Premium sporty/performance car; Built in USA
  • 2-door coupe
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,600 – $3,300*


1996 Lincoln Mark VIII


1993 Lincoln Mark VIII


1996 Lincoln Mark VIII


1993 Lincoln Mark VIII


1993 Lincoln Mark VIII engine


1993 Lincoln Mark VIII interior

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Antilock brakes
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Wet-weather traction
  • Rear-seat room
  • Rear visibility

Despite its excellent drivetrain and smooth suspension, Mark VIII has failed to impress us when compared with the less-expensive Buick Riviera or more-refined Lexus SC 300/400.

Overview

Lincoln launched the Mark VIII after the 1993 season began to replace the aging Mark VII. Rear-wheel drive was retained, but a new V8 engine was installed along with standard driver- and passenger-side airbags. When compared to the Mark VII, the Mark VIII rode on a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase and measured 4.1 inches longer overall. Under the hood sat a twin-cam, all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8. The only available transmission was a 4-speed automatic with electronic shift control. Handling features included an all-independent electronically controlled air-spring suspension, antilock brakes, and speed-sensitive power steering.

Yearly Updates

1994 Mark VIII
Changes for 1994 include the addition of wood trim to the center console, plus a remote keyless entry that recalls the settings for both the power driver’s seat and the power outside mirrors.
1995 Mark VIII
Among the additions to the 1995 Mark VIII are a redesigned instrument panel, complete with a new stereo. Arriving in midyear is the 290-horsepower LSC version, with a firmer suspension, new alloy wheels, perforated leather upholstery, a monochrome exterior, and high-intensity-discharge lamps.
1996 Mark VIII
A special Diamond Anniversary Edition model highlights the changes for the ’98 model year.
1997 Mark VIII
Bolder in appearance, the ’97 model came with a more-rounded “power dome” hood, with subtle character lines to highlight the larger, more-aggressive chrome grille. The rear had a revised full-width neon light bar, while the industry’s first “puddle lamps” cast a glow on the ground from their position on the bottom edge of the sideview mirrors. Suspension changes included the addition of firmer shocks, larger stabilizer bars, and standard all-speed traction control.
1998 Mark VIII
Mark VIII saw no changes for 1998. During the season Ford announced that the Mark VIII would be dropped for ’99.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

The Mark VIII is the recipient of the finest of Ford powertrains, the DOHC, 32-valve 4.6-liter V8. First placed in the Town Car, the aluminum-block engine also powers the Lincoln Continental, Ford Crown Victoria, Thunderbird, and Mustang. Two separate versions make their way under the hood of the Mark VIII. The basic engine delivers 280 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 285 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. Select the optional LSC version and you find the 290 horsepower version with a torque rating of 290 pound-feet at 4500 rpm. The extra power results from a true dual exhaust system, which reduces back pressure. The only available transmission is an electronic 4-speed overdrive automatic.

dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.6/281
Engine HP 280
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 285
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

18/26

17.9

dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.6/281
Engine HP 290
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 290
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

18/26

Road Test

With its new 280-horsepower V8 (290 with the LSC), the Mark VIII is quick off the line and once above 15 mph, really flies. The engine is silky smooth, has a sporty growl in hard acceleration, and delivers outstanding passing power at highway speeds. However, we averaged just 17.9 mpg, with our highest reading being 20.1 mpg. When we tested this car on snow and ice, we were disappointed with the performance of the optional traction-control system. The rear wheels spun readily in snow, making takeoffs slow and laborious.

The rear-drive Mark VIII is as agile as the front-drive Cadillac Eldorado, but has a more-supple suspension. Steering and braking are top notch.

As with many sport coupes, interior space is not one of the Mark’s strong points. Tall passengers don’t have much head room, even without the optional moonroof. Rear leg room is also limited. Taking a closer look at the interior, the gauges on the sweeping 2-tier dash are clearly marked and controls are intuitive. Directly astern visibility is mediocre.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 8
80%
Fuel Economy - 2
20%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 2
20%
Cargo Room - 3
30%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 48

Specifications

2-door coupe
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
113.0 207.3 74.8 53.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
14.4 18.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.1 37.5 42.6 32.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1997 Mark VIII 2-door coupe

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 118
Injury 67
Theft 113

Trouble Spots

Alternator belt
Description: The drive-belt tensioner pulley or idler pulley bearings are apt to make a squealing noise when the engine is started in cold weather. (1993-96)
Automatic transmission
Description: Transmission shudder or vibration under light acceleration or when shifting between third and fourth gear above 35 mph can be fixed by replacing the transmission fluid with Mercon fluid. (1992-94)
Automatic transmission
Description: The transmission may slip and the engine may flare when the transmission shifts into fourth gear, which can often be traced to a bad TR/MLP sensor. (1993-95)
Blower motor
Description: Squeaking or chirping blower motors are the result of defective brush holders. (1993-94)
Engine stalling
Description: The in-tank fuel-delivery module may cause low or no fuel pressure. (1995)
Hard starting
Description: If the engine does not want to start or cranks for a long time then stalls, the idle-air control valve may be sticking. (1995-96)
Heater core
Description: Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater cores leaks. (1993-98)
Odometer
Description: Because of a software problem, the odometer may quit registering after 65,531 miles. (1995)

Recall History

1993-94
Description: Headlights can flash intermittently as a result of a circuit-breaker opening.
1993-98 Mark VIII w/speed control system
Description: The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

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