I have a HUGE Dilemma. Advice needed!

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562) 08/14/2013 at 10:03 • Filed to: DILEMMA, HELP, WHATDOIDO

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Hi guys! I need your help!!!!

Alright here's the problem. I talked to my grandparents on the phone last night and they offered me (for free, minus transportation back to Michigan) their 2nd car that they don't use anymore. It's a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis. It's white with a blue landau roof. It only has 64k miles on it and has been garage kept every day since it came home from the dealer brand new in 1994.

Why is this a dilemma or a problem? Glad you asked. I currently have a 2007 Mercury Milan V6 FWD with 72k miles. This car has a rather small payment of $160 a month.

So drastically newer with a ton more features, better in the snow (I live in Michigan) but with a payment. If I were to take the Grand Marquis I would sell the Milan and pay off the loan, probably with extra left over to pay other bills.

Things I will no longer have if I take the Grand Marquis: a CD player (easy fix with aftermarket), a center console (yea...bench seat), 6 less airbags (I have a 7 month old), no LATCH child seat system (again, 7 month old), slight drop in gas mileage from 28 hwy to 25 hwy which isn't terrible because V8. Honestly I just searched MSN Auto and they said it doesn't even have ABS. I highly doubt that though, anyone know if it does? I can't rock this thing in snow with out ABS. RWD + V8 + Snow - ABS = BAD.

What are we thinking here? I found a link to a 1993 model (pretty comparable) which looks like it lived a much harder life... !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

And here is my current car (not that you guys don't know what a gray milan looks like). I have no idea why the picture is appearing tiny. Thank you kinja...

What would you do?!

Bozi Tatarevic > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:05

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Panther is always a good answer

MIATAAAA > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:08

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Take the free Grand Marquis.

Sell the Grand Marquis.

Put the money to the Milan loan.

Done.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:08

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V8, man. V8.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MIATAAAA 08/14/2013 at 10:12

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I don't want to take advantage of my grandparents. They are going to sell it if I don't want it. Doesn't seem right to take it, sell it and keep the money.

Takuro Spirit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:12

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No ABS + RWD + snow = fun!

My '01 panther didn't have TCS or ABS and it was just fine in the snow. But then again, I grew up in the sticks and learned to drive in the snow in a RWD car, truck and van so.....

I would keep the Milan, and sell the Grandma. Put the money toward the Montego.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Bozi Tatarevic 08/14/2013 at 10:12

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Panther + free is what is making this such a dilemma. But man...1994 and that roof...

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:13

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I love my grand marquis. Although its a 2004. Its really not that bad in the snow especially if you get snow tires for it. Make sure to put a couple bags of sand in the trunk during the winter.

Side note I hate landau roofs. Also have you considered selling the GM and using the profits to pay off the Milan?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 08/14/2013 at 10:14

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The roof is a bit rough. But remembering its the commuter with my fun 68 Montego in the garage I don't necessarily care about it's looks. About selling it:

I don't want to take advantage of my grandparents. They are going to sell it if I don't want it. Doesn't seem right to take it, sell it and keep the money.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Takuro Spirit 08/14/2013 at 10:15

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I don't want to take advantage of my grandparents. They are going to sell it if I don't want it. Doesn't seem right to take it, sell it and keep the money.

Though I'd love to put that money into the Montego.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Takuro Spirit 08/14/2013 at 10:15

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Oh and damn right it's fun.

Just not when you have a 7 month old in the back seat and your stuck in traffic on the highway.

BJ > MIATAAAA 08/14/2013 at 10:16

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Exactly this - be upfront with your grandparents and tell them that you appreciate their offer and that you would like to use their car to pay down your existing car loan. I doubt it will be a problem. I'm guessing that they're not really offering you a car - they're offering you a way to get a bit further ahead in life, and they'll appreciate your honesty.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:17

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Understood. I think it has way more style than the Milan. Also according to wiki- all Marquises started getting ABS in 1992.

Takuro Spirit > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:22

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That's okay, lots of metal around you to keep you safe.

I also hauled babies in mine.

simpleisbest > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:30

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My dad has the '94, red on red with no landau top. He has ABS on his. I had the pleasure of borrowing it for a trip from Atlanta to Tulsa, with a icy stretch between Smyrna and Jackson, Tennessee. Because of the ice and snow the trip took 20 hours. If I had tried that in a less comfortable car I would have arrived in Tulsa hating life and ready to take hostages. After the new year I will hopefully be able to make a change from my current ride to a similar 2005 or newer Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (not the kind decked out for patrol use). If you don't mind a large car there is so much that makes sense about Ford's now retired Panther platform.

The *no latch* issue with the car seat is not a big deal. I don't have it in my '99 Nissan. The child seats are designed to be used with three point seat belts too. I have a six and two year old so I have experience with this.

You could always do what MIATAAA suggested but you would have to make your peace with that when your grandparents ask about how their old cream puff is treating you.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 08/14/2013 at 10:30

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Well at least it has ABS.

I wonder what the process is/how much it costs to get rid of the landau roof lol.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > simpleisbest 08/14/2013 at 10:32

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Thanks for the response, sounds like it was terrible in the ice and the only thing that saved it was comfort and slow going.

Thanks for the LATCH info.

Burrito de EJ25 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/14/2013 at 10:33

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A V8 that makes the same amount of power as modern 4 bangers :(

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Burrito de EJ25 08/14/2013 at 10:36

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But one that makes all of it's torque at super low rpm's, supper reliable and long lasting, sounds great, and modable to make way more power.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 10:41

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I've always wondered that myself. I've seen them do it on shows like Overhaulin but they never go into much detail about the process. Seems like getting it off can be quite a pain depending on how it was attached. Some of them are riveted on...

On the bright side, white shouldn't be too hard a color to match. You could even do a rattle can job and use that spray max 2k clear coat stuff to finish it off nice.

simpleisbest > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/14/2013 at 10:49

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Agreed. $400 in parts from a salvage yard will increase power from 190hp to 215-220hp.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 11:02

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European here, did not know what a grey milan looked like.

Thanks.

deysg > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 11:05

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During my divorce, we had a Toyota Corrolla with payments and a Merc Sable Wagon , free and clear. The ex hated the Sable, so she wanted the Toyota... Duh.. She took a liability over an asset.

Your decision is clear.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 08/14/2013 at 11:08

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Oh! Glad I included it, it's basically the North American Ford Fusion, I know the EU Fusion was a drastically different car. The NA Fusion in 07 compared best to a Mondeo, but down in the classiness factor that the Mondeo had. Fortunately for me, Mercury tends to turn up the class in comparison to the Ford versions.

It got me nicer seats, more chrome trim inside and out...and an analog clock.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > deysg 08/14/2013 at 11:09

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Fantastic advice thank you.

Side note, it appears you won for more than just the liability vs asset rule. Who wants a Corrolla?

AbigGRNboot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 11:53

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Get the panther, get rid of the Milan.

Talk to the G-parents first, and let them know you plan to get rid of the Milan and DD the Marquis.

If they're not keen on the idea, sell the Marquis for them, use money to send them on vacation.

Boom, they get a vacation, and your an awesome grandson.

If they are cool with it, sell the Milan, pay it off, and take the G-parents out to a nice dinner.

Boom, you get a car, and your an awesome grandson.

P.S. I thought air bags are bad for children. That's why they have to be in the back.

CarlitoBenito > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 11:57

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It sounds like it might have ABS. If it does, maybe a good set of tires would do the trick for snow and ice? They would be cheap presumably since they are 15 or 16 inch wheels.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > AbigGRNboot 08/14/2013 at 12:37

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When they are infants yes. My intention was to keep the milan for another 8 years minimum (or 200k miles, whichever came first). The side curtain airbags in the back would be good then.

Honestly the take them out to dinner might work ( though I still doubt they'd let me pay) and they don't travel anymore so no vacations.

I'm definitely going to have to talk to them more. I'm going down to see them (they live in SC now) in november. Might be test drive time then.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 13:08

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Most certainly should have ABS. My mom has a Milan. See above. I already have a pair of 92 Grand Marquiseses. I am from Chicago and I know a thing or two about snow. Trust me, it's not that bad (but I don't do it anymore for the sake of minimizing the wear). I would gladly take a 3rd. I think that says something... The one above gets parked for the winter. Again, not because it can't get out of the driveway, but because the car is in good shape and salt plus freeze thaw is not kind to cars. Take the free car and hang on to the Milan. Keep it in the family. Take good care of it. Drive it at least once a week. It is not far away from being a classic. Don't let the car fall into the hands of somebody who wants to donk it out and mutilate a nice 19 year old car.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 08/14/2013 at 13:56

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I'm seriously leaning towards making it my DD. I unfortunately have no room for a 3rd car just for me. There is already my milan, the 1968 Mercury Montego (hey it follows the Mercury pattern at least!), and my wife's Jeep Commander.

I don't think it's in the budget (or room) to keep 4 vehicles insured/registered, even tho the Montego is craaazzzyy cheap to insure/register (10 year registration on historic plates in Michigan). So unfortunately that's not really an option. Also, I do a large amount of the transport to and from daycare would be a bitch to swap the car seat once a week back and forth.

Comforting that it can keep up with Chicago snow, we get about the same as you, I'm in metro Detroit, maybe a smidge less.

deysg > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/14/2013 at 14:00

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That was during my responsible phase.. Now I drive an old Jeep Scrambler !

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > deysg 08/14/2013 at 14:36

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Hahahaha sounds like fun!