HELP!!! URGENT ADVICE NEEDED!!! Which Town Car for me?

[Nonchalant008]

My trusty little Buick Lesabre has broken down for the last time, so I have to purchase a new car by End-of-business this Sunday. Before the Buick I owned a 98 Town Car Cartier which I loved passionately, so I've decided to get another Town Car. I've searched my area and narrowed my choice to 4 clean, rust-free, 1-2 owner, no accident examples.

1.) 2001/55,000mi./$8,000
2.) 2005/51,000mi./$12,000
3.) 2007/47,000mi./$15,000
4.) 2009/66,000mi./$17,000

My questions are, (assuming they all drive as expected) which is the best deal/value? If you were in my position and wanted this to be your commuter car for the next 5+ years, which would you actually buy? And finally, regardless of which is the best deal, which model years tend to be most dependable and problem free? Any advice would appreciated greatly! All I really know about Town Cars is that they have the most space and torque you can get on my budget

 

[TownCars1]

I'd go 2007. They worked out a lot of bugs by then. And it's low miles (like the rest of them) and a couple grand less expensive than the 2009 to put toward expected maintenance that all of them will most likely need (fluid changes, brakes pads, etc)

But to really know, you need service history, and a good comparison of condition which we can't really tell from your very limited info.

 

[Nonchalant008]

Thanks! I probably should've been a bit more detailed. All the cars in question are in great shape. Shiny paint and chrome, clear headlights and windows, and clean interiors (the 01 has a little cracking in the leather which I expected. The 01 is Signature, and all others are Signature Limited. They are all at dealerships so I don't expect service history will be availble.

I expect the test drives will expose each ones true quality, but its good to know they got more reliable as years progressed. I had a few electrical issues with my 98.

 

[All2kool]

My trusty little Buick Lesabre has broken down for the last time, so I have to purchase a new car by End-of-business this Sunday. Before the Buick I owned a 98 Town Car Cartier which I loved passionately, so I've decided to get another Town Car. I've searched my area and narrowed my choice to 4 clean, rust-free, 1-2 owner, no accident examples.

1.) 2001/55,000mi./$8,000
2.) 2005/51,000mi./$12,000
3.) 2007/47,000mi./$15,000
4.) 2009/66,000mi./$17,000

My questions are, (assuming they all drive as expected) which is the best deal/value? If you were in my position and wanted this to be your commuter car for the next 5+ years, which would you actually buy? And finally, regardless of which is the best deal, which model years tend to be most dependable and problem free? Any advice would appreciated greatly! All I really know about Town Cars is that they have the most space and torque you can get on my budget

Is the cost is not an issue, the 2007. But if it were me, I'd offer $9000 for the 2005 and get my checkbook out.

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[Nonchalant008]

Is the cost is not an issue, the 2007. But if it were me, I'd offer $9000 for the 2005 and get my checkbook out.

Oh cost is most definitely an issue! I'm leaning hard towards those two at this point since they have the lowest miles. I'm really just trying to decide if jumping from 05-07 is worth 2 or 3 grand

 

[TownCars1]

I expect the test drives will expose each ones true quality, but its good to know they got more reliable as years progressed. I had a few electrical issues with my 98.

Yes, they did get more reliable. They fixed the rear axle issues, the timing chain issues, the plastic manifold issues, the spark plugs falling out issues, but don't be fooled, you will still have plenty of other things to break, like anything electrical. Expect the AC actuators to need replacement soon, if not already, and a whole host of other things to break like the pedal adjustments, windows, door locks, lighting modules, etc, etc, etc. My 15 year old Lotus Esprit is a much more reliable car.

 

[All2kool]

Of course, request a CarFax for each you are considering. A service record would be ideal if available. A CarFax can show a service history in some cases. The 2004 I bought had an extensive CarFax service record that showed service at the same dealership since new. After seeing the Carfax, I had no qualms about purchasing it, even with 211k miles. Since purchasing, I replaced the Serpentine Belt and did the Fresh Air Intake repair only. These cars will go 400k miles with regular and proper maintenance.

 

[GeneLaw1]

From the information I have read, I would go with the 2007. I agree with TownCars1 regarding them working the kinks out. Not to mention it seems to be the best bang for your buck out of the ones listed. There are other things, like insurance cost, registration that can go up the newer the car you get...but just on base price alone, the 2007.

I will also say, if you can get good service records for any of the cars, I would get the one that has the most comprehensive well maintained one. Even with lower miles, if the car has not been well kept it wont even matter.

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[All2kool]

From the information I have read, I would go with the 2007. I agree with TownCars1 regarding them working the kinks out. Not to mention it seems to be the best bang for your buck out of the ones listed. There are other things, like insurance cost, registration that can go up the newer the car you get...but just on base price alone, the 2007.

I will also say, if you can get good service records for any of the cars, I would get the one that has the most comprehensive well maintained one. Even with lower miles, if the car has not been well kept it wont even matter.

I've read on several forums that when production moved to Canada in 2008, build quality suffered greatly. I've not experienced this myself personally but I have read many posts from those that have.

 

[Creo]

I'd wait for better deal than any of those, meanwhile would take a bus.
(but that just me, cuz I am broke)

 

[Nonchalant008]

I'd wait for better deal than any of those, meanwhile would take a bus.
(but that just me, cuz I am broke)

Lmao that's how I'd like to handle it too but unfortunately my job isn't bussable

 

[jonj]

Either the '05 or '07. I had heard that the rack and pinion steering added in '03 improved the handling - so when I recently replaced my '98 (which I loved) I ruled out models pre-'03 and have noticed the difference (ended up with an '04). Have you checked Kelley Blue Book or NADA price guidelines? I always use them as at least a starting frame of reference. Those numbers for the '05 and '07 look like they might not be steals, but seem reasonable.

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[mark95man]

I purchased my 2007 Town Car Designer new during Ford's fire sale. The only issues i had were the fuel sender unit failed under warranty. Last year the DDM failed which required Dealer replacement as it needed a factory download for my car. Other than those two issues, no other problems. I sold the car 12/2013 with approximately 75,000 on it. I would recommend buying the 2007 Town Car.

A few words about Carfax, they only report what was reported to them. I wonder if the purchaser of my 1999 Corvette found out it was totaled and rebuilt at 001,500 miles? The Carfax report was clean with no accidents!

 

[Cubby]

Hi. We bought an 07 in May 2012 with 53,000 miles. It really is a great riding car but you should be aware of one big thing - the a/c blend doors are known to be a problem. I replaced all of them when one went out. Another issue we had was the rack and pinion steering. It was replaced at 67,000 miles. We added satellite radio that was factory and that has been a nice addition. It presently has 68,500. It rides comfortably and the trunk has been great because if the size. My only complaint is the drivers side dash, Lincoln could have made it classier but it provides all the info you need. Really like the power pull down trunk feature.

On the whole, it has been a great buy. Hope you find the one that fits your needs best and have it a long time.

Cubby

 

[Kaloteck]

Expect the AC actuators to need replacement soon, if not already, and a whole host of other things to break like the pedal adjustments, windows, door locks, lighting modules, etc, etc, etc. My 15 year old Lotus Esprit is a much more reliable car.

Ooooopss, especially that last above sentence seems somewhat scary...

 

[TownCars1]

Ooooopss, especially that last above sentence seems somewhat scary...

Yea, I am not looking forward to having to pull the dash to replace the last of the broken actuators. They have all gone bad on my car. The ones that control the airflow to the vents is very iffy. If I change it from face vents, it takes half an hour or so of driving to go back to face vents. Soon it won't switch at all. Crazy. The blend doors and recirc door all broke as well, and they weren't fun to change, so I am sure I will be cussing the dash removal when I finally break down to do it.

I can't imagine how pissed I would be if I had one of the 03's and had to replace the manifold, the timing chain guides, the stripped spark plug holes, and the rear axle.

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[Kaloteck]

Wait a sec, I thought that it was supposed to be an easy-to-work-with car, you know, army proof old Panther platform, solid-as-a-rock etc. Now it seems like fancy schmancy BMW 7 series, though. I'm dissapointed, really, cause I was seriously considering getting one myself.

 

[TownCars1]

Wait a sec, I thought that it was supposed to be an easy-to-work-with car, you know, army proof old Panther platform, solid-as-a-rock etc. Now it seems like fancy schmancy BMW 7 series, though. I'm dissapointed, really, cause I was seriously considering getting one myself.

Yea, no.

The platform is old as dirt, but they crammed a bunch of low reliability tech all over it over time and many things are just as hard as any modern car to repair.

 

[Nonchalant008]

Well guys thanks so much for all the replies and info. I ended up going with the 07. None of the cars had detailed service history but the 07 seemed to be in the best shape. I'm not thrilled about the price, but I'm very happy with the car overall. When I get around a desktop, ill upload some pics of my new big stinkin Lincoln. Thanks again!

 

[TownCars1]

Well guys thanks so much for all the replies and info. I ended up going with the 07. None of the cars had detailed service history but the 07 seemed to be in the best shape. I'm not thrilled about the price, but I'm very happy with the car overall. When I get around a desktop, ill upload some pics of my new big stinkin Lincoln. Thanks again!

Good choice. And given the low miles, not that bad of a price, especially from a dealer.