Overview & Reviews

The earliest Lincoln Continental was the automotive equivalent of Catherine Zeta-Jones -- it ought to have come with a warning label that read "May Cause Shortness of Breath." Based on the Lincoln Zephyr, the Continental got its start as a one-off drop top commissioned by Edsel Ford in the late 1930s. Serving as his vehicle of choice during his annual jaunts to Palm Beach, the car's exquisite shape generated so much buzz that Lincoln decided to put the Continental into production. Available as both a cabriolet and a coupe, the Continental debuted in 1940.

World War II and other events resulted in stops and starts in the car's production over the next decade or so, but by the mid-'50s, the Continental was back -- this time as its own brand. That arrangement didn't last (the Continental brand was folded back into the Lincoln marque in 1957), but the Continental did. For more than two decades, it served as Lincoln's flagship model.

As a recipe for ailing sales, the Lincoln Continental was redesigned in 1961. Now available as either a sedan or a four-door convertible (the nation's first in more than a decade) it was hailed for its clean good looks and winning performance. That era's photogenic First Family was often snapped riding in the Continental; it came to be known as the "Kennedy Lincoln" and enjoyed a wave of popularity. Another redesign took place for 1966 and again in 1970, which left the Continental with a blocky, more formal look (highlighted by hidden headlamps and a larger grille) and a coil-link rear suspension.

Fuel economy and emissions regulations forced Lincoln's hand, and the Continental was given makeovers in 1980 and '82. The car rode on a much shorter wheelbase, and offered improved gas mileage. In 1988, the car was given a new platform -- one shared by the midsize Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. This Continental was the first Lincoln to offer front-wheel drive and a fully independent suspension.

Unfortunately, this move to front-wheel drive eventually doomed the Lincoln Continental as it progressed through the end of the 20th century. Late-model Continentals didn't exactly crackle with the same desirability as that very first model, as consumer tastes had moved away from the soft-riding big-car brand of luxury that was the Continental's stock in trade. Even more notably, foreign rivals such as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz had eclipsed the car in performance and refinement and had become top choices for shoppers in this segment. Dogged by weak sales, Lincoln's big sedan was retired in 2002.

Most Recent Lincoln Continental

The most recent generation of the Lincoln Continental luxury sedan got its start in 1995. This version distinguished itself from its predecessor with a sleeker, more upscale exterior designed to shed some of the sedan's stodginess and attract younger buyers. Other changes included a new suspension and a more powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine.

Sometimes luxury meant not having to worry about petty details, like, say, selecting a trim level for your mansion-on-wheels. Lincoln kept things easy for buyers by offering the Continental in just one trim level, which came with standard features like keyless entry, leather upholstery, full power accessories and an AM/FM/cassette audio system. The options list allowed drivers to raise the level of coddling with features like Alpine audio, heated seats, auxiliary steering-wheel audio controls, a CD changer and a power sunroof.

Literally keeping up with the Joneses wasn't a problem, thanks to the Lincoln's capable engine -- its 4.6-liter V8 brimmed with 260 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Sending this power to the front wheels was a four-speed automatic transmission. The Lincoln Continental also featured an air-spring suspension and an available Driver Select System that came with variable-rate steering assist and electronically adjustable shock absorbers that could be set for plush, normal or firm ride control. The air springs are known to wear out, so pay particular attention to the car's suspension during inspection.

Lincoln gave the Continental a few useful tweaks during these years. A 1998 refresh gave the luxury sedan a more streamlined look, with smoother lines, wraparound headlights and a new grille. This refresh also gave the Continental a nicer cabin, set off by elegant bird's eye maple wood trim. Audiophiles should choose models made in 1999 or later, since these Continentals were endowed with an improved sound system. The V8's output also increased slightly this year to 275 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.

Safety took a step up in 2000, when Lincoln's sedan gained standard side airbags, along with an emergency trunk release and child-seat anchor brackets. In 2002, its final year, the Continental got an optional (and now defunct) Vehicle Communications System that included hands-free cell phone communication.

Our editors appreciated the fact that this Lincoln offered a wealth of gadgets and features to use and enjoy. Strong acceleration was another impressive point. Still, this big car had its flaws. In reviews of the Lincoln Continental, we criticized its lack of maneuverability and dearth of interior storage. The sedan's gravest shortcoming, though, was its lack of refinement relative to its competitors. Though the Continental was perfectly adequate, cars in this price range from Germany and Japan offered a driving and ownership experience that was more polished and engaging.

Past Lincoln Continental Models

The previous-generation Continental ran from 1988-'94. The car was less grand than later-model Continentals -- not surprising, since it shared some design cues with its platform-mate, the humble Ford Taurus. As this generation drew to a close, power was provided by a 3.8-liter V6 good for 160 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, with two trim levels being offered -- the Executive and the top-of-the-line Signature. Those looking for trademark Continental opulence are advised to skip this model for more recent versions of the sedan.

User Reviews:

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  Great Ride, High Maintenance - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Alicia Heath - November 11 - 10:00 am

  We had to replace brakes (rotors on front too) at 40,000 miles, and the air conditioning was replaced at this time as well. We purchased this car used with 40,000 miles on it, so it could have been due to the previous driver. However, we also have one plug that gets oil in it way before time for a tune-up, especially if driven for a trip of any distance over 400 or 500 miles. Maintenance cost is much higher than for many cars. However, this car has POWER and is a very good ride. It steers and handles great. All the little perks (compass, auto-adjustment of seat and mirrors for the driver, etc.) are great.

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  98 Lincoln Continental - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By guitar man - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 98 continental in late 99 ,as it come off lease, with 37,000 miles. Just surpassed 71,000 miles with little trouble. Today, just picked up the car at dealership after 65,000 commplete service, ($1,000). Still some popping underneath the car, that was not repaired at the dealership.

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  1997 Lincoln Continental - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By dbel - June 26 - 11:36 am

  Nice car....bought recently with low miles 76k....idles extremely smoothly....lots of power....great gas mileage...22.7 average..mostly highway....cruises well at 74mph....very pleased so far with the car.

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  Very good but not great - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By brxv - December 22 - 10:00 am

  A BIG car ride and drive. A truly excellent dollar value, lots of toys, driver select system is quite good. Driver information center is very easy to operate and love the compass. Gas mileage for the 275 HP Intech is quite good. And...the Continental is smooth and powerful on take off. Front-wheel drive leads to slight oversteer. Thus you dont have the feel of a great American luxo-cruiser. Good....not great. Much, much better value than Audi A6, Acura any model, Volvo, Jaguar, Lexus or any of the other mid luxury cars. THE VERY BEST CLIMATE CONTROL AND AC of any vehicle I have experienced.

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  great alternative to Taurus - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By km - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought it at half price (got to love that depreciation.) Very comfortable and I absolutely love the exterior design. It has great acceleration with the V8, and youre doing 80 before you know it. I get about 24 mpg on the highway, about 20 in the city. Auto-dimming rearview mirror had to be repaired at 54000. Wrecked it shortly thereafter, both airbags deployed and worked fine. Dashboard designed to deploy airbags without self-destructing, which would have totaled it out. Replaced steering pump 1 yr later (under ext. warranty) but this may have been damaged in the wreck. I love this car, even though Im 32, and will buy another Lincoln, but will get a good 3rd party ext. warranty.

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  Beautiful Car - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By jack - July 30 - 10:56 am

  I totally love this car inside and out. I look around and this black and chrome machine is better looking than most new cars. I bought it used and it apparently had a significant accident front end so as the car got older. Some annoying things started to wrong. At 125k miles keyless entry stopped working, cruise control, and some interior lights. Then engine light came on. 2 misfiring cylinders. Now I have a periodic check transmission. Despite all this I attribute some of the problems to the accident before I owned it. And am seriously considering re investing to bring car back to 100%. The car is a great ride.

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  Too bad its discontinued - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Kvegas - June 28 - 2:20 am

  Nice powerful 275hp V8. Front drive is good in the snow. Average 19 mpg in mostly city driving (not bad for the way I drive). Very comfortable front heated seats are nice. Handles well. This is my 4th lincoln and my second Continental. I really like the car and my wife likes it too. She just got a 2002 Continental. I dont know what to get to replace this car. I usually trade after 3 years but I may keep this one longer since i dont really know what to get to replace it. My only complaint is with the chrome wheels, the chrome is peeling off the back.

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  Last Ford for us.............. - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By vroy - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned many Ford products but this one is the best on luxury and the worst on performance quality. It is the end of an era. With 71,000 Im replacing a transmission $2200.00. Ford cant make up its mind to rebuild or replace, duh, the torque converter failed and ruined the transmission and they cant decied what to do???? Power seat tracks that failed, outside power mirrors failed, and two of eight coils failed at $120.00 each to replace at less that 50K miles. I never had that much trouble with a Mercury Topaz with 200K miles or my F-150 with 125K miles, or my Mercury Cougar with 130Kmiles.

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  The best car I have owned - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Lee W. - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I have to say my Lincoln is the best car I have owned. There is nothing like a big luxury car. Ride and performance are exceptional. The black paint is decent for the 110,000 miles on it. I have recently had the rear- view mirror problem everyone else is experiencing. Also, the front passenger door has a bad connection which causes the door to show ajar when it is not. This is not a big deal except the interior lights come on when stopped. If anyone can tell me how to economically replace the rear-view mirror, I would appreciate it. I would defineately buy another, though. Great car!

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  Good Large American Sedan - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By steven7753 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 50,000 miles at one quarter of the original new price- i.e., ten grand for a 40 grand car with 50,000 miles. So far it has been a great large sedan. I wanted a large comfortable car with front wheel drive to commute in and for frequent trips where I take people and "stuff"...have put 16,000 miles on it and only brake work so far and transmission fluid changes...