Sometimes even I’m amazed. I was just walking back from the Y, and I see the familiar yellow Mark V that has recently taken up residence in our neighborhood (Yes, I shot it already for a future CC). But as I look down the block towards it, I see one; no two Prii in front of it. Hmm, that might be Outtake worthy. I get a little closer, and Bingo, there’s a third one across the street. I walk across the corner to get a shot, and I think to myself: does the Mark V sip about the same or more fuel than three Prii? The Mark gets about 10-11 mpg; a Prius about 44. Too bad; we’re short one Prius. But this is Eugene, where more Prii pop up everywhere:
Just stand on any street corner and click your camera, and you’re bound to get a Volvo wagon or a Prius. But on the very first set of cars to come by? And both of them together? (yes, that’s a recent Volvo wagon just rolling out of the shot). This whole sequence all happened on a quiet street within seconds. It’s why I never leave the house without my camera, and always scan blocks down every side street, like a hunter on the prowl. In fact, isn’t that what CC is all about: the hunt?
That Mark V will still be chugging along long after each and every Prius in the pic has been abandoned because of some expensive mechanical glitch that costs more to fix than they’re worth *cough* $3500 battery packs *cough*. The C-6 transmission in the Lincoln costs $750 to rebuild & it’s pretty much the same price for a junkyard 400 or 460 engine.including installation. Budget $200 for two tanks of gas and $50 each month towards future repairs & you’re way ahead in money out of pocket compared to the Prius. Does anyone have an idea what the break even point is in monthly miles driven for both cars?
There used to a tons of these Lincolns around here – almost all of them and other like guzzling big 70s cars have been scrapped. Not for rust or mechanical issues but because no one wants to fuel them. And scrap price spikes in the last few years.
Somehow getting hit for a few bucks at the pump is worse and more immediate then getting a big hit monthly for a car payment.
Heck the Lincoln likely pollutes as much standing still (vapors leaking from the gas cap ect.) as the Prius does being driven. But honestly the only one of those drivers who should have a smug satisfied look on their face is the Mark V driver.
It’s true manufacturing a new car is extremely resource-intensive vs keeping a used one on the road. But I suspect that vehicles which return 15 mpg or less burn through that “green” advantage fairly quickly, if used as daily transportation. Keeping one as a “Sunday car” (my grandfather’s term) is probably not so wasteful.
Not that this line of thinking has any real power over my automotive decision making process, mind you. My history includes several “totally irrational” vehicles, and I look forward to at least one more before I’m done. Hopefully I won’t fall for yet another old Ford with all the failing electrical doodads that take nothing less than rewiring the whole car to get working though.
Damn them for making such lustworthy sleds that double as agencies of demonic possession! 🙂
I just meant that the Mark V was actually “cool” and that the Prius has become some what common. I see someone in a Prius and think “hey that person just really doesn’t like buying gasoline.” I see a nice Mark and think “Wow, haven’t seen one of those in a while.” I doubt too many people are using them for daily drivers.
This Mark V is being used as a DD, by a young guy. Gas prices haven’t slowed down his comings and goings.
Does he fix it himself? If so, then the gas prices frankly become insignificant, that’s how insanely offset they are by the incredibly low cost of keeping a car running w/o payments or a mechanic, just paying for the parts and an occasional odd tool. However much she gulps down, it’s cheaper than the payments/maintenance on a new or new used car, and it’s cheaper than taking any car to a mechanic. I bet this V owner doesn’t have to do any inspections either, as the car is a bonafide classic by now. In most states he would be exempt. The only thing that could possibly beat that in terms of savings is an old ricer which takes less maintenance, but that requires a certain personality… a different outlook in life.
I can’t help but envision a hungry shark eyeballing a school of fish, deciding which one to eat.
That comment makes me think of this.
Oh, how I hated that movie!
The Mark V? Yeah, that’s my dream car.
I love those Mark V’s too. They are really gorgeous. I think that Blue Mark IV Btrig posted is almost as nice.
Id still rather go further in a Prius than sit in the Mark however.
But I would sure like a few old Lincolns in My Dream Collection…
1957 Mark 2 Convertible
1979 Aqua Givenchy or was it Pucci Mark V
1976 Aqua Mark 4
1956 Lincoln Premier Lavender Convertible
1941 Continental Mark 1 Conv
Oh what the Heck at least 1 of each Mark while I am Dreaming.
In their face, LOL. Continentals aren’t the fastest old cars out there, but I love violating a Prius if one happens to pull up next to my VII at a red light. While he/she is watching the fuel consumption on take-off I leave them in a pile of (not infrequently, rich smelling) smoke from my dual exhaust and spin the rear tires too… in those moments I almost wish it were a diesel. Can you tell I love giving the society a finger?
This wouldn’t happen in a V though, I don’t think. Beautiful boats, but way too underpowered. But, she’ll cruise the highway all day at 80 mph. Just gotta pull over a few times for gas.
You can chirp the tires in a Mark V, it just takes some work. Or water.