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:

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  Best value ever - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By marh42 - July 11 - 11:12 am

  I bought this car Feb 1st for $450.00. One service and a window regulator is the ONLY money I have spent. Has 234,000 miles, acts like most 50,000 mile cars I have been in.

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  cruisin - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By cranapple - July 4 - 11:33 am

  the car magazines dont get it when it comes to this car--its meant to do a few things very well--carry people and their belongings quietly and comfortably---its not a porshe-its the great American cruiser

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  Buys nothing but Lincolns - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By GL - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I now have 103,000 miles on my Town Car and it is still like new. I have had no problems to date and all mechanicals are still factory original. I purchased this car to replace a 1989 Cartier Town Car that was totaled in an accident (it had 200,000 miles and was still factory fresh). The 1999-2002 Town Cars are just to ugly. I will always continue to buy Lincolns. They are inexpensive to keep. Could use more horsepower. I remember the 60s Lincolns with the 460 engine. Those Lincolns could move.

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  my town...house - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By gogirl - June 10 - 1:53 am

  huge car, fun to drive, great to just go cruising

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  Defines American Luxury - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Patricia - June 4 - 10:16 pm

  The Lincoln Towncar is by far the best Luxury car on the market and it has tons of features like heated seats and a navigation system and Beautiful Burl Wood Accents on the dash and in the Steering wheel and the when you are riding in the car it feels like you are riding on a cloud or floating on air and i love the way the leather seates are trimmed and the seats are so comfortable and the interior is extremly roomy and the V8 Engine is very strong and has plenty of horsepower to move this car at high highway speeds and the cars exterior is beautiful i love the shiny black paint and i like the chrome pieces on the doors and i absolutely love my car its wonderful i highly reccommend it

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  Shame Ill never own another one! - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By macadoches - May 26 - 11:00 am

  Best car Ive ever had, get 30mpg on highway if I keep speed about 65-68. Its quick manuevering has gotten me out of several bad spots, which surprised me due to its size. And Ive always felt safe in it. Am starting to have a few problems now, but nothing big, and thats due to age. Would have liked sturdier bumpers. And the airflow in the front windows is somewhat odd. But I plan to drive it until it falls apart on the road and then Ill walk away from it. Breaks my heart Ill never be able to afford another one! Wish Id gotten two when I had the money, and put one up!

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  some good some bad - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By harry johnson - May 20 - 12:13 am

  I find the car to be a lot more noisy than my 1988. the exhaust system is a lot louder and i have been back 3 times to the dealer for check engine light

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  Style - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mick - May 16 - 5:33 am

  We purchased our 2001 low mileage Ford-Certified Town Car Executive this February—the first of two Lincolns (a V8 LS is our second Lincoln purchase). We added a six pack CD changer. My wife and I don’t have to scream to hear each other (as we did in our Club Wagon)—and since we are both lifetime WW members, we could sit four of us abreast in the front—but choose not. We ensured a safe purchase by using CarFax to research the vehicle history. This car just makes traveling a real pleasure—the only thing missing is aroma therapy candles (on second thought, leave them out). We are experiencing 18.8 mpg city and 24-25 mpg highway. This is THE car for long drives.

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  Modern Classic. - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By FSC - May 16 - 4:23 am

  Ill start off by saying I titled my review "modern classic" because thats basically what this car is. A modern spin off of big 1950s full sized cruiser sedans. The bench seat, column shifter, V8, rear wheel drive, body on frame construction, and shear size make it feel like a more refined classic cruiser. This is something I really like about the car. This isnt a car for people who want a Mercedes or BMW, this is a car for people who want a true laid back cruiser. However, if I were to do it again I would have gotten a top end Crown Vic or Marquis as the mechanicals and interior are %99 the Town Car as the town car for less money.

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  I love my 14th town car, still the best! - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By LTC06 - April 23 - 2:33 am

  My 2006 Lincoln Town Designer Series is my 14th Town Car since 1986! And I can say that this 2006 edition is still the best luxury car on the US market. No other luxury car can boast the quality of ride, ease of handling, quickness and smoothness of response to various driving and road conditions, build quality, luxury appointments and reliability that the Town Car continues to offer. My fuel economy experience is in the 20 city/28 highway range. I have never had a mechanical problem with any of my 14 Town Cars. I have tried the Japanese, German, English and American luxury vehicles and none can compare to the Lincoln Town Car!