1991 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition 4.6 Modular V8
Summary:
Sensible large car before the disposable era of plastic parts, faulty sensors and computer modules
Faults:
Window motor/regulator.
General Comments:
Just purchased a 1991 Lincoln Town Car with 49,000 miles for $900 US. It had minor rear end damage and was traded in at a dealership, where I went to look at a 2011 Honda Civic. I remember sitting in the Civic and feeling cramped and looking out the window at the fabulous Lincoln, so we got the keys for the Lincoln.
Once seated in the leather chairs, I realized this could be a way better car. It was so airy and comfortable. It drove very well. So I had a mechanic check it over. It needed tires and brake pads and the tail light. The dealership wanted this off their lot, so I haggled it down to a fraction of the price of the Civic.
After a few weeks, here are my first impressions. It gets 10 L/100 km (24 mpg) highway easily, but I was able to get 8 L/100 km (29 mpg) cruising at 90 km/hr (55 mph) with cruise control. That's incredible for a car of this size and era. The air ride suspension is a little too floaty and jiggly on bad streets and seems prone to repair, but it's working fine and feels fantastic on the highway. City fuel consumption is double that of highway. All the windows motors seem weak. ABS system works, but it's another system to fail.
Tape deck works nearing 30 years! So does A/C! The cabin is dead quiet. Visibility is outstanding. Huge windshield, big windows, tiny pillars. The side and rearview mirrors are a bit small. It's a dream to sit in and drive. Parking seems easy, due to great visibility.
The seats are very comfortable and wide; the leather is very good quality compared with many cars I've driven (new Lexus and Grand Cherokee). Sunroof is big. The sound system is OK, it has a subwoofer. Trunk is huge. Rear seats are very comfortable, among the best I've sat in.
The dash display is digital but easy on the eyes, and dims all the way. Controls are simple and intuitive. Very pleasant but a bit too familiar in places (Ford parts bin). No touchscreens or infotainment.
With snow tires, it is still terrible in snow, don't think it has positrac. I'm comparing it to other RWD with snow tires. I'll have to weigh down the trunk, or not drive in winter perhaps.
I think this era Town Car styling has aged rather well and the car gets a lot of comments.
I will report back on reliability. Being an old car in 2020, my expectations must be realistic. My mechanics assured that these were pretty solid cars and easy to service.
So far I'd give it a 9/10.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th February, 2020
16th Feb 2020, 16:14
Nice review, and I completely agree, the 1990s was the sweet spot for cars. Good reliability from most manufacturers, probably due to cars not being too complex, but modern enough to be enjoyable.