Arrgh! Never drive my TC, but just can't part with it!

A few months ago I got a '93 Mark VIII. The plan was to keep the TC around until the Mark proved itself to be dependable. Well it has, so I haven't been driving the TC much at all.

But when my old T-Bird starts up after about 3 cranks when it's been sitting for 2 weeks and then I take it for a spin, I just can't bear to get rid of it! I never really appreciated the low/midrange torque these cars have. The Lincoln wouldn't stand a chance off the line. Past 40 mph or so it would tear past the TC, but not until then!

Has anyone else come across this problem? I don't want to become one of those guys who has a car that's been sitting in his garage for the past 30 years because he's "going to get around to restoring it one of these days", but... I still don't think I want to get rid of it just yet. [Image: smile.gif]

I'm happy with my lineup of cars now. They're both very unique.. Nobody expects a Thunderbird to have a turbo 4-banger and a 5-speed, and they really don't expect a chrome-covered Lincoln to have a stiff suspension and a 280hp V8 pulls and howls like it does (that sucker gets loud!) when you get on it. The only thing that really bugs me when I compare the two cars is the ancient Fox chassis feels FAR more solid than the Mark's supposedly more advanced platform. It feels like it's going to shudder itself to pieces in sharp turns on bumpy roads and the like, but on the same roads the TC isn't noticeably affected one bit. I thought that was rather odd..things like that are supposed to get better with newer models!

I know what you're sayin'...have too many cars but can't seem to let any go...especially the 'coupes...I'd keep the 'coupe and start it up at least once a week just to keep in touch with it!LOL!!!... I have owned many cars over the years ...all have something different about them that makes this one or that one unique unto itself...but yaknow...I think the 'coupes are the BEST all around vehicle...I'll have aleast 1 as long as I can!!!

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Garry McVey Birdoprey always in flight... TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
83 86 87 87 87 87 TC 87 XR4ti

As one who has recently cut up a Fox-Bird, I can tell you that for a relatively cheap platform (fairmont), they're built pretty good! Just needs sub-connectors really!

Approximatly 1200 Lbs in the sheet-metal and front suspension alone. That's no plastic, interior, electrics, driveline, glass, nothing but the body. At least that's what the salvage places' scale claimed.

I have a friend who owns a '95 Mark VIII LSC, I wasn't real impressed with it either. Now the Caddy STS on the other hand... but I digress...

Keep it. The instant you sell it, you will regret it.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 21 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)

Yeah, I think I'll keep it. If I sold it I might get like $2000 at the very most. I'd get a lot more enjoyment out of the TC than that little bit of cash.

1200 lbs is a pretty beefy! I was reading about the new 300C the other day, apparently its unibody shell is 900 lbs. That's a big car, too.

Funny story, a few weeks ago I got tires for both cars. The first day I took the Lincoln in. Nobody gave it a second glance, and the salesman made some snide comment about how it doesn't need anything more than S-rated tires because it couldn't top 100 mph (ha!). When the TC's turn came the next day, 4 mechanics gathered around to check it out and the sales guy complemented it and told me how a friend of his had one and he couldn't get over how fast it is for a 4-banger.

KEEP IT. My TC stays right in front of my house and I hardly ever use it. I bought it with 150,000 miles about a little over a year ago and I have only put about 1000 miles on it. Anyhow , there is nothing like the way the TC handles the road. Keep it. It's a great toy to have.

Just to kinda add.....in the winter i was taking my TC to a couple different car wash places depending where i was at the time. At both places someone commented on the car and the said he had an 88 and they were doing 120 on the highway and it still felt fine, and the other said he knew someone that had an 86. Just thought it was kinda funny, not many if any late 80's vehicles turn peoples heads the way these do, probably the mustang 5.0's also.

Well, you can send it up to me. I'll take good care of it for you while you decide whether or not to sell it...

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Ed Meinel
88 TC: stock
88 TC: twins!
99 Mustang GT vert: modded
www.turbotbird.com/showroom/EdMl_88TC.html

cool, i had a 94 mark8. put 373s in the rear, a shift kit (with WOT OD), a 3400 stall converter if you feel up to it (i used precision industries stallion), cat backs, get rid of that airbox and get an open air filter, and maby a chip and you will be suprised of the gains. makes the car realy fun. if your manually shifting it,just make sure you shift it before 7krpm or you will rip the front pump clean off like i did) id never give up the t coupe though. ive owned 4 and sold them all. i found a pretty much mint one and im going to sit on the damn thing forever.