Ask the Best And Brightest: What's Up With the Lincoln Town Car?

I'm not going to read all the pro/negative comments here before posting, I've read enough. The reliability of the old/updated Panther platform speaks for itself. But I've driven many, MANY cars over the years, and especially so when I worked as a body man at a body shop. For anyone to say the big boaty Lincoln Town Cars are not fun to drive...just doesn't like driving. It's an experience. You don't just plug in and go, you have to THINK about what you are doing at all times, back when driving a car took some skill. If you want to get in, turn the key (or press a button),turn on your radio, join the commute, and get to your destination- while not THINKING about what you are doing or the COMFORT you are achieving...well, there are plenty of cars for that NOW. You may as well be taking a bike to work. It serves the same purpose. My '99 TC is in the body shop thanks to a careless driver and a parking lot. I'm currently driving a new Fusion. It's a great car in terms of quality, but it averages the same MPG on the same drive as my TC, and is just not that 'fun' to drive. I feel now, like everyone else on the road, in their little 'bean' commuter capsules. Cars people have no passion for. TC owners have a passion for what they drive. I thought a lot about this on my way to work the other day. The Fusion (and any of the 100 similar cars) are a great car to get from point a to b, but I don't look forward to getting in it and actually maneuvering this car like my Lincoln. NO passion. I have no feelings positive or negative towards it. (And it's not a rental, BTW, I do have to take care of it.) I do however feel a certain way about my Lincoln Town Car. It's mine. I like it. It fits me. I look forward to driving it. Nuff said. BTW, I've had a '77, a '90, and now, my '99 Town Car...they have all been 'fun' cars to have...and the cars people want rides in on trips, that's for sure... Call me old, call me sentimental, call me non-green, but for this 34 year old, I like a car that you have to pay attention to what you're doing while driving, and feel like I am driving a couch at the same time.

As a driver, theres better cars. As a passenger, riding a Lincoln is like riding a cloud. The Most Comfortable Car Ever!! There is nothing better than taking an hour or two highway ride in a Lincoln Town Car.

Todays's must-haves can't touch the simplicity, ride, or elegance of the TC. Car shopping seems to be an exercise in choosing the blandest, and most similar to the current japanese crop of sewing machines, no character, no comfort, no style. The TC has all of these in spades, whether it suits your personal taste or not. I have to agree with Mercman, you either get it, or you don't. The new cars are just to vanilla bland for my taste. I'll keep my 96 TownCar Cartier and enjoy watching the scenery slide peacefully and quietly by.