Which is More Reliable a 2002 Lincoln or 2002 Cadillac?

JonBoyOhBoy

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I need some advice. I am looking at early 2000s Cadillac Devilles and Lincoln Continentals for under 2K. I am seeing a lot on Craigslist. A few under 100K miles on them too. If you were to buy one of these 16 year old cars, which would you choose? I need something reliable. Also concerned about repairs. Which is less costly to repair should there be any surprises?
Thank you so much!
 
It all depends on which brand you feel more comfortable with. The Cadillac Northstar had some issues with the head gaskets, and head bolts stretching. In '03 they were very good and all those bugs were not found anymore. Some issues with air ride also could pop up. This also goes with any electrical gremlins to look out for. Meaning the switches and such. The 4T80E transmission is very durable, some claim to have issues, but maintenance is key with luxury cars.

Lincoln's InTech was a very durable engine, it was the same engine placed in the SVT Mustang Cobra. 95-02 Continentals have the TekSid block which was forged in Italy during those times. It is very durable, all aluminum block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake. For '99 the Continental had received the C heads, which were improved for increase air flow resulting in more power, power went up from 260 hp to 275 hp. The issue with Continentals are the AX4N transmission, they some what overheat because of it being mated to a performance V8. The Torque converter clutch and clutch packs tend to have increase wear. Trans fluid replacement should be every 15K miles for maintenance. Check how the transmission shifts, the transmission model can be either an AX4N, 4F50N, AX4S depending on who owned the car at the time of the rebuild or replacement. If the dealer had replaced it I believe it to be a 4F50N tag on it. Air ride can be some what problematic like any luxury car brand.

This is all I can think off hand for now. LVC is full of info, on issues that are known. Others will chime in.

I hope I helped you. Good Luck with your car purchase!!
Keep us updated.
 
It all depends on which brand you feel more comfortable with. The Cadillac Northstar had some issues with the head gaskets, and head bolts stretching. In '03 they were very good and all those bugs were not found anymore. Some issues with air ride also could pop up. This also goes with any electrical gremlins to look out for. Meaning the switches and such. The 4T80E transmission is very durable, some claim to have issues, but maintenance is key with luxury cars.

Lincoln's InTech was a very durable engine, it was the same engine placed in the SVT Mustang Cobra. 95-02 Continentals have the TekSid block which was forged in Italy during those times. It is very durable, all aluminum block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake. For '99 the Continental had received the C heads, which were improved for increase air flow resulting in more power, power went up from 260 hp to 275 hp. The issue with Continentals are the AX4N transmission, they some what overheat because of it being mated to a performance V8. The Torque converter clutch and clutch packs tend to have increase wear. Trans fluid replacement should be every 15K miles for maintenance. Check how the transmission shifts, the transmission model can be either an AX4N, 4F50N, AX4S depending on who owned the car at the time of the rebuild or replacement. If the dealer had replaced it I believe it to be a 4F50N tag on it. Air ride can be some what problematic like any luxury car brand.

This is all I can think off hand for now. LVC is full of info, on issues that are known. Others will chime in.

I hope I helped you. Good Luck with your car purchase!!
Keep us updated.
Thank you. That is very helpful. Let me ask you (or anyone else reading this for the matter) - Are either one of those two brands from that era less expensive to repair? I use a regular mechanic for repairs and cant do it myself. I currently own a 2003 Mercedes Wagon as an example. It has 180K miles on it and in the last 3 years it has cost me over 6K to repair. I regret ever buying an old Mercedes. When I had American cars and something went wrong like an alternator or fuel pump it was usually several hundred dollars, with this Benz its always over one thousand. I know Cadillac- Lincoln are luxury cars but hopefully not as costly.
 
Thank you. That is very helpful. Let me ask you (or anyone else reading this for the matter) - Are either one of those two brands from that era less expensive to repair? I use a regular mechanic for repairs and cant do it myself. I currently own a 2003 Mercedes Wagon as an example. It has 180K miles on it and in the last 3 years it has cost me over 6K to repair. I regret ever buying an old Mercedes. When I had American cars and something went wrong like an alternator or fuel pump it was usually several hundred dollars, with this Benz its always over one thousand. I know Cadillac- Lincoln are luxury cars but hopefully not as costly.

Cadillac and Lincoln are a little more cost effective. The Northstar is a very unique engine, it can get very picky. For example the oil for the motor is very sensitive. So oil changes are very critical along with the appropriate weight. The InTech V8 requires 5W 30 oil anything below that is to thin. For example as stated above a new transmission for the Continental would be around $2500.00 or so including labor. A Northstar that needs to be resealed meaning gaskets, needs to be taken out of the car, or dropped down. If it even needs done, depends on how good looking the car is for both makes. At that point redoing some wear and tear items like water pump, alternator and tuneup will be easy if engine is dropped from under the car. For a Northstar your probably looking ball park $4,000.00 I could be off, but thats what my gut tells me. There are now a lot of specialists that fix and restore these cars. For Ex. Carrol Cadillac in Texas restores these late models.

tim carroll

Youtube is a good indicator of what types of things could and can go wrong on either make. Watch a couple on there and that will make you more than aware of the common issues. If your looking at Cadillac the Cadillac Forum is another to look at for additional research.


To give you an idea on other things that you can look at and fix that are common, you can view my restoration thread on my Lincoln here:

'99 Lincoln Continental Refurbishment

Trying to think where else you can look...
 
...I currently own a 2003 Mercedes Wagon as an example. It has 180K miles on it and in the last 3 years it has cost me over 6K to repair...

I think you are looking at the wrong cars then. Maybe try a Toyota or Lexus then. I think you are doing good at 2K/year for any 15 year + / 150K mile + luxury car if you aren't doing all the work yourself.
If you are set on Lincoln or Cadillac, then the Town car will probably be the cheapest to keep.
 
I think you are looking at the wrong cars then. Maybe try a Toyota or Lexus then. I think you are doing good at 2K/year for any 15 year + / 150K mile + luxury car if you aren't doing all the work yourself.
If you are set on Lincoln or Cadillac, then the Town car will probably be the cheapest to keep.

I really love (and need) a big car. My all-time favorite was the Buick Roadmaster Wagon! They stopped making those in 96 I think, and even the old ones have suddenly become collectable.
I have seen several 1999-2003 Lincolns with under 100k miles in the $1500-$2500 price range. Haven't gone to look at the cars but they look clean in the pics.
I am curious; why do you say I would be better off with a Town Car rather than Continental? What are the major differences? One of the things I don't like about the Town Car is that it just screams Car Service / Taxi. Here in NYC they are everywhere.
 
... One of the things I don't like about the Town Car is that it just screams Car Service / Taxi. Here in NYC they are everywhere.

That's really it. They are very durable because fleet use was a major part of their market. I think that the costs to keep them going is less than the FWD Continental.
 
Keep a look out on Ebay. Their out there, a lot of clean low mileage cars.
I am a little gun-shy of ebay. I bought a car a few years ago, on ebay. Pics looked great and everything checked out with carafe etc. Wound up almost immediately needing major repairs. At least on Craigslist I can go see and drive the car. If anyone on here has experience on ebay (positive or negative) I would like to hear.
 
I am a little gun-shy of ebay. I bought a car a few years ago, on ebay. Pics looked great and everything checked out with carafe etc. Wound up almost immediately needing major repairs. At least on Craigslist I can go see and drive the car. If anyone on here has experience on ebay (positive or negative) I would like to hear.

Don't blame you for feeling like that after a bad experience. That's the good part about Craigslist if local in your area for viewing. Just make sure its in a public area for viewing. A lot of nuts out there dude, which you know that.

Take your time trying to find the right car for you. YOU have to be happy with it.
 

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