1998 Lincoln Continental Review
1998 Lincoln Continental Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Jaquaresque styling on a full-size American road schooner. Powerful twin-cam V8 engine.
Cons
- Poorly sorted suspension. Lousy resale value.
What’s new
Lincoln's front-wheel-drive luxo-barge gets a bigger grille (just what it needs) and rounded corners. It also gets an interior freshening that replaces the digital clock with an analog timepiece.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$231/mo for Continental Base
Continental Base
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Luxury means different things to different people. For some, unparalleled comfort is the definition of the term. Others look for excellence in engineering. Some prefer distinct styling or confident performance. The new Continental blends certain of these elements into one convincing package, but the result is a rather bland sedan that doesn't stand out from the crowd the way a BMW 540i or Cadillac Seville does.
A V8 engine and multi-adjustable suspension are two of the highlights of the Continental. The engine is the familiar 4.6-liter In-Tech motor from the Town Car and Mark VIII, producing 260 horsepower in this application. The suspension setup offers three settings: firm, normal and soft. Soft gives passengers a floaty, well-isolated ride, while firm stiffens the suspension for spirited driving.
Electroluminescent gauges, just like those on a Lexus, keep the driver informed, and the quality of the interior materials and textures is first rate. The cabin seems somewhat small, but the rear seat still offers limo-like room, just like the previous Continental. Outside, the influence of the Mark VIII is quite evident in the sloping hood, front styling and bulging side sheetmetal. We find the new shape to be somewhat homely, though from the rear quarter view the car is stunning.
Lincoln concentrated on safety for the 1997 Continental, and introduced some neat gadgets that deserve mention again this year. An optional Personal Security Package includes run-flat Michelin tires mounted on special chrome alloy wheels, a garage door opener and a sophisticated global satellite rescue system. The tires are designed to travel up to 20 miles at 50 mph with no loss of steering or control if they go flat. Slowing down will increase the distance they can travel. A new transmitter system can learn up to three garage and security system codes. But the big news is the Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit (RESCU). Mounted in the overhead console are two buttons. One of them links the driver to roadside assistance. The other links the driver to medical or law enforcement personnel. The system transmits the Vehicle Identification Number of the car, as well as its location to within 100 feet via a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). The driver, or passengers,can use the telephone in the console to talk with operators who respond to the signal put out by the RESCU system. This is probably the most important safety innovation since airbags and antilock brakes. In addition to the RESCU system, Lincoln adds a singe-key locking system to the Continental.
New for 1998 is rounded sheetmetal at all four corners, a longer rear deck, an even bigger grille and a restyled interior that includes a new clock.
Is the Continental worthy of inclusion in the over $40,000 luxury car class? Yes, particularly when equipped with the RESCU system. However, more distinctive styling would go a long way towards making the Continental more palatable.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Lincoln Continental.
5 star(80%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
41 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Nice Car but beware
valkarie, 10/28/2011
1998 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
I bought my 1998 Continental with 100k miles on it.
I love the way it handles and the gas mileage is not to bad average 22.9.
Premium fuel is expensive.
Beware of the suspension. Rattle in the rear end can cost you over 1200 bucks. I had to replace my AC, Charging system, Battery, Tire rod ends wiring harness, all the pulleys and belts about 3k worth of work in 45k miles.
It does not … hold an alignment well and eats tires.
The resale is TERRIBLE. I have 146k on mine now and lucky to get $1700 bucks RETAIl. I had a Grand Marquis before this and I am picking up my Town Car tommorow.
I am done putting money in a hole.
Although you can buy these cheap beware they can get very expensive.
4.5 out of 5 stars
LOVE MY HOT ROD LINCOLN
Don Spry, 05/07/2010
1998 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
I bought this car in Arizona in summer, 2008. It had 85k on it. It was during the time of rising gas prices at $4/gallon and paid $5000. Having never owned a Lincoln, I thought now was the time to give it a whirl. The car is stunning to look at - with a Southwest Edition update. Folks tell me regularly how beautiful it looks. It is red, cream interior,cream faux convertable top, wrapped … in chrome, and has some faux gold trim too. Very fetching. I have now driven the car 35k. Only problem was a minor sensor with the tranny that cost $10. The vehicle average about 20 mpg, which is okay for me. Biggest problem I have with it is the suspension. It bottoms HARD.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Still Going Strong!
bigB, 07/01/2010
1998 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
I bought this car when it was ten years old and had 86000 miles on it. I must say I wasn't looking for a Lincoln, but it was sitting next to the car I was looking at, and after checking it out on Edmund's, went back to test drive it. Wow, what a car! 21 mpg in town, and 25 on hwy! Had to have the rear air suspension R&R and went with a retro fit set of springs which the local ford … dealer installed after I purchased them online. One of the best cars I've owned.
3.75 out of 5 stars
Nice car for the money
ED, 10/18/2007
1998 Lincoln Continental 4dr Sedan
4 years of ownership and had very little issues with the car. 2 coil on plugs went bad $125 a pop. Front suspension overhaul( tie rods, sway bars) car had a clunk over bumps and never was fixed after 4 trips. I think its a design flaw as many other owners suffer this annoying noise. Alternator and battery at 110k other than that and a few other things the car is solid, especially now … you can get one dirt cheap infact cheaper that a similar year Accord or sometimes Civic. Solid motor, guy I sold it to at 110k now has 180k on it without much work. makes me regret selling it. tranny can be iffy on some of these car so make sure if shifts good. Hold off for a 99 model many improvement
1998 Continental Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $231/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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