Thinking of getting 99-02 Continental

[MarkVIIIcominsoon]

I have a 97 Mark VIII and was thinking of selling it to get a 99-02 Continental is this a good idea? also what are the main problems with the car in these years and how is this car compared to the mark. thanks for any answers

 

[Stang393]

From what i've seen, it's the same usual problems as the Mark...Air bags, Coils..

The only additional problem i've seen on the Contis is Steering Rack, axle shafts.

So when you're buying one...besure on the test drive to make a hard as you can left and right...and Punch it...

If you hear clicking, that's the axleshafts needing to be replaced. (not to be confused with some real fast clicking that might be the traction control it will say on dash if it's TC) Also will test out the steering rack...

 

[Calabrio]

Unless you need a bigger back seat and 4 doors, it's not a good trade.

 

[bradyelich]

See my previous post on Continental Consumer Guide Reliability reports.
Regards,
Brad.

 

[pokeeto2]

Since I'm in the Car business. I've owned, and drove many of these cars from 97 and up. About 12 of them. Depends what kind of an owner you are. The Mark Can Take more of a beating becasue of RWD. The Continental needs a softer owers. They are almost as fast as a Mark but it might come to a price if overdone. I'f you take care of your cars, then a Continetal is't a bad choice.

Inexpensive Common Problems:

1- Front Wheel Wheel Bearings

2- Belt Tensioner Bearing

3. Belt Pulley Bearings

4- Rear Sway Bar Bushings ( It's a rubber piece that expands and loosens casuing a rattling noise will riding over any road imperfections)

5. Individual Coil Malfunction after 100K but is not a Continental only issue.

6. Valve Cover Gaskets ( This applies to the Mark Too because of the same engine. After over 100k, oil begins to leak into the spark plug and Coil Channel, causing the car to misfire.

7.Center Front CV Drive Shaft ( They begin vibrating on some of these cars when they reach over 130K.)

8. Oxygen Sensor

9. Engine Mounts


Expensive Common Problems

1. Transmission Torque Converter ( Especially More of an issue with the 99 to 2002 because the 15 extra HP is too much for the Tiny AX4N Tranny to handle) Un-neaded high accelerations over 4500RPM's contribute and wheel spin.

2. Transmission Differential (Possibly the planetary Gearsets. It's more of an issue to those who make excesive wheel spin such as burnouts and intense wheel spin in the snow at high speeds.) Most cases it developes in these cars with over 100k when the previos owners dose these mistreatments for over 80K while owning. This is more widespread in the Continental. Less common issue in a Taurus equiped with the same AX4N tranny becuase of the lower powered Duratec V6.


These cars are quite reliable if they are well taken cared for. The tranmission issues are overall avoidable if the previos owners didn't abuse the car. Since Many of the previous owners of these cars are old Folks, you most likely will run into a good Continental.

I'm telling you this becuase I've put over 120,000 miles driving Continentals. The Most in a single one was 33k and that was in a 98 that started with 117k and ended with 150K. All I ever had to change was the front Wheel Bearing, Pulley bearings, and the rear swaybar bushings. This is aside from regualr maintenece.
I have found that the 98 overall was the best and most reliable year especially transmission wise becuase of the 15 less HP.

 

[MarkVIIIcominsoon]

Thanks for the answers guys im still on the fence about getting rid of the mark every time i look at it i say maybe i shouldn't so well see.

 

[ground_zero298]

Just go find a nice 02 and take her for a drive, smooth ride, very quiet on the inside, 25 to 27 mpg, butt load of passing power, insurance is a little cheaper than the mark. Nice to have 4 doors instead of 2, can fit 3 bodies in the trunk, maybe 4 if their persons of short stature. And the last year of the conti's don't have airbag issuses like the earlier years do. Very nicely setup on the inside. But it's not a mark. But it depends on what you prefer, I bought a conti instead of a mark.

 

[pokeeto2]

Also Just to Note:

If you ever thought of Getting any older years.

STAY AWAY FROM THE 95 AND 96

It's an expensive pain to repair the Front Airstruts which always fail prematuraly.

97 and up was when they converted the front suspention to coil springs, and left only the rear in Airsprings like a Town Car.

97's are reliable but still suffered some design quirks. 1998 was when most was rectified and Ford Added a front Engine support which drastically reduced engine movement, and reduced the premature damage to the engine mounts.

I also reccomend trying to avoid ( High Milage 1999 and 2000 years). Not that they were unreliable, but I noticed that they also most suffered from Tranny Torque Converter issues.

I Still haven't witnessed a 97, 98, 2001, 2005 with those excessive Torque Converter issues.

1998, 2001, 2002 are your sweet spots.

 

[Dacket]

Phew! I almost bought a 2000 Conti, then it sold before I had the time to go there. Then I found my 2001... Good thing

 

[pokeeto2]

Where the heck was I? Scratch out the 2005, I meant 2002. ( Second from the last SENTENCE.)

 

[psungee]

I bought, in early May, a 2000 knowing I'd have to do the rack. Turns out I'm doing the rack and hoses. Also knew it's gonna be some dough to maintain. I went into it aware I'd have to do bags ('n stuff) over time. It's front wheel drive - ball joints 'n stuff have a limited life. That's life. As stated above, it's an "old man's car" but has tons of passing power. A pleasure to drive!

I think what you need to consider is if you're gonna miss the power (fun?) of the Mark. It's an absolute pleasure to drive but it's no sports car!