LOL... just picking on you I'm not trashing you... OK how about Nitrobasher... OK is that better..LOL...

lol, i dont blame ya, just dont get into a habbit of it

 

[Marked4Life]

Jezz Mav you let the cat out of the bag! I'm in Portland Or, It was hot yesterday about 85 today though 75.
About the car.
I have a 94 and I get about 22 city and 30 highway. Just took a 2000 mile road trip to Salt Lake City. 29+ mpg getting there going from sea level to 4500 feet over 30 mpg coming home. I have had few problems with 140,000 miles. It seems the air bags last from 8 to 12 years so your getting close I would say. It seems the alternators are number 2 on the list, just spend a few more dollars and get a good one. That goes for anything you do to the car, don't go cheap and you will be alot better off.
My car will not run right with anything less than 91 octane and we have 92 here. So gas will cost an extra $4 a tank.
If you don't beat the car it should last as well as any quality car. I see people on here bittchin about their cars having all kinds of problems. Then you read back on old theads and you see they beat the crap out of their cars. These are not race cars! Bottom line is drive these cars normal and they will last a long long time.
The back seat is tight but workable. My 14 year old son had no problems during our trip to SLC. He is 5' 9" about 160 pounds.
Alot of good stuff from the guys here, make sure to go back and read the old threads.
Best of luck to you, I have owned my 94 for 9 years now.

Raoul

If you do buy a Mark 8, check the old threads or ask before doing any work on the car, You don't want to over tighting spark plugs and such!

 

[04SSHD]

04SS, thats a nice mark, but a long drive!!

I am willing to drive it half way if you are interested...LMK