I actually prefer the 98 to 02 model over the last of the series. This is despite the 03-10 having cleaner lines: the first of the rounded Town Cars has what I call "Classic Car Looks" meaning that it already looks like it will be parked in a Collector Car concours d'elegance line-up at this early date. And the day these are officially "classics" it will look a lot cooler than their more streamlined modern successor, as their styling is throwing back to the 50's vintage days when cars allowed themselves some bulges to show off their lines.
I almost traded mine in for a late model TC in the same color, it belonged to an elderly man who however did drive it hard as I once followed him in town. It had half my miles and was kept mint and dealer maintained. But when push came to shove it didn't have the same emotional appeal and felt more Crown Vic ish to me.
Now if you see my name you'll notice I haven't got anything againts Crown Vic, having owned one since 1993 which I am currently dropping a Marauder crate engine into. But although the superior ride of the last in the series really won me over, I find the styling of the first 'bloated' roundish Towncar to be the one who will become most wanted in future times.
My brother bought a low-mile gold on gold 97 Diamond Series and it has an incredible ride where you can drive fast over speed bumps without feeling them. It is really a great car and one to treasure, but style-wise I prefer the rounder looks of the last two series. Inside it's the roomiest and most comfortable for sure, maybe the last of the great boulevard cruisers. To the opposite the last cars from 03-10 are grand touring road cars that are kings of the highway, offering far better road manners and handling. So it is really hard to set one apart as the best, so I stick to my choice based on the one criterion of this survey: Styling. Choice is 98-02 which brought to the TC the Retro round styling.
Vic