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Used 1996 Lincoln Continental Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
38 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Continental, so we've included reviews for other years of the Continental since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
4.38 out of 5 stars

Loyal Ford owner

James Osment, 09/04/2008
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I bought this car from my father who owned it for 10 years. He bought it from the original owner! It has been a fun car to drive and it is an excellent car for the open road when going on a trip!

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4 out of 5 stars

Old car still running.... now dead

Jeff, 12/20/2015
updated 07/06/2018
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

The air ride will fail ,,, replaced mine with coils which I found for $350 on ebay from the manufacturer...open box and put in myself ... Engine hard to work on as the compartment is cramped... Replaced the stereo as the display failed... was not too complicated although the subwoofer had to be bi-passed... The worst thing to happen was the AC is leaking oil and it is buried under the engine and lodged between the cross member frame ....can't even see where the oil is leaking from.... this is a winter ride now and is starting to rust ... I love to drive it as it is like sitting in a comfy living room couch... must have been a heck of a car in '96 although it cost $40.000 which I just don't see how ..... Just drive it till it drops ... bought used for cheap ...it owes me nothing at this point as I have had it 7 years or so.... Update: The timing chain has jumped a tooth needs repaired but costs more than it is worth...

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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1996 Lincoln Continental for sale near you
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4.63 out of 5 stars

NIce Car

dads88, 09/10/2005
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bought this car from a friends father for under 3K with 39K on it. Car is loaded with JBL, chrome wheels, sunroof etc. Replaced the air suspension with a coventional mcpherson strut and coils all around for $900.00. Get aboout 22mpg average and 26+ on th highway. Very comfortable. Have been running on mid grade gas with no problem. Replaced all fluids and hoses and only necessary repair was to combination directional switch.

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4 out of 5 stars

OLD SUPERCAR - ALMOST GREAT!

carnut67, 05/09/2016
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This Continental was designed as a BMW/Mercedes/Cadillac killer and ALMOST does the job.... VERY rare transverse-mounted V8 front-drive. Wicked-fast 4.6L DOHC motor, had selectable air-suspension before standard spring conversion... Had great paint with pearl, large, roomy and safe sedan. Nice premium leather interior. Bought car with 15k miles, now disabled with 210k miles. Sort-of difficult to repair, and parts are getting hard-to-find. Lincoln had a WINNER here, but attempted-to hybridize this car (in later years from a 7-year run 1995-2002) to a "fogey-mobile", and failure was the end result. Heavy ride, quiet, and reasonably economical. Had to have transmission rebuilt at 190K, had hard 1-2 shifts from factory..... This car lives in hallowed company, with the likes of "forever" lasting Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis, only it's a front-driver.

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Air Bag Suspension expensive to replace.

missybee, 08/10/2010
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I purchased the vehicle used and had put about 12,000 miles per year on it. At the 130,000 mark everything fell apart. Pieces of the interior are falling apart such as the wood like lining on the front doors. Parts are expensive and difficult to get. The air bag suspension is terrible, tiny tears in the bags put pressure on battery to refill, alternator, and generator. These things need continually replaced. New suspension is upwards of $4500 at dealership. Or get proper suspension for closer to $3000.

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4 out of 5 stars

Black Beauty Conti

Glenn, 03/21/2008
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Purchased my Lincoln Continental with 25K miles on it. Presently, I have 79K on it. The vehicle loves to cruise the highways and is not an around town vehicle. On one trip to NC from CT, I got 27 miles to the gallon. Summer driving merits better gas mileage than winter. The vehicle was engineered for super premium only fuel which is expensive at the time of this writing. There has been no recalls on this vehicle to my knowledge. The body is extremely resilient and sturdy. The front end tends to be disappointing and Lincoln allowed a huge repair on the rack and pinion at about 40000K. The air sensors in the wheels can be a pain and if you have problems with them, bring the car to a dealer.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Solid vehicle

Wpgman, 03/03/2003
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

have have no mecanical problems- bought the car off a two year lease and it still looks great. Starting to get some rust spots under rear door.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Love my Lincoln!

a.f.york, 10/21/2006
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Purchased 10/31/04 for 4K w/ 92K miles. Other than the air-ride suspension, which has been replaced w/ Strutmaster Coil Springs, this has been one of the best cars I've ever owned. Drove a Caddy, thinking I would trade her in, but NOOOOO, even a Caddy doesn't compare to the comfort, accessories, reliability and beauty of this car. What power it has too! Looking to buy a new LS soon! If you can find a used 95/96 w/ less than 100K, I would recommend purchasing one - they look great, ride great, and the gas mileage isn't really too bad for a car this size!

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Nice Car...Cheap Interior

MJL1971, 01/23/2004
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Engine and fast, but the interior falls apart. Transmission shifts like a rubber band, but did last 137,501 and still going when I sold it. I did change fluid/filter every 12K though.

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1.88 out of 5 stars

God Someone Steal this Car

Poor House Driven, 09/25/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
1 of 4 people found this review helpful

This has been the worst used car I ever bought. Constant breakdowns and crappy quality

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Dissatisfied Area

Clifton , 06/04/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My biggest complaint is the cloudinest of the headlight lens. This cuts down considerabily on the candle power of the headlamps. (I've noticed this problem on many Ford products}This should have been a safety item recall. '96 and later models did not have this problem. It has a lot more road noise than my '92 Town Car and '97 Continal Mark VIII.

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3.13 out of 5 stars

Buyer Beware

DelRus, 07/06/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

A great driving car; but, a maintenance nightmare.. Just rolled over 77,000 miles and faced with $2,000 plus in Air Ride suspension problems...after many many other sensor problems as well... Would you buy this car...

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Sharp Car!

iowa, 09/08/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This vehicle is AWESOME. It looks great, and drives great. It turns heads, really. It looks like a brand new Lincoln, and it's seven years old! Everyone thinks I paid a fortune for it......but I continue to with the gas performance :(

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3.13 out of 5 stars

Oh, Thank you for Extended Warrenty

Continental Misery, 09/24/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought the car used in April 99, best deal on the lot. Now I know why, it may be a Lincoln, but mechanically its a Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily). In the shop at least once every two months, with expensive repairs. Now the Transmission, Air Bag Suspension System, and Radiator Coolent Motor have all gone out. Best thing the dealer who sold me the car was to insist that I by the extended warrenty, saved me nearly $7000 so far. Expires next year, but I be rid of the car before then, cause I have a better idea, and it won't be a Ford

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4.38 out of 5 stars

BUILD IT !

DAVE HUGHES, 12/21/2002
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

ALL GOOD EX. AIR SUSPENTION PROBLEMS

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great Older Car Now Opens the Wallet

Jeff, 02/22/2008
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Got this car as a Christmas present. Great design, great ride. Unfortunately in this day and time, loves gas and requires 93 octane. Ouch. Ride control system now has failed. The easy rider has become the low rider. I feel my wallet starting to warm up and after all is said and done, it will be smoking. Great comfort but is comfort worth the price now ? Don't think so. Will be researching what I must do to get the ride control in check and at the same time, make sure the computer or calibrations are in line. I will not put many miles on this vehicle since it is back and forth to work but at the same time, I want it to work correctly. I don't believe its worth much investment now.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Love IT!!

B.C. Bell, 03/12/2004
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought at 78K miles. 25MPG. 115K now. Have never had it in the shop except oil changes. Changed brake pads myself, very easily. Great ride. Awesome power. Will fly low. Cream color is a head turner.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great road car

EJB, 07/25/2006
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great on the road, a little large around town. Nice looking car, an eye-catcher. Avg 27 mpg on the road at 70 mph, 22 over all. I am not wild about the air suspension, and that may be the reason I sell it soon. Have spend almost nothing on repairs, no oil burning, transmission still smooth. Has been a good car.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Good used car

Smarty Jones, 06/06/2004
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought this 1995 Lincoln in April 2001 with 86,000 miles for $6,500. Three years later I have 182,000 miles on it. Average 22 miles to the gallon. Selling it for $1,500. Put out about $1,000 in repairs during the three years. Liked it so much I bought another one with 91,000 miles for $3,800, hope to drive it another three years.

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5 out of 5 stars

Lincoln is the best

SMT, 04/21/2005
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My Lincoln Continental has been the best car I have ever owned.

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4 out of 5 stars

Traditional American

Felix, 02/01/2007
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Air suspension a big liability, and continues with intermittent performance issues. Also suspension components noisy over bumps. Otherwise, a very smooth and quiet car. Headlamp lenses are prone to oxidation. Runs fine on regular gas.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

9 continentals,17 cadillacs

red, 02/14/2007
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

driving for a week. dealer car. gave up continentals to have children cheaper. loved em but they ate at dinner table with me. love my cad. but nothing rides like a lincoln. this car 139k miles is so unreal to drive! outside is ugly. doesn't look like continental to me. but inside is awesome. only thing better would be heated seats and sunroof.dash is laser. dash is beautiful and easy on eyes.seats beautiful, trim nice. this lincoln is beginning to steal my heart like they did years ago. heater is best. stereo is ok. handling is really good. power is good.mileage is ok like a lincoln. drives like the big car but is a small car. no continental kit.. kind of sad.you know it's a lincoln when you drive

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4.75 out of 5 stars

description of my 1995 conntiental

ray vaaler, 06/06/2003
1995 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

this car has 75000 miles. It has recieved regular oil changes . Approx 9 months ago the electric module was replaced at Babbits lincoln dealer in flagstaff, one minor rear end accident {backed into a truck}. the cost of repair was 500 dollars.This car is fully loaded including teleaphone sun roof leather top wheel disks. Has new michelin tires on front and recent replaced front brakes

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Lincoln Continental

Continental, 11/07/2008
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have been extremely pleased with this car in the time i have owned it. The car has more than enough power and is very comfortable. It has every option i could ask for from the power moonroof to climate control. The driver is also able to select if they want certain options on or off like reverse mirrors, auto running lights, express mirrors, ect. Also the firmness of the suspension and steering effort is adjustable.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Hunk of Junk

Hunk of Junk, 06/05/2009
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The 1st few years this car was great,purchased with 30k on car & still smelled new! Well all was great until 80k & tie rods & air ride went out! Purchase coil over & got rid of air ride! Well the car is on the 3rd alternator & one starter & horn,abs,airbags dont work & when you get the check engine light solved by repairs a few days later something else is wrong with car! I hate this car & since it was american made the value is bad to sell!! I call it the stinken lincoln!!

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5 out of 5 stars

Great trip car

deluxreverb, 08/03/2009
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought the car from a friend that had the lockup solenoid changed in the trans. She still had an intermittent problem. After a few days driving it started working fine. No problems in 3 years 130,000. 22mpg at 70mpg. Cars is fast for small 8 and 3800+ lbs. The clear coat is starting to deteriorate since the black car has been in the sun a lot. I would own another.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Continental ride

Frank J., 08/07/2002
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have owned Dodge Charger R/Ts, Buick Regal T-types and GTO's. Also owned Caravan and Grand Marquis. Add the virtues of each together and you get the Continental. Classic exterior which some reviewers call plain;10 yrs from now it will still look fine. Acceleration fine for 3911 lb. vehicle. Nice ride!

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Loved it while owned

cali_951, 01/19/2014
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought one at 112K in 2003. Had 166K when decided to dump it due to suspension going bad for a 3rd time. Tuned it up once & hadn't changed the oil for a good year or so. Replaced tires once. Head liner started falling apart around 130K & the HORRIBLE air suspension. Other than that, no tranny or engine or anything falling apart aside from the liner as i mentioned before. Drove it numerous times from North Carolina to Georgia without any problems. Highway gas mileage great for a fast V8, the city was about 15-17 depending how you drive it. Will I by again...if I change the suspension I would

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4.63 out of 5 stars

GREAT MACHINE

DAVE HUGHES, 12/21/2002
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

EXCELENT NO PROBLEMS IM AT 70K MILES

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4.25 out of 5 stars

1996 Lincoln continental

deanpaul57, 03/12/2004
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

It is a comfotable well designed vehicle

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4.13 out of 5 stars

LikeMyLinc

OzzyFan, 05/19/2004
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Typical of Fords, it started having a few problems after 80,000 miles- fuel pump went, ABS component needed replacement, CD changer quit working. The 100,000 mile tune up and maintenance were rather expensive. I expect to keep the car a few more years, and like other Fords I've had, additional repairs between 100,000 miles and 140,000 miles will be routine and minimal.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Best Car I've EVER been in!

Lincolnlover, 08/04/2004
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Smooth ride and comfortable for all passengers. Great pickup. Clean, no frills exterior design keeps car from looking dated. My vehicle has been well maintained and I have not had any interior or exterior problems.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Anniversary Edition N Showroom Condition

RAIDERS5000, 02/10/2006
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I traded in my 93 Lincoln Town Car for this model.It's still in showroom condition.But what's amazing about this vechile is how advanced it is.You would swear that the Diamond Aniversary Edition didnt come out til 2000 or later. It's got more gadgets than a space shuttle. The comfort is outstanding. The performance is unmatched and the handling is superb. Nice size power moonroof,great factory JBL sound system with CD changer, quiet cabinet interior and an engine that can flat out run! Excellent gas mileage. 26-27 miles on hwy. Trunk space galore. Drivers side seating feels like a recliner in the game room.Compass in rearview mirror too. The only missing in my Continental is heated seats.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Excellent value

jung, 09/14/2006
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

continentals are an undervaued car. If you are in the market for a comfortable, reliable car, this may be one to look for. Plus, mine gets almost 27 mpg on the highway!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

My Lincoln Experience

Lisa Clemmons, 04/08/2007
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love having a Lincoln Continental because it's the smoothest driving car that I have owned. The ride is so smooth and sometimes I have to remind myself to watch my speed. I enjoy the fact that it is so roomy and the best part is the car remebers the difference between driver one and driver two. like the fact that I don't have to keep adjusting my seat and other things when I get into the car. The only thing I don't like is the fact that it is very costly on gas. However, I still love taking this car on the highway on long trips because it's easy riding. Love my Lncoln.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

They sold me a Lemon

Jackson260, 05/17/2003
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had the car for 2 months and needed a new sway bar, stabilizer link, tie rods, rotors, tires had to be re- sealed,and traction control shocks. Now I need transmition work done, and I think they installed the stabilizer link in wrong so that needs to be fixed too. Its a beautiful looking car inside and out and I would say that the Continental is a great value but you should get it checked by another dealership or mechanic that you can trust before you buy. Don't trust the dealer you are buying from! Get a second opinion!

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5 out of 5 stars

Classic fun driving auto

Wayne O'Neill, 06/02/2018
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Quality car in its day and still is.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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4.13 out of 5 stars

LC

mettech, 04/20/2002
1996 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very good car for the money.

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