Lincoln Continental: The Quiet King of Used Luxury Sedans

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Once the flagship symbol of American elegance, the Lincoln Continental has quietly exited the showroom—but not before leaving behind a treasure trove of value in the used market. While BMWs and Audis scream status (and occasionally rattle that check engine light), the Continental whispers something more timeless: comfort, class, and common sense.

Depreciation Nation: Lincoln’s Underrated Advantage

In the world of luxury sedans, depreciation is the cruel mistress that eats MSRP like it’s on a buffet plan. But this is great news if you’re the second owner. A fully loaded Lincoln Continental that once stickered for $70,000 can now be found on used lots for under $30,000—sometimes with less mileage than your last relationship lasted. Compare that to the Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series, and you’ll find similar depreciation… but double the maintenance bills and a higher chance of being called into your local dealer for an electrical exorcism.

Cost of Ownership: Calm Wallet, Calmer Ride

Lincoln’s parts-bin approach, borrowing from the Ford ecosystem, means you’re not paying boutique prices for oil changes or replacing tech that was cutting-edge in 2016 (but now is basically your iPhone 7 with leather trim). Audi and BMW offer performance—but they charge you for it later, usually through a “surprise” repair bill or specialty parts flown in from Stuttgart.

Lincoln, on the other hand, offers:

Reliable 3.7L V6, 2.7L twin-turbo, and the powerful 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (400 hp with AWD)

Smooth-shifting 6- and 8-speed automatics

Comfortable, easy-to-service platform

Real-world fuel economy that won’t make you cry at the pump or the mechanic

Quiet Luxury: Drive Like an Adult (With Money Left Over)

The Continental doesn’t try to be a track weapon. It’s not here to compete with Nürburgring lap times. What it offers instead is the ability to arrive in style, leave without making a scene, and enjoy a ride so quiet you’ll hear your own financial future breathing a sigh of relief.

This car is understated elegance. Think deep-pile carpets, 30-way Perfect Position seats (yes, thirty), soft-close doors, and a suspension so smooth you’ll think the road was padded. All standard or reasonably optioned. Compare that to BMW’s à la carte approach where cupholders are practically an upgrade.

The “Cool Dad” Factor: Insurance & Police Attention

Let’s be real. A young guy in a BMW 7 Series is basically asking to be profiled like he’s auditioning for “Fast & Financially Dubious.” Meanwhile, the Lincoln driver blends into the scenery like a moneyed ghost. Insurance companies love the Continental because it’s not a theft magnet or wrapped around a pole every other Tuesday. Lower premiums. Fewer “officer, I swear it’s stock” conversations.

Why Young Buyers Shouldn’t Sleep on This Sedan

In a world where a Camry SE lease costs more than your savings account earns in a year, the Continental offers a chance to own a fully loaded luxury cruiser for the price of a used Civic. You get real leather, premium sound, heated/cooled/massaging seats, and that priceless feeling of having outsmarted the system.

Oh, and your car won’t scream, “Mom pays for my Spotify Premium.”

The Suicide Door Edition: So Cool, So Rare, So Not for This Budget

Yes, Lincoln brought back the iconic suicide doors in 2019’s Coach Door Edition. And yes, they were absolute showstoppers. But with a run of just 150 units and pricing that still hovers near six figures on the used market, they’re more collector flex than value play. Still, it was one of the boldest moves Lincoln made—proving the brand still had design swagger when it wanted to.

Shame they didn’t lean into it harder. That car could’ve been the poster sedan for a generation tired of cookie-cutter German “look-at-me” machines.

Final Thought: Buy Smart, Drive Better

The Lincoln Continental may not be flashy, but that’s the point. It’s for the buyer who values substance over spectacle—who’d rather roll smooth, quietly win, and invest the difference. While others chase badges and bloated lease payments, Continental owners are cruising in comfort, avoiding attention, and still have enough left over to put money into their 401(k)—not their mechanic’s.