Its origins hearken back to 1920s chauffeur driven luxury sedans, and in this modern age of burly family haulers and small economy cars, the 2008 Lincoln Town Car stands out like some anachronistic relic of a bygone century. Yet it remains one of America's most popular (and most expensive) luxury sedans, and the only full-size American-made sedan to offer rear-wheel drive. Used most often as a fleet or limo today, the 2008 Town Car gets no new additions this year, but does lose the optional navigation system.

The Town Car boasts first-in-class head, shoulder, and hip room in its five-seater sedan. The 21 cubic foot trunk also leads the category, and indeed it is its boat-like roominess and high-end comfort that appeals to owners. For 2008, the Town Car comes in two trims -- the Signature Limited and the Signature L, with the L adding six more inches of length and wheelbase, increasing legroom from 40 to 45 inches. The L also offers more rear seat amenities, such as heated seats, a folding armrest with storage compartment, and audio controls. A 4.6-liter, 239-hp V8 is matched to a 4-speed automatic with overdrive, delivering 15/22 mpg and a smooth and quiet ride, which is what people look for in a luxury sedan. To Ford's credit, the engine is available as a flex-fuel option.

Combining luxury and safety, the 2008 Town Car can claim to have achieved five stars in all five categories of the NHTSA crash tests. ABS brakes, traction control, parking assist, and dual front airbags help achieve this rating. Standard convenience features include power seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, keypad entry, real walnut trim, and a power trunk lid. The 2008 Town Car rates high in the all the right luxury sedan categories, such as space, comfort, and a quiet ride. The lack of stability control and some poor rear visibility issues are the major complaints. Owners also say that the look and feel of the sedan is somewhat outdated, signaling that it might not be too long before the Town Car goes the way of the LP record and rotary phone.