Faults:

Regular maintenance.

Brakes need to be changed more often due to the car's heft at approx. 3,800lbs.

A/C bland door arm, an easy fix, a common problem

The button for the fuel door popped out, I replaced it.

The center caps for the rims often break, especially during tire changes or rotations. These center caps are getting harder to find each year.

Sunroof has come off it's track, causing it to jam up.

Premium fuel can get expensive, I average around 15 mpg.

I wish it handled bumps and potholes more like a luxury car, and less like a sports car.

All in all, minor issues.

General Comments:

I always wanted this car and found one in green. I tinted the windows slightly. I paid $6,000 when I bought it.

This is one of the best cars Lincoln ever made. It was so advanced for its time (although the 1980 Mark VI introduced many of the features that this car has).

It handles like a race car, it has unbelievable performance on the open road, and the comfort and style one can only find in an American car.

It has HID headlamps, an industry first, the turn signal indicators and puddle lamps on the side view mirrors, another first.

It also has perforated leather seats, power on both sides, including a drivers glide and passenger glide for easy entry and exit.

The side view mirrors also angle down in reverse for easier parking, considering this is a large coupe. The steering wheel is also power tilt and telescopic.

The sound system is great, with a 10 disc CD changer and a cassette player for the iPods of today.

This car has standard features not found on cars today.

The Mark VIII is rear wheel drive, making things difficult in the snow, but making it THE last true American coupe. This is the last year of the Marks, and I won't be giving this up.

Faults:

A/C and heat are not very efficient at the moment. Otherwise normal wear.

Slight noise when shifting to 2nd gear for the first time in the day. Smooth shifting otherwise.

Previous owner gave it great maintenance.

General Comments:

This car is an extinct breed. Combines American luxury and style with good performance. It is the perfect cruiser for extended highway travel. V8 noise at wide open throttle is a pleasant, subdued growl. In line with its luxury heritage. This doesn't roar like a Mustang or a Corvette. It is a classier beast with similar power on tap; plus it seats four adults is plush comfort.

Excellent rolling-start acceleration, although not exceptional launch off-the-line due to overly conservative traction control (it can be turned off though). Lots of punch for passing (40 to 90 miles/h is superb!). Its creamy engine would do wonders if coupled with today's 5 speed automatics.

I beg Lincoln to bring its Luxury V8 rear drive coupe back into production! I'll pamper and enjoy my Mk-VIII until that happens. This car could become a classic in a few years.

Faults:

Cooling Fan Module (Variable Load Control Module) broke June 2007 at 14,000 miles (yes, 14,000 miles, coming up on its 5th oil change). Part Obsoleted by Ford. Spent June-September searching for the part. Found it 3000 miles away in Massachusetts. Without this part, your radiator fan won't work, causing overheating. Your air conditioning may not work either as it is also controlled by this module. I'm in a state of shock that many parts for this car are Obsolete, its only a 9 year old car!

General Comments:

This car was put on our pedestal since the day we bought it almost 10 years ago. It's been stored in a California garage, under a car cover. Incredibly, it still has the "new car" smell in it, and has 14,000 miles on it.

Its performance and handling is incredible considering the tuna boat that it is. We leased a '95 LSC and was so happy with the car (not the dealer) that we got the '98 when we discovered they were discontinuing the Mark VIII. The thought never occurred to me that they would discontinue parts and support for it too!

Its comfort and styling is unsurpassed. I love this car and it looks better today than the day I picked it up from the dealer.

I am despondent on the fact that parts are not available from Ford. In my 4 month search for my Cooling Fan Module (variable load control module) I learned that the 97-98 Mark VIII (Generation 2 - different than the 93-96 Marks) are non-existent in junk yards to get parts. If in an accident, I learned that insurance companies consider 2 broken headlights, broken grille and bent hood a "total loss". Headlights are also Obsolete and are a required safety item in California. Insurance will give you a "salvage title" if you keep your car. Then you can search for you own headlights, or sell parts off the car. Its frustrating waiting for a donor car, then being lucky enough to actually get possession of the part.

Instead of enjoying the beautiful car that it is; I find myself nervous at what's going to break next, and how long will it take to find it? Do I keep it? Do I sell it while its working? Do I sell it when it breaks again? I'm not having fun anymore.