The_Jed wrote: Wow, that's a big price drop! When you say "low miles" how many miles are we talking about here? Each of the three cars has their own advantages and disadvantages but pushrods, in my book, are a big advantage!
It's between 70-80k IIRC. Transmission is fine. I've given it strong consideration, but none of my kids would drive it, and I'm not sure what I'd do with it either.
I didn't realize the pre-'03 Panther had the same E36 M3ty 4 link as the Foxstang. 
The coil spring conversion video I watched was a 2000 Town car and it had the parallel 4 link with a watts linkage...?
I guess I'll poke my head under the '97 Town Car today and see for myself.
I couldn't fit my fat noggin far enough under the rear or the car to confirm whether or not the 4 link was E36 M3ty.
I pointed out the lack of coolant in the reservoir and the salesman topped it off. The good news is it only took about 2 or 3 cups. The possibly bad news is he used red dexcool. I assumed it needed the green stuff? Dunno.
It ran great, the trans felt solid but I couldn't turn the steering wheel. There was some p/s fluid in the reservoir swirling slightly but the steering felt like it was locked. Both driver's side windows looked to be off their tracks and they were held up with duct tape (you can see it in the picture). I didn't see any leaks and the engine never stumbled.
What are the odds that the steering lock never dis-engaged? Maybe an over-zealous tow truck driver pried first one then the other window down (for whatever reason) then fubar'd the steering lock just to get the car on his dolly or rollback and it is now broken/wedged into the locked position? Seems plausible.
Have any of you Panther addicts had that problem?
Those 4.6's are buttery smooth!
A quick trip to teh googlze returns a lot of hits for "Town Car steering locked".
Stumbled onto a '94 Crown Vic that seemed to fit the bill perfectly but there was a LOT of shady stuff going on so I had a few words with the guy currently in possession of said car and moved on.
berkeleying curbstoners...
The search continues!
I've found an '01 Crown Vic LX with 89,000 miles that would leave about $1,000 in the budget.
I've also found an '04 Grand Marquis LS with the premium package (like I give a E36 M3) and 99,000 miles that while they're asking slightly above my $4k cap I think they would take $4k cash.
So, pre update Panther with money for tires/mmods or the best year Panther that would completely consume the budget?
Newer marquis like you mention that are loaded likely have heated seats. I dunno about you but I need those in my life.
In reply to The_Jed:
I just talked to my friend about the LTD - $550 cash takes it. You'd better act quick though, I'm getting very tempted myself at that price!
All things being equal, I'd go after the '04 GM.
In reply to petegossett:
Holy Crap, that's a steal!!!
There's a '99 local I need to scope out first. Apparently the switch to a parallel 4-link and watts linkage occurred in '98, I think that's when they made the switch to the 4R70W as well. The ad says it runs on CNG, though...
I pulled the trigger on that '99.
http://www.marigoldmotors.com/1999_Ford_Crown%20Victoria_Pekin_IL_251047454.veh
It's not CNG after all. I wound up snagging this one under the budget cap of the very first GRM Challenge, tax, title and the whole nine. The ad says the tires have 75% tread life left, I'd put it closer to 90%, the things look brand new! There are a couple of dings but I didn't see any rust. It has single exhaust which to me is a good thing and means a lo-po engine and a transmission that isn't working at anywhere near 100% capacity.
The previous owner had bought it for his daughter as transportation while she was in college. The first thing I noticed when I opened the door was white lithium grease sprayed on the hinges, always a good sign! The coolant and oil are at the full marks and the oil looks fresh, this was confirmed by the oil change sticker; next change due at 117,000 miles (whoops, actually 137,000). It's currently sitting at just over 113,000 (again, actually 133,000).
She purrs and glides down the road! I've already transferred my spare tire(s), jumper cables and small tool box from the LSC to the Vic. While my DD accouterments filled the LSC's trunk close to the brim I still have room for a Prius in the Vic's trunk.
So far I have only two gripes; the hood shocks are blown and it's a peg-leg diff. TracLocs are cheap though, as are hood shocks. 
And now...we tuck the bumper.
Sweet, great score!
It has Kumho tires on it! Solus KR21's to be precise. Does that mean I can deduct them from the purchase price? 
In reply to petegossett:
Thanks!
i think i actually have some parts kicking around the garage for a panther. I should have a 98 P71 PCM and some other misc. things.
since that appears to be a base-ish model, you probably have the 2.73 diff. 27mpg highway easy.
See everyone, FEAR! He did all this while I was trying to sleep through a trigeminal neuralgia attack. I woke up and was told he thought the cops were staking us out over yesterday's curbstoning incident only to see this thing parked at the end of the driveway.
Now I think it's only fair that I get oversized tires and a bushbar.
In reply to failboat:
The rear gear did seem rather tall, but it's all guesstimation with the butt dyno since there's no taco meter. I'll have to check for a diff tag.
Congrats on the new ride!
Thanks!
failboat wrote: i think i actually have some parts kicking around the garage for a panther. I should have a 98 P71 PCM and some other misc. things. since that appears to be a base-ish model, you probably have the 2.73 diff. 27mpg highway easy.
I do believe you are correct about the gears. The door sticker lists C8 as the axle code (2.73, open).
The bottom line of the diff tag reads: 73 88 9A08
It is shockingly clean rust free under there! I'll have to snap some pics and start a thread.
In reply to failboat:
What sort of other P71 things do you have? 
I can't tell which was which, but if the dexcool one was what you bought, get that E36 M3 out of there right now.
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