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:

• 

  Like our Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By SHC - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Very roomy, comfortable. Drives good for a large car.

• 

  Private Citizen(s) Evaluation - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By Harry Sperry - December 24 - 10:00 am

  The 2000 Lincoln Town Car Signature is a pleasure to drive, quiet & roomy. We (My wife and myself) have had no problems of any kind.

• 

  2001 Lincoln Town Car Cartier is one of the best! - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By D. S - December 20 - 1:26 pm

  They FLOAT over the road surface... not as floaty as the 90s Tow Cars, but yes, they still float. With air ride bumps are not even a consideration. Personally I dont want a sports car feel that corners like its on a rail. I like that floaty-boaty feel! When your spending big money for luxury car.. thats exactly what you want it to feel like, period! The engine is as storing is the day I bought it.. and the appearance is just as good. Every vehicle acts differently depending on who the owner/driver is, and mine has been somewhat pampered. With just over 191 THOUSAND "and not stopping anytime soon", its my daily driver. 117,000 miles out of the factory brakes before needing a change. Just bought the 3rd battery, and went the first 10 years without spending a cent. Finally at 150,000 miles the air ride shocks started to weaken, so I had them changed for another set. NO! I did not resort to coil & springs! No even an option. Other than that, I have adored this car since the day it was built. Only a very few complaints.. and not the car itself, but the design. Whos bright idea was it to make the headlights detachable (for bulb changing purposes I guess) lock in place with 3 tin clips? When hitting a hard bump, they wobble. And its noticeable to me and drivers in front of me. Secondly, the easy in/exit moving seat stopped working early on. Dealer said hes surprised I got that far. He told me.. dont last, never did, hasnt seen one work right since day one. I would have had it fixed, but it required full seat replacement.. and cost huge money. Thankfully it stopped in the exact position I use and like. Other than that, I am shooting for 250, thousand. These Town Cars last forever. Gas mileage is good. Rated at 17&25. 6 disc CD changer in the trunk. HUGE trunk. And eve after 15 years, its still unmistakably Lincoln. People ask.. when are you going to buy a new car. Answer: when they bring Town Car back! Id rather drive a 15 year old Lincoln, htan something lesser thats brand new.

• 

  My big ride - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By IlliniFan - December 12 - 9:23 am

  Always wanted a big luxury car, and a Town Car or DTS/Deville. Found this 05 TC and fell in love with it when I took it for a test drive. I have tinted windows and gives it the look of a limo. Im not the typical TC owner, but to me it rides and drives like a dream. On the road, it floats, seats are like my recliner at home, CD player is awesome, the reverse sensors come are a life saver when backing up. The clock in the center of the dash is just too cool looking! Its a great car, gets 25-28 mpg hwy, 23 city, cant beat that for a V8! So far not a single problem - and today thats rare.

• 

  sydney - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By lenz - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Has been very reliable. Had to replacemanifold, air suspension boots in rear,one ball joint, wiring to wndshield wipers,

• 

  Nice Town Car - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By CASH - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This Is Our Third TC And They Get Better And Better. The Comfort Cannot Be Beat. I Really Like The Performance On The 03 TC, It Is A Joy To Drive.

• 

  95 best year of all for town cars. - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By solarfolks - November 20 - 9:51 pm

  I own 3 Town Cars, a 95, 96 and 97. The 95 is by far the most responsive car to drive, great transmission response when accelerating, unlike the other two years that feel you may not really want to go fast and take their sweet time in down shifting. A further plus is the 95 runs on regular, the other two years really need high test to not ping. If you keep your foot out of it around town the mileage is really pretty good, and the 95 seems to be better than the other 2 years by about 1 MPG at 22. I have 260K mile on 96, 125K on the other 2. 96 is about shot, runs great, all the bells and whistles failing. Bad things - the window systems flat suck. the front end wears out after 100K miles.

• 

  The Last Great American Luxery Car - 2010 Lincoln Town Car
  By qcdude - November 20 - 5:40 am

  I read about the end of production being set 4 8/2011 & I started seaching 4 a low mileage 2010, cant afford new 1. After 3 months I found a clean Continental Edition w/13K & got the dealer down 2 4k below kbb. I took a 300 mile highway trip today after 3 weeks of local travel & I cant believe that this car is being discontinued. I had a Park Avenue years ago and this TC is superior when it comes to ride comfort & neutralizing road noise, seating is lg & plush. The power is adequate 4 this type of vehicle & I got 27 mpg (all flat terain). My first 3 weeks of local travel was only 19. I paid $800 less 4 this slightly used TC than I paid 4 a new fully loaded Accord that I now hate 2 drive.

• 

  3rd Town Car - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By JIMVATO - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My first town car was a 1995 exective. My 2nd town car a 2001 Signature which had all the bells and whistles. This past year my wife decided she want a new car. She wanted the Lincoln logo on the car plus the auto trunk closing. What the dealership failed to tells us that when we got our Signature Town Car is really was a downsize signature to an exective. Now I do not have but a single CD player with the worst sound system in it. You almost have to rise the volume to the extreme in order to hear the music. There are no auto seat adjusters for different drivers.

• 

  Biggest POS Ever - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By lincolntc - November 16 - 9:22 pm

  Bought 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.