Saying goodbye?

[Smokestone10]

Well... I'm thinking about doing the thing. Mostly just getting this out of my system, but also want to hear some of your thoughts.

 

My 2010 MKZ AWD has served me pretty faithfully in the five years I've owned it. Aside from needing a higher than normal amount of wheel bearing attention, I have a mere handful of mechanical gripes. The car has never left me stranded due to mechanical mishap. That time I ruptured two tires and bent a wheel on a railroad track was the only time I was left stranded and that was certainly no fault of the car. Yes the PTU did the "make the fluid disappear" trick once but at least I had warranty coverage.

 

But, the car now has 208,000. Still runs like a champ. The transmission still shifts smoothly and almost imperceptibly. Still rides, tracks, and handles great... Which will be surprising when you consider what I'll get into later. Almost all the techy Lincoln doodads work perfectly. And for the age and miles, it has nearly no fluid leaks and still averages fuel economy in the mid 20s.

 

Well, let's get to the bad. Recently the right front wheel bearing started rumbling like a motorcycle. No problem, take it in and change it, right? Well, I'm suspecting the wheel bearing went out due to the... Broken strut. Tie rods and ball joints are also wobbly. No vibration in the steering and only a slight clunk when parking but up on the lift it was obvious.

 

Here's where I'm sitting. If I have a shop do it, it'll be around two grand to fix the issues. Both front struts, all control arm assemblies, sway bar links, tie rods, alignment, and of course the wheel bearing. It could also use new pads and rotors while it's all apart.

 

Rear suspension looks fine but some slop in the wheel bearings. So, again, add the cost of replacing those.  Now consider the miles she's accumulated and the ever rustier rockers and... Well I should have a pretty obvious choice here but I don't. 

 

I know I could cut that $2000 way down if I did the work (alignment aside of course) myself. I could but given my work schedule and other responsibilities no way am I pulling it off in the estimated six hours the shop quoted for labor. This would be a little at a time stretching across weeks, most likely. And it's still a pretty decent chunk of money. With 200k on it what are the odds I would throw all these new parts on it only for, say, the transaxle to decide it wants to retire six months later? I've done what I can to slow the rust but, as Neil Young says, rust never sleeps. How long before my MKZ does it's best impersonation of a Liberty ship and cracks in two? ?

 

But in addition to that, there really isn't much "wrong" with the car. The auto dim rearview mirror doesn't dim anymore, though the side view still does. The seat vents and cooler don't work but I'm guessing that's just the module. Everything else... Air conditioner, cruise control, all the power accessories... Still work like new. So I'm torn. 

 

Here's what I see for options:

 

1. Fix the thing. See if you can make it to 300,000 before the rust eats it or you just plain can't stand the car anymore. 

 

2. Just accept you need something newer. Stick with an MKZ? Try an MKC because you can get one pretty loaded with 75,000 or less for under 20 grand and there are LOTS of them available locally? I mean I don't care much for SUV/CUV in general but I actually visited a dealer to check out a 2016 and 2018 model today after work. Or go hog wild and finally get a Continental you've been drooling over since they were announced? Though it most certainly won't be a Coach Door. 

 

3. Sort of go the other way and get one of the last few years of Town Car. Executive L would be perfect but really any old dark colored Townie would do. I understand this most likely means going to an earlier model year but these come up for grabs with relatively low miles fairly frequently.  After spending all day looking at used Lincolns I was reminded of how low-key bad ass those later model Town Cars looked. I miss my 81, and I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on a cherry 1988 model just after I graduated... Same story with a 1989 Lincoln hearse a few years later. Both had shot oil pumps, weirdly enough. I kinda think a Town Car in my driveway would increase my property value.

 

4. Kind of a combination of all the above. Get the "new" vehicle but stash away the MKZ and just buy/replace parts as needed. I wouldn't need to worry about transportation while it's getting rebuilt and at the end I would still have the Z as a beater/backup car. And if it does blow up after the new parts are on... Oh well. I still have transportation and I had fun. ?

 

Anyway... I would love to hear what you think. Share your thoughts. What would you do in my position? 

[Smokestone10]

Went with option 4. ? 2004 Signature. It's not dark colored but silver looks good. 110k and I'm the third owner. Tomorrow or Saturday the MKZ will be squirrelled away as I begin to gather up the parts to repair it. Rock Auto discount codes, don't fail me now. ?

 

[Smokestone10]

Stupid me... Here's a pic of the Townie...

[jmcgliss]

Looks great!  I seriously getting a Town Car after shuttling work colleagues through dark, fog, and rain from Pueblo, CO to the Denver airport (flight was diverted due to weather). Traction and visibility inspired confidence, and my mates still talk about that drive, getting us to Denver while restaurants and hotel beds were still available.

 

Maybe one with railroad rails welded on each end is the perfect retirement vehicle ?

[17MKZ3.0TT]

Tough call, maybe consider a clean 2020 to get the last year Z? True trade in value will probably be zip (check online/Blue Book) but if it's clean, give a Ford/Lincoln Deal used car guy a chance to make an offer, he may have someone in Service looking for a good project 2nd car. I did that with a very clean high mileage Caddy STS once, dealership bought it and helped keep their top mechanic on the team letting him make weekly payments.

I'm in a slightly similar situation with my under 50k mi. 2017 3.0T Z-putting a new tranny in it for $10k because it's clean and I like it, and when I let go I'll probably be done with the Lincoln brand since I don't want/need an SUV. 

[Smokestone10]

Been a while but...

My 2010 is still packed away. My neighbor runs a body shop and he's asking about buying it as a loaner car. He might get it yet.🤣

 

My other neighbor has a 2017 MKZ with a 2.0 turbo and she's looking at something a little newer. Trouble is, her sister has a 2020 model with the same engine, and it's in the shop for an engine replacement. Granted, hers is under warranty but that doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the 2.0 turbo.

 

I do have the local dealer on the lookout for a 2017-2020 Continental, so far haven't heard from him yet. It's funny,  last year they'd have at least a couple on the lot but now all they have are trucks and crossovers. I wouldn't object to a similar vintage MKZ, obviously, maybe without the 2.0, but driving the Townie these last few months has really reminded me how much I always liked the full size cars.

 

What I'm saying is... I still haven't really made up my damned mind. 😂