which year to get?

p38wannabe

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I am currently an Mark VII owner but my wife wants to get a VIII for herself. i read somewere that the earlier models came with higher hp engines - therefore my question - which one to get. Thanks in advance.
 
96+ LSC's had 290 HP, 295 TQ. Previous years had 280/285.
 
i'd get a 97 or 98. i have a 95 and can't stand the headlights. but the 97's+ have the nice ones. plus the car is just nicer.
 
1996 LSC IMO the best of the group. You don't have those 2nd gen issues like broken HVAC door arms and it comes with HID's and 290 hp.
 
I'd agree with Scott! 96 has many gen 1 bugs worked out.

96 Gen 1 over the Gen 2.

Then it all depends on what you want.

Gen 1s more hp, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to purchase get a southern car if you can do it.

Gen 2s more toys but higher cost for repairs.


Put it this way you can't loose on any year, all will depend on the car itself. How well it was maintained by the previous owner(s) and what issues are you getting when you purchase your Mark VIII. Look the car over very good take it out through driving inspection, check the tranny for burnt oil - you know go over the usual used car things. Make sure you are comfortable with the place you are purchasing your Mark some things can be hidden by the seller.
 
As usual, differing opinons across the board. LOL




Whatever you do, DON'T get a '93.
 
Ricksquickviii said:
why not a 93?

They have their bugs and they are the ones that have the CC switch under the master cylinder and can catch on fire. They were moved for 94. Continuing with my earlier post, the 96's also have the armrest in the rear seat, hard button updated climate control, and don't have the neon light that breaks like the 97-98's. My next Mark VIII will be a 96 LSC.
 
Ricksquickviii said:
why not a 93?

Chances are good you'll put $2,500 in the car the first year. Minimum. Everything plastic wears out in the car, and at some point you'll have to choose b/t $2000 for new struts or do a $400 coil conversion yourself.
 
$2000 for new struts? I got the 2nd gen front air struts for a couple hundred? Also, the 95 LSC also came stock with 290hp 295tq. A few rare 95 LSC's also came with HIDs but I have yet to see one in person.
 
To me getting a mark 8 is all about what you like. Personally I would never buy a gen 2 mark cause I think they are ugly as hell in the front, and I do like the neon however I think the back end isn't the greatest. gen 2's look so much better with no chrome( actually any car looks 1000 times better without chrome) To me they don't look as aggressive, then again I like modding my car so I care about these things. they tried to make the mark more luxurious(sp) looks wise but I think they came up short on that. Again this is only my views.
Gen 2's are slower then gen 1's... regardless if they have more h.p. The intake kills that engine and I am not positive but I think they weigh more too.

as to the comments on the 93's.. yea they may have they're faults but I had a 93 and a 96 and I've said it before... if I had the same amount of mods I have now on my 96 on my 93, my 93 would win. I was truly dissapointed when I bought my 96 with 4.10 gears in it. I never had any problems with my 93.

You said this car is for your wife, she'd probally want the 2nd gen.
 
thanks for all the input - I am debating with my wife right now ... =) ... looks like it will be either a 96 or 97
 
96lsc

I've had my 96 LSC for 7 years no major repairs none (119000 miles) I am a bit prejudice but what can I say. If You can find a nice one.
 
Last edited:
fossten said:
Chances are good you'll put $2,500 in the car the first year. Minimum. Everything plastic wears out in the car, and at some point you'll have to choose b/t $2000 for new struts or do a $400 coil conversion yourself.


No no no no no no no....


Even if all 4 bags go out at once, its about a $700 in parts - and $300 - $400 in labor which can be saved if you do the work yourself. Its easy to do and we have write ups in the tech section on how to do it. Generally you only need to replace 1 bag at a time. A front bag goes for under $200 from arnott or strutmasters. Installation is about $75 labor for 1 bag.

$2k is if you have a dealer do it. Buy the parts yourself and have them installed. Dont let the garage buy the part, cuz then they mark up the price.

If you want coils, fine. But dont do it cuz of money. Its comparable.
 
p38wannabe said:
thanks for all the input - I am debating with my wife right now ... =) ... looks like it will be either a 96 or 97

I would say - 96 or 98 myself.
 
If you get a 96 just becarful on the headlights cause they expensive new from delearship you'll be looking at $1600 for new HID's so make sure you got Max's number from Five Star Ford in case you need new ones. Other than the headlight 96's Marks are AWSome my moms 51 and she love it. She asks me every month wana switch cars?
 
Lincolnpimpin said:
If you get a 96 just becarful on the headlights cause they expensive new from delearship you'll be looking at $1600 for new HID's so make sure you got Max's number from Five Star Ford in case you need new ones. Other than the headlight 96's Marks are AWSome my moms 51 and she love it. She asks me every month wana switch cars?
Good point HID's Not Cheap. Mine went out at 53,000 and Bob Sight Lincoln Kansas City covered the cost. With that said. Its a great car. But as we all know, get the car checked out by a Pro.
 
KC96LSC said:
Good point HID's Not Cheap. Mine went out at 53,000.

Ya mine when out at IDK miles????? I got my car off Ebay one was already out I should of notice it in the pictures since it had about a cup of water in it literaly. And the other one went out shortly after it my guess at about 60,000 Miles. But it kind of work out okay I guess went broke for the next month and a half and I got kick ass headlights, although I got lucky b/c I just got hired at Ford right after they went out and got emplyee discount saved me $600 Thank GOD.
 
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