As previously related, about a month ago I drove a 2018 Cadillac CTS. The short, short version for those who haven’t read it: it had the 2.0T instead of the 3.6 six cylinder, so no sale.
But last Saturday, Peter Clarke left me a voicemail to tell me they’d just gotten in a green 2017 Continental with 35,000 miles. That day, and for several days after, the weather sucked. But Wednesday, it finally started getting nicer, so I headed over to check it out.
The color, Jade Green, was available only in 2017. It was available on the MKZ as well, though I’ve never seen one of those in the metal. As expected in the current love fest of the bland, boring world of silver silvermist, dark black and gutless gray, any color with some flair, other than red, dies a quick death.
This is not the rich, deep emerald green so popular on Ford products from the ’70s, but it looks good, and my favorite color is green. It had the light Cappuccino interior as well, instead of black, another plus. One thing that surprised me was that there was no sunroof. This was the first 2017-2020 Continental I had seen without one.
According to Peter it had navigation and the weather package, so it had heated seats and steering wheel, but no cooled or massaging seats. The original owner had traded it in because he knew 2020 was the last year for the Continental and he wanted one last new Lincoln sedan while they could still be had.
I sympathize. I have incredible disdain for the ‘combover’ phenomenon, rolling bar stools (and they handle just about as well), potato shaped, depressing and ugly. Usually going 20 under in the passing lane, driving off cliffs or backing into trees, Dollar Generals, parked mopeds and unwary pedestrians. But I digress.
Peter was just about to leave for lunch, but he said there was no rush, take an hour if I want, and have fun. I took him at his word and moved on out.
Love the V6. It’s the tried and true 3.7L engine, with no turbos attached like remoras. Excellent. And runs fine on regular 87 octane. Even better.
I’ve driven several MKZs, both just for fun and also as loaners when my car is in for service. Including a hybrid version a few years ago. And I like them a lot. But the Continental reminded me more of my Town Cars. A little more elegant. A little more smooth. More refined.
And also closer in size. It’s definitely bigger than the Z. The front doors, at least from in the cabin, almost look like coupe doors, and there was enough space between the back of the front passenger seat and the rear seat to put one of those mini coolers so popular with boaters.
And I can hear the persnickety sorts talking to themselves now. “Of course you like it, it’s a Lincoln, it’s a domestic, whyn’t you get an aardvark nosed Lexus or Korean Brougham like a G80 Klockau? You like all these US Caddys and Lincolns, you’ve told us 42,000 times!” Yes. I have. I used to like Lexus. When I worked at the bank, the chief credit officer, my boss’s boss, got a new GS, likely a 2005-06 model, and I liked it. Then things changed. Let’s say, 2008-2010? Then the Tortured Sheetmetal Era began…
But that doesn’t mean there weren’t annoying things about the Lincoln. Or the CTS I drove for that matter. I liked both cars. Would consider both cars (well, if the Caddy had the six, that is), but here’s the part certain folks will happily read: the stuff I didn’t like!
Caddy: Had the stupid aluminum trim instead of the wood. I realize it’s supposed to be sporty, but it just looks like silver plastic to me, and cheap. Biggest thing: the 2.0T. How about designing a base engine that doesn’t require premium, hmm GM? Especially when the optional and far superior V6 runs fine on 87 octane? Or how about not putting that engine in a luxury car and making them all have the 3.6, like the XTS? Hmm? No? OK then…
Lincoln: I do like the looks, but from some angles it does look derivative. I drove its main competitor, the CT6, a couple years ago and you could easily identify it as a Cadillac, especially from up front. The Continental looks like a luxury car, it has the heft, the size and the chrome, but if you’re just an average non-car guy on the street, it’s hard to tell exactly which luxury car it is. The MKZ is far more distinctive, with its rear light bar and side styling.
One other thing that bugged me as I piloted the Connie through greater Davenport and across I-80: it has dinky side view mirrors. I didn’t trust them. When passing on the interstate, I actually turned around to look before changing lanes, it felt more certain relying on that than looking in the mirrors. And I do not like the electric solenoid-powered interior and exterior door handles and releases. Yeah, I know it’s supposed to be ‘cool’ or ‘techy’ or something, but my German cheapskate blood could only make me ponder the likelihood of their failing. And the replacement cost.
But overall I really liked the car. It felt closer to my Town Car, had a more luxy interior, and was silent. Odds are I’ll wind up with one of these or an MKZ. Time will tell! I have the luxury of being in no rush. And I’m having fun in the meantime!