Faults:
Cruise Control Buttons on Steering Column wore out and fell off at 220,000.
Driver's Seat Leather worn and cracked and opened up to sponge even though I used conditioner weekly beginning at 235,000.
Stock Radio On/Off Button will not shut off when pushed at 90,000.
A/C parts have been troublesome beginning at 145,000 and continuing to present where when AUTOMATIC is depressed, the unit blows the cold air through the defroster vents instead of at the passengers.
Brake System is now so troublesome that I have had all calipers replaced, gone through two master cylinders and still get a pedal that goes to the floor (even after bleeding). Have spent quite a bit of money on this facet of the car and have much less hair on my head after pulling so much out up to now.
Left front tie-rod went out at 130,000 and because local dealer required an appointment, took it to Midas. Now, it is going bad again.
Replaced water pump at 205,000.
Replaced trunk lid pull down motor at 155,000.
Replaced standard air filter with a K&N unit and now enjoy 3-5 miles per gallon more.
Replaced Rear Air Suspension at 192,000 (both bags and compressor) and this set me back over $1,300 but the car rides nicely again.
Replaced Platinum Plugs at 135,000 and had compression tested and all cylinders were equal in psi (mostly due to exclusive use of Mobil 1 Oil and Mobil 1 Oil Filters)
Have replaced the turn signal lever twice and the transmission lever twice due to wear since all the words had worn off from use.
For some odd reason, the Windshield Washer warning appears on the dash (since 260,000) even though the bottle is full.
Because there is a drain plug in both the transmission and torque converter, I never do a flush as this will strain the seals. I change this every 30,000 miles.
Replaced the Alternator at 207,000.
No motor or transmission rebuilds thus far.
General Comments:
K&N yields 32 mpg on highway at 51 mph without A/C on (26.2 with A/C on long trips). In town I get 22 without A/C on (19 with A/C).
Auto-leveling is marvelous. So is the traction control. I have driven in heavy snowstorms ahead of four-runners and Scouts and not gotten stuck.
While regular gas is just fine, Supreme yields better performance. However, at $3.39 a gallon, I go for economy and buy Chevron Regular or UnoCal Regular only. I only buy Shell if I have to (especially after the Sulfur damage the problems caused last year around here).
Am 6'8" and can stretch my legs out straight. Something I could only do in a previous 1994 Jag. The Town Car has room for six.
The digital dash is a joy to behold and on long trips at night, you can turn the intensity down and it looks as if it is floating in the air.
The computer on the dash has never let me down (as far as accuracy). I have gotten down to as low as 5 miles remaining before running out of fuel and never felt even a sputter from the engine.
People seem to think that it is a gas guzzler and when I beg to differ, they nod their heads as if I'm asking for directions in a foreign language.
Guess they can't accept that their sacrifice of personal safety in the name of economy maybe was too big a sacrifice. My how they missed out!
I love the stand up hood ornament and Lincoln really made a bad choice doing away with it for 1998-2002.
I love the look of the rear tail lights that are only on a 1995. The same light pattern is visible on the Town cars in the movies "Analyze This" and "X-Files: Fight the Future".
I have not had to do any major work on the motor nor the transmission as yet.
3rd Jan 2006, 20:29
Wow theres young people like me driving these cars I'm 20 and have my 92 Grand marquis before that I have a 88 town car it will run 300,000 miles easy with general maintenance. I think you paid a little too much for that car though.