Skip to main content

Used 1996 Lincoln Town Car Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
42 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
4.88 out of 5 stars

1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier

Scott, 10/19/2010
1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
14 of 14 people found this review helpful

My grandparents bought this car brand new as soon as it showed up at the dealer. I think the original list price was $47,000. My grandpa has since died, and in 2005, my grandma didn't feel safe driving anymore at the age of 88. She loved that car and wanted to keep it in the family, so she gave it to me, knowing I'd take the absolute best care of it. It had 31000 miles when she gave it to me. This is the most luxurious car Ford ever built. Has been very reliable, but when things have to be replaced, it's very costly for parts. It now has 102,000 miles and still drives like a dream. I never cared for the newer body style that started in '98 or '99. I'm very grateful to own such a classic car.

Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Best value ever

marh42, 09/20/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Executive 4dr Sedan
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

I bought this car Feb 1st for $450.00. One service and a window regulator is the ONLY money I have spent. Has 234,000 miles, acts like most 50,000 mile cars I have been in.

Report Abuse
1996 Lincoln Town Car for sale near you
Showing 3 of 6 listings
See all 6 listings

4.5 out of 5 stars

1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature

sig96tc, 01/23/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Purchased in 03 with 52K, now has 265,000 miles. Engine has never had the valve covers removed. I have no plans of getting rid of her. These cars are cheap to maintain with plenty of original parts on ebay etc.. Obviously I have taken care of it.

Report Abuse

4.5 out of 5 stars

Just keep rollin'

kriegar, 03/28/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This is my 4th or 5th Town Car, and my second one in this body style/engine configuration. These are solid, dependable, and well appointed vehicles. What little gas money you might save in a lesser car is more than well compensated by the lower long term ownership and insurance costs. They have everything, and they don't break a lot...and no payments! This car provides a comfortable and quiet ride, (reasonable) power(it's NOT an LT1), and reasonable gas mileage. The pollution control system is not so invasive that you cannot touch the car without having it become a problem, and the traditional styling and build are a plus for maintenance and/or modification.

Report Abuse

4 out of 5 stars

my take as a lincoln first timer

cliffcar, 01/17/2020
updated 07/12/2021
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

pros well i will say i started car twice and it grinded loudly because it was already running. its really smooth as butter running up to 80 and staying there. bought at 149 k. heat and ac fine. aftemarket radio ok. interior appointments stylish. . really love the sunroof. leather seats comfortable and adjustable. interior room great for 4 really stretching it for 6. . exterior paint very good.. love the extra side light illumination using turn signals. built on a panther platform one solid chassis. . the layout of dash seems pretty clear and accessible. of course trunk is huge but dont try to put a bike inside and close the trunk. not that much room for bulky items. unless you keep trunk open. cons being realistic and truthful. well leather seats are soft and have held up well,but truthfully, leather in extreme weather is gonna be real hot or real cold until your cars temp adusts. prefer cloth seats for that reason. the doors and hood dont have that heavy secure feel and sound when you shut them comparred to my 89 buick daily driver. with plush cloth seats. seatbelts do not work properly. and can lull you into false security. also have air bag light on. got stuck wtih a brake line that blew out in the willywags. not fun or safe. replaced cat converter now much quieter. also replaced ball joints and steering parts . try to get parts that you can grease instead of sealed. expect the window motors to be replaced. and maybe a few door switches. watch out for rusted brake lines. if you keep car use long life brake lines like nycop. replace your rearview mirror if it has auto dimming. finally, yes car is very comfortable and smooth but am trying to reduce wind noise in cabin. can get pretty loud at high speeds. would i buy anothe lincoln. well for the price paid 2500 for a really nice car with fair to good gas miileage and all creature comforts i would say yes as they can go 300k+. i feel it its money well spent for the comfort and reliablilty. and i will resolve any issues as i go along. update jan. 2021. car has been running pretty well and dependable. just died in town suddenl. turned out to be fuel pump located inside the tank. can be an expensive repair. changed out the filter, sock, fuel regulator, pump. and a few other components. also changed out the radiator, thermostat, tensioner and water pump. hopefully i wont be stranded as long as i can keep up with the maintenance.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

1996 75th Anniversary

Jean Desrosiers, 02/05/2016
updated 02/16/2021
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This automobile is a true classic. The exterior is in very good shape, the color silver is classic. The interior is luxurious leather and silver. All this is because it is the 75th silver anniversary edition. It has low mileage. It has very little to no wear. It has all the options available includes the cell phone.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Can't beat the ride of the old Lincoln Town

Schaefferman, 03/04/2021
1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I've owned at least one Lincoln Towncar all my life and they simply cannot be beat on ride comfort and cost to own. With every trip I make to Florida I'm grateful for the power of that 4.6L engine that always gives me 30 mpg on the highway.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Nickel and dime repairs

JR, 02/19/2007
1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I received this car from my grandfather who was meticulous with it. Every issue was repaired immediately and the vehicle saw a good mix of driving so I thought it would be a great car. I was mistaken. Although the ride is fantastic and performance acceptable for a big car with a small V-8 the upkeep is murder. CD player died, followed by driver's window cable system, then driver's window motor, rear passenger window motor, electric seats quit, ball joints (2nd set), brake lines rotted out, no vent setting on heater and the big one was the transmission torque converter clutch failure (which I was told is common to these cars). With only 80K miles I'm seriously considering trading it off.

Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

From an Escort to a Lincoln

G. Gill, 02/05/2009
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I drove a Ford Escort for 13yrs. to an from work, 60 miles a day. Loved the fuel economy, but not the ride or getting around in the snow. After 350,000 miles I found a 1996 Lincoln TC, with 102,000 miles on it for $4,000.00. WOW!...now I love driving to work! What a ride, with 21mpg! Built like a tank! Some mechanical issues...intake manifold[ Ford service bulletin]...lower contol arm/ball joint assembly broke in the middle of a J.C.Penney pkng. lot..that was fun! Wife has 1998 Lincoln TC, first year of the new body style and it ain't built no where near as good as my 1996.Smaller interior, very high maintenance and ugly! Find an 1990's Lincoln in good shape you won't be sorry!

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Best Deal on Wheels

Silver Streak, 07/31/2010
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car with 78,000 miles in 2003. Now in 2010 I have 212,000 miles. The car will get good gas mileage with ac off and at 65 mph with Cruise control. Car has never let me down. Never been stuck with this car. Build quality is excellent. No noises after 212k miles. Jumbo trunk. I drive hard and the transmission is original. Changed transmission fluid 3 times or more. Engine uses a quart of oil in 3000 miles so then its ready for a change or a quart and a change in 6000. Best looking Lincolns a 94-97. Get a signature or Cartier or diamond anniversary edition.

Report Abuse
Items per page:
10