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1998 Lincoln Town Car-- Full-Size Luxury With Compact Car Mileage
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:12:08 |
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 210 ( -30 -14.28% ) | | Author | Bruce Caldwell |
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Description:
The great American full-size luxury sedan is a dying breed. Ford is the sole US manufacturer of traditional, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, full frame, V-8 powered, four-door sedans. Its trio of offerings includes: the Ford Crown Victoria, the very similar Mercury Grand Marquis, and the top-of-the-line Lincoln Town Car. Sport Utility Vehicles have taken over as the big American sedans of the nineties (and Ford sells a heap of them, too) but, ironically, a major complaint about SUVs is their poor fuel economy. That used to be a complaint about luxury sedans, but the Lincoln Town Car easily returns fuel economy figures in the low twenties despite its powerful 220 h.p. 4.6-liter SOHC V-8. Overly-cushy handling was another luxury sedan complaint. The '98 Town Car isn't a sports car, but it doesn't wallow like past examples. The Town Car's handling is best described as smooth and confident. Road feel and steering feedback are muted, but not gone.
The exterior styling is much smoother than past versions, but the big chrome grille retains the Lincoln heritage. The body's fit and finish are excellent and the interior is wonderfully quiet. Driver and passenger comfort are paramount. There's lots of room front and back. It's a six passenger vehicle, but best as a four passenger car using both armrests. The front leather seats are particularly nice with power adjustments, power lumbar support, and variable temperature, dual-function, heated seats. The interior has the requisite automatic temperature controls, computerized information center, auto-dimming rear view mirror, steering wheel cruise, temperature, and radio controls, plus a power moonroof. The over 20 cubic-foot trunk holds lots of luggage for long trips. Covering great distances in total comfort is a Town Car specialty.
The '98 Lincoln Town Car is, in short, a fine automobile--far removed from the old luxo-barges that sent buyers scurrying to import showrooms. If you want a full-size, American luxury sedan, the Lincoln Town Car is possibly the last and definitely the best. |
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