20th Dec 2012, 22:16

Nobody said anything about leaded fuel. Leaded fuel had nothing to do with CAFE standards. You misquote people a lot just to desperately make points. Anyway, CAFE standards weren't passed to protect the people, they were passed because we were angry with the Arabs about that whole 1973 fuel embargo, so we decided to ween ourselves off of their products in return.

21st Dec 2012, 06:39

You have to realize that the econo minded are typically not ones to start removing new stock equipment off new cars. I am like you and change everything that upgrades my vehicles, while remaining street legal I would love to see actually annual production #s on new vehicles, taking the high price of gas as the biggest factor today. I am not a slave to the fuel pump, and being herded into what others seem to buy today. I have to truly like the vehicle, how it handles, nice ride, amenities and decent performance.

I don't have hour commutes or even desire to. My reasoning is that if you work 8 hours a day, you really work 10 as it's work related with an added commute. I don't know if people realize that. I know people that commute from the Poconos to NYC, and spent half their day involved with work. I would rather be home in 5 minutes and it's easier on my vehicle, less depreciation on mileage tacked on them, and repairs as well. And drive something really nice.

22nd Dec 2012, 07:59

Can we get off the CAFE? Is this what this car is about, and all that you can discuss?

How about the great leather and ride etc, or actual user comments on this car?

My first experience in a car of this type was in a brand new 73 Silver Mark. My friend owned a brand new one in college (successful parents). Being brand new it was fantastic. Tight, whisper quiet. I remember the silver leather interior and silver vinyl top and sunroof. His trade was his 1971 Green black stripe 350 4 speed Z/28 Camaro with the very rare high factory spoiler. I drove a stock split window 63 Corvette in college, later sold the following year for $2600. Not a typo! Price one now.

At first I couldn't believe he would be happy with a luxury car after the Camaro. Quite a switch and choice from my viewpoint. Total brand new it was an absolute standout car at the time, and real class. I remember the brand new Mark cars, when introduced with their changes, were real distinctive with the grille, oval opera windows later and trunk treatment. I bought a used 70 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo on a whim years later at a great price. We even took it snow skiing and had a great time. I flipped it later at a profit.

Most of my older cars have all been profitable. Most new drop like a rock. These big cars need to be owned at some point in your lifetime if possible. All the nitpicking about crash tests, air bags etc takes away the joy of owning great vehicles. I know I have driven many miles, no crashes and still quite alive. If I had it to do all over again, I would do the same. Better than sitting home and picking away. Every time you step out your front door, you are exposed to danger. There are so many great vehicle choices vs the basic grocery getters. Maybe you can try some of them. Hopefully you may find my comments a bit more interesting read than the recent posts over CAFE and gas prices.

23rd Dec 2012, 11:47

Ricers don't drive them. But a few unfortunate Lincolns from this era do find themselves being lowered, modded, given 22's, and turned into a lowrider. Most of the people who do that kind of stuff are usually just pretenders.

23rd Dec 2012, 12:18

In regards to the rusting. I think that has more to do with how the owner takes care of the car. Sadly, a lot of people nowadays buy these old cars for the wrong reasons, and really don't possess the means to properly maintain them. The other sad part was that back then, Americans got rid of a lot of great cars because of their need to show off brand new vehicles. I'm so glad that today, people are keeping their cars longer and not buying into the hype of getting a new car every 3-4 years. But yeah, I can't see a 2012 Hyundai still on the road 30-40 years from now. Although, maybe a big truck built today will last. The big Lincolns of yesteryear were overbuilt and can last indefinitely if cared for; the big 460 engines and C6 trannys were the pinnacle of heavy duty back then.

And while CAFE standards played a huge role in getting fuel economy of luxury cars into the double digits, it is slowly losing touch with reality. I mean, all cars having to get an average MPG of around 54 by 2020-2025 is kind of ridiculous. And you know the rich won't drive these tiny econoboxes of the future either. It's not about the environment, it's slowly becoming a new front on class war.

24th Dec 2012, 09:11

I like brand new and mint well maintained show cars. A lot of people buy a rough project. Some call it a father son project. They get in over their head and never complete it. Often other obligations get in the way and they sit. I have seen this many times. It amazes me the ones that get shipments every month, mail ordering parts, and the car never hits the road. The pay as you go logic. Buy a car for cheap and then spend more over time than it's worth. Some buy a car that runs well and is in primer. Then they find the body and paint today cost a fortune to show it. People work hard at work, get overwhelmed or can't finish. I try to avoid those cars.

My father taught me to buy the best car you can buy, or wait a while til you can. It's almost always cheaper. I am driving mine to cruises and shows from the week I purchased one. The critics on here likely bought an el cheapo or off model with little to no parts support. Sink money in it and are underwater and realize the mistake. I truly love any car I buy, not just a deal. I buy models that have broad appeal, and can get out from them year round without being burnt. You really need to think out what you do in the current economy, and see where the value is. Buying a real odd model is always taking a chance. It takes a while to get good at this.

Buying a rust bucket or heap will cost you. I like to sell mine, get all my money out of and even make a profit to offset insurance and registration. It is a free car doing this. That's a great feeling, flipping some, all positive, and have a free classic in your garage from the result of selling others.

25th Dec 2012, 01:30

These cars were the best! Even compared to Cadillac's of the same era, the 70's Lincoln Continentals rode the smoothest, and was the quietest to drive. Ford knew what they were doing back then. While some of the Cadillac's would shake rattle and roll over pot holes and rough roads, the Lincolns body/frame were tightly put together and rattle free. It's amazing after 30 + years, these cars still drive and ride flawlessly. No new car can compare to their comfort, size and solidarity; maybe possibly a BMW 7 Series extended wheelbase, or a Rolls Royce Phantom.