Just bought a 2002 Continental CE

[ricoba]

Have needed a second car for awhile now and by chance I just picked up a 2002 Conti CE with 22,000 on it for a great price.

When I went shopping I wasn't looking for a Continental, just a good car, good price etc, something that will be a great daily driver and a cross county vehicle as well (living in LA, we go to Vegas fairly regularly)

For the last two weeks I have been reading up as much as I can on this baby and have realized what a great car & deal I got.

She has all the bells and whistles the Drivers Select, Alpine Stereo (with casette & cd), back up assist (voice giving a warning) 5 passenger, suede/leather buckets, CE monogrammed carpet, moonroof etc...

She is a silver birch metallic with a light grey toned interior, with red walnut trim and a walnut/leather steering wheel...By far the prettiest car I have ever owned (except I really did love my old 76 Caddy Coupe Deville)

I have also started to notice for the first time, people scoping her out as I drive by and admiring her & probably wondering what the heck kind of car it is!!!

As I have read this forum & others, I have to agree that this was a great find & hopefully it will be mechanically/electrically sound...It still has factory warranty till the end of August, which I thought was cool & I purchased extra mechanical breakdown insurance online.

Just thought I would say hello and participate and learn here...

Enjoy!

Rick

[v8_dave]

Welcome! Sit back and enjoy!

Same thing happened when we picked out the conti. Went to look at toyota avalon first (against my will) and my family said, "is that the biggest car you have???" So we ended up down the street at an FLM dealer and got a super deal. We wouldnt have even been able to find a same year civic with twice the miles for the price we paid for it!

[ricoba]

Welcome! Sit back and enjoy!

Same thing happened when we picked out the conti. Went to look at toyota avalon first (against my will) and my family said, "is that the biggest car you have???" So we ended up down the street at an FLM dealer and got a super deal. We wouldnt have even been able to find a same year civic with twice the miles for the price we paid for it!

Thanks for the welcome....

We initially were looking at a late model Merc Grand Marquis...sure it's cheap, reliable & comfortable...but I just couldn't get past the image of the Marquis...u know Grandpa or taxi or a cop??? ;)

I too looked at Toyota & Honda...U are right...for what I paid I would have wound up with a car with at least DOUBLE the miles...

So we went all over the place and saw a Continental at Carmax, but also had another Continental that I wanted to visit after the carmax visit, at a small used car joint...

Liked the test drive at carmax, but it was way too high miles for what I was looking for, so headed over a few miles to the other dealership to check the other one out...

Well it was the one! 22,000 miles and at a good price, though I think I could have maybe gotten it for $500 less, but did an edmunds.com appraisal and was right in the ballpark with price....

The sales person thought the CE badge & logo meant California Edition! Made sense to me...I didn't know anything about it when I saw it... Was I pleased when I found out that CE was Lincolns way of saying goodbye to the Continental badge...

So as stated have had it home a couple of weeks...and have really enjoyed it, averaging 20 - 21 mpg and getting compliments from my co-workers and enjoying folks trying to figure out what the heck she is...

Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing more from folks here...I have sent a pic of the car to the rides forum....

Rick

[v8_dave]

Very good to hear! The 98+ I love the styling more than any car I drive. It is very modern looking and rare enough that people think it could be a brand spanking new car right off the showroom floor!

[Mark_0101]

Looks Like a really good car. If you can post some pics.

I think the CE would stand for Collectors Edition. And are the back up sensors after market cuz I would really like to see a picture of that.

[pro-five-oh]

Welcome to the forum. You got the last of the greatest car ever created by Ford. Good luck with it. :)

[AZLincolnMercury]

YEAH! :pics: :pics: :pics:

[ricoba]

And are the back up sensors after market cuz I would really like to see a picture of that.

My kids took the digital camera yesterday for their vacation...so it will be a month before I can post pics.

But as far as I know the back up sensor is factory installed, it looks like the sensors are built right into the rear bumper.

At about 8 ft a warning goes off and then a female computer voice keeps telling me how many more feet until about a foot then sirens etc...

Kind of cool....since I didn't even know I had it till after about a few days...

Again everybody, thanks for the welcome... and I will post pics once I get a camera again....

Rick

[pro-five-oh]

But as far as I know the back up sensor is factory installed, it looks like the sensors are built right into the rear bumper.

At about 8 ft a warning goes off and then a female computer voice keeps telling me how many more feet until about a foot then sirens etc...
Nope, that's not factory. The Ford one (not available on the Conti) beeps, that's it. Sounds cool though.

[Howard]

Found my 98 Conti in the back of a Toyota dealer's trade-in lot, covered with dust and with a flat tire. Had been a Crown Vic driver for years and wanted another six-seater if possible, but was looking at small SUVs. Boy am I glad my wife saw "that pretty car over there"!! Got a great deal and have loved it ever since...it does get looks, doesn't it?

[ricoba]

I remembered the dealer had some pics of the Conti on Autotrader....

The rear sensors are obviously add ons as you guys pointed out...just never realized it till I looked...

So here is my new baby....


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[AZLincolnMercury]

shes a beaut...and spotless ;)

LA huh...you going to get those windows tinted? I’d get a nice reflective sun shade for the windshield as well :)

[Silver Cobra]

Welcome to the forum. You got the last of the greatest car ever created by Ford. Good luck with it. :)

That's debatable isn't it? :p

Welcome aboard ricoba! That is a nice car. I'm digging the suede inserts on the seats, the wood wheel and that argent grill looks really sharp. Gives the car the character it deserves. You made a good choice. My silver car says hi! :)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/335000-335999/335625_104_full.jpg

[Steve Moran]

Welcome to Lincolns Online.
WOW I think I could rekindle my love for Contis. :D

OK I never lost my love but, I am looking at your car like she is a wife on 20 year anniversery wearing new lingerie.

[pro-five-oh]

Gotta love the matching wood trim on the dash to go with the wheel. CE's are da bomb.

[ricoba]

I'm digging the suede inserts on the seats, the wood wheel and that argent grill looks really sharp. Gives the car the character it deserves. You made a good choice. My silver car says hi! :)


Thanks...the wood wheel & accents are a reddish walnut color which makes it distinctive from other Conti pics I have seen...

The suede inserts keep the seats cooler here in California, but yes, I have already looked in to getting the windows tinted.

Explain the "Argent Grill" I was curious about the grill & why it wasn't a chrome grill...is argent a color? Is this an add on?

Thanks,

Rick

[pro-five-oh]

Explain the "Argent Grill" I was curious about the grill & why it wasn't a chrome grill...is argent a color? Is this an add on?

Thanks,

Rick

It was part of the "Luxury Appearance Package" and is pretty sharp, in my opinion. The CE's got that grille and the wood wheel from that package.

[AZLincolnMercury]

Those Collector Editions weren’t cheap….that’s town car range ;)
http://i22.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/b8/13/8c_1.JPG
http://i13.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/b0/f3/cf_1.JPG

[AZLincolnMercury]

Even Steven Ballmer couldn’t afford a CE... and he’s worth $12 billion. ;)

http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/billionaire/11-steven_ballmer.html

[93towncarexec]

Rick,

CE is definitely Collector's Edition.

2002 was the last year of the vehicle's production...Continental dates all the way back to the mid-1940's. 1945 to be exact, I believe. That's a TON of Conti's over the last 60 years.

Congratulations on your excellent taste in automobiles and welcome to Lincolnsonline.com.

My Conti is a 2001 with the green cloth roof and ivory white pearlescent paint. I just wish I had the Window Sticker for it. My sister and girlfriend rave over it all the time, as did my grandparents and uncle.

The wood is genuine. You won't find cheap plastic lookalike stuff in these cars.

As soon as I get some great shots of my car I'll post them so we can share. I bought her with 73K miles and she's now close to 81K. I just keep finding excuses to drive her places. And on long distance trips? DREAMY.

THe only thing I'd really recommend, is get to the dealer FAST before the 4/50 warranty expires. Purchase an Extended Service Plan (ESP) that will cover the car for up to 100K miles. It's like a health insurance policy for your car. You may never ever need it, but if you should, it's a godsend. You have to buy it before the 4/50 expires. I recommend an ESP to everyone if you can get one no matter what you drive.

[v8_dave]

Real Wood?! When did they start doing that? :(

[ricoba]

Real Wood?! When did they start doing that? :(

I don't know when they started....but it's real walnut burl...a deep dark reddish color, unlike everyday Conti's with maple accents...

[pro-five-oh]

Real Wood?! When did they start doing that? :(

1995 in many places inside, and 1998 had it everywhere.

The 1984-1987 Contis with the blonde wood was real too...I remember hearing Motorweek saying the 1988-89 Contis had real wood too, but I find that a little hard to believe.

[v8_dave]

I guess I got skipped over in the '97! I wouldnt mind but these plastic trim strips painted wood color keep popping off all the doors and I have to glue them. I'll keep my eye out for a '95 with wood at the junkyard next time I go. :)

[Silver Cobra]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/335000-335999/335625_29_full.jpg

Birds Eye Maple is the name of the wood and it looks really nice up close. Not cheap wood either so it does the Conti wonders and makes up for its shortcomings elsewhere *cough Taurus chassis!* :p

[pro-five-oh]

I guess I got skipped over in the '97! I wouldnt mind but these plastic trim strips painted wood color keep popping off all the doors and I have to glue them. I'll keep my eye out for a '95 with wood at the junkyard next time I go. :)

Nevermind, I thought those strips were real wood. They sure look good! 1995-1997s were the same.

[96DiamondVIII]

I don't know if it's the same for Contis as for Marks, but I've been told that the wood accents in the Mark VIIIs are real wood veneer over a thicker plastic backing. So with the plastic backing and the heavy gloss over the top, they can be mistaken for being completely fake, but the woodgrain itself is genuine.

[ricoba]

Took some more pics of my new baby the other day....thought I would share them with y'all...

There are some closeups of the wood (veneer?), I read an article that says it's walnut, but then a Continental brochure calls it rosewood.

[v8_dave]

I love it! The only thing I would have liked to see better was more of an elegant font of the "CE" Its too big and bold for a Lincoln.

The wood still looks plasticy like my Conti, Can you feel any grain? Thats the only way I would be able to convince anyone its real by feeling the grain. :)

[pro-five-oh]

I love it! The only thing I would have liked to see better was more of an elegant font of the "CE" Its too big and bold for a Lincoln.

The wood still looks plasticy like my Conti, Can you feel any grain? Thats the only way I would be able to convince anyone its real by feeling the grain. :)

The wood is definitely real on the 98+ Contis...the texture and depth shows it. Never owning the earlier ones, I just thought they were the same.

[v8_dave]

The wood is definitely real on the 98+ Contis...the texture and depth shows it. Never owning the earlier ones, I just thought they were the same.

No I beleive you Pro, its just that I would have a hard time convincing people its real when it looks so shiny and smooth like that. I bet its just the picture thats confusing me, I'll have to see it in person

Real wood is the first thing that comes to mind on Bentley's...if I had that in my Conti, that would be p.i.m.p. ;)

[96DiamondVIII]

Looks sharp!

[AZLincolnMercury]

The wood still looks plasticy like my Conti, Can you feel any grain? Thats the only way I would be able to convince anyone its real by feeling the grain. :)
Sure looks real to me…now the wood on my 98, that defines "plasticy". IMO the Conti has a nicer interior overall compared to the same year (02) flagship Townie.

[pro-five-oh]

That's because the Townie isn't the flagship. The Continental has always been the flagship (less production, higher base price, etc) until 2003 rolled around, of course. :)

[AZLincolnMercury]

(less production, higher base price, etc)

I will give you the limited production, but MSRP ?

Cars.com
2002 Conti $38,000-$39,000
2002 TC $40,000-$49,000

[ricoba]

I love it! The only thing I would have liked to see better was more of an elegant font of the "CE" Its too big and bold for a Lincoln.

I agree, it's kind of non-descript. It's also on the exterior driver and passenger door panel.

I saw the end of the line MK VIII had a Collectors Edition as well, and they actually show the production number on each car. Now that would have been kind of cool.

[LuxuryLiner]

I'm surprised by the comment of the Conti being the flagship, as I thought the TC was the flagship. Am I just confused as to what the top of the line is? :rolleyes:

[LuxuryLiner]

Never tbe less, your car is a beaut!!! ;)

[pro-five-oh]

I will give you the limited production, but MSRP ?

Cars.com
2002 Conti $38,000-$39,000
2002 TC $40,000-$49,000

Hmm, that's rather odd. The '99 Conti my parents leased was about $45k, but maybe the base price was lower. Obviously a Town Car Cartier "L" is the most expensive non-Navigator Lincoln sold.

Still the Conti has a more exclusive engine (i.e. the only Ford car with that motor) active suspension, active steering, more limited production, etc. and it was Lincoln's flagship.

[Steve Moran]

The Conti is the flagship, the TC is more of a barge.:D

[ricoba]

So what will be the "Flagship" once Lincoln discontinues production of the TC?

Is it going to be the Zephyr, MKZ????

Seems to me Ford should bring back the Continental and Mark nameplates.

[AZLincolnMercury]

Pro, you really need to edit Wikipedia;)


Automotive

The term flagship is also used to describe the top or main vehicle manufactured by automotive marque. These vehicles are usually, but not always, the most expensive, prestigious and largest vehicles in the line-up.

While the flagship is always the most prestigious vehicle in a company's line-up, it may not always be the most expensive, or the largest. The Lincoln Town Car, for example, while considered the flagship of the Lincoln division, ranges roughly $6,000 below the Navigator in price. In the case of Cadillac the DTS flagship sedan is not only priced roughly $11,000 below the Escalade but it is also smaller, in terms of overall length and width, than the Escalade ESV.

It should be noted, however, that the term is most often applied to sedans and usually only those manufactured luxury automobile marques.

[pro-five-oh]

The Conti's been dead for 4 years with no plans for a return in the next decade. (at least for now). I'd re-write that article for sure, but I'd change "Town Car" to "MKS". That's Lincoln's new flagship and we better get on board. :)