1998 Lincoln Town Car Review
1998 Lincoln Town Car Review
View more photos
Used Town Car for sale
Appraise This CarSee 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.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Last of the big, honkin', rear-wheel drive luxury sedans. Improvements this year include revised steering and suspension geometry, which makes the Town Car somewhat more fun to pilot around town. A fully loaded Town Car rings in at thousands less than its full-size competition from Japan and Europe.
Cons
- There is a stigma that goes with buying a Town Car. It will either label you as a Sun City retiree or a New York limousine chauffeur. Not the image that most people are looking for.
What’s new
Lincoln redesigns its Town Car this year, making it lower, stiffer and faster. The interior is nicely improved as well, with softer seats and better positioned controls.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 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 $3.46 per gallon for regular unleaded in Georgia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia
$238/mo for Town Car Cartier
Town Car Cartier
vs
$214/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Lincolns have always been big, comfortable cruisers designed to coddle drivers and passengers in silent, swift comfort. The 1998 Town Car is no exception. While not exactly swift, the Town Car is motivated by a creamy smooth 4.6-liter V8 that gets a few more horsepower than last year's model, making it easy to get underway with aplomb.
In addition to the increased horsepower, Lincoln shaves some height and length off of this land yacht in an attempt to make it more palatable to younger buyers. Interior changes include better seats, a driver-oriented instrument panel and more efficient rear passenger ventilation ducts. Despite these much-appreciated improvements, we doubt that Lincoln will find many sub-retirement takers for its biggest car.
The Town Car traditionally competed with the Cadillac Fleetwood, but since the Fleetwood, Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Impala were canceled in 1996, the Town Car is the only remaining choice for those who want big, American rear-drive comfort. The Lincoln does not have a sport-tuned chassis, nor does it have a driver-adjustable suspension. There will never be an auto-manual transmission on the Town Car, and we really doubt that many kids dream of getting to ride in their grandparents' Town Car. Nonetheless, this car is unequaled at moving people across the great open spaces that are still left in our country. That floaty suspension won't be disturbed a bit by expansion joints, potholes or the occasional Honda Accord.
Apparently, there are still quite a few of you who find that sort of thing appealing; Lincoln sells more than 100,000 Town Cars per year. We are partial to it as well, clinging to it in desperation as the cars from our youth are killed off one by one. If you're in the market for a rear-wheel drive American luxury car, this is your only real choice.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Lincoln Town Car.
5 star(73%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Don't want to sell it!!
G, 04/10/2016
1998 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
I bought this 98 Town Car 3 yrs ago at 105,000 miles. It needed an alternator, but it was inexpensive and expected for a then 16 y.o. car. I have just been periodically doing maintenance, including a transmission flush. It still runs great with a now 118,000 miles 3 yrs later. It has not left me stranded and surprisingly starts after sitting in freezing weather for a week or more - … without a jump. Technology (heated seats, climate/stereo controls on steering) is fairly par w/ current vehicles.
Window regulators DO suck, but they work. I'd consider that a maintenance item for an 18 y.o. car that most people think is fairly new.
Overall, if you're going to buy a 15+ year old car - this model is one to buy, as they were manufactured with having in mind that some will be used as a livery/service vehicle. Keep up w/ maintenance and it'll take care of you. These vehicles are inexpensive to maintain, due to its platform being shared w/ a Crown Vic.
5 out of 5 stars
1998 Lincoln Town Car
presidentme, 12/03/2013
1998 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
I purchased the car almost 9 months ago with 102k miles. It did need some work, an intake manifold, 2 coils, and a serpentine belt, but honestly I guess thats what to expect when you purchase an older high end car. All cars break as they age, its that fine vehicles, lincoln, mercedes etc, require more costly parts. All that work cost me $1,500 which I guess isn't horrible. I had to … replace one of my front headlamps because it became yellowed and fogged over, got a new one on ebay for $90! VERY easy to replace! pretty sweet deal! My ac compressor just went only $200. I really love my car, its sleak, powerful, beyond comfortable, and I get to say I have a lincoln! i'd buy another Lincoln!
5 out of 5 stars
last of a breed
Joseph, 01/09/2007
1998 Lincoln Town Car Cartier 4dr Sedan
If you want a traditional American luxury sedan this is the only one left. This vehicle has been a pleasure to own. Last of a breed.
5 out of 5 stars
Really Holds Up
Joeyem, 04/08/2004
1998 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4dr Sedan
Every car has a few irritations, in
this case door hinges that don't latch
and brakes that pull right very
slightly when it rains, and an
unfriendly trunk that's too deep.
Rides like a cloud, very plush and
relaxing and QUIET!
But best of all I get over 26mpg on
the expressway and average about 21
with a mix of city and expressway
driving.
The engine is so … solid I know one
1998 Town Car Highlights
Cartier
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $238/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- 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
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1998 Lincoln Town Car info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota Corolla 2019
- Used Aston Martin Rapide 2011
- Used Lexus IS 350 C 2013
- Used Chevrolet Express 2017
- Used Rolls-Royce Corniche 2013
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Escalade ESV
- 2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door
- 2024 BMW 7 Series
- 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 2023
- 2023 Convertible
- BMW 2 Series 2024
- 2023 Subaru Impreza
- 2025 BMW X6
- Kia Sportage Hybrid 2023
Research other models of Lincoln
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Aviator 2023
- 2023 Lincoln Corsair
- 2024 Lincoln MKC
- 2025 Lincoln Aviator
- Navigator
- Lincoln Nautilus Price
- Lincoln Navigator 2023
- 2023 Aviator
- 2023 Lincoln MKX
Other models
- Used Ferrari F430 in Quakertown, PA
- Used Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight-Royale in Billings, MT
- New BMW X6-M for Sale in Bismarck, ND
- Used Mercedes-Benz Maybach in Skokie, IL
- Used Scion TC in Perris, CA
- Used Hyundai Elantra-Coupe in Lake Charles, LA
- Used Ram 3500 in Clearfield, UT
- Used Nissan Altima in Sylacauga, AL
- Used Chevrolet Camaro in Arcadia, CA
- Used Subaru Impreza-Wrx in Laredo, TX