Overview & Reviews
The Lincoln Town Car was one of the most established automotive nameplates in America. Since it debuted as a trim level for the 1969-'71 Continental, the Town Car's purpose remained the same: to spoil as many as six occupants with spacious and luxurious accommodations no matter where in the car they were sitting. For years it was the epitome of what Americans expected from a luxury car.
As time passed by, those expectations began to change, and the Town Car did not evolve to meet them. Not only did Lincoln maintain the Town Car's palatial dimensions, massive trunk and soft ride, it also maintained the basic platform that had underpinned the car since the late 1970s. Its solid rear axle suspension and V8 engine, in particular, were relics of another time. Many of the latest safety, convenience and entertainment features were also not available.
Some will certainly view a used Town Car as a comfortable choice for luxury transportation. But for the most part, we think most shoppers will do better choosing another large luxury sedan that's more capable and advanced.
Most Recent Lincoln Town Car
The most recent Lincoln Town Car was produced from 2003-'11. Compared to the model that immediately preceded it, this final Town Car featured a strengthened frame, updated mechanicals, minor styling changes and a revised interior. But it still was heavily based on the previous car, with a body-on-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive and a solid rear axle.
Equipped with wide front and rear bench seats, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the few six-passenger cars around. Both standard- and long-wheelbase models were offered, each powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produced 239 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque. Not only was acceleration pokey, but fuel economy was poor as well. Not helping matters was an old four-speed automatic that lacked the choice of gear ratios and fuel economy of the five- and six-speed automatics found on competitive sedans.
Changes during its lengthy model run were largely restricted to a reshuffling and renaming of trim names in its first few years. For instance, the top-of-the-line model was first named Cartier, then Ultimate and finally Signature Limited. From 2006 through 2011, however, the Town Car could primarily be had in standard-wheelbase Signature Limited and long-wheelbase Signature L trim levels. Feature highlights included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a premium sound system, a power-operated trunk and driver memory settings. The Town Car Signature L was essentially a limousine. Six inches longer than the standard car, the L featured a much roomier rear bench seat with separate audio and climate controls.
In editorial reviews, we appreciated the Town Car's abundant storage areas, soft ride quality, interior spaciousness and ability to swallow four sets of golf clubs in the huge trunk. And compared to the previous generation, it did benefit from a stronger frame, sharpened steering and upgraded brakes. But compared to other large luxury sedans of the time, the Town Car was let down by a weak engine, soggy handling, a dated interior design and a lack of modern features.
Previous Lincoln Town Car Models
The Lincoln Town Car produced from 1998-2002 lacked the more recent model's updates, but still offered the same roomy interior. It was offered in Executive, Signature and Cartier editions, and beginning in 2002, the latter two trim levels were available in long-wheelbase form. Between 1998 and 2000, the Town Car was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produced 205 hp. In 2001, hp was bumped up to 220 for Executive and Signature editions, while Cartier versions produced 235 hp.
Between 1990 and 1997, the Town Car was boxy, slab-sided and formal. However, its radiused edges, flush-mounted windows and lighting elements made it appear infinitely more modern and aerodynamic than the carriage-like pre-1990 models. In 1991, an overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8 was installed that, with 190 hp, was significantly more powerful than the 5.0-liter V8 in previous Town Cars. In 1994, hp rose once again to 210. Other notable developments for mid-1990s Town Car models included an optional Handling Package with firmer suspension and matched tires introduced for 1993, and a subtle but tasteful interior and exterior restyle for 1995.
Most editorial reviewers of the time noted the Town Car's strength as a serene reading room on wheels while lamenting its ponderous driving dynamics. However, there was universal acknowledgement that the Lincoln Town Car never has been for spirited drivers, but rather for those who grew up believing that big, comfortable, rear-wheel-drive American luxury cars were the ultimate reward for a job well done. And for them, this Town Car was a perfect fit.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 498.00-
Constant Problem - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
By Dwight Escondido - September 23 - 10:00 amThis car has been a constant problem since new,,both back window motors failed early, Torque Converter failed at 40,000 miles;barely in warranty,,NOW out of warranty,,Plug over coils failed twice($400.00 each time) and Now at 65,000 mile,,heater damper door warped,,over $1100.00(10 hours at $84 an hour flat rate to remove dash)...Passenger window motor failed last week,,,I will leave broken (Lincoln $500 to fix),,,will replace with Lexus or Mercedes,,Lincoln just has very poor build quality,,too little power and no customer service!!
-
New Lincoln Buying Mistake - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
By Merck - September 29 - 6:16 pmThe car is sluggish and transmission hesitates when pushed down to pass or when needed to come up hills. It does the same when using the Remote Control. The car seems to be in a wind tunnel after 30 miles per hour. The hissing sound coming from the drivers side is very annoying and together with the Michelin tires whining noise makes a long drive not too appealing. As you can see mileage is very low (4200). I use my wifes 95 Chevrolet Corsica more often than the Lincoln! Another thing is that the car sways everytime wind hits it on its side. Im planning trading this car in for another make. Im totally unhappy with my 2004 Lincoln. Should have leased instead of buying.
-
Once Lincoln, Now Buick - 2008 Lincoln Town Car
By Now Buick - April 3 - 10:56 amWas driving the Lincoln Towncar. It just was not what Expected. When driving it made my dentures rattle if you know what I mean. After long trip it felt like someone had jumped on my lower back for hours.
-
No More American Cars for Me! - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
By Never again - August 14 - 4:00 pmI swore after a nightmare with 1 other American car I would never own another - should have stuck with that! After having the car for 3 mos. (bought used at 2 yrs.) and 60,000 had to replace the rear axle = $1250.00. Hub bearings at 65,000 miles = $600.00. Automatic trunk mechanism at 70,000 miles = $400 to repair. Getting rid of this car....PRICELESS. The electrical system is failing, all the "fancy" gizmos either dont work anymore at all, or work only intermittently, and this is the biggest piece of junk Ive ever owned. Good riddance to the Lincoln Towncar. Goodbye, Ford, Hello Honda! At least our other car, a Honda is still going strong at 265,000 miles with very little $$ spent!
-
A Lemon named Christine - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
By Sue - June 4 - 10:00 amIt has been in the shop 5 times in a year for the same thing and they havent found the problem yet. I have had to put off our vacation this year while it is in the shop. It floats all over the road, has a mind of its own. When a car or truck passes it pushes it off the road and when you try to compensate with the steering, it pulls back across the line..you never know where you are going. This is all at a speed of above 60 mph. At 59 or below it drives good
-
False Hope - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
By Diamond Edition - April 7 - 1:00 pmI have purchased (3) Lincoln Town Cars 1987, 1993 and the 2004 is the worse of the lot. The wind noise at the door on the driver side is terrible. The inside cabin is noisy and the seats are very un-comfortable. I would never thought in my wildest dreams, that Lincoln would put out such a disgrace. I am not getting any satisfaction from Ford Motor Co. The fuel cap light would stay on and the rear of the car needed adjusting. (Lowering)
-
Biggest POS Ever - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
By lincolntc - November 16 - 9:22 pmBought it 3 months ago and Spent 1000 dollars so fat and need 1500 more. Bought Plugs, Fuel Pump $600, Fuel Filter, and more. Needs Intake Manifold , Valve cover gaskets, Coil Packs, Muffler, and Altinator. Im a Mechanic but with no money ever Because it is all spent on this Garbage Im Done selling it to someone who would love to spend thousands on a car that was [non-permissible content removed] from the dealer. Btw The Car only has 88,000 Miles.
-
bad bad bad bad bad TOWN CAR - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
By town car owner - November 5 - 2:00 amTERRIBLE SERVICE TERRIBLE SEATS I ALWAYS GET BACK PAIN TERRIBLE EVERYTHING ALL I HAD FROM THIS CAR IS PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
This car is not worth it! - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
By this is bad car - August 18 - 10:00 amThe first week i had this car, i was going 80 down the highway, and one of the front wheels buckled up and the car went to a screeching halt. The dealers had the car for 4 weeks trying to figure out what it was...as soon as that was fixed, the other one went out. This car is bad ride, bad buy, uncomfortable, and the list could go on forever. By the way, i was backed into one day and a tail light costs 400 dollars!
-
unreliable - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
By gunman - April 29 - 10:00 ami have had fords and chevys on and off for years, and i thought that this time it would be reliable, i hoped, but i was wrong, after 16 years or so of owning cars ford still cant make one that is reliable it has a lot of luxary, thats nice when your sitting beside the road waiting for the tow truck, ha...
