2003 Lincoln Town Car Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Revised styling, underskin mechanical changes, and the midyear availability of a navigation system highlight the 2003 revamp of the lone American-brand rear-wheel-drive full-size luxury sedan. Town Car ascends through Executive, Signature, and Cartier trim levels, topped by a limousinelike Cartier L that adds six inches to the wheelbase. All retain a 4.6-liter V8, which gains 14 hp this year. A 4-speed automatic is the sole transmission. Traction control is standard, but no antiskid system is offered. New for '03 is a revamped frame and suspension, different steering system, and standard 17-inch tires vs. 16s. Brakes are antilock 4-wheel discs, now with full-power assist. In addition to reworked front and rear sheetmetal, Town Car has a restyled dashboard with a dual-zone climate system and CD/cassette audio. Front side airbags are new and standard, but rear airbags or curtain side airbags are unavailable. Power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, and a front bench seat are standard. A rear-obstacle-detection system is optional on Executive, standard elsewhere. High-intensity headlamps and the new navigation system are available on all but the Executive. With the advent of the navigation system, Lincoln dropped its formerly optional Vehicle Communications System.

Competition

With wide price ranges and numerous body configurations, this diverse segment has two clear Best Buy choices--the refined Lexus LS 430 and the unique Audi A6. The LS 430 can't be beat for comfort and features at around $55,000, while the A6 earns Best Buy status for its blend of space, performance, design sophistication, powertrain choices, and workmanship at prices below those of most rivals.

We Recommend the Acura RL--a steal at around $45,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. If you are looking for something a bit more sporting, we Recommend BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the roomy Cadillac DeVille.

News

Town Car remains a cash cow for Lincoln, but isn't selling like it used to: down 17.9 percent year-to-year for calendar 2001 and another 13.6 percent in the first half of '02. This is why the 2003 models were heavily revised and launched early. Whether Town Car sales perk up remains to be seen. But one thing has been clear for a long time. Like Cadillac's equally traditional DeVille, Town Car appeals to an aging audience that's shrinking year-by-year, which means demand will eventually reach a literal dead end.

Even so, Lincoln apparently isn't giving up on big sedans. While Town Car should run pretty much as is for the next few years, observers expect it will get a more contemporary running mate. Said to be inspired by the retro-look 2002 Continental concept, it would be a more sophisticated full-size Lincoln aimed at younger buyers. Specifics and timing are unknown, but the model may bring the Continental name out of limbo and could eventually replace Town Car altogether.

2003 Lincoln Town Car Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Quietness	Rear visibility

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Cartier L	Class Average
4	6.5

Despite slight power gain, feels no livelier than '02 Town Car: Both took 9.5 sec 0-60 mph in tests of Cartier L versions. All models some 250 lb heavier for '03, so still trail Cadillac DeVilles for overall acceleration, though they're quick enough. Transmission hesitates to kick down for passing, but is otherwise responsive and smooth, though most rivals get 5-speed automatics.

Fuel Economy

Cartier L	Class Average
4	4.1

Test Cartier L averaged 16.0 mpg, hurt slightly by gas-eating performance tests. Lincoln recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Cartier L	Class Average
8	8.2

American-luxury traditional. Absorbent and hushed, though chassis revisions bring markedly better body control over humps. Patter nicely checked on washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Cartier L	Class Average
4	6.6

Fast cornering less "nautical" now, but Town Car still leans more than import-brand rivals. Steering slightly overboosted, but precision and feedback vastly better with new rack-and-pinion system vs. prior recirculating-ball setup. Traction control a must for snowy climates, though this system tends to kill power at just the wrong moment for maintaining speed on slippery surfaces. Braking short and stable for a heavyweight, with fair but not-alarming nosedive in sudden stops.

Quietness

Cartier L	Class Average
8	7.8

Fine, but not best in class. Engine muted even at full throttle, and tire thrum noticed only on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises above 60 mph, but doesn't intrude.

Controls

Cartier L	Class Average
7	5.7

Tradition-bound, with no-surprises layout. Power-adjustable pedals help shorter drivers sit further from steering-wheel airbag. Over-shoulder visibility hampered by thick roof pillars. Switchgear too generic, but interior materials richer and more upscale for '03, approaching those of some costlier import-brand rivals. We've not yet tested a Town Car with navigation system.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Cartier L	Class Average
7	8.1

Three can squeeze in on standard bench seat, but middle rider will straddle transmission hump. Abundant head room and outboard leg room.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Cartier L	Class Average
8	7.6

Cartier L's bountiful 47.1 inches of rear leg room tops in class among regular factory models. Other Town Cars have good leg room. All have generous head clearance. But three adults is a squeeze here too, and the rear bench isn't as sofa-comfortable as it looks.

Cargo Room

Cartier L	Class Average
6	4.8

Most trunk space concentrated in a deep center well, so shifting heavy objects is a strain. But trunk more sensibly laid out now, with spare tire mounted vertically inside right rear fender instead of horizontally over the axle. Trunk opening 7.8 inches wider, liftover slightly lower for '03. Useful removable bin, with lid and partitions, occupies trunk well in Cartiers; available as an accessory on Signature.

Value within Class

Cartier L	Class Average
4	5.3

Town Car shines for American-style luxury, space, and isolation, and for '03 adds a welcome measure of dynamic confidence and ride control. Cadillac's DeVille still has an edge with its more-modern engineering, but the latest Town Car represents a thoughtful update of a time-honored formula.

Total Score

Cartier L	Class Average
60	64.7

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		51
Average Score		64
High Score		80

2003 Lincoln Town Car Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/06/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Executive 4-door sedan	$40,785	$37,427	$795

Signature 4-door sedan	$43,245	$39,641	$795

Signature Premium 4-door sedan	$45,375	$41,558	$795

Cartier 4-door sedan	$45,855	$41,989	$795

Cartier Premium 4-door sedan	$47,985	$43,907	$795

Cartier L 4-door	$51,315	$46,903	$795

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Executive

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate control, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, dual 8-way power front split bench seat w/power recliners and lumbar support, power-adjustable pedals, cupholders, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, rear defogger, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, analog clock, universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, remote fuel-door and decklid release, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, automatic headlights, automatic parking-brake release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, 225/60R17 tires, alloy wheels.

Signature adds to Executive:

Safety

Rear-obstacle-detection system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals), heated front seats, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, Alpine sound system, rain-sensing wipers.

Signature Premium adds to Signature:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power sunroof, 6-disc CD changer.

Cartier adds to Signature:

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, chrome alloy wheels.

Cartier Premium adds to Cartier:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power sunroof, 6-disc CD changer.

Cartier L adds to Cartier:

Comfort and Convenience Features

6-inch longer wheelbase, 6-disc CD changer, rear radio and climate controls, rear controls for front passenger seat, heated rear seats, rear illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

High-intensity-discharge headlights.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
220A/230A Premium Series Order Code
Signature Premium, Cartier Premium	$0	$0
(credit)	$-605	$-526
Std. equipment.

Limited Edition Pkg.
Signature	$2,730	$2,376
Signature w/navigation, Signature Premium	$2,125	$1,849
Unique interior and exterior trim, 6-disc CD changer, full-power decklid, trunk amenities system, high-intensity-discharge headlights, fog lights.

Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
Executive	$250	$218


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Signature, Cartier	$3,100	$2,697
Signature Premium, Cartier Premium, Cartier L	$2,495	$2,171
Includes voice-recognition, in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

6-disc CD changer
Signature, Cartier	$605	$526


Trunk amenities system
Signature, Signature Premium	$195	$170
Std. Cartier

High-intensity-discharge headlights
Cartier, Cartier Premium	$495	$431


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Two-tone paint
Signature, Signature Premium	$295	$257


Special Paint
Executive, Signature, Signature Premium	$595	$518


Full-size spare tire
Executive, Signature, Signature Premium	$295	$257
Cartier, Cartier Premium	$433	$377


225/60R17 whitewall tires
Cartier, Cartier L, Cartier Premium, Executive, Signature, Signature Premium	$125	$109

2003 Lincoln Town Car Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lincoln Town Car 4-door sedan	Lincoln Town Car (L) 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	117.7	123.7

Overall Length, in.	215.4	221.4

Overall Width, in.	78.2	78.2

Overall Height, in.	59.0	59.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	4308	4428

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	21.1	21.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0	19.0

Seating Capacity	6	6

Front Head Room, in.	39.3	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	45.8	45.8

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6	37.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	41.1	47.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.6 /281

Horsepower @ rpm.	239 @ 4900

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	287 @ 4100

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	17/25

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Lincoln Town Car 4-door sedan	Lincoln Town Car (L) 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5	NA

Front Impact, Passenger	5	NA

Rollover Resistance	5	NA

Side Impact, Driver	5	NA

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5	NA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	3/36,000	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2003 Lincoln Town Car Photos

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Lincoln Town Car Road Test

Lincoln Town Car Prices & Equipment

Lincoln Town Car Specs & Safety

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