The 2009 Lincoln Town Car

The Town Car is a traditional American luxury sedan. It is appealing for its spacious seating and a trunk that provides cavernous storage for luggage. The Lincoln Town Car seats up to six in its cabin covered in premium leather and burl walnut applique and satin nickel accents. All Town Cars are powered by a 239-hp 4.6-liter E85 flex fuel V8 along with four-speed automatic.   Safety features include traction control, front airbags, side-impact airbags, security system and four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes.  The Lincoln Town Car got a significant makeover for 2003, since then, it has changed very little.  Lincoln Town Car  comes in four different trims: the Signature edition; the Signature Limited; the Designer; and the Signature L.

The Signature is the base version, yet it is without a doubt a fully equipped luxury car.  It comes with premium leather seating surfaces, eight-way power driver and passenger seats with power lumbar support, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, overhead console, extended rear park assist, 17-inch 12-spoke machined aluminum wheels, dual-power remote-control heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver's side, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals, driver and passenger front dual-stage and side-impact airbags, CD player, remote fuel filler door release, remote keyless entry system, keyless entry keypad on driver door, automatic parking brake release, SecuriLock passive anti-theft ignition key system, speed control, steering wheel-mounted audio/climate controls, power pull-down trunk lid, SmartLock anti-lockout system and universal garage door opener.

The next trim up, the Signature Limited adds Soundmark audiophile dual-media sound system; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with wood inserts and audio, speed and climate controls; full power trunk with key fob open and close; memory driver's seat, pedals and mirrors; heated front seats; and its own 17-inch, 10-spoke machined aluminum wheels, Provence leather seating surfaces, adjustable rear head restraints, and two-tone door panels.  The Signature L begins with Signature-level equipment and adds folding front and rear arm rests with storage; a rear seat amenities package with dual power points, four-way rear head restraints, tissue bin, illuminated cigar lighter, heated rear seats and remote controls for audio, climate and front passenger seat.  The 2009 Town Car is available in two wheelbase lengths.  The trunk is large and features a special mechanism that raises the trunk floor and thus makes loading and unloading easier.  The Lincoln Town Car interior is plush and luxurious. There is an advanced suspension system, which includes automatic load leveling in the rear, this keeps the car relatively flat in the corners and provides a smooth, quiet highway ride and substantial amounts of understeer.  This is a key feature to maintain just the right balance for a big, long, heavy car.

The 2009 Cadillac STS

In 2008, the Cadillac STS was designed to get more horsepower, more electronic features, and a bolder styling.  A new V6 engine comes standard, and a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 provides 302 horsepower. There is a  super-performance version, the STS-V, which adds supercharged velocity with a V8.  New safety technologies for 2009 include Cadillac's latest Lane Departure Warning and Blind Zone Alert systems, plus a more sophisticated StabiliTrak electronic stability control system that uses steering, brake, and throttle control to avoid dangerous skids. 

The interior of the STS is excellent, with comfortable and supportive seats that are incredibly adjustable.  There is ample storage space, and a superior sound system. The entertainment system includes 15-speaker surround sound. The Cadillac STS comes in three trims: the Cadillac STS V6; the Cadillac STS V8; and the Cadillac STS-V.  The most popular trim is the V6 Luxury Package.  This adds two-driver memory for seats, mirrors, climate and radio controls; Rainsense wipers; six-disc in-dash CD-changer; Eucalyptus wood trim on the instrument panel, steering wheel, console and center stack; heated and ventilated front seats with four-way power lumbar; heated rear seats; heated steering wheel; tire pressure monitor, universal home remote; and a cargo net.  A new Platinum Edition features special paint, trim, wheels, and upholstery.

The high-performance STS-V has standard features including leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose AM/FM/CD stereo, interior auto-dimming rearview mirror, and many power features and driver aids. OnStar telematics, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, automatic high-beam control for the headlights, and rear park assist are also standard.   This vehicle also features EZ Key with remote start, XM Satellite Radio, rear AV jacks, rear climate system controls, rear obstacle detection, the Lane Departure Warning System, hand-wrapped leather seats with suede inserts, and olive ash burl wood and aluminum interior accents.  Although the supercharged STS-V delivers serious performance, it does sacrifice some comfort and drivability.  The Cadillac STS cabin has a warmer and softer appearance to it compared to the exterior. The 2009 OnStar system features a fully integrated GPS navigation setup called Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Turn-by-Turn allows drivers to talk to a live advisor, who can download complete step-by-step directions to the vehicle through the OnStar system. The six-speed automatic (Hydra-Matic 6L50) that comes on all models features a generous 13.88:1 maximum overall ratio.

Summary

The Lincoln Town Car remains the vehicle of choice for limousine services, almost 75% of the vehicles in the industry use this model.  This is also a perfect vehicle for conservative buyers who want lots of room and a soft and quiet ride. It would appeal to businessmen and women who need to carry lots of people and cargo, but who also enjoy the driver's seat.  This Lincoln is luxurious in every way, including its quiet cabin, quality materials, and pure spaciousness.  The Lincoln Town Car is really the only vehicle in town if you are in the market for a large, traditional American rear-wheel-drive V8 luxury car.  The MSRP for the 2009 Lincoln Town Car is  $45,815 to $51,485.  The Town Car drives with a  fuel economy range of 23 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city. It comes with a basic warranty of 48 months/50,000 miles. The Cadillac STS gives people who love to drive the perfect way to get there. It is a true luxury car without diminishing performance and handling.  The STS provides smooth, efficient power and confident handling.  It has an MSRP of $45,950 to $57,000.   The  fuel economy range is 26 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City.  There is a basic warranty of 48 months/50,000 miles.