1996 Lincoln Town Car Review
1996 Lincoln Town Car Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Engine upgrades, new automatic climate controls and real wood on the dashboard in Cartier models sum up the changes to the Town Car.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$245/mo for Town Car Cartier
Town Car Cartier
vs
$224/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Lincolns have always been big, comfortable cruisers designed to coddle drivers and passengers in silent, swift comfort. The 1996 Town Car is no exception. While not exactly swift, the Town Car is motivated by a creamy smooth 4.6-liter V8 that gets it underway with reasonable aplomb, and the interior easily accommodates six in reasonable comfort.
Modest improvements are the rule for the 1996 Town Car. The engine has been upgraded, and new automatic temperature climate controls reduce confusion inside. Cartier models get real wood on the dashboard and rear vanity mirrors. A 75th Diamond Anniversary model joins the lineup.
The Town Car competes primarily with the Cadillac Fleetwood, and has been soundly trouncing the Caddy is the sales race. Lincoln sells more than 100,000 Town Cars annually, but we can't figure out why such a large gap exists between the Lincoln and the Cadillac. The Cadillac is larger inside, and far more comfortable. It is also more tastefully restrained in style, though either car could win the gold in the Ostentation Olympics. However, the Town Car's interior materials are first-rate, better in texture and design than those found in the Fleetwood. Ergonomically, the Town Car bests the Cadillac as well, featuring Ford's new easy-to-use corporate radio as the centerpiece of a more ergonomically sound dashboard. Cadillac claims that Lincoln relies on fleet sales to boost sales figures.
Still, where the Fleetwood reeks of Santa Barbara elegance; the Town Car comes off as Las Vegas glitz. The Fleetwood is cavernous, the Town Car less so, particularly in the back seat. The Fleetwood has a brash Corvette LT1 engine under the hood, while the buttery modular V8 of the Town Car has more sophisticated power delivery. When all is said and done, we prefer the Fleetwood, without the tacky vinyl roof. Try them both yourself, and decide which suits you better.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Lincoln Town Car.
5 star(72%)
4 star(26%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
42 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier
Scott, 10/19/2010
1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
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.
5 out of 5 stars
Best value ever
marh42, 09/20/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Executive 4dr Sedan
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.
4.5 out of 5 stars
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature
sig96tc, 01/23/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
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.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Just keep rollin'
kriegar, 03/28/2011
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
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.
1996 Town Car Highlights
Cartier
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $245/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 22.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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