When it comes to luxury brands, "Lincoln" isn't a name that I usually recommend. In 1998 I wasn't a fan of Lincoln's offerings; it was a ho-hum line-up that offered plenty of luxury, but very little in the way of performance. That was, of course, with the exception of the Mark VIII.
Driving Impressions:
With a 4.6 liter V8 coupled to a refined automatic transmission, the Mark VIII is quite fast, especially when compared to its competition. If you want to move nearly 4,000 lbs in less than 7 seconds you are going to need plenty of horsepower and torque, the Lincoln Mark VIII has plenty of them both; 290 horsepower and 285lb-ft of torque according to Ford. Though not as torquey as the old OHV 5.0 liter pushrod V8 that was in the Mark VII, the DOHC 4.6 liter unit offers much more refinement and feels faster off the line and when making quick passing maneuvers. This engine is part of Ford's Modular V8 family, also found in the Mustang Cobra.
Unlike the old Mark VII, there is no hesitation when taking off from a stoplight. When stabbing the throttle this big Lincoln gets up and goes no fuss. The new 4.6 also does a great job keeping itself composed under full throttle; this car revs to redline with no problem whatsoever. The car is also very smooth: wind, engine, and roadgrain noise are all kept devoid of the cabin at high speeds.
Ironically, slowing the steering for the 1998 model actually improved the feel of the Lincoln Mark VIII. The 1998 model seems to be a more enjoyable to drive on the twistys roads, allowing drivers to enjoy a mix of good handling and a supple air-cushioned ride. Although the 1998 Mark VIII is based on the front engined- rear wheel drive Ford Thunderbird, introduced shortly before it, there are significant differences between the Mark VIII and the less powerful T-Bird. The Lincoln shares the same 113" wheelbase, but the car is 9" longer overall and gets upgraded suspension components which make for a much better ride.
Interior Accommodation:
The interior of the Mark VIII, while a bit dated in appearance is very luxurious. Amenities include an 8 speaker JBL sound system, keyless entry, power door locks, windows, and antenna, puddle lights that light up when you take a step out of your mark VIII to show you if there is ice, or a big mud puddle near your feet. There are also automatic headlamps, and very easy-to-use ergonomics.
Exterior Innovation:
The exterior is very unique, no other car on the road looks like the mark VIII 2 door coupe. The Mark VIII has an alloy hood, neon rear lights, an updated traditional Lincoln grille, and HID lights. I personally love this design, I don't understand why FOMOCO let go of this car.
Pricing:
The price is very low for many early models of the Mark VIII, I have seen 1992 models in the paper for as low as $2,000, for 1998 you probably are looking at a $10,000-$12,000 price tag. The 1998 Mark VIII went for a little under $40,000 when it was new, so the prices these days are definitely a bargain.
Final Thoughts:
This Lincoln Mark VIII is an excellent value on the used car market. This car offers the modern luxury we would expect to find in 2005, yet can be had at an economical price.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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