Here’s the latest reader question, along withy reply!
Shaun asks: Would you recommend checking out either of these? I want a highway tank that I could fix up myself, no computers.
Let me know what you think, or if there are other types I should be considering.
My reply: Every used car is first and foremost an individual – and should be evaluated as such – rather than considered as one of however many of that make/model made that year – as you would with a new car, because all new cars are the same and so you can focus entirely on things like options, color – and price.
Each used car should be considered as unique – because even though there are tens of thousands and even hundreds of others like it made that year, no two used cars will have been used the same nor maintained the same. They will also usually have different mileage – and so on.
In the case of these two cars: The ’95 is newer, but may be more worn because it led a harder life. Age is not necessarily determinative. Nor
mileage. A car that is left to sit for months or years and so has very low miles could need more
work than a regularly driven, higher-miles car.
I think the first thing to do is evaluate the condition (and history) of both cars. Then weight the pros – and cons – of each car.
The ’88 has the 5.0 liter (302 cubic inch) Ford small block, which is an excellent, rugged, reliable engine that can be easily and inexpensively maintained. This would make it my first choice vs. the ’95 – which has the 4.6 liter V8, a much more complex (overhead cam) design that is more difficult to maintain and more expensive to maintain.
Both cars have in their favor the absence of Big Brothery ad nannyish saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafety tech. Just two air bags and ABS. The rest of them is magnifico. They are full size, rear-drive rollers that can comfortably carry 5-6 adults plus a couple of bodies in the trunk. They are body-on-frame and tough as hell.
Which to pick comes down to which you like better and which is in better shape for the money.
Keep us posted!
. . .
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That 81-89 town car is just looking better and better.
Hi Brandon,
Those cars were the duck’s guts. Big, comfortable; ride like a really soft sofa.
Just looking at the pics, the older one looks to be in better shape.
The headrests on the ’88 seem unusually tall for that era.