need help deciding which year VIII to get

[TX90LSC]

I would like to know what year would be the best for me. I'm going to sell my VII for $3,500 and use the money as a down payment.

do all the 93-98 have the exact same motors? if not what is the difference, and which is the best?

Headlights-I've seen some VIII's with nice blue headlights but not all, which ones have the good headlights?

problems- is there any problems that are chronic with the VIII's? What should I look for? The Mark VII's are bad about leaking airbags.

I would love to get a 97-98 because of them being newer, but if I can get the same exact car for less money I will.

I've also noticed a little different styling differences on the nose. could someone post pics with the year of the cars?

Thank you,
Danny

[JC]

The 93-96 (Generation 1's) engines have a different intake and EEC than the 97-98's (Generation 2's). The 93's are the fastest stock primarily because of the more agressive program in the EEC.

The HID headlights are on the 95 & 96 LSC's and on all 97 & 98's. The regular headlights are very bad and it costs about $800 to retrofit HID's to a Mark that doesn't have them.

The 1-2 accumulator in the transmission needs to be upgraded on 93-97 Marks. Some Mark VIII's have a vibration problem. Drive the car up to 90 mph and see if there is any vibration. This can be expensive to fix. Get one that doesn't vibrate.

The Gen 2's have more bells & whistles but the best buys are low mileage Gen 1's. Many were bought by little old blue haired ladies and not driven much. A friend of mine just bought a mint 93 with 30K miles for $9,000.

Good luck in your search! These are wonderful cars. Just avoid any that vibrate. Check out my friends Mark VIII web site from Houston - http://nightsky.home.texas.net

[TX90LSC]

Thanks for the reply JC.

I've met nightsky before, I believe his name is mike, right?

I've seen him at baytown a couple times along with another guy with a white VIII

[Matt Flowers]

I'm not sure if you'd be interested or not, but I do know where a 97 is that's pretty cheap. You also might consider purchasing a wrecked Mark and rebuilding it. I bought a one owner 93 with 70k and very minimal damage for $ 1,000.00 I spent another $ 1,500 having everything fixed and now have a beautiful car that I have a minimal investment it. Not sure if that is something you'd be interested in or not, but it's another option if you're interested.

[Nightsky 93 VIII]

Yup, you got that right... It's Mike.

Nice to see your going to come our way.. ;) I'll be at Taco Cabana on Westheimer at 10:30 pm 01-23-02. Come see us if you get this message.

[StealthyVIII]

Let me give you the low-down on the Mark VIII's-

93- Most agressive stock build of the Mark's, the fastest stock VIII, least likely to have the high speed vibration because of its single piece driveshaft, dangerously dim headlights

94- Unchanged from 93, less agressive computer program, more prone to vibrations due to two piece driveshaft, dangerously dim headlights

95- Added LSC model mid-year which included sportier suspension and 10 more hp from a new dual exhaust, some 95 LSC's bult after october '95 have the bright HID headlights, the non-LSC owners are stuck with the dim non-hid headlights, vibration prone 2 piece driveshaft

96- All LSC models get hid headlights, center armrest in back seat added, last year for first generation VIII's

97- Redesign, Improved interior, HID headlights stock on all 97-98's, neon light runs through rear of car and now lights up

98- Same as 97, all get hid headlights, neon light in rear

Notes
First Generation(93-96)- Faster than 2nd gen, evil looking front :D, You can replace the non-hid equipped Mark's with hid lights for about $600

Second Generation(97-98)- Slower than 2nd gen, better looking, all have hid lights

[StealthyVIII]

Here are some pics-
LSC models have less chrome

1993 (first gen)
http://home.hiway.net/~pvteye/p015.jpg

1997 Base (second gen)
http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/1997_wendell_hinkson.jpg

[TX90LSC]

well, I'm almost positive that the newer 97 or 98's will be the one I choose to have in my garage.

has anyone bolted on a supercharger. would a Cobra kit be the same or do the Mark VIII's have different brackets??

[JC]

Dennis Reinhart is a Mark VIII owner and Vortech supercharger dealer. He's installed one on his Mark VIII and has run 11.7's in the quarter mile while maintaining its streetability. He drives it as his daily driver.
Dennis Reinhart - www.ReinhartAutomotive.com (http://www.ReinhartAutomotive.com)

[ January 27, 2002: Message edited by: JC ]