2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited vs. Chrysler 300 Touring (or Limited) RWD V6 no hemi!
Heh, yes these cars do have something in common, they can both be used as good passenger transport vehicles. Let me start by saying that like a lot of Indian people, I have a big family composed of lots of family and plenty of family friends. Well my uncle (or father's cousin) owns a taxi business (please don't laugh :s) after immigrating to this country about 15 or 16 years ago. He's a good old fashioned hard working blue collar guy who just works as hard and as long as he can. The issue of buying another car came up and he asked for my opinion since i'm such the car enthusiast. He basically said he wants to retire a bunch of his Ford Crown Victorias, and never wants to see that particular car again. He himself is a driver (hard worker, and likes the work) so this is mainly going to be for him, and if possible may obtain a few more to replace some of the aging cars on his small little fleet.
For day to day service, he's basically thinking of only 1 car, and that's the Lincoln Town Car signature limited which is the perfect combination of luxury and style but comes with a hefty price tag of about $58,000 CDN (after taxes). t comes in Black on Black which is standard for a limo and very luxirous looking. The price though is a little high especially since he's looking to replace this car for himself at first and then slowly replace the crown victorias out. Though mechanically it's pretty much a Crown Vic so he has experience and part sources as well as mechanics that can work on this car very cheaply. He knows how durable this car's drive train is and has personally driven a Crown Victoria to about 550,000KM or about 320,000 miles. THis was the car he's had his eye on ever since the municipal government decided that he can no longer keep cars on the road that are more than 5 years old. At this point he asked my opinion just because I know a little more about the negociating process as well as how I feel about the car.
I recommended the Chrysler 300 RWD V6, not the 300C Hemi because even though it's a V8, it's just going to be an ongoing expensive he could've saved on by getting the 6. It's a little smaller when compared to the Town Car, but for those who've been in it either as a passenger or driver know it's more than adequate. It has a lot of luxury amenties with the comfort group package + leather or whatever. The rear room is very much enough space for 3 people, and the ride is smooth. I thought this car had the perfect shape for an everyday taxi with the bold look but not too round or too square. I even suggested getting a modified grille + HIDS to make it stand out and tint the windows privacy and of course, the car would be black exterior + grey interior.
Pros and cons that I've found;
2006 Lincoln Town Car black on black.
Pros:
- Looks and feels like a limo with that distint look and reputation it has going for it.
- Can be used with a propane system for higher fuel mileage combining gas and propane.
- Very comfortable quiet v8,
- Lower maintenece costs because it's techinically the Crown Victoria but with a few aesthetic changes (Contique lol).
- Dual exhaust for comfort and making the ride a little more smooth.
CONS these were basically a turn off but my uncle still likes it:
- COSTLY in the end it's about $25,000 more than the very 300 I described.
- Slower with only 239HP listed on a V8.
- LOWER fuel economy, ceteris parabis the gasoline consumption is higher with 14L/100KM city and about 8.5/highway.
And ...
2006 Chrysler 300 Touring (or Limited) V6 black on grey or beige.
PROS:
- AFFORDABLE, for the price of the Town Car he could buy one of these and maybe a Chevy Impala or similar car. This car finished at about 35,000 with taxes.
- POWERFUL and responsive! The V6 is a 250HP engine with plenty of pickup.
- Very nice as well, with mercedes ideas combined with American engineering this car does have that luxury feel to it with safety to boot.
- 5 speed auto with stick / manual mode. (just makes the experience a little more fun)
- Better GAS fuel economy and smaller engine (3.5L vs 4.6L)
CONS
- It doesn't look like a luxuriosu limo ride that may appeal to his current customer base of CEOs and directors that he frequently picks up himself.
- PARTS, this car is in it's second production year and the parts are scarce and expensive (supply and demand).
- No known problems as mileage goes up. He can easily do about 100,000KM or 60,000 miles in a year himself and doesn't know if the V6 is dependable.
- Ride wasn't AS smooth as the lincoln, but a very fun to drive car.
- Slightly smaller trunk and cabin.
- Propane won't be viable.
Now I thank you guys for taking the time to read in and would like to honestly and simply ask you guys, what would you do in the situation? What I've been telling him is that even if you get the Lincoln, you're not guranteed more business without working extra hard and being proactive in a lot of different ways. I also said that with the Crown Vic already phased out in Canada, and the premium price of a Town Car, 300s may be MORE common on the road thus making his car not as unique or different as others. But with that being said, parts will get cheaper. I want him to make the best possible decision as this first car will be for him and as business goes he will slowly upgrade. I'm completely conflicted and don't know what to do or to recommend because I feel both cars are great, but both have their flaws and could easily go one way or the next. TIA CEG.
