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97 lincoln continental

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alphatarget1

Diamond Member
A friend of mine is buying a car and we looked at a 97 lincoln continental for less than 5k at 47k miles. I checked the fluids, tires looked ok, CV boot looked ok, and everything else works. Do y'all think it's a good deal? Did I miss anything?
 
It's based on the Taurus, with a different engine, sheetmetal, and interior.

The Continental has air suspension at all four corners (my 1997 Town Car only has air suspension in the back) and these are wear & tear parts that probably need to be replaced on the car. At 47k miles, it's probably on the original air springs, also.

You want to see the car after it has been sitting overnight and look at the ride height - if it doesn't loose any height when it's left to sit for a night or so, you can probably keep driving on the air springs in the car. If the ride is noticeable lower after the car has been sitting overnight, then you need to replace the air springs sooner rather than later, or else you'll be looking at a burned out air compressor.

I replaced my air springs with Arnott parts, they enjoy a pretty good rep in the lincoln community (yes, there is a lincoln community), and they are way cheaper than motorcraft parts.

I don't really know much else about the continental. Honestly, I much prefer the Town Car to the Continental, but I've heard really good things about how Continentals ride.

So my advice is inquire about the air suspension. If it's on original parts you are looking at an expensive repair on that car in the near future.
 
One other warning about the air suspension: You must remember to turn it off every time the car is going to be put on a lift or otherwise jacked into the air (even for changing a tire at the side of the road).

I don't know about the Continental specifically, but the Mark VIII that I used to have had conventional springs available (from a 3rd party) to replace the air springs. You would lose the self-leveling but gain a lot in simplicity and maintenance if something similar is available for the Continental.

ZV
 
This have the 3.8L motor? I can;t remember the years it applied so look it up but the 3.8 continental had head gasket issues for several years.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
It's based on the Taurus, with a different engine, sheetmetal, and interior.

The Continental has air suspension at all four corners (my 1997 Town Car only has air suspension in the back) and these are wear & tear parts that probably need to be replaced on the car. At 47k miles, it's probably on the original air springs, also.

You want to see the car after it has been sitting overnight and look at the ride height - if it doesn't loose any height when it's left to sit for a night or so, you can probably keep driving on the air springs in the car. If the ride is noticeable lower after the car has been sitting overnight, then you need to replace the air springs sooner rather than later, or else you'll be looking at a burned out air compressor.

I replaced my air springs with Arnott parts, they enjoy a pretty good rep in the lincoln community (yes, there is a lincoln community), and they are way cheaper than motorcraft parts.

I don't really know much else about the continental. Honestly, I much prefer the Town Car to the Continental, but I've heard really good things about how Continentals ride.

So my advice is inquire about the air suspension. If it's on original parts you are looking at an expensive repair on that car in the near future.
Click to expand...

THIS. My family had an '89 Continental and while the air suspension made for one hell of a comfy ride, we really had trouble affording the repairs and dealing with mechanics who were clueless on how to fix any other issue but replacing the air springs. I'd be weary. Otherwise, they are great cars.
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
One other warning about the air suspension: You must remember to turn it off every time the car is going to be put on a lift or otherwise jacked into the air (even for changing a tire at the side of the road).

I don't know about the Continental specifically, but the Mark VIII that I used to have had conventional springs available (from a 3rd party) to replace the air springs. You would lose the self-leveling but gain a lot in simplicity and maintenance if something similar is available for the Continental.

ZV
Click to expand...

You can replace the air springs with those of a Taurus, but the real problem is with the sensors and computer. It will ride alright, but be prepared for the dash to beep at you every once in a while with the message "RIDE CONTROL". (I've seen this personally...)
 
I thought the air ride on the continental and mark vii is the weak point.
My parents had one back in ~99 or so, it's humongous and very comfy. The back seat is huuuuge.
 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
This have the 3.8L motor? I can;t remember the years it applied so look it up but the 3.8 continental had head gasket issues for several years.
Click to expand...

I thougt they'd managed to squeeze a 4.6 V8 in there. I know they have V8s in some of the later years.

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
One other warning about the air suspension: You must remember to turn it off every time the car is going to be put on a lift or otherwise jacked into the air (even for changing a tire at the side of the road).

I don't know about the Continental specifically, but the Mark VIII that I used to have had conventional springs available (from a 3rd party) to replace the air springs. You would lose the self-leveling but gain a lot in simplicity and maintenance if something similar is available for the Continental.

ZV
Click to expand...

You can replace the air springs with those of a Taurus, but the real problem is with the sensors and computer. It will ride alright, but be prepared for the dash to beep at you every once in a while with the message "RIDE CONTROL". (I've seen this personally...)
Click to expand...

I know on my town car you can replace the air springs with regular springs, and it's pretty simple to fool the air suspension setup into not beeping or complaining while you're driving. I'm sure you can so the same with the conti.

That said, air springs last about 10 years, and if you haven't been driving the car on leaking springs the rest of the system should last basically forever. You're probably looking at replacing them once soon after the car is bought, and then being able to forget about the system for the rest of the time you own the car, except for the awesome ride it gives.

The air suspension shouldn't be a dealbreaker here, just something to be aware of.
 
The Continental is a pretty nice car. It's a typical yank tank, don't expect it to handle and carve corners, but for highway cruising, the 4.6L V8 Mark VIII was really nice.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
This have the 3.8L motor? I can;t remember the years it applied so look it up but the 3.8 continental had head gasket issues for several years.
Click to expand...

I thougt they'd managed to squeeze a 4.6 V8 in there. I know they have V8s in some of the later years.

.
Click to expand...


They did as well but the early 4.6 motors also had issues. Thats why the OP should do research into that model year to make sure it did nto have problems like that. I just can;t remember the years and motor issues the continental had, but i do remember it had some.
 
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