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1983 Lincoln Town Car


Dibsing
08-19-2004, 12:35 AM
Hello,

I have the option of aquiring a 1983 Lincoln Town Car for 2000$. I have seen it and driving it and its drives nice and most of the features work. (Power doors, windows, seats (except for the right and left tilt) A/C, cruise, tilt, steering, and brakes) There is not chips in the windows, and there is no rust except for the under belly and thats not even that bad). Its got 110K kms on it and the body is mint. The interiour is clean and no spills or smells. The Vinyel has seen better days but its not riped or cracked. The tires are good and its got original rims from ford. should I purchase this car and what problems may arise? Im only 17 and still going to school so money supply is limited.

PS. whats is GM ( Gas Mileage) on a lincoln?

Thanks

ltdltc
08-19-2004, 03:16 AM
Gas milage would be dismal around 14-17 mpg. Seriously look at newer models $2000 is to much for a vehicle that old and vehicles nowadays have features that make tham all around better choice.

Look at some more cars if you really are keen on buying that 83, you may just be surprised with what you can find.

You could easily get a 1990 through 1994 Town Car with high miles for around $2000. Which have Air bags and ABS (ABS made standard in 1991 to present, optional in 1990). It would handle better and would get much better fuel economy and look better.

But this is my opinion.

In all of my 90s Town Cars I have averaged around 20 mpg around town.

Dibsing
08-19-2004, 03:49 AM
This though is the only way i can get a car... My boss is selling it to me for 500 down payment and 100 a month for 15 months + or - whatever i sell my present car... Before he said it was 2300 but he lowered it to 2000 becuase i work for him

ltdltc
08-19-2004, 07:56 AM
This though is the only way i can get a car... My boss is selling it to me for 500 down payment and 100 a month for 15 months + or - whatever i sell my present car... Before he said it was 2300 but he lowered it to 2000 becuase i work for him


Well if those are your circumstances then find a cheaper car or put that $500 in to your present one.

I would not even remotely think of borrowing money for a car that old especially if money is a concern like you stated in your earlier post.

I'd keep your current car if I were you.

Dibsing
08-19-2004, 01:37 PM
lol thing is my current car needs close to 3000$ worth of repairs to it. New windshield, Back tail gate and window, heater core has antifreeze in it a/c needs to be charged, floor needs new carpet, i need new fuel in jectors and a new control arm on the right front side

ltdltc
08-19-2004, 04:27 PM
New windshield,

Thats what insurance is for if you have the right coverage.

Back tail gate and window,

Was your car involved in a accident?

heater core has antifreeze in it

The heater core should have coolant running throught it. Is it leaking? You can always block the hoses going to it but you'll have no heat.

a/c needs to be charged,

Roll down the windows.

floor needs new carpet,

Put some floormats down.

i need new fuel in jectors and a new control arm on the right front side


Unless your car was in an accident does these repairs do not sound like $3000 to me.

By all means buy the car, but I know for a fact that your money can be better spent else where.

What happens if down the line that 83 needs a new transmission, or some other kind of mishap? Will you be able to afford to pay that person for that vehicle and said repairs. Or what about an accident?

If these were to occur you would still owe that person money and have no car. And defaulting on someone you owe money too is a bad idea, especially your boss. I'd rather owe an institution than a sole person (plus with an institution you have GAP coverage).

You could probably find a newer model car that needs minor work for $500. Rather than spending your $500 now and owing $1500 dollars on it.

Good luck with your decision. :)

Dibsing
08-19-2004, 04:38 PM
IM going to get my boss to get it inspected for whats wrong with it or whats going to go wrong.... My car was in 4 car accidents but they were not reported to the insurance. They were minor and i didnt car because of the condition of the car...

jase386
08-20-2004, 09:13 AM
i would have to add my opinion, if you like the car and its in good condition then buy it, if you have doubts dont. anytime you buy any used car youre taking a gamble. buying a newer car with high miles doesnt give you any mechanical advantage over an older car with low mileage. Wear and Tear is just that, the less mileage the less wear.

the 83 TC is a beautiful car. the gas mileage will be around 17 mpg but thats what my 89 gets, and thats also what my 96 chrysler minivan gets. Dont miss out on a good car just on the opinion of someone in a forum you dont know. Those 302's are good engines, the Ford Trans may give good service for another few thousand miles if its been taken care of, or it could go. same with a newer lincoln. main thing youll want to look for is the service records. Also check NADA, and Kelly Blue Book to see if the price is within those listed at those sites.

ltdltc
08-20-2004, 11:28 AM
i would have to add my opinion, if you like the car and its in good condition then buy it, if you have doubts dont. anytime you buy any used car youre taking a gamble. buying a newer car with high miles doesnt give you any mechanical advantage over an older car with low mileage. Wear and Tear is just that, the less mileage the less wear.

the 83 TC is a beautiful car. the gas mileage will be around 17 mpg but thats what my 89 gets, and thats also what my 96 chrysler minivan gets. Dont miss out on a good car just on the opinion of someone in a forum you dont know. Those 302's are good engines, the Ford Trans may give good service for another few thousand miles if its been taken care of, or it could go. same with a newer lincoln. main thing youll want to look for is the service records. Also check NADA, and Kelly Blue Book to see if the price is within those listed at those sites.


Uh Your 89 is SEFI, the 83 that he is purchasing has CFI a sort of TBI that is worse than SEFI. You cannot compare your 89 to the 83 that he may be purchasing they may be the same in looks and parts but not the engine management system.

And buying a newer car does have with higher milage does give you an advantage due to the saftey and engine management features that I mentioned above. Better handling and better fuel economy.

Oh and most people that have had CFI in their cars have gotten rid of it for a 4 bbl or 2 bbl carburator.

And your argument about high milage is true, but there is an exception that I can tell you about.

I had a 1990 Town Car that I paid $5000 for that had 125,000 miles on it and it looked and ran like it only had 50,000. I got rid of it due to an accident at 156,000 and it still ran fine. If you can find a high milage car that has been taken care of, it would be certainly better than that 83.

I have nothing invested in him buying the car, if he does and has no problems great. I'm just saying that there are better cars to be had. Especially for $2000.


Look at this 1993 with only 114,XXX miles
$1795 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=163659929&dealer_id=54092607&car_year=1993&make=LINC&distance=100&max_price=2000&model=LINCTC&advcd_on=n&end_year=1994&min_price=&address=01778&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1990&color=&cardist=29)

This is another 1993 with only 97,XXX miles only about 9,000 more miles than the 83 that he is going to buy
$1995 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=168380067&dealer_id=73708&car_year=1993&make=LINC&distance=100&max_price=2000&model=LINCTC&advcd_on=n&end_year=1994&min_price=&address=01778&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1990&color=&cardist=26)

I would not hesitate to buy either one with a quck test drive to know what work was needed to lower the price.

Dibsing
08-20-2004, 04:46 PM
Trust me i could do a lot better with 2000$ but see i dont have 2000$ i only have 500 enough for the payemnt, and the other payments by month, My father wont cosign a loan and i dont need that being a senior in highschool and being my last year. I like that Lincoln because of the body style and its in really good condition. My car presently needs a new trans and a Tprque Converter/seliod which can be like 1200$ jsut for the part.

jase386
08-20-2004, 11:54 PM
its mostly up to you, if its a good car, and you like the way it looks and drives, then go for it. you have to please yourself.

as far as the 83 and 89 comparison, i wasnt comparing anything, i have a 72 mark iv, an 83 mark vi (same as towncar, except sheet metal) and an 89 towncar. personally i wouldnt buy a ford product, but all of these are hand-me-downs ive ended up with.

someone seems to be hung up on handling, its just what youre used to driving. i can drive my floaty 89 on the same roads anyone else can. because im used to it. When i was driving my 83 daily, it got between 15 and 17 mpg. and it handled better than my 89.


back to the 83 though. id check the car values for your area, and try to get him down some, although the car may be nice, $2000 seems a little high to me. $1500 sounds more in line

wilhelmscream
08-21-2004, 11:52 AM
if your going to not listen to anyones opinion on this car then why even come to the forum and ask. about 5 months ago i purchased an 86 Lincoln TownCar Signature Series in perfect condition, needed one pulley which was 25 dollars and a new battery, i payed 750 for this car and it had only 64,000 miles on it. but by all means waste your money on that car if thats what you want to do...

jase386
08-23-2004, 09:20 AM
sounds like you got a good bargain. where am i when these come along.... my bargains always end up costing me more than if i didnt try to get one.... maybe you could sell the kid that 86 for $900 haha. sounds like his boss is trying to take him to the cleaners, just because hes in a tight spot. i hate to see people taken advantage of.

rickmuzick
02-01-2005, 12:10 AM
IM going to get my boss to get it inspected for whats wrong with it or whats going to go wrong.... My car was in 4 car accidents but they were not reported to the insurance. They were minor and i didnt car because of the condition of the car...


DON'T GET YOUR BOSS TO DO ANYTHING!!! HE IS RIPPING YOU OFF!!!
THAT CAR IS NOT WORTH $2000.00 EVEN UNDER HIS FINANCING TERMS. I JUST BOUGHT AN 84 FOR $200.00 (HUNDRED) AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT THAT A LITTLE SOAP AND WATER WON'T FIX.

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