Tell me all about the Panther platfform

[G-MAN]

The only reason I have a "mini" van is for taking my mother places. Her condition has now gotten to the point where she is finding it next to impossible to get in and out of the van because of its height. I'm thinking my only option is to look into getting a Lincoln Town car. It's big enough that she can get in and out of either the front or back seat with relative ease, and it doesn't sit as low as my Chrysler.

I know all about the Panther platform's legendary reliability, but in the Town Car iteration is there anything I need to look out for? I'm trying to keep cost down, so I'm looking in the 2003-2006 model year range. High mileage (100,000+) doesn't bother me if it's clear the vehicle has been well maintained.

 

[Rand]

I know alot of the earlier ones had air ride and when it goes bad its very pricy to replace.

not sure if thats applicable.

 

[salv]

yeah, definitely stay away from air ride. 2003 was the first year for rack and pinion, and a knock sensor. The steering racks were somewhat problematic as are the coil on plug assemblies. The town cars also had lots of bells and whistles to break.
My advice would be a 2000-2002 Grand Marquis with single exhaust and non air ride suspension if you are looking for a Panther. You get the PI heads for better performance over the original 4.6 modular. You get a single ignition coil with standard plug wires. You get the more reliable recirculating ball steering setup.
When looking at any Panther built after 1995, inspect the upper intake. They were plastic and known to crack at the coolant crossover at the front of the motor. Usually it will run down the engine valley and pool under the vehicle behind the motor. If upon inspection you see that the coolant crossover is aluminum, that means it has been replaced with the updated version. If it is still the original assembly, and the vehicle has higher mileage, it won't be long before it fails.

 

[eljefino]

You would be picking some good years. Rack and pinion steering and more HP. Rust shouldn't be an issue but it hides in the bottom of the jack pocket in the trunk.

Cabbies here use these as they are as cheap as CVs and GMs with presumably easier miles.

 

[hounddog]

I have been told that the Town Car is NOT the car the Crown Vic or Gran Marquis is. I've had 3 Gran Marquis. This is my last one. Its a 2010. I bought it new. The only one I bought new as it is one of the last. Hope to keep,use it 15 years or so. I don't think there is a Honda,Toyota,Nissan etc. that can compete with one of these. At 75 PLUS mph I get 28/29 mpg! Only mid 20s at 65 to 70 or so. The higher speed gets the better fuel mpg. Consumer Reports called it a gas guzzler!

 

[G-MAN]

I think all the Town Cars from 2003 on have air ride.

Town Car has a longer wheelbase than the Grand Marquis, which I need for the added room in the back seat. I'd actually like to find a long wheelbase model Town Car. Now those really have some leg room in the back.

 

[95busa]

PI engine 01 and up. Better suspension 03 and up. Air ride sucks, mine has coils. 28+ mpg all day, v8 power...great cars!

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: salv
My advice would be a 2000-2002 Grand Marquis with single exhaust and non air ride suspension if you are looking for a Panther. You get the PI heads for better performance over the original 4.6 modular. You get a single ignition coil with standard plug wires. You get the more reliable recirculating ball steering setup.


Somewhat true. All 1998 and newer Panthers had Coil on Plug. 2001+ got PI heads. My mom's 2000 Grand Marquis LS has NPI heads, had the intake off last year and it was round ports. Hers also has the COPs because I replaced all 8 with the plugs when the intake was off. Hers has the single exhaust with coil springs and 2.73 non limited slip rear end.

 

[EricG]

Also, if the car had air bags, its super easy to replace them with coil springs!

 

[JamesBond]

I have a 2000 Town car, with 70k mi. It has a steering box with links and rear air suspension.

It rides nice and smooth, or wallows horribly depending on your standards. The air ride concerned me at first but its a pretty cool system and actually not that complex. Replacement parts are not that expensive but certainly more than a steel spring. The system is also easily converted to coil springs. (Buy one with a bad suspension and convert it yourself.)

I'm 6'2 and find the seats to be lousy. They are flat, and lack lower leg, shoulder and head support. Maybe the worst car seats I've ever owned. The distance from the seat cushion to the ground is sort of far (not high but side to side) which is no problem for me but for older people who put 2 feet on the ground then stand up, its difficult. The car is lower and has a lower door opening than you might expect so again for people who face away from the car before getting in and out this is difficult. The smooth flat leather seats make it easy to spin your legs in and out of the car but makes your behind slide back when you try to stand up. (I've seen my parents and grandparents struggle)

Rear leg room is less than you might expect and there is a giant drive shaft tunnel back there too.

What you want is a Ford 500/Taurus. The old people, and the people that drive other old people around that I know, have them, and love them. My grandfather even went from a Dodge minivan to the 500 to aid ingress and egress for him (tall) and my Grandma. (short)

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
I have been told that the Town Car is NOT the car the Crown Vic or Gran Marquis is. I've had 3 Gran Marquis. This is my last one. Its a 2010. I bought it new. The only one I bought new as it is one of the last. Hope to keep,use it 15 years or so. I don't think there is a Honda,Toyota,Nissan etc. that can compete with one of these. At 75 PLUS mph I get 28/29 mpg! Only mid 20s at 65 to 70 or so. The higher speed gets the better fuel mpg. Consumer Reports called it a gas guzzler!


We've owned a couple of them, and they are used for limo service for the GTA and rack up insane mileage. They are no lesser a car than the CV or GM, being the same platform. They DO tend to have more "Bells and Whistles" however, which of course could break, but we've had no issue with ours.

My dad currently has an '03 Cartier that he's quite fond of, it replaced his '89 that I currently own. Both have been VERY reliable cars.

The person who griped about the complete lack of support in the seats however is spot-on. They are horrible in that department. Comfortable like a couch? yes. But don't expect any support from them.

 

[G-MAN]

This is a 2003 I'm going to look at shortly.

 

[JamesBond]

Nice. Its hard to find a car that "looks" fancier than a nice white Town Car.

If you're buying it for chauffeur duty swing by the home on your test drive and make granny get in and out of it. Also put it in your garage at home, these things are freaking long and it might not fit.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: JamesBond
What you want is a Ford 500/Taurus. The old people, and the people that drive other old people around that I know, have them, and love them. My grandfather even went from a Dodge minivan to the 500 to aid ingress and egress for him (tall) and my Grandma. (short)


I need a car with a trunk big enough to hold a wheel chair upright. TC/GM/CV are the only cars I know that can do that.

 

[JamesBond]

Yes, with the spare up on the shelf, the trunk is crazy deep. No car can match it for trunk depth.

Wheelchair (folded?) upright on the rear floor of the 500 may be possible.

Other possibles: Mazda5, Ford Freestyle/TaurusX

 

[G-MAN]

Well, that white one turned out to be a dog. The dealer next door had a gorgeous one-owner 2004 that was pristine. However, after looking closely, getting in and out, especially the back seat, I can see a Town Car won't do for my mom. Heck, the back seat is just as hard to get in and out of as the one in my 300. And the Town Car seems to sit just as low, too. I really thought these cars sat up higher. They sure look like they do on the road.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: JamesBond
Other possibles: Mazda5, Ford Freestyle/TaurusX


Excellent suggestion.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Well, that white one turned out to be a dog. The dealer next door had a gorgeous one-owner 2004 that was pristine. However, after looking closely, getting in and out, especially the back seat, I can see a Town Car won't do for my mom. Heck, the back seat is just as hard to get in and out of as the one in my 300. And the Town Car seems to sit just as low, too. I really thought these cars sat up higher. They sure look like they do on the road.


You should look at a 500 then.