Of a Truth:
Yes, I liked the MK8 from day one....the MK7 was nicely styled as well. The first tests of the Mk8 described the car as "very smooth and very powerful", quite accurate I would say.
I don't think the front-wheel-drive models do the Continentals' reputations a great deal of good. I was entertaining getting one, but opted for the LTC instead...really glad that I did.