Box or Aero

[Piece-it pete]

I've been going back and forth on this for a while. I love the looks of the boxes hands down, big square hoods, best drivers' cockpit, best straight line ride, old fashioned dash, hood ornament FTW!

They've also been the most reliable, with reliability going box (84, 87), aero (97), whale (03)(although I've only put 20-30k miles on the 03 so it could change). I'm leaving out my 85 TC, it was pretty ragged out when I bought it, although I've been driving it for 3 years with only 1 time stranded. Come to think of it if anyone remembers I got suckered with that 89 TC and drove what was basically a junkyard car from Philly to Cleveland. Ford!

Looks match the reliability order as well. The taillights on the 03 are cool and I like the larger grill but think that the 97 was more handsome overall. The light grey-on-ice white 84 MGM, my first panther, was the best looking of all I've owned.

I don't like the COP system on the 03 but the 4.6 in the 97 was fine. Power and mileage with the 4.6s is nice. Simple reliability of the 302 rocks. 1 'puter on the 85 vs 8? in the 03 (and a black box - yuck), box wins again.

As great as the mighty 03 is, and it really is, at the end of the day I'd usually rather be driving the 85.

Pete

[hotrodtc]

What caused the fire?

We never really found out what happened but my guess is something in the factory alarm shorted out cause it was acting weird 2 days prior.

[marquisman]

Im a box guy for sure. Owned many. But I am gonna admit, im a little torn between the two now. Only reason, cause of availability. I would love to find a '87 town car to replace my wagon and mark VI. The box town car is just so damn classy and doesent lie about its weight or shape lol. but, shit isent as available anymore. So I have been looking mid 90s town cars and they have grown on me. Compared to the new crap on the road, the aero still stay true to owning the road. Maybe I would not feel so guilty, since I still have one box. So having an aero town car aint so bad. I dont know, im still trying to decide

[johnunit]

If you're looking for the best car to daily drive, in terms of handling, finding parts, saving on gas, blah blah blah the Aeros are better. They're just plain more modern and about the only thing the Boxes have on them as a daily driver is the chrome bumpers help in low-speed crashes.

As an "enthusiasts" car? I think the Boxes win. They're about as neat and oldschool looking a car as you can pick up for 2 grand (or less.) They're cheap as heck to modify, even NOS parts are relatively reasonable. But they're getting old, the mileage is mediocre for the space and performance you get, parts are a bit of an effort to find, they lack features that people are starting to expect like cupholders, decent stereos, etc. I wouldn't recommend a box to someone who just wants "a big car" at this point. The parts availability and all the niggling issues of a 22+ year old car make it impractical. However, if you're an enthusiast it's a no brainer that the Box is neater, easier to work on, has more potential as a performance and show car, gets more looks, etc.


Like a lot of people in the Panther community are starting to do, I think ideally you daily drive a late Aero or early Whale and enjoy the anachronistic charm of the Boxes as a treat.

[L1011tristar17]

Box any day of the week. Among other reasons, people don't really see them as old-lady cars anymore. It has the classic styling and presence of a proper 70's landyacht minus some of the excess girth. Plus they are easy to work on, and this is coming from someone with zero prior experience with cars.

[85LincolnTC]

I agree with the above comments. My 91 is my DD, but seems to have turned into a project car. I expected there to be problems over time with it, granted it is 22 years old, but with it being a DD its got to be dependable. I just havent decided if I want to keep fixing things (mainly suspension/steering components) or sell it and buy an aero or possibly a whale. I just keep asking myself, should I go ahead and fix everything wrong with the car, or buy something newer with (hopefully) less problems.

[miamibob]

Unless you REALLY know what you are getting I'd fix what I got (depending upon how extensive the repairs are).

[85LincolnTC]

Not meaning to take this thread off track but, my car needs pretty much every front end part replaced, minus the shocks and outer tie rod ends. It needs u joints, and I'm thinking the bushings on top of the rear end are shot, but I can't see them. The car surges while idling when cold, and it leaks oil from the lower intake....I think thats it (mechanically anyway) lol

[gadget73]

They all need work at this point. The newest box is 22 years old now, well past when Ford probably expected they'd all be dead and gone. Find a 22 year old anything that has actually been used that needs nothing in the way of repairs.

[GM_Guy]

Box. Because it is has lines.

Alex.

[tjc78]

Box for looks/modding/cruiser. Aero/Whale for DD. The 4.6 has more power and gets better FE. They also have a bit more creature comforts as well as ABS, Dual Airbags, and Traction Control for a bit more safety.

[SVT98t]

Aero.
Because.

-ryan s.

[turbo2256b]

Only too things come first to me I dont like 4 doors. I am alwas bumping in too something getting in and out. I can stand a 4 door wagon would love an old 50 2 door ford wagon.
I drove new 4.6 panthers as pool cars for years. I didnt think they were a better ride than the boxes. They also seemed to be less comfortable seating 6 than a box. Back seat is the worst 3 across. Cushions were padded as if for 4 passengers front and rear. Thought getting in a newer panther was worse in the front becaus of the way the dash sticks into the entry area.
Only mod I would do on a mod motor would be to add 4 lbs of boost and leave it mostly stock otherwise.

[gadget73]

I dont think any of the panthers had seats that were really set up for 3 across in the back. Even the towncars suck doing that with. That flip-down armrest makes the center back a lot less comfortable than either side. You can stick 3 people in there, but its not real great. Even worse up front.

[85LincolnTC]

^ +1