The third-generation Lincoln Town Car
abandoned its boxy body but kept the V8 engine, luxury touches, and roomy cabin. Bad news for sales, good news for anyone looking to relive the glory days of the big ol’ American sedan. In 1998, Lincoln designers softened the lines of their most popular model and gave it a pair of cat’s eye glasses. Wider, taller, and heavier, the new cabin accommodated fresh door and instrument panels and revamped radio controls. At the end of the makeover, the Town Car had stepped into the future without becoming unrecognizable—and depending on your taste, that’s either the best part about it or the worst!
Whether you’re a Lincoln lover or hater, we’re putting the spotlight on the 1998 Town Car for this article. Specs, pricing, insurance—leave it all to Jerry
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About the 1998 Lincoln Town Car
MSRP: Starting at $38,030
Powertrain: 4.6L gasoline V8 with sequential multi-port fuel injection
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
Trim levels: Executive, Signature, Cartier
The 1998 Lincoln Town Car gained two inches of width, an inch of height, and 600 lbs over its predecessor. To its credit, you won’t notice any sweat from the 220-horsepower engine when it comes to cruising—just watch out on twisty roads.
Features start at the Executive
level ($38,030) with six-way power front seats, power windows, leather seating, solar tint glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a premium AM/FM stereo/cassette audio console. Moving up to Signature
($39,680), you’ll enjoy eight-way power front seats, snowflake aluminum wheels, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors. The Cartier trim level
($42,830) finishes with a flourish: premium leather seat trim, five-temperature-setting heated front seats, and a JBL Audio System. But, I hear you ask, what about Lincoln's bottom rank for reliability
among Consumer Reports? It’s true that Ford
’s luxury line hasn’t seen much good press lately, but remember that the survey was talking about modern SUVs. When it comes to classic Town Cars, you’ll find nothing but good reviews on Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book. RepairPal rates the Town Car 4.0 out of 5.0 in reliability
, putting it in second place among full-size luxury models! If you’re interested enough to start browsing classifieds, you’ll find a wide range of exterior colors:
Light Prairie Tan metallic
And while every paint color might not be available with every interior color, there are still plenty of choices:
Oxford White/Light Graphite
How much is a 1998 Lincoln Town Car worth today?
Fortunately, the 1998 Lincoln Town Car isn’t considered a collectible. Assuming a mileage of 142,000 miles or so, Kelley Blue Book estimates a model in “good” condition will cost between $1,402 and $3,339. As always, factory options (such as air-conditioning, a Touring Package, or a power moonroof) and nice-to-haves like a clean accident record or low mileage will cost you extra.
Key Takeaway A 1998 Lincoln Town Car with repairable cosmetic damages and a decent power train could cost $1,402 to $3,339.
Where to buy a 1998 Lincoln Town Car
Unless you like auctions or special orders, steer clear of dealerships. Your best bet to find a 20-year-old used vehicle is via a private sale. KBB, Edmunds.com, and ClassicCars.com all have classifieds, but you might also want to check out Carfax
or Carvana
. Both sites allow you to check the mileage, accident records, and reviews of the cars in their listings. You can even calculate your payments with a handy finance calculator!
Is the 1998 Lincoln Town Car a good buy?
Do you have fond memories of Lincoln cars from the 70s, 80s, and 90s? If so, then the 1998 Town Car is probably right for you. It enhances everything there is to love about Lincoln: generous space, impeccable furnishings, and old-fashioned comfort. Not to mention a workhorse’s reputation. At the risk of sounding clichéd, they don’t make ’em like this anymore.
As a bonus, you can find a 1998 model at a fairly decent price, since it isn’t considered a collectible—not yet, anyway.
How to find insurance for a 1998 Lincoln Town Car
Whether or not you think the Lincoln Town Car has aged gracefully, on this we can agree: buying car insurance the old-fashioned way stinks. If you’re tired of phone calls, browsing ads, or answering long insurance forms, Jerry
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