Summary:
Great value, but not a performance car by any stretch of the imagination
Faults:
Stop light switch failed.
Check valve for air pump system rotted away.
Replaced exhaust pipe.
Replaced all shock absorbers.
Springs started to sag.
Rear main oil seal on engine started to leak.
Poor paint touch ups done by dealer started to rust.
General Comments:
A very reliable car, and despite it being smaller and lighter than the 1976 Grand Marquis I owned some years before the ride was excellent.
Plenty of room for 6 adult passengers and cavernous trunk. Great car for long trips very comfortable, quiet and smooth ride. Car proved to be reliable.
Achieved over 30 mpg on a long trip at 55 mph and the air conditioning off.
The overdrive automatic transmission was very reluctant to shift out of overdrive unless the accelerator would be very quickly floored, was not that great for traveling up grades. The car would have trouble maintaining its speed in overdrive, and the engine would over rev when out of overdrive.
Power was adequate from a dead stop acceleration, but really lacked power after 60 mph.
Brakes were excellent, but car tended to lean quite a bit on corners, but this is the price for the exceptional ride the car had.
Factory stereo was excellent.
An excellent value for the price paid used.
The only real drawback to this car was its tendency to very easily fishtail on slippery roads.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 13th February, 2004