A Bonneville conundrum

[tz2772]

I'd go with a Panther platform as well. They're proven to be rock-solid, though the fuel mileage on them isn't stellar. Many Panthers were doomed thanks to the CFC program. Stick with locating A Crown Vic LX Sport or a Marauder. The Grand Marqs also have an LX Sport equivalent trim, though I don't remember what it was called. The newer models actually got a tach installed as standard equipment.

The Mercury equivalent to the LX Sport Vic is the Grand Marquis LSE. I like mine. produced 2001-2003, same as the LX Sport except the Ford model got 17" wheels. Also every LX Sport and LSE had the standard analog cluster with speedo, fuel/volts, temp/oil(fake). The tach arrived in the Panthers for 2006 and the LSE/LX Sport were gone by then (03-04 Marauders did have a special cluster with tach). Even a standard 06+ Panther is not a good move as they have been and continue to be severely decontented. It's sad.

matt

[wjcollier07]

Heck...even with the irritating bits of my car, with it being 12 years old, sagging headliner, worn out struts, non-aesthetically pleasing jerky shifting, abnormal wind noise from RF door, etc, my car is an absolute favorite for people to ride in (to be fair, they do tend to choose Matt's Grand Marquis LSE when the choice is given) just for its level of comfort and extra passenger room. I honestly can't think of a similarly affordable vehicle I'd rather have from the 1998 model year in place of it. Then again, I can't think of another 93 I'd rather have over another 93 model year vehicle. (Although its probably more applicable I'd rather have my 93 in place of the 98)

I'd keep it. Spice it up a bit if you need to. All I know is..I'm not completely fond of my car's aesthetics, and yet I'm still proud as hell to see it from across a parking lot and know its mine.