1998 Lincoln Continental V8

Summary:

I love it

Faults:

My "Check Transmission" light keeps coming on after I have driven it for a while. I have had the transmission rebuilt last year (2005) and now when it goes into first gear it jerks. Some people say it is the motor mounts, but I think it is something else. Has anyone had this problem?

General Comments:

Overall it has been a great car. I love how it drives. Everyone I talk with think it is a 2000 model or newer, when I tell them it is a 98 they are surprised.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th July, 2006

1998 Lincoln Continental 4.6 Intech V8

Summary:

The best performance-luxury used car deal around!

Faults:

Just normal maintenance items so far...

New brake pads - turned the rotors; replaced transmission fluid, power steering fluid, fuel filter, and did a coolant flush.

Prior to my purchase, the previous owner had the power steering pump replaced at the dealership, and new tires at 60k miles.

I've seen numerous postings from people who have racked up 100-200k+ miles on 98 Continentals without major problems!

General Comments:

WOW, what a great car! I was looking for a used car replacement for my failing Taurus, and wanted to spend under $10k. Bought this '98 Continental for $8k, and couldn't be happier. It has tremendous power and smoothness, plus full power features including moonroof, CD-changer, and heated seats. You have to be very careful driving it, because it handles so well at high speeds that you wind up breaking the speed limits without even realizing it.

The best part is, the '98 Continentals look identical to the '02 models, so people can't tell you are driving a 5-year old car! It seems almost too good to be true to find so much value for $8k, but Lincolns are notorious for their steep depreciation.

Bottom line, buying a late '90's Continental is the used car bargain of the decade!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th August, 2003

20th Nov 2004, 06:52

Update to this review... the odometer just turned 110,000 miles with no mechanical problems since the last report. Only maintenance required (other than oil changes and tire rotations) was new spark plugs at 100k, and a new serpentine belt. The car still looks and runs great and gets 26mpg on the freeway!

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1998 Lincoln Continental 4.6

Summary:

A good bargain when buying used

Faults:

Cracked headlight.

Replaced the trunk deck due to cracking fibreglass.

Replaced the engine belt idler.

Repaired/replaced the cup holders.

Rattle in the dash.

General Comments:

4.6 develops 260 horse, but really only noticeable above 60km.

Prior to that it feels that the computer limits the power and really begins to surge about 40km/hr. Excellent passing power.

Very comfortable and gets good fuel economy for a car this size.

Quiet at highway speeds and the engine has a nice growl when throttling up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd September, 2001

14th Aug 2004, 09:51

The computer does limit the power. I use the vehicle handling button on the dash to turn off the traction control, that way the computer does not limit it.

18th Jan 2005, 02:52

I really don't agree that the Continental is "quiet at highway speeds". I have found it to be exactly the opposite - it is insanely loud for a luxury car. My old Caddy was absolutely silent on the freeway, and compared to that my Continental sounds like a wind tunnel.

The reason the power is lacking at low speeds is because you spin the tires too easy with the engine's power (it's torque peaks at just 3000 rpm), and this engages the traction control which lowers engine output and applies the front brakes. As mentioned before this is easy to fix by shutting off the traction control under the MENU button. If this doesn't make the car get up and go at low speeds there is something wrong with your Continental.

1998 Lincoln Continental 4.6 DOHC 32 Valve V8 Intech

Summary:

A bargain

Faults:

At 55,000 miles the steering had a low vibration in it, I took it to the dealer and they said I used the wrong power steering fluid and it was corrected by adding the correct fluid.

Much more reliable than 1997 MB-S600.

General Comments:

Great reliable car with very high tech features.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2001