>>28738165
I really just want to sell it to someone who has the time, tools, and inclination to fix it up properly. It's not a bad car. But I've had it since 2018 and my previous car that I had owned since 2008 was also a panther platform car and I really just want to drive something different.

I know what with enough money thrown into I could fix the issue and the car would be properly roadworthy. But I just want it gone. Even if I paid for the necessary repairs, and everything on the car worked perfectly (which it doesn't, cruise control doesn't work, neither does TPMS system, also front passenger door cannot open/close consistently) it would still only be worth 4 or 5 grand at absolute maximum.

If anyone has owned a panther and had this issue, and thinks there could be a cheaper fix, I'm all ears, I really just don't know what to do at this point. The vehicle feels like an albatross around my neck

>>28738165
Buy an engine from LKQ

>>28738181
>>28738181
Ok, I didn't know about this option but just looked into it. Apparently an engine will run me 800-1100 dollars give or take. However, I do not have the space to install it myself. My dad does have a truck I could potentially use to transport and store the engine. But if I am going to pay a shop to install the engine, what kind of coast am I looking at?

And then, what do I do with the engine I have? Can I sell it to LKQ even though it has problems? I don't want to be stuck with an engine

>cosmetically-damaged 2009 shitbox with nearly 200k miles
it's trash man, scrap it

>>28738181
or buy a used head off ebay and get that machined while you continue to drive anyways. Also try a bottle of liquimoly oil saver. probably wont fix it but it's worth a gamble at $15

>>28738202
Mechanics commonly work with LKQ. First find a mechanic that will do the swap. Then you call LKQ and order the engine. The mechanic and LKQ deal with the core charge and they charge delivery fees differently when it goes to a professional shop. The mechanic might even prefer to order the engine themselves. Pay the couple hundred extra for the 6 month or year warranty just in case.

>>28738219
If the head is warped is the block most likely warped as well and need to be decked?

>>28738223
assuming the mechanic is right yes, but I don't trust most mechanics!!!

but yeah you could just get it gone for 2k and buy an e55 amg

>>28738229
>but yeah you could just get it gone for 2k and buy an e55 amg

You think? I'm worried I wouldn't even be able to get $2k desu, but if I was offered that amount I would accept it.

Here's what's wrong with the car:
-oil/coolant leak
-oversized spark plug in one cylinder due to 2 spark plugs shooting through and stripping threads
-cracked front bumper (fully cracked, cannot go through automatic car wash as a result because it rips it up more)
-non-working cruise control
-tire pressure monitoring system not working
-passenger door, when opened, often cannot close/latch or lock/unlock properly, so I keep it closed all the time
-rear cover on mirror is from a salvage yard and not properly color matching (rough black form crown Vic instead of glossy black)
-missing hubcap due to hit and run
-scratched on left part of front bumper and front left quarter panel
-some trim near front also damaged as a result
-HVAC system/defrost doesn't always work properly (this one could be an easy fix)
-front sway bar has some movement
-EVAP issue in exhaust preventing proper fueling (gas pump clicks off all the time too early during fueling)

The good:
-all new suspension components this year
-new battery
-alternator not that old

I really do think selling the car would be easier than the engine swap, but I might call around to some shops. If I could swap the engine, that might give me enough time to fix up some of the other stuff and then maybe I could get closer to 3 or 4 grand when I sell it instead, but of course, with the added expenses that would really just be a wash

>>28738279
fuck I forgot there is also a tear in the leather of the driver's seat, exposing foam, however the heated seats still work

>>28738165
Panther autismos BTFO

>>28738165
You mean get the head decked? Thats 60-100 euros here

>>28738223
If the block is cast iron, then no

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>>28738284
>Panther autismos BTFO

Yeah, before this I had a 97 Town Car, and it shat the bed right around 180k miles too, albeit for slightly different reasons (developed coolant leak, overheated, heads warped).

I think Panthers can be great cars if properly maintained, but you do have to stay on top of things. I never did all the recommended maintenance at 150k miles or whatever, although I did do regular oil changes and stuff like that

pic related is the cosmetic damage on my Grand Marquis after this recent faggot sideswiped me in a hit and run while I was parked

Sad to see an autism chariot go like this.
Not sure who's giving you $2k when they test drive it and it's burning oil and coolant out the ass. Consider asking your mechanic what he'd buy it for if anything. You might get $1k on facebook (make sure you mention clean title in the description, that's the strongest positive point you've got) if you're patient or like $400 from the junkyard when they come tow it away.

>>28738165
Why would you willingly own a mercury? Much less spend anything trying to fix such a soulless shitbox. Just grind the vin off and light it on fire in an empty parking lot

>>28738355
>Why would you willingly own a mercury?

It was a good deal and in impeccable shape for a 110k mile car when I bought it 8 years ago for 6 grand.

Also it's not soulless. The Mercury Grand Marquis is a somewhat underrated vehicle although word has gotten out on them. They have less name recognition than either the Crown Victoria or the Lincoln Town Car but are basically the same vehicle. Also not at all soulless, it is fun to drive, as are all panther vehicles

>>28738312
>while I was parked
How do you not see an entire fucking grand marq people are so dumb
Watch out if you sell her, OP, panthers are about to go the way of the miata where they all got beat up because "there's a ton of them" and now people want thrice what they used to for one.

How's the rust situation? If she's got no rust, I say drop a new engine in, you can fix almost anything but once you're rusting there's not really any coming back from it.

>>28738165
Get the sideswipe fixed via insurance. You mentioned hit-and-run, but if you have decent insurance that's like a $250 or whatever deductible and since it isn't your fault shouldn't fuck your premiums in the future.
Then as others have said, motor swap it. Junkyard modular should be like $350 even in this economy, or since you're clearly a wrenchlet you'll have to pay a few grand for a shop to do it. Then find someone to patch that upholstery, and keep an eye on your coolant level/quality and temp gauge since you clearly have a habit of somehow killing these things.
"They don't build them like they used to" is very much about this car. Pushrod, longitudinal V8 and body-on-frame full size SUV flat out doesn't exist outside of Panthers unless you go with an older car. People are autistic about these things for a reason, and you'll be disappointed in whatever else you drive.
If it were me I'd see this as an opportunity to swap in mustang drivetrain to get a clutch pedal, but in no case would I be selling a panther for under a grand in this economy unless there were few intact panels left on it.

>>28738367
You're not totally wrong, but panthers were produced in much greater numbers than Miatas which were always a niche sports car vehicle. I think they'll remain cheap for a few more years, largely because normies are afraid of anything rear wheel drive and with bad gas mileage. They aren't prized by sports car enthusiasts nor does the average normie see them as a good deal, although that could change.

Rust situation is not bad. There's a tiny bit on one of the wheel wells but it's just cosmetic surface rust. Very little rust on the underside, just had it inspected on a lift. Honestly practically no rust which surprised me since I've kept it outside in Midwest winters for years now

>>28738365
Damn you paid 6k for that thing BEFORE covid inflated the cost of used cars?

>>28738375
>Get the sideswipe fixed via insurance

Dude my car isn't worth shit, I only have liability insurance and that alone costs me $50 a month and is the cheapest I can find. Used to be $35 a month at the beginning of this year but they have raised it. Everywhere else I get quotes from wants me to pay 100-120 per MONTH for bare bones liability insurance. Absolutely no reason for me to pay for full coverage for shit like this.

>>28738375
>People are autistic about these things for a reason, and you'll be disappointed in whatever else you drive.

As I said, I drove a 1997 Town Car from 2008 to 2018. I've basically exclusively driven panther platforms cars for almost 20 years now. I appreciate them, but I'm just ready for something new and different, and frankly, would like something with a bit more power, at least 300hp.

I want to get rid of this car honestly. At the end of the day, if I'm going to drive a panther indefinitely I'd prefer to get back into a Town Car or, ideally, a Marauder. My Grand Marquis isn't bad, but it's honestly nowhere near as nice as my 97 Town Car was, despite the updated drivetrain and other features like heated seats and stability control etc

>>28738382
This was in mid 2018 and it was from a dealership. Since this is an anonymous forum I guess I have no reason to bullshit. I didn't actually pay for it, my parents did because I had basically no money at the time

It was a well maintained car owned by a mechanic at that Lincoln dealership. And as far as I'm concerned was not a bad deal. 6 grand for a car that has lasted me 8 years ultimately comes out to less than $1k per year. Even when I factor in the maintenance on the car over the years it's been super cheap and affordable. Sure, I could've gone on marketplace or Craigslist at the time and probably found one for a couple grand cheaper, but my town car had really shit the bed bad and I needed a new car immediately

my true regret is passing up on a 99 LS400 with 105k miles back in 2020 for 4500 because the power mirrors on it didn't work

>>28738385
Well
Just sell the shitbox for scrap or throw it on FB marketplace for 1000 as is and move. All you're gonna get asking for 3500 for an undesirable car with a fucked engine is laughing emoji reactions to your listing

>>28738165
LS swap it

>>28738279
>cannot go through automatic car wash
nigger what are you doing?

>>28738165
>$3000-$4000 for head job
Find new mechanic that's all I can tell.
Just replace that one head that is giving you trouble.

>>28738165
You’d need to give me five hundred to haul it off. Who the fuck do you think you are, trying to get thousands? Don’t be an ass.

>>28738165
>185k
>blown motor
You're not getting rid of that for more than 1k

>>28738461
>Just replace that one head that is giving you trouble.

yeah that's one side of the engine and will cost thousands of dollars apparently.

I've thought about going to another mechanic but I hate the idea of paying someone else another 100 bucks or whatever to diagnose it especially if they tell me the same thing. I might just do that though

This mechanic has top ratings online and was close to my apartment. Plus I tend to trust him. I mean, what mechanic will actually not want to work on your car to get more money out of you? I figure if he was a scummy mechanic he would've told me it was something else and got me to pay more money for a fix it didn't actually need

Why didn't you maintain it properly? About 75% of engine issues are the owner being retarded.

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>>28738279
Unfortunately anon you just got the entire Panther smorgasbord of issues. You basically have two options: Forget the idea of selling it (triple down and fix everything, money be damned. Sunk cost fallacy? More like sunk cost VICTORY!), or throw in the towel and offload it now.

I spent $5500 to find a 62k mile 450 idle hour mint P71. After a year of perfect running, the fuel pump shit out and then the PCM died, took a month to get all that shit sorted. I love the car and I'd spend myself broke to keep it as it is, it's awesome. But, if you look at the pic, the passenger rear door handle is fucking loose and floppy. How does that even happen? Fucking Fords man

>>28738355
It's a crown vic, anon

>>28738165
>IESLB

>>28739619
>Unfortunately anon you just got the entire Panther smorgasbord of issues

Not quite, I don't have the blend door actuator problem going on. The issue with HVAC is not that severe, for now I can still switch between heat and AC.

Anyway, just had another issue today. Woke up to a flat tire, valve stem is leaking. Luckily was able to put the donut spare tire on. Fuck me in the ass

>You basically have two options: Forget the idea of selling it (triple down and fix everything, money be damned. Sunk cost fallacy? More like sunk cost VICTORY!), or throw in the towel and offload it now.

Selling it really seems like the best option to me. If it didn't have all of the cosmetic issues, I might consider fully fixing it up, but as it is, it just wouldn't be worth it. And honestly, the car doesn't have much sentimental value for me like my old lincoln town car did.

>>28739203
>Why didn't you maintain it properly? About 75% of engine issues are the owner being retarded.

I thought I was maintaining it properly. I changed the oil every 3k miles or less. Always checked coolant levels etc, car had no leaks of any kind until earlier this year. However, in 2022 it did have a spark plug shoot out of the engine cylinder. I immediately put a new plug and coil on within half a mile of this happening when I could pull into an auto shop. I then changed all 8 spark plugs and coils later in the year. That worked fine until 2024 when the spark plug shout out again (same cylinder). This time I put an oversized plug in. I wanted to do the Timecert/helicoil fix for the threads, and I asked the shop to do this, but they just put in an oversized plug anyway, which ultimately was cheaper.

And things were fine for about 9 months, and then I got fired from my work from home job and had to get a normal job again. I started commuting every day. Just a few miles to work, but I was starting it in the cold every morning and flooring it to make it to work on time (job started at 5am, so I had to wake up at 430am, shower, get dressed, leave by 450am and floor it to get to work by 5am).

I decided to make an appointment for suspension work on my car, since it was making noises and driving like shit. And barely a week before that appointment I started to get a burning oil smell and noticed an oil leak. Looked at the engine and saw a bunch of oil on top of the engine. Everything I googled said it was valve cover gaskets and I do think they were bad. The shop confirmed this and I paid for valve cover gasket replacement.

>>28739830
cont'd

Smell went away for a few days then returned. Took it back to the shop and long story short they admitted that one of the valve cover gaskets was bad and they put in a new one. Again smell returned and I took it back and they said the head was warped and there was nothing else they could do unless I wanted to pay to send the head in to be remachined which would cost 3 grand and they recommended I don't do it because the car isn't worth that much.

I honestly don't know what I could have done to prevent this that I didn't do

>>28739831
>I honestly don't know what I could have done to prevent this that I didn't do

Can anyone who read through this whole thread explain if there's actually something I could've done to prevent this from happening?

>>28739830
>in 2022 it did have a spark plug shoot out of the engine cylinder
this should have been your clue that there was something wrong
>the spark plug shout out again (same cylinder)
this should have been your clue that just slapping a new plug in again wouldn't fix it
>starting it in the cold every morning and flooring it to make it to work on time
this killed it

Do what every evil cunt does, put a bunch of stopleak in the cooling system and throw a bunch of oil sealer in the oil system and hope for the best. If you're lucky, it'll hold together long enough for you to make a sale. Enjoy your bad karma.

>>28740955
did you ever change your coolant? g05 needs changed every 5 years and green is every 2 years, that could've messed shit up

>>28740994
I did have the coolant changed at a shop a few times but never did it myself. I suppose that could be a reason.

>>28740980
and yeah I looked into this, everything said that doing the helicoil/timesert fix to rethread the cylinder head properly was the best fix, but everything I read about using an oversized plug said that it was basically fine but just might result in lower mpg

>>28740986
honestly I can't do that, when I list it on FB marketplace I'll probably post "mechanic special" or something like that and accurately list what's wrong with it. I really do hope that if I can sell that whoever buys it fixes it up proper or at least keeps it running for a few more years. If you put some work into it, it could be a great first car for some teenager

IMO, the 4-grand-for-head-gaskets quote was a "fuck off" quote because the mechanic doesn't want to do it for whatever reason. Get a second opinion and second quote before committing to selling it for pennies.

>>28738165
For all the shit I've heard people saying you can't trust German cars I would have thought this would be bullet proof. I guess reliable just means changing the engine after a certain amount of time.
Sounds like the previous owner overheated it but you'd think the car would go crazy with warnings. Maybe used water in the radiator instead of proper coolant.

>>28741155
>IMO, the 4-grand-for-head-gaskets quote was a "fuck off" quote because the mechanic doesn't want to do it for whatever reason. Get a second opinion and second quote before committing to selling it for pennies.

checked, wouldn't surprise me. Basically I had them do valve cover gaskets both sides, still had slight leak/oil smell but not nearly as bad as before. Took it back in, he said it was a "loose grommet" fixed it for free, then I drove around a bit, same issue. Took it back, he said they looked at it more, turned out one of the gaskets they installed was actually defective, so they got a new one from NAPA and put it in free of charge. Then I still had same issue. After taking it back for the 4th time to get it checked out, and leaving it there for over a day for them to diagnose, that's when he told me it was actually the head unit that was warped, and how much it would cost to repair

>>28741317
Nah, I got it at 110k miles and it was totally fine until the spark plug shot out at like 170k miles. Current issue happened around 182k miles

getting repaired tire tomorrow, may get new car this week, will update ITT

>>28738312
I have a 220k mile '85 panther
what maintenance items should I be looking at?

>>28744697
How long have you had it? Honestly I think if you have a panther that's over 200k miles without major issues that probably means you have "one of the good ones" that was either built exceptionally well OR was supremely maintained by the previous owner.

In my experience they start needing more extensive maintenance once you get past the 150k mark

then again, there's a lot to be said about "highway miles". If most of the cars miles were on the highway then that's really much less wear and tear than constant cold-starts and the like

>>28744742
a few months, it's my new project. I've just cleaned it up a bit, tried to polish what's left of the paint, new shocks, replaced some busted exterior stuff. I've barely put a hundred miles on it probably.

I think PO kept up with engine maintenance really well but the rest of the car is falling apart but I got it for $300 anyway. if I get a new job soon I was going to just drop a few thousand on having it painted and detailed and then I can worry about the small stuff on my own

>>28738165
Just put in a new engine. It's retarded easy on a panther body there's dozens of videos and how good on how to get it done.
>Space
Since you're an urbanite look into diy shops. You basically rent a space and get tools plus a lift and sometimes a mechanic that can offer advice.

It's worth getting fixed. You'll be 1k-2k into any used car plus what you pay for it anyway and panthers are lifetime vehicles really.

>>28741155
LMAO I've had a mechanic meet me in the parking lot to tell me he doesn't work on "those type" of vehicles. Didn't realize that's how people see my truck but it is what it is. Just needed an inspection which is literally just him ticking a mileage exemption box and a do the lights work box and I'm on my way. Refused and told me to visit the Mexicans (,those words) down the street.

>>28746070
>>28741155
Yeah, I'm going to try to get one more opinion. I just hate having to pay a shop like $100 to "do a full diagnosis" to then tell me how much I would have to pay to actually fix it.

Even if I can get it fixed up I still want to sell it. Like, the car has enough cosmetic stuff wrong with it and is of such high mileage that even in perfect mechanical order I doubt I could get much more than 3 grand for it