Renting a 2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited-- Review

[96Fleetwood]

Bone stock Fleetwoods do 0-60 from 7.7-8.1 seconds depending on the rear end it came with.

I did have some 0-80 mph runs on video, but have to upload them again. The only comparision I have is that I was able to pull on my brothers 2003 DTS by a car length from a 0-60 mph start.. and that was before my 3.73 gears and Eaton posi.

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Getting sick of looking at Fleetwood tailights eh? Nowhere in your heavily biased review of sorts did you mention that the LT1 Fleetwoods are much more powerful and a lot quicker. For a lot of people that difference alone would make many not even consider a TC of your vintage as an alternative to a Fleetwood (myself being one). Now I know you like your cars and I'm betting your TC gives you something you never had before from a luxury car standpoint being that you are young but you do realize that putting down other cars doesn't make your car any nicer right. You know I've owned many cars but I never sit there and put down cars unless I actually owned them and didn't like them. Take my '98 Deville, I'm pretty vocal about my dislike for that car due to "issues" and the fact that I see many others with the same "issues". There is much to like about a N* powered car but the bad outweighs the good IMO.

Uh...

I didn't mention any power difference, because it wasn't of direct concern to me... and I was simply saying why I preferred the Town Car over the Fleetwood.

I'm betting your TC gives you something you never had before from a luxury car standpoint being that you are young

What is that supposed to mean? Really? Why add the young part in? does it make you feel better yourself? I did have a '93 Coupe DeVille for 3 years/40k miles prior to the Lincoln. That was stolen. Heck I also had a '79 DeVille.

I am not putting down any cars, nor am I trying to make my car sound nicer, I coudln't care less what you think of my car, I simply said why *I* do not like the Fleetwood. Durring your selective reading, you must have skipped the part in my post where I said I tried to like the Fleetwood. There was a time that I wanted to get one, but then I realized the only thing I liked about the car was that it was in fact a Cadillac, and it was big. I didn't like the styling, the interior, or the extreme lack of options compared to any other Cadillac of the same time period. It wasn't for me.

Oh, also... the LT1 does nothing for me... sorry if that bursts your bubble.

I don't get tired of seeing Fleetwood tail lights... mostly because I very rarely actually see a Fleetwood... a few in FL, none here in GA and a couple on the highway in between.... plus, the average driver that drives a Fleetwood isn't into showing the other guy their tail lights.... but the same can be said about the Town Car... we are in the same boat.

At any point, it's quite interesting how fast you jumped on me for saying the reasons why I do not like a car... none of which have anything to do with actually owning it. You can not like a car because of the way it looks or the features/lack of, without ever owning a car... isn't that the whole point to then own a car that you like? You jumped on me for saying how I feel about the styling of a particular car... thats not very nice, is it?

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by 96Fleetwood

Did the 1996 Town Cars take care of that stupid intake manifold problem?

'96 origanally had the plastic intkae that would crack, When I bought my car, it was already changed, I have the revised intake manifold... I was pretty happy to find out aobut it. Ford will repay you if you have the old intake manifold and get the new one installed though.

Anyways, I am on day 5 and 340 miles of driving the 2007 TC Signature Limited. After a short drive to the bank yesterday, I came back and drove my brother's 1994 Roadmaster with 55K miles to compare. I swear the LT1 is more responsive and the handling is about the same. If it wasn't for the interior on the Lincoln, you would swear the two came from the same era.

Thats because they do. Drive that '94 Roadmaster and nearly any other 1994 car and you'd say the same about the Roadmaster... even the newest of new Town Cars are still riding the Panther chassis, which first came out in 1980, which means it had to be put on the drawing board around the mid 70's. In comparisor, the '94 Roadmaster, just as the last gen Fleetwood are riding the same chassis that was first used on the '77 DeVille, which was designed around the same time as the Panther, under all the pretty sheetmetal and modern interior, all of these cars here are right from the 70's.... minus disc brakes and rack and pinion steering in some cases etc... The car is nothing new underneath, but it dosn't try to be anything it isn't either.

I still can't break the 16 mpg mark on the TC! I got in my Dad's 2005 STS V8 and he is averaging 17.1 mpg, and at least that car has over 300hp from a 4.6 liter.

Hmm, thats one thing that really surprises me.... As a daily driver, I am averaging 20mpg on regular gas with my Town Car... not much highway there, but various 30-55mph stretches and stuff. On the highway I am getting up to 25/MAYBE 26mpg, but normally it is around 23... which is low to me, but i think it has to do with the way the car is geared... I think I am driving past the optimum fuel econ range.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Night Wolf

Uh...

I didn't mention any power difference, because it wasn't of direct concern to me... and I was simply saying why I preferred the Town Car over the Fleetwood.



What is that supposed to mean? Really? Why add the young part in? does it make you feel better yourself? I did have a '93 Coupe DeVille for 3 years/40k miles prior to the Lincoln. That was stolen. Heck I also had a '79 DeVille.

I am not putting down any cars, nor am I trying to make my car sound nicer, I coudln't care less what you think of my car, I simply said why *I* do not like the Fleetwood. Durring your selective reading, you must have skipped the part in my post where I said I tried to like the Fleetwood. There was a time that I wanted to get one, but then I realized the only thing I liked about the car was that it was in fact a Cadillac, and it was big. I didn't like the styling, the interior, or the extreme lack of options compared to any other Cadillac of the same time period. It wasn't for me.

Oh, also... the LT1 does nothing for me... sorry if that bursts your bubble.

I don't get tired of seeing Fleetwood tail lights... mostly because I very rarely actually see a Fleetwood... a few in FL, none here in GA and a couple on the highway in between.... plus, the average driver that drives a Fleetwood isn't into showing the other guy their tail lights.... but the same can be said about the Town Car... we are in the same boat.

At any point, it's quite interesting how fast you jumped on me for saying the reasons why I do not like a car... none of which have anything to do with actually owning it. You can not like a car because of the way it looks or the features/lack of, without ever owning a car... isn't that the whole point to then own a car that you like? You jumped on me for saying how I feel about the styling of a particular car... thats not very nice, is it?

Nobody is jumping all over you. Its just that when YOU get a car, any car, it is the be all of the automotive world. Guys with new XLR's and CTSV's dont do as much boasting as you do over an old Amigo. Anyway, you have nice rides, enjoy!.

[77CDV]

One thing that stikes me in this whole discussion is how easily the TC is relegated to the status of great livery vehicle. For me, that's the saddest statement. The Town Car is the spiritual decendent of the K-Series and the Continental, arguable two of the finest luxury models of their day. The Lincoln K-Series cars were gorgeous beasts from the classic era, massive, powerful, and far more luxurious (and expensive) than any contemporary Cadillac. They played more with the Pierce-Arrows and Packards. And who could forget the elegant, understated Lincoln Continentals of the early 1960s? And now their direct decendant is "a great livery verhicle". Reminds me of the 1957 "Packardbakers". Depressing.

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Nobody is jumping all over you. Its just that when YOU get a car, any car, it is the be all of the automotive world. Guys with new XLR's and CTSV's dont do as much boasting as you do over an old Amigo. Anyway, you have nice rides, enjoy!.

I enjoy my cars and the uniqueness that each one of them has.... what can I say, its my hobby.... what I enjoy doing

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by 77CDV

One thing that stikes me in this whole discussion is how easily the TC is relegated to the status of great livery vehicle. For me, that's the saddest statement. The Town Car is the spiritual decendent of the K-Series and the Continental, arguable two of the finest luxury models of their day. The Lincoln K-Series cars were gorgeous beasts from the classic era, massive, powerful, and far more luxurious (and expensive) than any contemporary Cadillac. They played more with the Pierce-Arrows and Packards. And who could forget the elegant, understated Lincoln Continentals of the early 1960s? And now their direct decendant is "a great livery verhicle". Reminds me of the 1957 "Packardbakers". Depressing.

If it wasn't for the livery service, then the Town Car woudln't be around today.... it dosn't compare to more modern cars that cost the same as far as refinement and stuff that the average person wants. The amount of people in the "I want a traditional American luxury boat" crowd is skrinking every day.

But on the same note, the Town Car has the lvery market cornered.... nearly any time you would need to rent a stretch limo, it would be a Lincoln Town Car.... they get alot of attention and transport a whole lotta people from high school proms to leaders of nations.... thats not too depressing to me.

But, I know what you mean.... and in order to change that about the Town Car, Lincoln would basically have to change everything that makes the Town Car.... a Town Car.

[AlBundy]

I think some people think of the car as a big taxi instead of luxury vehicle. I agree its a very nice vehicle and have always wondered if Cadillac somewhat gave up on the livery vehicle business to persue a new image for the Deville. Cadillac has/had the old mans car image and the LTC will always be thought of as a livery/old mans car(IMO) but when did that fraze become such a bad thing. No insult intended.

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by 77CDV

One thing that stikes me in this whole discussion is how easily the TC is relegated to the status of great livery vehicle. For me, that's the saddest statement. The Town Car is the spiritual decendent of the K-Series and the Continental, arguable two of the finest luxury models of their day. The Lincoln K-Series cars were gorgeous beasts from the classic era, massive, powerful, and far more luxurious (and expensive) than any contemporary Cadillac. They played more with the Pierce-Arrows and Packards. And who could forget the elegant, understated Lincoln Continentals of the early 1960s? And now their direct decendant is "a great livery verhicle". Reminds me of the 1957 "Packardbakers". Depressing.

Times change. And unless Lincoln and Cadillac want to step up and enter their TCs and DTSs into the world of the uber-sedans, this is where they belong. Hooray for the cheuffeur...

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by Night Wolf

Hmm, I'll have to try that. Was it deisgned like that or does it just happen to work that way?...For mist i used to just move it to delay then back off.... but I'll have to try it out though, that'll be neat!

I'm pretty sure they designed it like that. It took me awhile to figure it out. I believe it is listed in the manual...

[thebigjimsho]

As for mileage, I generally get about 15-17mpg in my L. That's with a lot of idling and city driving. Highway miles is around 26mpg.

[Sandy]

Okay, sticking out my neck....
As you all know, I own a 2003 LTC Limited Edition (1 of 1033 made).
I shopped the 2003 deVille & Town Car. I bought the Town Car based upon features that would benefit me & my wife. 0-60 is not what I buy a Cadillac or Lincon for. Neither is cornering. If speed & cornering were paramount to me, I'd drive either a Mustang GT or a Corvette or a 340 H.P. Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. Things that I liked on the TC that were lacking on the DTS were the power seat controls, which on the Caddy were buried down deep on the side of the seats, between the seat side & the door panel. On the Town Car they are on the driver's control console on the door panel. MUCH easier to use.
The Caddy had a Power trunk release from the key fob, as did the Lincoln. The Caddy's popped the trunk up 3". What good is that, if your arms are loaded with packages? You still have to put something down to stick a finger under the lid's lip and lift the trunk lid up. The Lincoln's power trunk powers the deck lid all the way up - to the fully opened posistion.
My wife is short. She is 5 feet tall. When the Caddys trunk lid is fully opened, she cannot reach it to pull it down. I'd have to attach a string for her to pull it down with. The Lincoln's is key fob power operates it self & powers itself all the way down and locks & secures itself. All from either the key fob OR the driver's door panel !
We do one heck of alot of grocery shopping once a week. Mega big orders. The Lincoln's trunk has actually held 22 bags of grocerys. It's gigantic.
I liked the fact that you could besides setting the headlights to stay lit for a driver controlled time, after leaving the car, that on the Lincoln you could also choose one (left OR right) Cornering Light to also stay illuminated with the headlights. This is good as it illuminates the walkway from the driveway to the house door.
The Caddy has a heated, auto dimming driver exterior mirror. The Lincoln has the same, but also on the passenger's side too !!
The Caddy (in 2003) had me choosing between a cassette & a CD. I have both, cassettes and CDs, that I like. The Lincoln has both plus more! I have an in dash, single slot CD AND a trunk mounted 6 disc CD and an in dash Cassette, too.
The Hoods. The Caddy hood, like the Lincoln has an interior release. Both cars have under the hood secondary releases. On the Caddy (2003) You click that release, and lift the hood. On the Lincoln, you click that release, and the Lincoln self raises it's hood ! No lifting !
Most of all, I love the buttons (exterior) on the driver's door. If I am outdoors without my car keys, and need something in the car (or the trunk) I just tap in my 5 digit code and the door (or doors) unlock & 1 more digit pops the trunk. This is very handy when you are outdoors doing yard-work and you sneeze & need a tissue !!
These are just some of the very neat features the Town Car had, that the Caddy did not. The Lincoln rides very plush, soft & forgiving. It's like every crummy road's pavement was repaved that day! Power? No, it's no road burner, but a parrot doesn't bark. Ya want bark, ya get a dog. Ya want 0-60 performance? You don't buy a TC.
I also love my 1993 Sixty Special ! In it's day it was #1. Time is fast passing it by, but it's still a great classic car. The last Caddy with chrome bumpers, "opera lights", white leather interior, factory padded vinyl top, and lamp monitors.

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by Sandy

0-60 is not what I buy a Cadillac or Lincon for. Neither is cornering. If speed & cornering were paramount to me, I'd drive either a Mustang GT or a Corvette or a 340 H.P. Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.

I take offense with that remark...




Me buying these 2 cars in '04 lowered the average driving age of each marque a good 10 years...

[96Fleetwood]

I appreciate the different opinions on the TC, that is what makes the forums a great place

The sad part is that the Lincoln Signature Limited had a MSRP of $50,800!!

Thank goodness Ford knocks a good 10-18% off that MSRP because at $50K... there are so many European and Japanese luxury vehicles that are far more advanced and well worth the money.

Now I know why my father has 4 antique Cadillacs and 1 antique Buick, because the new versions of these cars are not what they used to be. He does have a 2005 STS as a daily driver, but his two main luxury vehicles are a SL55 AMG and a 760 Li.

[Night Wolf]

I seem to like older generations of cars more then newer ones... then as time goes by, I start to like those etc...

the '98+ TC still hasn't grown on me... though the '03+ restyle really helps alot.... but man, I just really like my '96... like I said, I couldn't stand these before I even realized the '95 restyle... I was quite surprised.

Although these large American cars are my favorite of all.... IMO, my Town Car dosn't scream "old person car" when I look at it, I just can't help but think I am driving my own personal limo everytime I get in it.... it looks very classy and elegant, with a bold traditonal American look.... I really like it!







Only things I am going to do to the outside is... install the molded splash guards, then I'd like to get a new hood ornament and new headlights... I'm also going to get the windows tinted... should make it look better too.

In comparison, my parents recetnly got a '98 Park Ave.... its a really nice car, and I like it... it looks nice, but it lacks the classy formal look of the Town Car and kinda falls into the old person looking car.