Lincoln Truck Values plummeting!

[pro-five-oh]

I noticed one of the large eBay used car dealerships (here in Houston) has had a hard time selling their Navigators and Aviators. Recently their stock of Lincoln Trucks dropped in asking price $3000-5000. If you're in the market for a new car, something like this Aviator is so cheap the gas mileage isn't taht big of a deal. You can buy a LOT of gas with how much you save.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2004-LINCOLN-AVIATOR-LUXURY-SUNROOF-LEATHER-3RD-ROW-45K_W0QQitemZ180260058532QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Trucks QQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180260058532&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1308

[waldbaro]

I'd hate to profit on someone else's misfortune but I'd love to snag an Mark LT cheap. I drive ~7500mile/yr. If I could steal a good used one, my total cost of ownership would peanuts compared to a Prius.

[pro-five-oh]

Don't be surprised if used Mark LTs are gonna be in the $15,000 range very soon.

I do feel sorry for folks who are light on cash flow these days, but for others, this is a great time to get a good 2nd/3rd vehicle for dirt cheap.

And let's face it, the Aviator and Navigator are tops when it comes to everything...except mileage. :)

[74 Laguna]

What will an Aviator do on fuel? I have been told that the 2003 was the best year for the Aviator, is that true?

[pro-five-oh]

What will an Aviator do on fuel? I have been told that the 2003 was the best year for the Aviator, is that true?

2003 is not the best year, there was no best year. They all are great performers. That engine is amazing in there. :)

When we had our leased '04 it got all of 12-13 mpg in the city. And that's with plus or premium. (I don't recommend regular in there)

2005+ Navigators actually get better mileage with their 6-speed transmissions.

[luxuryrules]

Odd... wonder why that six speed never made it into the Mark LT. Would've made that silly thing at least perform a little nicer than an F150...

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

2003 is not the best year, there was no best year. They all are great performers. That engine is amazing in there. :)

When we had our leased '04 it got all of 12-13 mpg in the city. And that's with plus or premium. (I don't recommend regular in there)

2005+ Navigators actually get better mileage with their 6-speed transmissions.

Lucky. My truck gets 13 on the highway, god knows the gallons to the mile in the city :(

[waldbaro]

How much would a 3.2 axle ratio improve mileage albeit at the expense of pep?

[Hensley]

This is utterly amazing. I was browsing Aviators about 6 months ago, and that truck would've been between 17 and 20K. What a difference!

[luxuryrules]

How much would a 3.2 axle ratio improve mileage albeit at the expense of pep?

3.2:1 or 3:2?

[waldbaro]

3.2:1

[luxuryrules]

I understand Navis came with a 3.73, 3.55, or 3.31. You might gain a couple mpg coming down from a 3.73, but not much if any if it was factory 3.55 or 3.31. Not even sure if they do a 3.2 rear end in an 8.8 or 9.75, but the thing to do is just look for an 05+ (6spd) with a 3.31 and that should give you the best economy right out of the box without having to swap gears.

[pro-five-oh]

look for an 05+ (6spd) with a 3.31 and that should give you the best economy right out of the box without having to swap gears.

I am 99% sure you can only get a 3.73 in the 2003+ Navigators. For sure our 2005 model only had the 3.73 available.

That's not to say you can't put a 2.73 in there and get decent mileage on the highway.