5th Sep 2003, 11:12
I have 1993 Lincoln Continental, Signature Series. At present, the car has 85,000 miles. Oil is changed regularly at the dealership from whom I bought the car.
The head gasket were blown at 60,000 miles. Dealer took over three weeks to fix it and bill was over $2,000.
Air shocks gave away at 83,000 miles. Dealer asked $2,900 to replace. A friend recommended a mechanic who used replacement air shocks by 'carquest' and did the job for $1,700. Motor mounts also went out at about the same time. Cost is another $400 to replace.
Torsion bar was replaced at @ 52,000 miles and starter at 80,000.
Other than that no major problems except for routine items such as brakes, power antenna, battery,..
16th Sep 2003, 05:58
I also have a 1989 Lincoln Continental, I picked it up from the repair shop, made it to the nearest gas station, and will only crank, not start, shows code C 5, now again it's a low rider. I always loved the ride, but the troubles are continuous. Do you have suggestions what the problem could be. Also was told the rear suspension of a Taurus had to be fitted to the Continental, is this true. Away with the air ride system. Ford should pay for the blowouts of these, its enough to give you a heart attack.
20th Oct 2004, 14:17
I have a Lincoln Continental, and I think it is wonderful, except for the minor setbacks.
I've only had it for about 3 months, and already I had to buy an air pump. I'm trying to buy a fly wheel and need a power steering pump, and I had to buy a belt and starter.
So I love my car, it's just the minor set backs that get to me, and I'm wondering if I have all that fixed, what will go wrong next?
Well if something else goes wrong, I'm going to sell it and get me a new car. But I love this car, and I'm just not made out of money. I want to know how much does it cost to get someone to put the flywheel itself on?
27th Mar 2005, 20:06
My lovely '89 Lincoln Continental is currently parked with its nose about 2 inches above the pavement. The front air suspension is leaking badly. Four years ago the rear air suspension went out. That set me back one thousand dollars. I have received two quotes of about seven hundred dollars to replace the newly failed item/items. Also the power front windows have slid off of their tracks. Last month I replaced a leaking power steering pump. Considering the expense involved with repair of this luxury automobile coupled with the rising gas prices I am going to donate this Lincoln to some charity.
22nd Nov 2005, 17:11
1989 Signature: 135,000 no problems so far.
1993 Signature: Head gaskets, air struts, radiator, motor mounts, ECM module, New heads, CD player not working...
Some are apples, some are lemons.
10th Jan 2006, 17:44
We purchased this 1989 Lincoln Continental with just 55,000 miles on it in 2005. It only had one owner; it was owned by an elderly lady and was garaged for 5 years. Well, pretty much right after we purchased the car, we had blown gaskets. The shocks are gone, and the car rides very close to the ground catching every bump on the road. A/C does not work. Heater does work, but none of the buttons on the panel for climate control works properly and even when you have the heater OFF, the hot air keeps coming out where the defrost comes out. The radio does not work either. Basically the only thing that really works on the panel is the clock. Water pump had to be replaced about a month ago too. Hrrm, what else...Oh, did I mention that this vehicle has a V6? I don't know what Ford was thinking to put in a V6 in this rather large vehicle. It struggles when going up a slight hill.
Over all, not a good car at all. We miss our 78 Continental!
6th Jul 2010, 23:39
How does one justify buying a 1989 Lincoln Continental Signiture series that originally cost 45,000 $ for the cost of the new tires the owner had put on? The answer is, it's a beautiful car that rides like a boat on a glass smooth lake. I bought mine 2 years ago for 600 $ and have sunk $4000 into it since for repairs, and it's not ready for the road yet. A Florida Co. can replace the air springs for about $500 but I also have a W/W problem that Ford doesn't do the part for any more. Shame on you Ford. I may have to drive half way across this country to get the parts but I will, and never again buy a new Ford product so you know what you can do with your O% financing.
12th Nov 2010, 21:38
I have a 1989 Lincoln. So far I've replaced the air shocks for $500. New radiator, bushing, power steering pump, rack and pinion steering, axles, and it eats tires. Always wants alignments.
Radio stopped working, CD player and cassette player never worked. No A/C. And it smells like antifreeze all the time...
I do love the ride. Oh, front windows don't work, and it's blown heater core hoses twice.
I'm a fool, I'll never get rid of it. My son calls it a Ford Taurus.
13th Nov 2010, 11:23
Wow. "Shame on you, Ford?" Did you really think you'd get a $45,000 car brand new for $600??? The original owner, who was a high roller, paid for the brand new car and got the brand new car experience. If you are only going to pay $600 for a car, then it needs to be accepted that you aren't going to get that same experience. Surely you've heard the old saying "You can't get something for nothing." These old Lincolns are notorious for the air ride suspension going out. I'm sorry to say that it's all on you for throwing good money after bad to the tune of $4,500 on an old hulk.
25th Feb 2003, 12:57
Hello...
A friend of mine has a beautiful 89 Continental with 160k+ and it's been nothing but awesome for him, once he got some minor work done that had been neglected by previous owners. For one thing, we all know how terrible it is when the air ride goes out, but something that people don't often look at is the fact that a Taurus suspension will go right back in to replace it. Just find a Taurus with a blown motor or something, and you're good to go.
The motor mount problem - depending on which one (s) are likely caused by driving with the bad suspension. They are not too difficult to replace if you have the right equipment, skills and location - sometimes easier than others to come by, however.
The biggest issue that he's had to contend with, however, is the electronic dash. It has a relatively frequent, but intermittent problem of either partially or completely blanking out while driving. Being a computer technician and knowing about the kinds of things that happen to computers when bumped, moved, and jostled a lot, I am suspecting what's called "creep." Creep is the tendency for socketed connections like chips and cable connections to vibrate loose from their sockets, causing intermittent partial or complete failure of the item in question. It is likely, when you make the jump from computer to car, that this is the same issue. Not saying that it's the only possible reason, but still very likely.
There is another VERY MINOR concern... his factory CD deck would not work and the factory stereo was bad. Well, I don't have to go into detail here, just replace the radio head unit with a CD radio of your brand choice, find the appropriate wiring harness, and viola.
If anyone has any questions about this car, please contact me with your email and I'll ask my friend about it. If possible, I'll even include model #'s or brand and part info.
Zach "redfonzie21@yahoo.com"