2002 Lincoln Continental Used

[Robenstein]

There is a person with a used 02 Continental for sale locally. Has 81k on the odometer. It was tapped in the passenger corner and needs a bumper cover, fender, and light. They are asking 2k for it. It is owned by an old reverend.

Was thinking of getting this and fixing it up for my mom. Do these old Continentals have any issues? I know the 90's Lincolns had terrible trouble with rear air suspension.

 

[Roadkingnc]

I would look for a crown vic or gran marquis instead, I work on them for a living and wouldn't own the Lincoln.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
I would look for a crown vic or gran marquis instead, I work on them for a living and wouldn't own the Lincoln.


She won't go with rear wheel drive.

 

[Ethan1]

It will be plagued by most of the same reliability issues as a Taurus, but the body parts will be a LOT more expensive. I just saw one in nice shape get totaled for damage just like you describe. I'm not saying that Tauruses are bad cars, but parts are expensive and availability isn't great.

 

[Robenstein]

I have been looking for a nice LeSabre or Park Ave for her, as I know those are pretty rock solid cars (aside from the intakes on the 3800 engines, but those are easy). But this popped up on my radar and it got me curious.

 

[TmanP]

Reliability-wise the Buicks with the 3800 are going to be stronger than this Continental. That doesn't mean that the continental is a bad car, but I would pass it over probably.

 

[Subdued]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
It will be plagued by most of the same reliability issues as a Taurus, but the body parts will be a LOT more expensive. I just saw one in nice shape get totaled for damage just like you describe. I'm not saying that Tauruses are bad cars, but parts are expensive and availability isn't great.


I'll say it, then

The taurus of that era is a steaming pile of hot garbage. Avoid this lincoln.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: TmanP
Reliability-wise the Buicks with the 3800 are going to be stronger than this Continental.


^^Yep. Go with the Buick.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: TmanP
Reliability-wise the Buicks with the 3800 are going to be stronger than this Continental.


^^Yep. Go with the Buick.


They have always been good to me and my family. All of ours (5 in all) went well beyond 200k before giving any major issues. But most I am finding are already at 150k or higher in my area. I used to be able to find them sub 100k with ease.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
I would look for a crown vic or gran marquis instead, I work on them for a living and wouldn't own the Lincoln.


She won't go with rear wheel drive.
the Lincoln is rear wheel drive

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
I would look for a crown vic or gran marquis instead, I work on them for a living and wouldn't own the Lincoln.


She won't go with rear wheel drive.
the Lincoln is rear wheel drive

2002 Lincoln Continental is front wheel drive.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: exranger06

2002 Lincoln Continental is front wheel drive.
what? really? How? What engine?

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: exranger06

2002 Lincoln Continental is front wheel drive.
what? really? How? What engine?

4.6 V8

 

[Panzerman]

I have a 2002 Lincoln Continental. That is a bad A motor. 275 hp. Not to be confused with the 4.6 they put in the Signature Lincolns. Dont know why they put such a high performance 32 valve engine in the front wheel drive model, but they did and they run. I did have some trouble with the rear suspension air bags and they were replaced, but itwas under $500 and its a lifetime warranty. Its been a Great car. We gave to my 17 yo daughter who is still in school and she loves it. The interior parts are the worst. They are made of chinsey plastic. The car itself is well made and super solid. If I was going to crash a car, it would be that Lincoln. It is the most solid car, I have ever seen. I really like ours.

 

[Panzerman]

I would buy it in a minute for $2000 with that many miles. I see them on Craigslist with over 250,000 miles all the time. Mine did spit a sparkplug, but it was no big deal, Ford makes kits now. Its a simple cheap repair.

 

[01rangerxl]

One of my best friends had a 2000 or 2001 Continental for a few years until 2012 when he traded it in on a new Fusion V6, which he still has.

The Continental was a REALLY good car. I think he ran it up to 140-150K miles, somewhere around there. No engine problems from the detuned 32V 4.6, no transmission problems. I only remember two things he complained about with it...the air suspension developed problems, and the factory subwoofer blew. The air suspension was replaced with a coil spring kit, and it got a nice aftermarket sound system after the subwoofer went. The car never broke down, and it drove all over the Eastern US when it was over 10 years old and well over 100K. My friend takes good care of his vehicles and follows suggested maintenance, but definitely doesn't obsess over fluid changes and such, so the car got pretty average mechanical maintenance. He says that sometimes he still misses the car and thinks he should have kept it. His Fusion V6 makes 3 more HP on paper and has more gears, but he says the Lincoln felt more powerful and faster, though the Fusion is sportier, which is why he traded the Lincoln for it.