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1998
Lincoln Continental

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Expert 1998 Lincoln Continental review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

For too many years, the Lincoln Continental has struggled with its identity. After all, the car started out in 1940 as an elegant expression of European-inspired styling. (And that model is a classic today.)

Since its successful introduction, it has striven to live up to its initial styling success, and failed more often then succeeded. Since 1988, it’s been largely a stretched version of Ford’s successful Taurus/Sable front-wheel-drive platform.

While it’s tried to be a European-style car, the 1988 version could only be considered such to someone who had no concept of what a European car was. This is especially true given the underpowered six-cylinder engine it was saddled with.

In 1995, it saw a rather anonymous redesign that couldn’t match other Euro-styled competitors, such as the Cadillac Seville.

Flash forward to 1998, and Ford has waved its stylist’s wand over the sheet metal, with a healthy dose of inspiration from now corporate sibling Jaguar.

The result is a beautiful transformation that borrows some important Jag styling cues and bumps them up into the extra large size. Up front, Lincoln’s traditional chrome grille gets chromier. The stand-uphood ornament is banished, replaced by a badge neatly housed along the top of the grille. Out back, the horizontal tail lamps that have been a signature of the car since 1988 have been replaced by neat corners that scream XJ6. Take a look at those great aluminum wheels — they’re borrowed from the Coventry-based marque as well.

If all of this seems like hopeless mimicry, it makes sense,, since Jaguar occupies a higher station in the automotive world than Lincoln. But there’s still enough Lincoln here to keep the Continental’s identity intact while giving the car a unique look.

It was distinctive enough that I was asked — twice — about the car by total strangers.

In the last couple of years, Ford has fitted the car with its best engine, a double-overhead-cam 4.6-liter V-8, good for 260 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. This will clear the cobwebs out quickly, especially when you hear the burble of the dual exhaust. This is truly a hot-rod Lincoln, albeit a very refined one.

Put your foot in it and this car moves with refined grace. The four-speed automatic snicks off the shifts with silent precision. You’ll never guess what gear you’re in.

The suspension has been revised this year. The electronically adjustable version (or Driver Select System in Lincolnese) is optional, not standard. The standard setup is a soft one, with gas-charged shock absorbers at all four corners. The test car was fitted with this bit of optional gimmickry — it’s the only way to get a firmer ride than the standard gear. The handling can be tuned to plush (lots of bouncing and diving), normal (less of it) or firm (snubbed down with little body lean). The last setting proved the best, even though it transmitted some suspensio n joint thumping.

There’s little rear axle hop, and cornering grip was surprisingly high. Traction control is standard, and it allows just enough wheel spin to chirp the tires on initial acceleration.

Despite all this, you’d never classify this car as a sports sedan — it’s too plush for that. Body lean is present enough to snuff out any such aspirations. Despite the electronics in the suspension, the ride and chassis stiffness isn’t world class, even if the rest of the car approaches that mark. But the soft ride and lack of sportiness is true of some others in this class as well, such as Acura, Lexus or Infiniti.

For most people, optimum handling isn’t a concern; rather, it’s luxurious comfort and lots of features. And on that score, this car delivers more pampering than anyone except your mom.

Headlights bothering you at night? The electrochromatic mirror tints it darker. The doors lock automatically. The headlamps come on automatically as well. The aut matic climate control will heat and cool things nicely, and the heated front seats will toast you quickly. The trip computer will endlessly entertain you with driving info, such as miles per gallon or distance to empty. The optional CD changer is mounted in the center console between the bucket seats, as is an optional cellular phone. The radio volume increases automatically with speed. If the air bags deploy, the car automatically relates that information and your location to a global positioning satellite and emergency response is notified. Lincoln even offers run-flat tires, capable of running without air for up to 100 miles.

So it’s easy to see that you’re well taken care of, but what’s is it like as the miles pile up? The seats are soft, yet supportive — a feat few automakers can match. The car is quiet for the most part, but tire noise does intrude a bit at highway speed. The ergonomics function well, but there’s no place to put a turnpike ticket and the change holder is placed inconveniently.

Despite the generous 18.9 cubic foot trunk, there’s no cargo net, a touch found on cars half the price. And the trunk hinges eat into cargo space. There are designs that avoid this faux pas, but Ford opted not to do it.

Finally, the new interior is nice, especially the chrome bezel around the transmission lever. But the genuine maple trim seems tacky and fake.

Kudos to Ford for the suede dashboard top. It prevents the windshield from filling with bothersome reflections. Ditto the quality feel of the controls, something Cadillac hasn’t fully mastered.

And the best part of all is, this car usually has a nice discount on it, meaning it’s a good deal in the luxury car field, yielding decent handling and great new looks for a good price.

Maybe now, the car finally lives up to its heritage.

1998 Lincoln Continental Standard: 4.6-liter double overhead-cam V8, four-speed electronic automatic transmission, keyless entry, dual heated outside mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, front overhead console, five-passenger leather seats, automatic climate control with rear seat air ducts and air-filtration system, anti-theft alarm, automatic parking brake release, delayed accessory power, automatic headlamps, automatic power door locks, power windows with driver’s side express down and child lock, message center, two power points, AM/ FM four-speaker stereo cassette player, dual air bags, four-wheel power disc brakes with anti-lock, cruise control, variable assist power steering, automatic load-leveling suspension, all-speed traction control, intermittent windshield wipers. Options: RESCU Package (voice-activated cellular phone, JBL audio system, programmable garage door opener), Personal Security Package (run-flat tires, tire-pressure alert sensor, programmable garage door opener), power moon roof, heated front seats, highly polished aluminum wheels, Driver Select System, comp act disc changer. Base price: $37,830 As tested: $44,820 EPA rating: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway Test mileage: 19 mpg

1998 Lincoln Continental review: Our expert's take
By

For too many years, the Lincoln Continental has struggled with its identity. After all, the car started out in 1940 as an elegant expression of European-inspired styling. (And that model is a classic today.)

Since its successful introduction, it has striven to live up to its initial styling success, and failed more often then succeeded. Since 1988, it’s been largely a stretched version of Ford’s successful Taurus/Sable front-wheel-drive platform.

While it’s tried to be a European-style car, the 1988 version could only be considered such to someone who had no concept of what a European car was. This is especially true given the underpowered six-cylinder engine it was saddled with.

In 1995, it saw a rather anonymous redesign that couldn’t match other Euro-styled competitors, such as the Cadillac Seville.

Flash forward to 1998, and Ford has waved its stylist’s wand over the sheet metal, with a healthy dose of inspiration from now corporate sibling Jaguar.

The result is a beautiful transformation that borrows some important Jag styling cues and bumps them up into the extra large size. Up front, Lincoln’s traditional chrome grille gets chromier. The stand-uphood ornament is banished, replaced by a badge neatly housed along the top of the grille. Out back, the horizontal tail lamps that have been a signature of the car since 1988 have been replaced by neat corners that scream XJ6. Take a look at those great aluminum wheels — they’re borrowed from the Coventry-based marque as well.

If all of this seems like hopeless mimicry, it makes sense,, since Jaguar occupies a higher station in the automotive world than Lincoln. But there’s still enough Lincoln here to keep the Continental’s identity intact while giving the car a unique look.

It was distinctive enough that I was asked — twice — about the car by total strangers.

In the last couple of years, Ford has fitted the car with its best engine, a double-overhead-cam 4.6-liter V-8, good for 260 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. This will clear the cobwebs out quickly, especially when you hear the burble of the dual exhaust. This is truly a hot-rod Lincoln, albeit a very refined one.

Put your foot in it and this car moves with refined grace. The four-speed automatic snicks off the shifts with silent precision. You’ll never guess what gear you’re in.

The suspension has been revised this year. The electronically adjustable version (or Driver Select System in Lincolnese) is optional, not standard. The standard setup is a soft one, with gas-charged shock absorbers at all four corners. The test car was fitted with this bit of optional gimmickry — it’s the only way to get a firmer ride than the standard gear. The handling can be tuned to plush (lots of bouncing and diving), normal (less of it) or firm (snubbed down with little body lean). The last setting proved the best, even though it transmitted some suspensio n joint thumping.

There’s little rear axle hop, and cornering grip was surprisingly high. Traction control is standard, and it allows just enough wheel spin to chirp the tires on initial acceleration.

Despite all this, you’d never classify this car as a sports sedan — it’s too plush for that. Body lean is present enough to snuff out any such aspirations. Despite the electronics in the suspension, the ride and chassis stiffness isn’t world class, even if the rest of the car approaches that mark. But the soft ride and lack of sportiness is true of some others in this class as well, such as Acura, Lexus or Infiniti.

For most people, optimum handling isn’t a concern; rather, it’s luxurious comfort and lots of features. And on that score, this car delivers more pampering than anyone except your mom.

Headlights bothering you at night? The electrochromatic mirror tints it darker. The doors lock automatically. The headlamps come on automatically as well. The aut matic climate control will heat and cool things nicely, and the heated front seats will toast you quickly. The trip computer will endlessly entertain you with driving info, such as miles per gallon or distance to empty. The optional CD changer is mounted in the center console between the bucket seats, as is an optional cellular phone. The radio volume increases automatically with speed. If the air bags deploy, the car automatically relates that information and your location to a global positioning satellite and emergency response is notified. Lincoln even offers run-flat tires, capable of running without air for up to 100 miles.

So it’s easy to see that you’re well taken care of, but what’s is it like as the miles pile up? The seats are soft, yet supportive — a feat few automakers can match. The car is quiet for the most part, but tire noise does intrude a bit at highway speed. The ergonomics function well, but there’s no place to put a turnpike ticket and the change holder is placed inconveniently.

Despite the generous 18.9 cubic foot trunk, there’s no cargo net, a touch found on cars half the price. And the trunk hinges eat into cargo space. There are designs that avoid this faux pas, but Ford opted not to do it.

Finally, the new interior is nice, especially the chrome bezel around the transmission lever. But the genuine maple trim seems tacky and fake.

Kudos to Ford for the suede dashboard top. It prevents the windshield from filling with bothersome reflections. Ditto the quality feel of the controls, something Cadillac hasn’t fully mastered.

And the best part of all is, this car usually has a nice discount on it, meaning it’s a good deal in the luxury car field, yielding decent handling and great new looks for a good price.

Maybe now, the car finally lives up to its heritage.

1998 Lincoln Continental Standard: 4.6-liter double overhead-cam V8, four-speed electronic automatic transmission, keyless entry, dual heated outside mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, front overhead console, five-passenger leather seats, automatic climate control with rear seat air ducts and air-filtration system, anti-theft alarm, automatic parking brake release, delayed accessory power, automatic headlamps, automatic power door locks, power windows with driver’s side express down and child lock, message center, two power points, AM/ FM four-speaker stereo cassette player, dual air bags, four-wheel power disc brakes with anti-lock, cruise control, variable assist power steering, automatic load-leveling suspension, all-speed traction control, intermittent windshield wipers. Options: RESCU Package (voice-activated cellular phone, JBL audio system, programmable garage door opener), Personal Security Package (run-flat tires, tire-pressure alert sensor, programmable garage door opener), power moon roof, heated front seats, highly polished aluminum wheels, Driver Select System, comp act disc changer. Base price: $37,830 As tested: $44,820 EPA rating: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway Test mileage: 19 mpg

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Current plus five previous model years / Less than 60,000 actual miles
Basic
6 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited warranty
Dealer certification
200-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.9
Interior 4.9
Performance 4.7
Value 4.9
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • Amazing car! Definitely get if given the chance!

    I got this car when I was 16 as a first car, and I'm currently 21 and still driving it. It has needed to have some work done, but for a 23 year old car with 150,000 miles it performs exceptionally. It's handled well for a long time and it seems as though it's got a while to go. With regular maintenance this car can definitely see 200,000 - 250,000 miles. The interior is perfect, seats are insanely comfortable and speakers really bang. If you're looking for a cheap and reliable car, this is the way to go.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • One of the best cars that I have owned

    I am the second owner of the car and have had it since 2000. Excellent on fuel, plenty of get up and go, very comfortable, reliable, amd have had very little repairs, mostly just regular maintance.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 98 Lincoln Continental Beautiful 68K Miles

    This car looks and drives like new. Low mileage, transmission replaced at 50,000 miles. Gets up to 25mpg/19mpg. Leather seats in perfect condition. Most comfortable car I have ever owned.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 1998 Lincoln Continental

    Very nice car and a very safe car nice car for the expressway on trips or driving around in the city
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • It looked newer than a 1998

    I think somebody made a huge mistake when they discontinued this work of art. We are the second owner of this car and it was taken care of very well. Some of my friends thought I was crazy for buying a 1998 in 2011, but when they seen the car it was a different story. My wife and I love this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Good Ride For The Money

    This car was dropped from production after the 2002 model... That's a shame. I'm looking to find a newer one than mine, and ones with the console shifter are hard to find.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 1998 Lincoln Continental

    This is the First automible I have ever owned, at age (16) I decided the way to go was Pick-Up Trucks. Over the years I have owned (20), I am now (60) years old and decided to purchase a "car" that would reflect that, after retirement, "I have arrived" . . . THe older cars appeal to me and I am not disappointed in this "one" previous owner purchase . . . a 1998 that looks to be a 2010 as far as the condition, beautiful car, all the luxioury and HP you could want, original miles at purchase (28,000) . . . now almost (65,000) not bad for a 1998 . . . Absoutely No Mechanical Problems with this vehicle . . . There is No Way I would ever sell this car . . . It is my drive around to be noticed vehicle . . . I think FORD errored in discontinuing the Continental after the 2004 production run . . . Buy one, you will Love It . . .
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 98 Continental

    These were $43,000 cars new...so they were built to last. Great ride and low noise. Can't complain about the killer sound system, either.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Excellent value

    I have driven loads of cars over the years and this is the most comfortable car I've ever owned. It is spacious and the seats are like sitting in a recliner at home! I love that the passenger's front seat lays almost totally flat so people can rest. The AC is ice cold - the lighting it excellent. Getting 18-20city and 25-28hiway mpg, too!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 98 Continental

    I have owned one for a year and used to build them. Very powerful, though the interior could use some upgrading. Moot point since it is no longer made.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • My favorite of all cars I have owned.

    The car has performed remarkably. Hyway milage is 25-26 with a 32 valve V8 with plenty of power. No rattles, trouble free, excellent ride, beautiful styling that still looks modern.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

Is the 1998 Lincoln Continental reliable?

The 1998 Lincoln Continental has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1998 Lincoln Continental owners.

Is the 1998 Lincoln Continental a good vehicle?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1998 Lincoln Continental. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.9
  • Interior: 4.9
  • Performance: 4.7
  • Value: 4.9
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.8

Lincoln Continental history

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