General Comments:
I love this car. It's the last year of this style and next to the Cartier version, It's the most decked out one you could get. When I got it I completely went over the car. Brakes, fluids, hoses and shocks. It has auto-leveling rear air shocks that needed replacing. The factory ones were very expensive so I installed Gabriel hi-jackers and a couple of inexpensive air fittings from Parker to get it working again. I also replaced the gear drive in one of the windows. There were a few features that had stopped working before I bought it. These are: auto rear view mirror adjuster, parking brake auto pull off, alarm, high beam switch and the heater blower when you select "heater" (bi-level, AC and defroster work fine). It has awesome, leather seats (optional pillow top seating surface), very, very comfortable, a trunk you could swim in and a ride that can't be beat. I'm fairly young (mid 30's), and not the typical Lincoln driver. I wanted a bit more performance from this one so I installed a set of Ford Motorsport headers (for a Mustang) and a larger (2.5") diameter dual exhaust with some free flowing mufflers. This car originaly had a 2.25" dual exhaust system from the factory and since it needed replacing after 150K miles I decided to upgrade it. Nice difference. The car has so much sound deadening material in it that the db level inside the cabin didn't go up that much at all. I also added a rear sway bar and a larger front sway bar from a junked police Crow Vic (same chassis as a TC)
It actually handles pretty damn good for such a behemoth. Ride was not compromised very much at all. I prefer it a little flatter in the off ramps than the original set up.
25th Feb 2003, 12:34
I own a 1989 Lincoln Town Car and I absolutely love it!!! I am having several problems that could have been remedied a long time ago by previous owners, however, and I'm suspecting there was maybe a pizza delivery driver somewhere in that line... By the way, I will qualify some of my statements: I'm no mechanic. Mostly just opinions are expressed here.
Anyway, the JBL Premium Audio is great, the speakers are still working and bumping and there is plenty of response even without another amp and any sort of after-market subs.
Love the Moon/Sun roof - just wish it wasn't jacked by previous owners, I'm looking for an affordable option for replacement if any suggestions!!!
Seats are leather w/pillow top - nice and comfy, but cracked here and there, going to restore one of these days I'm sure.
Can't get over the trunk space - room for everything, even a kitchen sink if you're into home improvement!
Wheels are OK, but I like something more flashy for my age group - 21-25 - like a friend has on his 89 Continental, but then he has the ca$h to do that.
Computer is interesting... I think I would have designed the interface a tad differently and more accessible to the driver, but I really like to watch my MPG - I average about 17.1 highway... anywhere to make that better? Suggestions?
Get up and Go is not bad, but I like to take it easy and only put my foot in the injectors when absolutely necessary - like when that 17y/o in the 5.0 Mustang is trying to impress his girlfriend with his daddy's money.
AC is wonderful - living in Kansas, it's usually too hot or too cold, rarely a "happy medium." However, the Heater is difficult. I can get it to heat just fine, but it will only come out of the dash located vents - what's wrong?
There have been some problems with some of the factory electronic "extras" going out, but I still like the car. It's great for the price I paid for it, and it was better for everything than my 91 Tempo I traded off for it - I just wish we hadn't spent to fix the window motors in the tempo and saved that for the T.C.
All in all, the space, the power, the wonderful ride, I cannot complain for this car. Ford did a good job with it, and I am no Ford Man... but this ride is definitely a winner in MY book.