I’m from the UK so this is not something you see on the roads. But for some reason, this generation of Town Car is one of my absolute favourites. Theres just something about them, I love them!
I love these cars. So nice to see a younger guy finding out what we who grew up with big American's cars knew all along. Sometimes, big, soft, and square isn't a bad thing. It's also nice that, unlike some other not to be named reviewers, you actually did your homework regarding the car's history. This design was actually an international effort, with parts suppliers and manufacturers in England and Japan employed to complete the car. Next spring, I'll have to bring you my 1979 Oldsmobile 98 to review :) And yes, having been an automotive journalist for over 20 years now, I can say you definitely should be doing more reviews. You have an excellent on screen presence, are critical without being condescending, and generally know your stuff.
@@_alexmuerto_ I was 17 when I was gifted a 76 Caprice Classic I called the boat, sure a grandparents car but when it came time to trade it for a small Honda I had a very willing buyer who was going to make it a low rider. And he was young too. Big old cars were comfortable and on long trips I could curl up in back seat and snooze at a rest stop. I have had Hondas or Hyundai all my life but have fond memories of the 🛥 ❤️
Good job sport. All I can say is if you want to corner and get blazing speed, get a viper. If you want a reliable, comfortable, long lasting, zero breakdowns and less cost of ownership the Town Car is hard to beat. I've had many. Have a 07 Designer now. It's got alot more pep and will corner thanks to a lil better suspension. Test a 3rd gen TC and you will see, feel and appreciate the greatest sedan ever made.
I think that it was designed to cruise using just one hand on the steering wheel, at about the 7 o'clock position, with the left arm resting on the left thigh. It requires the least effort to drive of any car I've had in my 4 decades of driving.
We had a 95 and then a 97. These cars were the best town cars ever made. They had a great acceleration for passing. Both were Cartier. I miss those cars sooo much.
Love the review! I just bought a '97 Executive edition last month. Tan with brown vinyl top over the back third. It was a garage find. The owner passed away. The family just wanted to get rid of it. Only 80K on it, new tires, and updated intake with the metal coolant tunnel. Just had to fix a brake line leak. I got it for $500, yes, I said $500. It's near mint. I absolutely love it! Cheers my friend! 🍺🍻🍺
🙋🏻♂️yo tengo una en la vista i ya me dijeron cuanto pero está en dediso en dueño asilos 1000 dólar está para en cochera que era de su hermano que ya fallecido ASE 2 años
I just had to get rid of mine because the frame rusted out. It was a 96' with 180k miles and still ran like brand new. I miss it every day. I will be buying another one soon. One of the best cars ever made.
Probably the all around best car model ever. I’ve had a ‘79, a ‘90, 92, and a 2004. And I’m picking up a ‘78 in three days. There’s nothing like a Town Car.
Fantastic review! I’m 27 and I drive a low mileage example of the 96 model, and have the same exact issues mentioned here. The powertrain is largely reported to be long lived in good hands though. The 90s really were the last decade where we saw cars that were designed to a distinct ideal or character, like the Acura Legend and BMW e38 7 series. The Lincoln town car was a fitting swan song to traditional American luxury ❤️
As a young guy, I really want to get this car. This looks like the proper car of a man. I'm sick of some car enthusiast that act like I need the most kit out car that can go 0-60 in 2 seconds and are loud af. This looks like a respectable car to drive. It's simple, it runs, it's nice, no gimmicks, no plot twist; even with it's problems, it wouldn't stop me from getting one anyway.
I'm 30, I've had one for about 6 months now. I knew about them and looked at ads for them when I was first driving but I didn't see the appeal then. If you get it's appeal, you get it. Most people don't though. It's one of my favorite cars I've ever had. And it's the most reliable luxury car aside from a Lexus that I know of. I keep mine beautiful and love it. This generation only though not the newer ones. I even want to trade in mine for a black one if I can find it. Definitely worth it
@@rageius Right now I'm struggling to find some in my area. I'm looking for either a silver or tan one - maybe Signature or Cartier (I think I spelled that wrong). I did widen a range a bit for which one I will get since the 1997 is particularly hard to get where I'm from (I didn't widen it that much, the range is 1995 to 1997 since everyone says those are the best years). People have them in my city, I just don't really know where to find them. I've checked dealerships, Facebook marketplace, some auctions, and even eBay. Craigslist is the only place I didn't check - to be honest, I really don't want to, but I might have to concede and do it anyway. As of right now, I can't get one as I'm in the middle of doing stuff, but I'm gonna keep looking and I will get Towncar - even if I have to cross state lines (granted, I know not to be stupid so I'm not going to waste an enormous amount of money just to get one).
@@Machodave2020 I was mainly looking on Craigslist at first , and was strongly considering going to a different state or 8 hours south to San Diego to get one at first and then I looked at marketplace and found mine. Yeah don't get the executive, the digital dash(sig plus) is beautiful. But when I was looking I was able to find about a dozen of them on the West Coast - and I didn't mind going somewhere because the car is made for long trips along the highway. Taking it back you will be able to sense all of it's problems and quirks. If you want my advice, gather enough cash to buy a nicer one and wait for the opportunity to find one in a color that you like. Mine is silver-blue with an all blue leather interior and while I still love it I am looking to trade it for a black or grey Cartier with a vinyl top. Because these things have little mechanical problems as the panther platform was amazingly reliable (that's why the police used crown vics forever) the only thing I would look for is an interior that is nice still and suspension that isn't sagging to one side There's even a guy who sells them near mint and posts the videos on RUclips but they're always 15 plus grand each. If you have the money it may be a worthwhile price because these things can last forever - I even saw a taxi one that had a million miles for sale when I was looking. I may end up upgrading all the way to pay 20gs eventually because I really do love them. Every time I get out of my car I look back as I'm walking wherever I'm going and think to myself how beautiful it is - I really do think this generation (90-97) was a work of art. I heard an international team from Japan and Europe got together to design it. The newer ones look too much like regular cars. And whenever it's vacuumed and nice inside when I start the car I'm pleased with the simplistic classy retro luxury that I own. I still feel that way and I've owned it for over 6 months now. Hope you can find one you like that you can afford, I promise it will be worth it! But like I said, not everyone else understands the appeal.
The good 'ole days where they color-keyed the entire interior and offered some color choice inside! No cheap looking exterior black plastic trim, either. BEST OF ALL, it's not a bulkmobile (SUV/CUV).
Always loved those cars! Another quirk, the front grill is spring loaded to prevent damage in minor collisions. You can push it in with fairly minimal effort to test it and it springs back into position. Good job!
I just bought a 1997 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition for my wife this will be her 4th Town car she has owned . She is a huge car nut and Loves Lincoln she has 8 Lincoln cars . She has always said that this Lincoln is her Favorite style and she LOVES how it drives it will be her daily driver We also bought a 2019 CORVETTE HER AND I love THE CORVETTE but we use it more as a toy . I driver a recent LINCOLN NAVIGATOR Love that also . These older LINCOLNS are FABULOUS
4th Town Car? What happened to previous 3? This is the sort of thing VW Passat owners tell me. "Best car ever, I've had 10 in the last 20 years." And they get rid of them as soon as it starts to fall apart because who spends money on maintenance?
As for the number 3 TOWN CAR my wife wanted a moon roof and the new one has that and the rare 16 inch chrome rims that she loves and its a CARTIER , Sold number 3 TC to a happy buyer @@CoreMaster111
I have a 1996 with the 210 horsepowerwith factory dual exhaust i put flowmaster super 44's on and keep the car maintained. The loud exhaust just helps me still feel cool when i lose a drag race. The car is much more fun on long road trips and just cruise.
This exact car including color is my daily driver and I choose this over any new car and I work at a dealership, and don't be fooled by the power it has, upgraded it can be a power house, upgrade to PI (performance improved) and jump to 265 hp then continue and build a motor that rivals mustangs. I have a sweet spot for this car n I'm not a fan of Ford At all! Has been super reliable, ridiculously comfortable on longggg trips and u feel as if you own the road!
This is my first and only car thus far in my life given to me by my great grandpa it looks identical to this and it gets wayyyy too much positive attention at gas stations haha
There is no driving experience like that of the 95-97 Town Car. One correction. The body on frame continued to the 3rd generation and until 2011; its last year of production. Most reliable and comfortable car I’ve ever owned. So unique.
As the current owner of a 2006 Crown Vic and a 1997 Grand Marquis I think it is fair to say that they, too, offer much the same driving experience. My 2003 Marauder, on the other hand, while sharing the Panther platform, had a much stiffer ride, suitable for the performance that it provides. The panther platform is quite versatile.
I had 3 '73s, 1 '74, 3 '97 and 1 '95. The '70s models were actually a bit more luxurious in some ways, but not as "tight" suspension wise. The '89scwere just crap, but the '90's added the suspension and tech to the 70s concept to create a masterpiece.
the window regulator is an easy fix. they’re mounted with steel rivets. an air powered cut-off tool makes it easy. replacements come with bolts and lock nuts. 2-3 hours.
This was my highschool car...im still driving it...but everything is broken or dose not work outside of road laws. I have NEVER had air during summer...ugh. But the one thing that is 100/100 off the floor still super clean, my engine oil Looks clean as the day i put it in when i change it out (So assuming my transmission is still top notch!)
"Land yachts aren't needed anymore" -- What do you think Chevy Tahoe is? That's why big body-on-frame SUVs sell so well -- because land yachts and large station wagons were pushed out by CAFE regulations. People want these, and they buy them in droves.
I see your point, but that doesn't really contradict my own. I say land yacht as a way to refer to these types of full size, boatish sedans and some older coupes that had no care for handling. Cafe regulations didn't kill these cars, they were on their way out for awhile (gas mileage was similar to the A8 or S class of the Town Car's day I believe). SUVs are far more versatile and have 4wd. I do think those types of SUV buyers appreciate that kind of ride comfort, but that's about where the similarities end and they are a far cry from this in most regards when it comes to highway cruising!
@@Realistick Yeah, the Chevy Suburban didn't replace this car, it replaced our dad's full-size, V8-powered, rear-drive, body-on-frame Chevy Caprice Estate and Ford Country Squire station wagons.
Cafe did eliminate these cars. The regulations were much more lax on small trucks and SUVs so the automakers almost immediately turned these machines of work into "lifestyle-vehicles", starting with Dodge Ram in the mid 90's. You say the cars were already on their way out; it's because all the attention and resources and advertising was put into trucks.
Hi I just started watching your videos I like them I had a 97 town car my mom gave me she bought it new and I still have it the car has 56 thousand miles on it and it’s been a great car
Great cars, I get 25-28 mpg hwy, yes there are a few things that dont work, but when I take any kind of trip it's the oldest (97) car on the road. Either they are really reliable, or they are the type of car people are willing to fix because they know their next car will be a step down.
I've owned and enjoyed the 1981, 1994, and 1997 Cypress Touring Edition Lincoln Town cars. My favorite being the Cypress edition which I gave to someone desperate for a car and they totally wrecked it in less than a year. If I could find another Cypress edition in great condition I would definitely be interested. Lincoln Town car is or was the American Rolls Royce, just slightly less than limousine transportation. Comparisons are useless, just enjoy the luxurious ride.
Lincolns are awesome! A true American luxury vehicle. I have a '79 continental and had a 2001 Town Car for a while. It was just amazing to drive. Now I am looking to get into a 2003 - 2011 Town Car again. I miss them!
We have a 2013 mkS which is also a huge car, comparable to the Town Car. It’s another car Lincoln hit the target but discontinued. Doesn’t have the Town Car driving experience though. Still a very comfortable and luxurious car.
an interior like your MeeMaw's living room.. but the nice living room that you're not allowed to sit in unless it's a special occasion or Christmas or some shit.
Had a dark green and tan '97 Signature with handling package. Wonderful car, fast enough back then. Traded it on a '99 signature touring sedan, white metallic with white leather, standard factory chrome wheels. Liked that one even more.
I'm not sure if this pertains to the later 90s models of this car, but one of my favorite features I know of that is on the 90-94 is the hidden windshield wipers. They automatically tuck down out of view when not in operations, for whatever reason that really is neat.
I have a 97 Town Car Signature that's basically a cartier except for the heated seat and the cartier leather seat. It also has a sunroof and a non-factory landau top which are not standard on the cartier. As much as I love it to death I don't understand why it cost so much back in the day for essentially a classier crown vic. For a luxury car you need an upgraded trim level for arm rest storage and rear seat cup holder, these things should be a necessity not a luxury. Also you need to win the Lincoln lottery to get the cup holders for the rear seat because Ford seem to throw it out at random, some signature trim get the cup holder for the rear seat but some cartier town car aren't equipped with one. The inside trunk release are hidden underneath the trunk lid liner right where the hook is located, you can have it hanging out but they are tucked away inside the liner out of the factory.
I own a 95' that's in the same mint condition other than the passenger fender and its the same color as this except it has the all red interior. Beautiful car, amazing, never selling it.
Realistic; A very fine knowledgeable , presentation . However , a pair of dress slacks, dress shoes and nice shirt would add a touch of class to your review of the Classic Lincoln .
I have a 2010 Town Car and a 2003 Marauder and wish they still made these panther platforms… between the two of them, they have over 500k miles and the biggest repair I’ve done is an intake manifold about two months ago…. I’m 42 and hope they’ll last as long as I do 😂
i have a 95 signature and a 96 signature ( Jack Nicklaus edition ) the 96 has sunroof, jbl audio system w/ sunroof, compass module, 10 disc cd changer, and heated seats. it is possible to have one of these cars loaded out in this configuration and still not be a cartier but then again mine is a special edition too.
neither did police but the k9 did his nose just wast strong enough to flip it up. woulda been my 3ed strike life 4 weed id b getting out now cuz all i did was leagal on my person.....alot
I owned this and a '96 Fleetwood. Besides the engine, the Lincoln is the better car, believe it or not, the Lincoln had a much better, more modern feel to it, more rear seat leg room, and a bigger trunk, because it used a doughnut tire, the Caddy's full sized spare ate up most of the usable trunk space. The much smaller V8 was only adequate compared to the Fleetwood's Corvette engine, but the trade off, was considerable better gas mileage, like 28 mpg on the highway, as compared to about 17 in the Fleetwood. Given the choice of the two, I'd take the Lincoln... better in just about everyway.
Had no idea the power steering was adjustable. Always liked this body. Just watched a review of the new S-class where the reviewer mentioned the hugeness--it was 201". I have nearly the same color (bronze) '97 XJ-6 VDP in my garage right now. It's incredibly long, but at 203", 16' shorter, and the Lincoln is a few inches taller too. That's a BIG car. Thanks for the review.
@@Realistick It reminds me of when the Straight Pipes guys reviewed a 1976 Buick Electra Park Avenue. Sometimes its good to go back and drive things built before you were born. Makes for a fun review.
Great question! I think they made the right decision. Outside of the ST, RS, and maybe the SHO models, I don't think their car consumers were super loyal to those models, just the brand. By getting rid of those cars, it has freed up some development money to other areas like electric and even allowed the existence of the little maverick pick up. I think it was the right move, I wish they still had the focus and maybe the fusion but I think this will allow them to do more overall and this has seemingly been proved so far!
I have a 97 executive its a beater for sure, got it for $1000 most window's dont work and i need to fix the alignment but it runs great.. dont even need a key to start lmmaoo have to start it in neutral also
The panther platform has been rouses, 1979. And the next generation town car also was a panther platform.. that went to 2017 maybe I don’t remember when the last time Car Wash made maybe 2011
Didn't hear you mention one of the flaws Lincoln Town Cars had between 1996 and 2001. A 100 percent plastic intake manifold was prone to cracking on the front coolant passage, requiring a replacement. I own a '97, and it happened to me. Ford released an updated version between 1999 and 2001, solving the problem. Otherwise, it's a fantastic ride.
@@ceoempress I think it was about $1200, which is on the high end for this repair. It cracked while I was driving, and I knew immediately what happened as the temperature gauge popped higher.
I wouldn't say Ford ever fixed that issue. Happened to me in my 04' and I've heard on several Town Car FB pages it's still a common issue. I was actually going to pick up a driver side passenger door to replace the 1 someone hit on mind. Drove about an hour from my house. Pulled off to start back home an my temp gauge shot up as well along with a check engine light. Had it replaced for around the same price as yours. I've been on several long distance trips since the repair. Can't kill these cars! 11 years owned an counting!
In the 98 model change, the list nearly 5 cubic feet in the trunk, and probably close 5 CF on the interior as well. The killed their Lumosine and executive taxi market because of the lost trunk space, and a huge number of luxury car customers because of the awkward interior space (for anyone over 5'11". The also lost the distinctive Lincoln Luxury appearance, replacing it with the generic Egg design of every other compact and midsized car on the road.
I'm sorry but I choose comfort you have your muscle cars you have your exotic cars you also have luxury sport cars but I choose luxurious comfort over all that s*** I just wish they would have made cars like this again I don't give a s*** how they handle I don't give a s*** if all the maintenance I got to put into are mostly cheap and nowadays air ride suspension on these cars are super cheap to fix so I choose a Lincoln Town car over any other car that's out today
I have the 95 cartier , with ivory paint and ivory leather . i also have a 96 signature white paint brown leather, i just replaced the air springs with coils and new shocks on the cartier , it feels and drives like a new car, no regrets
I drove the 05 town car with 239 hp and it felt pretty peppy and was extremely comfortable . The air suspension seemed great but would scare me off . I loved driving it though .
I hate it when car reviewers say a car isn't "sporty enough". That's what killed cars like this, and it's what's killing Lexus. Not every person wants a "sports luxury" sedan with a harsh ride and over 500HP. If that's what you want, there's BMW for that.
I didn't say that. The issue with this was not that it wasn't sporty enough. It was that full size luxury cars from other brands were also very comfortable but didn't handle like an inebriated bull. I still love the Town Car but it's time has passed and I agree that not all luxury cars should be sporty!
Arg! Read about the different packages. "Didn't have features" of the Audio. Yup - but you're in the base (stripped) Signature. Same with stereo- in the 90s, head units (stereos) were just that. No DVDS or GPS. Lincoln was Luxury, not chrome plated glutzy affordable transportation.
If you're looking for a powerful but smooth riding luxury sedan, you'll have to look at the Lexus LS400. That has about 250HP. And it's lighter because it's unibody.
I’m from the UK so this is not something you see on the roads. But for some reason, this generation of Town Car is one of my absolute favourites. Theres just something about them, I love them!
I have a 95 and it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. I’ll never drive a small car . Thanks for sharing this.
This was the ultimate generation Town Car.
I love these cars. So nice to see a younger guy finding out what we who grew up with big American's cars knew all along. Sometimes, big, soft, and square isn't a bad thing. It's also nice that, unlike some other not to be named reviewers, you actually did your homework regarding the car's history. This design was actually an international effort, with parts suppliers and manufacturers in England and Japan employed to complete the car. Next spring, I'll have to bring you my 1979 Oldsmobile 98 to review :) And yes, having been an automotive journalist for over 20 years now, I can say you definitely should be doing more reviews. You have an excellent on screen presence, are critical without being condescending, and generally know your stuff.
Thank you! Would definitely enjoy doing more classic reviews
if you think he's young then tell that to me, 18 year old high school senior class of 2022 with a first car being a town car
@@_alexmuerto_ I was 17 when I was gifted a 76 Caprice Classic I called the boat, sure a grandparents car but when it came time to trade it for a small Honda I had a very willing buyer who was going to make it a low rider. And he was young too. Big old cars were comfortable and on long trips I could curl up in back seat and snooze at a rest stop.
I have had Hondas or Hyundai all my life but have fond memories of the 🛥 ❤️
Good job sport. All I can say is if you want to corner and get blazing speed, get a viper. If you want a reliable, comfortable, long lasting, zero breakdowns and less cost of ownership the Town Car is hard to beat. I've had many. Have a 07 Designer now. It's got alot more pep and will corner thanks to a lil better suspension. Test a 3rd gen TC and you will see, feel and appreciate the greatest sedan ever made.
@@jasonchristopher2977 i want a supra for vroom vroom
My '97 has been in the family for 15 years. I still drive it...still loving it. 207,000 miles.
Its just broke in man!
Love these boats, they cruise so smoothly. They were comfortable and stylish.
I think that it was designed to cruise using just one hand on the steering wheel, at about the 7 o'clock position, with the left arm resting on the left thigh. It requires the least effort to drive of any car I've had in my 4 decades of driving.
I had a 2000 Lincoln Town car for over ten years. I loved that vehicle.
We had a 95 and then a 97. These cars were the best town cars ever made. They had a great acceleration for passing. Both were Cartier. I miss those cars sooo much.
Love the review! I just bought a '97 Executive edition last month. Tan with brown vinyl top over the back third. It was a garage find. The owner passed away. The family just wanted to get rid of it. Only 80K on it, new tires, and updated intake with the metal coolant tunnel. Just had to fix a brake line leak. I got it for $500, yes, I said $500. It's near mint. I absolutely love it! Cheers my friend! 🍺🍻🍺
That was a gem of a find! 💎
wow
so you didnt pay anything for it lol wow
God, we are so jealous 😅
🙋🏻♂️yo tengo una en la vista i ya me dijeron cuanto pero está en dediso en dueño asilos 1000 dólar está para en cochera que era de su hermano que ya fallecido ASE 2 años
I just had to get rid of mine because the frame rusted out. It was a 96' with 180k miles and still ran like brand new. I miss it every day. I will be buying another one soon. One of the best cars ever made.
Why the frame rust away, where were you driving, north east, Alaska or northern BC?
Probably the all around best car model ever. I’ve had a ‘79, a ‘90, 92, and a 2004. And I’m picking up a ‘78 in three days. There’s nothing like a Town Car.
I had this exact car but with the brown vinyl for 3 years and I miss it so much 😢 it was the best car I've ever had
Fantastic review! I’m 27 and I drive a low mileage example of the 96 model, and have the same exact issues mentioned here. The powertrain is largely reported to be long lived in good hands though. The 90s really were the last decade where we saw cars that were designed to a distinct ideal or character, like the Acura Legend and BMW e38 7 series. The Lincoln town car was a fitting swan song to traditional American luxury ❤️
As a young guy, I really want to get this car. This looks like the proper car of a man. I'm sick of some car enthusiast that act like I need the most kit out car that can go 0-60 in 2 seconds and are loud af. This looks like a respectable car to drive. It's simple, it runs, it's nice, no gimmicks, no plot twist; even with it's problems, it wouldn't stop me from getting one anyway.
I'm 30, I've had one for about 6 months now. I knew about them and looked at ads for them when I was first driving but I didn't see the appeal then. If you get it's appeal, you get it. Most people don't though. It's one of my favorite cars I've ever had. And it's the most reliable luxury car aside from a Lexus that I know of. I keep mine beautiful and love it. This generation only though not the newer ones. I even want to trade in mine for a black one if I can find it. Definitely worth it
@@rageius Right now I'm struggling to find some in my area. I'm looking for either a silver or tan one - maybe Signature or Cartier (I think I spelled that wrong). I did widen a range a bit for which one I will get since the 1997 is particularly hard to get where I'm from (I didn't widen it that much, the range is 1995 to 1997 since everyone says those are the best years). People have them in my city, I just don't really know where to find them. I've checked dealerships, Facebook marketplace, some auctions, and even eBay. Craigslist is the only place I didn't check - to be honest, I really don't want to, but I might have to concede and do it anyway.
As of right now, I can't get one as I'm in the middle of doing stuff, but I'm gonna keep looking and I will get Towncar - even if I have to cross state lines (granted, I know not to be stupid so I'm not going to waste an enormous amount of money just to get one).
@@Machodave2020 I was mainly looking on Craigslist at first , and was strongly considering going to a different state or 8 hours south to San Diego to get one at first and then I looked at marketplace and found mine. Yeah don't get the executive, the digital dash(sig plus) is beautiful. But when I was looking I was able to find about a dozen of them on the West Coast - and I didn't mind going somewhere because the car is made for long trips along the highway. Taking it back you will be able to sense all of it's problems and quirks.
If you want my advice, gather enough cash to buy a nicer one and wait for the opportunity to find one in a color that you like. Mine is silver-blue with an all blue leather interior and while I still love it I am looking to trade it for a black or grey Cartier with a vinyl top. Because these things have little mechanical problems as the panther platform was amazingly reliable (that's why the police used crown vics forever) the only thing I would look for is an interior that is nice still and suspension that isn't sagging to one side
There's even a guy who sells them near mint and posts the videos on RUclips but they're always 15 plus grand each. If you have the money it may be a worthwhile price because these things can last forever - I even saw a taxi one that had a million miles for sale when I was looking. I may end up upgrading all the way to pay 20gs eventually because I really do love them. Every time I get out of my car I look back as I'm walking wherever I'm going and think to myself how beautiful it is - I really do think this generation (90-97) was a work of art. I heard an international team from Japan and Europe got together to design it. The newer ones look too much like regular cars. And whenever it's vacuumed and nice inside when I start the car I'm pleased with the simplistic classy retro luxury that I own. I still feel that way and I've owned it for over 6 months now.
Hope you can find one you like that you can afford, I promise it will be worth it! But like I said, not everyone else understands the appeal.
The good 'ole days where they color-keyed the entire interior and offered some color choice inside! No cheap looking exterior black plastic trim, either. BEST OF ALL, it's not a bulkmobile (SUV/CUV).
Always loved those cars! Another quirk, the front grill is spring loaded to prevent damage in minor collisions. You can push it in with fairly minimal effort to test it and it springs back into position. Good job!
I just bought a 1997 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition for my wife this will be her 4th Town car she has owned . She is a huge car nut and Loves Lincoln she has 8 Lincoln cars . She has always said that this Lincoln is her Favorite style and she LOVES how it drives it will be her daily driver We also bought a 2019 CORVETTE HER AND I love THE CORVETTE but we use it more as a toy . I driver a recent LINCOLN NAVIGATOR Love that also . These older LINCOLNS are FABULOUS
4th Town Car? What happened to previous 3?
This is the sort of thing VW Passat owners tell me. "Best car ever, I've had 10 in the last 20 years." And they get rid of them as soon as it starts to fall apart because who spends money on maintenance?
As for the number 3 TOWN CAR my wife wanted a moon roof and the new one has that and the rare 16 inch chrome rims that she loves and its a CARTIER , Sold number 3 TC to a happy buyer @@CoreMaster111
I have a 1996 with the 210 horsepowerwith factory dual exhaust i put flowmaster super 44's on and keep the car maintained. The loud exhaust just helps me still feel cool when i lose a drag race. The car is much more fun on long road trips and just cruise.
Just bought a black on black in great shape. I grew up with these and still love them.
This exact car including color is my daily driver and I choose this over any new car and I work at a dealership, and don't be fooled by the power it has, upgraded it can be a power house, upgrade to PI (performance improved) and jump to 265 hp then continue and build a motor that rivals mustangs. I have a sweet spot for this car n I'm not a fan of Ford At all! Has been super reliable, ridiculously comfortable on longggg trips and u feel as if you own the road!
You still drive it? Cool car
This is my first and only car thus far in my life given to me by my great grandpa it looks identical to this and it gets wayyyy too much positive attention at gas stations haha
There is no driving experience like that of the 95-97 Town Car. One correction. The body on frame continued to the 3rd generation and until 2011; its last year of production. Most reliable and comfortable car I’ve ever owned. So unique.
Not just the Town Car; the other Panther platform vehicles (i.e., Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis) also kept the same framed platform until 2011.
As the current owner of a 2006 Crown Vic and a 1997 Grand Marquis I think it is fair to say that they, too, offer much the same driving experience. My 2003 Marauder, on the other hand, while sharing the Panther platform, had a much stiffer ride, suitable for the performance that it provides. The panther platform is quite versatile.
I had 3 '73s, 1 '74, 3 '97 and 1 '95. The '70s models were actually a bit more luxurious in some ways, but not as "tight" suspension wise. The '89scwere just crap, but the '90's added the suspension and tech to the 70s concept to create a masterpiece.
I’m 21 and I have a 97 too a little cool to see
the window regulator is an easy fix. they’re mounted with steel rivets. an air powered cut-off tool makes it easy. replacements come with bolts and lock nuts. 2-3 hours.
After replacing three, I got it down to 30 minutes.
This was my highschool car...im still driving it...but everything is broken or dose not work outside of road laws. I have NEVER had air during summer...ugh.
But the one thing that is 100/100 off the floor still super clean, my engine oil Looks clean as the day i put it in when i change it out (So assuming my transmission is still top notch!)
"Land yachts aren't needed anymore" -- What do you think Chevy Tahoe is? That's why big body-on-frame SUVs sell so well -- because land yachts and large station wagons were pushed out by CAFE regulations. People want these, and they buy them in droves.
He mentioned the Audi A8. I suppose the Lincoln Navigator could also be considered a modern alternative for someone who wants the Lincoln badge, etc.
I see your point, but that doesn't really contradict my own. I say land yacht as a way to refer to these types of full size, boatish sedans and some older coupes that had no care for handling. Cafe regulations didn't kill these cars, they were on their way out for awhile (gas mileage was similar to the A8 or S class of the Town Car's day I believe). SUVs are far more versatile and have 4wd. I do think those types of SUV buyers appreciate that kind of ride comfort, but that's about where the similarities end and they are a far cry from this in most regards when it comes to highway cruising!
@@Realistick Yeah, the Chevy Suburban didn't replace this car, it replaced our dad's full-size, V8-powered, rear-drive, body-on-frame Chevy Caprice Estate and Ford Country Squire station wagons.
The most metal for the money!
Cafe did eliminate these cars. The regulations were much more lax on small trucks and SUVs so the automakers almost immediately turned these machines of work into "lifestyle-vehicles", starting with Dodge Ram in the mid 90's.
You say the cars were already on their way out; it's because all the attention and resources and advertising was put into trucks.
Hi I just started watching your videos I like them I had a 97 town car my mom gave me she bought it new and I still have it the car has 56 thousand miles on it and it’s been a great car
I love mine. Just took my tools out to fix a few things. Besides working in a truck is more fitting though I prefer the Town Car over Z71
I love this car so much got one and its by far the smoothest driving car ive drove!
I own this exact car, 92k. Daily driver to the grocery store. Serviced at Lincoln all its life!
Great cars, I get 25-28 mpg hwy, yes there are a few things that dont work, but when I take any kind of trip it's the oldest (97) car on the road. Either they are really reliable, or they are the type of car people are willing to fix because they know their next car will be a step down.
I've owned and enjoyed the 1981, 1994, and 1997 Cypress Touring Edition Lincoln Town cars. My favorite being the Cypress edition which I gave to someone desperate for a car and they totally wrecked it in less than a year. If I could find another Cypress edition in great condition I would definitely be interested. Lincoln Town car is or was the American Rolls Royce, just slightly less than limousine transportation. Comparisons are useless, just enjoy the luxurious ride.
THE best reviewer! Thanks man.....
This is one of the most comprehensive and well-researched videos on the Second Gen Town Car that I've seen! Great work! I'm loving it!
Thank you!
When I was younger my dad had this car and he use take me to school . This was my childhood car . I wish they made cars like this
Lincolns are awesome! A true American luxury vehicle. I have a '79 continental and had a 2001 Town Car for a while. It was just amazing to drive. Now I am looking to get into a 2003 - 2011 Town Car again. I miss them!
We have a 2013 mkS which is also a huge car, comparable to the Town Car. It’s another car Lincoln hit the target but discontinued. Doesn’t have the Town Car driving experience though. Still a very comfortable and luxurious car.
I daily drive a 97 Executive, with a canvas half roof, in light cypress green. Great cars. I would never ever buy a crossover!
an interior like your MeeMaw's living room.. but the nice living room that you're not allowed to sit in unless it's a special occasion or Christmas or some shit.
Painfully accurate
😂
I bought mine just to be comfortable. You were 100 on that. I love my 1997
I currently own a 92 & 97 Town Car, both with low mileage. I will never give them up. Just something about them!
Had a dark green and tan '97 Signature with handling package. Wonderful car, fast enough back then. Traded it on a '99 signature touring sedan, white metallic with white leather, standard factory chrome wheels. Liked that one even more.
If I ever buy one of these, it will have the red interior. Non-negotiable.
What I love about this Lincoln was that it was almost easy maintenance, parts were not that expensive, and it was easy customizable.
I'm not sure if this pertains to the later 90s models of this car, but one of my favorite features I know of that is on the 90-94 is the hidden windshield wipers. They automatically tuck down out of view when not in operations, for whatever reason that really is neat.
I had a 93 as my fist car 20 years ago now I want a 97 in this color
I have a 97 Town Car Signature that's basically a cartier except for the heated seat and the cartier leather seat. It also has a sunroof and a non-factory landau top which are not standard on the cartier. As much as I love it to death I don't understand why it cost so much back in the day for essentially a classier crown vic. For a luxury car you need an upgraded trim level for arm rest storage and rear seat cup holder, these things should be a necessity not a luxury. Also you need to win the Lincoln lottery to get the cup holders for the rear seat because Ford seem to throw it out at random, some signature trim get the cup holder for the rear seat but some cartier town car aren't equipped with one. The inside trunk release are hidden underneath the trunk lid liner right where the hook is located, you can have it hanging out but they are tucked away inside the liner out of the factory.
Thank you, I really felt like they had to put the trunk release somewhere in there!
bring back the town car wtf!!!!!!!
If these came back, I’d definitely get one! 😊
There is a trunk lid release in the trunk. It was behind his head. I know cause I have one.
I just picked one of these up for 2500$ it's in almost mint condition. 160,000 miles. Good deal??
Beautiful car, great job.
I own a 95' that's in the same mint condition other than the passenger fender and its the same color as this except it has the all red interior. Beautiful car, amazing, never selling it.
Realistic;
A very fine knowledgeable , presentation .
However , a pair of dress slacks, dress shoes and nice shirt would add a touch of class to your review of the Classic Lincoln .
This is fair
I have a 2010 Town Car and a 2003 Marauder and wish they still made these panther platforms… between the two of them, they have over 500k miles and the biggest repair I’ve done is an intake manifold about two months ago…. I’m 42 and hope they’ll last as long as I do 😂
Are these cars reliable? I'm looking at 97 Lincoln going for $2892 with a 100k miles on it
I believe the body frame is the same from when they downsized in 1979 all the way to 2014.
These cars are Americana baby! They don’t make em like this anymore. Too bad the car market has gone through the roof or else I’d pick one up today!
i have a 95 signature and a 96 signature ( Jack Nicklaus edition ) the 96 has sunroof, jbl audio system w/ sunroof, compass module, 10 disc cd changer, and heated seats. it is possible to have one of these cars loaded out in this configuration and still not be a cartier but then again mine is a special edition too.
I gotta tan 97 signature series licoln town car 5% tint clean asf as my 1st car 🤙 thanks for this video
You can actually fit several bodies in that LTC trunk. (Even more if the bodies are dead). Don't ask me how I know....
**allegedly**
Gone but not forgotten.
IMO, best looking town car ever.
Absolutely love boat cars!
I remember driving this back in the 90s and it being nice and floaty. But I think the Cadillac Fleetwood probably had an even better ride
What is the towing capacity when you put an towing package on, and how much is the towing kit?
my bro has a pear blue navy blue soft top .mint condition. my grandfather rip left it to them . he prefers to it as his g ride and its for sale
Wow I didn't know about the hidden pockets inside the door armrests!
A feature all cars should have!
neither did police but the k9 did his nose just wast strong enough to flip it up. woulda been my 3ed strike life 4 weed id b getting out now cuz all i did was leagal on my person.....alot
Nice truck.
The best car I’ve ever owned!
Nice video! Thank you!
Thanks for watching
these are the only cars i like
I owned this and a '96 Fleetwood. Besides the engine, the Lincoln is the better car, believe it or not, the Lincoln had a much better, more modern feel to it, more rear seat leg room, and a bigger trunk, because it used a doughnut tire, the Caddy's full sized spare ate up most of the usable trunk space. The much smaller V8 was only adequate compared to the Fleetwood's Corvette engine, but the trade off, was considerable better gas mileage, like 28 mpg on the highway, as compared to about 17 in the Fleetwood. Given the choice of the two, I'd take the Lincoln... better in just about everyway.
Had no idea the power steering was adjustable. Always liked this body. Just watched a review of the new S-class where the reviewer mentioned the hugeness--it was 201".
I have nearly the same color (bronze) '97 XJ-6 VDP in my garage right now. It's incredibly long, but at 203", 16' shorter, and the Lincoln is a few inches taller too. That's a BIG car.
Thanks for the review.
Liked the generation before, more classy.
Agreed, the round interior doesn't look that elegant.
I never saw this review coming!
Neither did I, but when the opportunity presents itself, how could I not!
@@Realistick It reminds me of when the Straight Pipes guys reviewed a 1976 Buick Electra Park Avenue. Sometimes its good to go back and drive things built before you were born. Makes for a fun review.
I love the digital dashboard
That's a rolling luxurious couch.
The low acceleration is mostly due to the 2.73 gear rear end is has
Yeah it kind of needs that when it has a 4 speed unless they wanted a high cruise rpm
What do you think? Did Ford/Lincoln make the right choice of only Trucks/SUV/CUV vehicles or gave up the car market to others?
Great question! I think they made the right decision. Outside of the ST, RS, and maybe the SHO models, I don't think their car consumers were super loyal to those models, just the brand. By getting rid of those cars, it has freed up some development money to other areas like electric and even allowed the existence of the little maverick pick up. I think it was the right move, I wish they still had the focus and maybe the fusion but I think this will allow them to do more overall and this has seemingly been proved so far!
Lincoln should always and only make cars.
@@michaelcozzini5252 I wish they would not have abandoned that market segment. If Mercedes-Benz and others find it to be profitable, why not Lincoln?
Adjustable power steering? Wow.
Love my 94 executive series
I have a 97 executive its a beater for sure, got it for $1000 most window's dont work and i need to fix the alignment but it runs great.. dont even need a key to start lmmaoo have to start it in neutral also
The 2003 to 2011 Town Cars for the best ones ever made
The panther platform has been rouses, 1979. And the next generation town car also was a panther platform.. that went to 2017 maybe I don’t remember when the last time Car Wash made maybe 2011
Didn't hear you mention one of the flaws Lincoln Town Cars had between 1996 and 2001. A 100 percent plastic intake manifold was prone to cracking on the front coolant passage, requiring a replacement. I own a '97, and it happened to me. Ford released an updated version between 1999 and 2001, solving the problem. Otherwise, it's a fantastic ride.
How much did it cost to get it fixed and how did you know the intake needed fixing ?
@@ceoempress I think it was about $1200, which is on the high end for this repair. It cracked while I was driving, and I knew immediately what happened as the temperature gauge popped higher.
I wouldn't say Ford ever fixed that issue. Happened to me in my 04' and I've heard on several Town Car FB pages it's still a common issue. I was actually going to pick up a driver side passenger door to replace the 1 someone hit on mind. Drove about an hour from my house. Pulled off to start back home an my temp gauge shot up as well along with a check engine light. Had it replaced for around the same price as yours. I've been on several long distance trips since the repair. Can't kill these cars! 11 years owned an counting!
I love these. Always have.
Good camera action
In the 98 model change, the list nearly 5 cubic feet in the trunk, and probably close 5 CF on the interior as well. The killed their Lumosine and executive taxi market because of the lost trunk space, and a huge number of luxury car customers because of the awkward interior space (for anyone over 5'11". The also lost the distinctive Lincoln Luxury appearance, replacing it with the generic Egg design of every other compact and midsized car on the road.
I'm sorry but I choose comfort you have your muscle cars you have your exotic cars you also have luxury sport cars but I choose luxurious comfort over all that s*** I just wish they would have made cars like this again I don't give a s*** how they handle I don't give a s*** if all the maintenance I got to put into are mostly cheap and nowadays air ride suspension on these cars are super cheap to fix so I choose a Lincoln Town car over any other car that's out today
Best vehicle EVER!!!!
My mom used have this car
I have the 95 cartier , with ivory paint and ivory leather . i also have a 96 signature white paint brown leather, i just replaced the air springs with coils and new shocks on the cartier , it feels and drives like a new car, no regrets
the '97's were great. I prefer the 91 through 95 dashboard though.
I drove the 05 town car with 239 hp and it felt pretty peppy and was extremely comfortable . The air suspension seemed great but would scare me off . I loved driving it though .
Why would it scare you off?
@@Ace-44 I guess because of the system being 18 years old . Those cars are sure comfy though . Cost of repairs .
You can put springs on , rides just as good
I am actually looking for one to replace my 1993 Mercedes W124 400E ( which has 288K miles..lol )
I hate it when car reviewers say a car isn't "sporty enough". That's what killed cars like this, and it's what's killing Lexus. Not every person wants a "sports luxury" sedan with a harsh ride and over 500HP. If that's what you want, there's BMW for that.
I didn't say that. The issue with this was not that it wasn't sporty enough. It was that full size luxury cars from other brands were also very comfortable but didn't handle like an inebriated bull. I still love the Town Car but it's time has passed and I agree that not all luxury cars should be sporty!
@@Realistick i know. I was speaking about journalists who review new cars.
@@damilolaakanni ah, I understand now.
Arg! Read about the different packages. "Didn't have features" of the Audio. Yup - but you're in the base (stripped) Signature. Same with stereo- in the 90s, head units (stereos) were just that. No DVDS or GPS. Lincoln was Luxury, not chrome plated glutzy affordable transportation.
4.6 V8 and only 190hp?
God thats terrible bhp per litre.
But still, that would be a great car to cruise around in!
If you're looking for a powerful but smooth riding luxury sedan, you'll have to look at the Lexus LS400. That has about 250HP. And it's lighter because it's unibody.
I had a couple 94/95 Town Cars, I recently bought a 99 Town Car thinking I might like it better. I feel like I made a huge mistake.