2003 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4.6 Liter V8 from North America
Summary:
Best value luxury car
Faults:
The only issue I have has is the radiator fan got stuck on. The fan kept running even after the car was on. I went in a store for about 45 minutes and it was still going when I came back out!! Luckily my battery had not died, and I was able to start the car and get home. Apparently there is a control module that is mounted to the electric fan housing, which malfunctioned. Unfortunately, you have to replace the entire fan assembly to fix this. From Ford this part costs over $500. I ordered it online for around $120, and was able to install it myself. The actual install is quite simple.
Other than this, I have had no mechanical issues.
General Comments:
This is a very comfortable car!! The ride is exceptionally smooth; so much so that it makes any passengers instantly unhappy with their own cars. It smooths bumps, but is not so soft as to bounce or roll like older large cars. The rear air shocks work very well to keep the car level and handling well, even with a full load of luggage and passengers.
The car looks fantastic sitting still or rolling down the highway. I would have loved it if Lincoln saw fit to give the Town Car about 100 HP more. This would have helped it keep up with other luxury cars in its segment. The 239 HP move the car quite well, but you won't be impressing anyone in this area. It has decent fuel economy for a nearly 4,500lb car with a 4.6L V8. I average right at 20 MPG with mixed highway and city driving.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th January, 2013
11th Jan 2013, 16:54
In my opinion, FoMoCo ruined the Panther suspension after 2002. When they stiffened the suspensions, the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria really suffered, compromising the ride Americans came to expect from their larger cars, and the Town Car's ride was nothing to write home about either. I am not sure if this was done due to pressure to make the cars handle in a more modern (read uncomfortable) fashion, or to cut costs. Either way, I think it was a bad move for Ford.