Lincoln LS

babicka

URL
www.eworldlincolnmercury.com/
vehicles-new_inventory-full.cgi?extend=
211420023&make=Lincoln&model=LS&year=2002

stanny1

This is a very bad joke, as this dealer shows 10 V-8 Manuals available in every color. Either that, or some enterprising individual has cast a custom bellhousing. But this thing would not be EPA approved. And there are lots of other questions.
Probably a typo by the web input girl.

scottc8

if the V8 manual is a two-door, like the one we saw advertised on e-bay recently.:)

laxman

is I live in Rome, GA. Not very far from this dealer. Should I give them hell for false advertisement? Oh well I can't drive stick anyhow but love the SST.

I love reading the post here and finding the latest buzz on the LS. I used to own one. Now I am looking forward to owning another. Not sure what to do though. Should i go and get a great deal on a 2002 or hold out for a '03 that might run me a couple of grand more for some refinements and nice upgrades. Oh then there is the third option which this board has enlighten me to.

!"MODIFICATION"!

I build databases so I like starting from scratch or modifying an existing module to meet the needs, demands or wants of myself or others. My love for database and programming has got me looking at modifying or as I believe tweaking an LS. Call it tweaking because the LS is already a great car. Hands down!

One day I will be back in the seat of an LS and be a member of the LLSOC. Pardon me for a trip down memory lane...I recall in Oct '99, shortly after taking ownership of a'00 LS V8 Sport, that I wanted to get a club going for all LS owners. Not to long after that I recall someone on the LS board saying "we started a new discussion for LS owners" (*fuzzy*). I have to say my hat goes of to the poineer(s) of the LLSOC. Form what I've seen and heard from others Lincoln should be proud to have such dedicated owners.

Russ

scottc8

Tough call, but the good news is you can't really make the wrong choice.

Russ, thanks for the kind words about LLSOC. Shoulda kept your '00. Lincoln definitely recognizes LS owners; they've rolled out the red carpet for us on three occasions so far, and the support we get from the engineering staff is incredible. But don't take my word for it.

ezaircon4jc

Could it be that the ad agency hasn't heard of a 5-spd auto? A common problem I've seen with the description of the LS is that to some 5-spd = manual.

johnrobertburn

I just bought a 2000 Lincoln LS V8 from a local Lincoln-Mercury Dealer - with 25,000 miles and the balance of the Factory Warranty remaining. After driving it a week, a friend noticed when I started the car, it was making a tapping noise under the hood when I started it after leaving it overnight. I couldn't hear the noise inside and it seemed to decrease as the engine warmed up. Still, I went ahead (luckily for me, I guess) and took it to the Lincoln Dealer to diagnose. Shortly after leaving it, they called me and said they were going to replace the engine - questioning me about oil change history, etc. Since I had just bought the car - the Dealer I purchased it from provided the info they had - and Ford/Lincoln is now going to replace the engine with a complete engine off the assembly line. Has anyone else had problems - or heard of problems with the first (2000) V8's put in the LS?

jerry2281

Congratulations on 2000 LS purchase. With only 25,000 miles and a new LS engine, you definitely have the real deal. I don't recall any issues with the LS V-8 coming up on this board. The LS drivetrain is relatively bullet-proof and trouble-free, especially for a brand-new engine line. Enjoy your LS and all the future fun driving experiences.

Look into joining the Lincoln LS Owner's Club with a free trial membership @ llsoc.com for a lot of information on the LS including technical advice, upgrades, etc.

2001 LS V-8 owner w/26,000 trouble-free miles and LLSOC member

slunar

john: The "tapping" noise could be an exhaust manifold crack. This occured on a number of early V-8's due to excessive weld grinding. I haven't had the problem, but I think the LS owners who did have it said that the noise occurred with the engine was cold and went away when it warmed up.

If you do end up with a new engine it will be a reare event as in all the information exhange on this forum in 3 years I can only remember reading about 1 engine replacement.

brunobus

Although I'm sure the dealer wouldn't make a decision to change a motor out unless they truly felt strongly about the problem and without diagnosing the crap out of it, it sure does sound like the cracked exhaust manifold problem that was fairly common on 2000 model V-8's.

Mine was built in Dec of '99 and started doing it about 2 months after I purchased the car. When the engine was cold, it would make a tapping sound like you mention and then as it would warm up the sound would go away.

At the time I was thinking the worst, i.e. bad or stuck lifters, but it was just the cracked exhaust manifold on one side. As the engine warmed up and the heat made the metal expand, the crack would close up and the sound would go away. They replaced both manifolds under warranty.

Bruno
LLSOC member

pmeeker

I'd bet that won't happen with my new beemer !

jhoffman61

You're right, your BMW will just start on fire. ;-)

pmeeker

Don't think so, but even if it did the resale would be better than LSs have been going for here lately

ls1bmw0

Do you have a point or are you just wanting to annoy the board?

babylou

Everyone knows that a "beemer" is a BMW bike and a "bimmer" is a BMW car. Well, I guess everyone that is not an idiot knows.

ezaircon4jc

It was pmeeker that made the "beemer" comment, not jhoffman61. And he is "supposed" to own one, even though his profile says he owns a Lincoln.

akirby

I didn't know that a beemer was a bike. I guess that makes me an idiot, huh?

Hey Pat - how long do we have to put up with this crap?

fantom

I believe the jury will be out for awhile regarding your new beemer. BTW, why did you stick the m in your name?

keyrow

The distinction between "beemer" and "bimmer" has been posted on this very board several times. Although I would never call someone who does not know this an idiot it does say something about someone who regularly posts on this board. I must surmise that you either do not read the posts or you do not pay attention (not intended as a flame). Anyway the bottom line is: Lack of knowledge; I believe the dictionary term for this is ignorance, not idiocy.

Pat: I agree with the previous post. As the primary deputy sheriff at Edmunds you have chastised us (well, me at least) for "Off Topic" and "This is not a comparison board so move your post to the correct board" posts. How about a little consistency? I apologize if you just haven't gotten around to this board yet as I know you monitor several boards.

lolaj42

Give me a break will you!? The distinction between "beemer" and "bimmer" has only been made by a few people on this board over the past 2 years or so, and they are far from what I would consider authorities on the subject.

Please inform all your BMW bretheran about your so called distinction because I know quite a few people in the BMW crowd that aren't aware of it. Now, if you want to call THEM idiots or ignorant . . . ;-)

This is simply a waste of time and space to be discussing such an idiotic topic which has nothing to do with the Title at the top of the screen!

jhoffman61

I suggest we just treat those posters like we did with giowa, ignore them. It is more effective than having the host try to police the situation. Just look at the CTS forum to see how ineffective the host can be when everyone keeps responding to posts that are intended to incite anger. I know I fell for it but I'm going to ignore this issue starting now. And that goes for bimmer vs. beemer.

tlahaye

I can digress with the best, folks, but enough already. We've had minimal posts for the last several days, and suddenly, 10 items of-----garbage.

Gotta say, I'm stunned to hear about a rumored engine failure, and am most interested in learning how this issue is concluded. I was aware of the manifold issue (mine's being checked as we speak), but didn't remember the first engine failure. Now a second...out of how many cars produced (we could probably include the Jags in this number too). Sometimes parts fail, and this could be one of those times.

The key consideration from my perspective is the virtual absence of any engine problems, noise, excess oil consumption, power loss complaints, etc. Drivetrain still seems pretty bulletproof to me, and some are "tested" regularly.

Took my LS in a few days ago. Asked the service writer if there were any issues she was aware of (after umpteen Fords, I have a good relationship with these folks). She said "The cars are pretty good. We see few problems, and nothing major".

akirby

I wouldn't call it engine failure - the engine was running just fine. At this point it's not clear whether the noise was related to the manifold or internal or exactly why the service writer chose to replace it. So to be fair let's call it a replacement at this point, not a failure, at least until we know the reason. And that's the first V8 replacement that I can remember.

akirby

I've been a regular, almost daily poster and reader of this forum since June 99. Since BMW nicknames don't interest me I either didn't read or immediately forgot any such posts. I don't think that makes me an idiot or ignorant, and to imply either one violates your member agreement. It's also downright rude. Stay away from personal attacks or go find another forum.

pat

...that you folks have mostly gotten back on track, I show up!

Sorry, yes indeed I am just getting here. I host every single discussion on the Sedans and the Sedans Comparisons boards - none of the Town Hall is monitored in real time, in case you were not aware of that. You can count on me to show up at least once within any 24 hour period unless something very unusual is going on for me.

Anyway, yes indeed let's put the bimmer/beamer/bmw arguments aside. And all of you do know, I'm sure, that the way to get rid of an irritating poster is to ignore the messages. If the messages are outside the tou, trust me to take care of them.

Pat
Sedans Host

stanny1

Just took a look at my July 2002 Popular Science. You guys have to look at pages 74 and 75. It's a two page comparo of the CTS Manual, 330i Auto and G35 Auto.
Of course it was biased toward the BMW, even though it was the slowest.
But in a sidebar titled "PopSci Favorites", the lead sentence is:
"The Lincoln LS is the most underrated sports sedan you can buy". Since I can't quote entire paragraphs here, other tidbits are "purebred driver's car", "near perfect blend of energy and agility", and "while the CTS is good, it's sluggish by comparison". Also, "Right now, advantage LS".
This is the best press I've seen in quite a while. And this is before the 2003 LS makes a splash against the already introduced CTS.
Check this out at your newstand. I hope Brian can get republishing rights and put it in the next newsletter. LS1CTS0

ezaircon4jc

Back to Lincolns lack of advertising the LS, I must have seen 3 Maurader ads on my tape of Mondays Inside Winston Cup. It was the same ad and I liked it very much. It shows the car pulling into a parking garage. After the driver leaves (it doesn't show this, just implies it), the cars on either side of the Maurader slide a little further away. What a good ad for the LS. I've seen more Maurader ads on Speedvision this week than I've seen LS ads TOTALLY! Come on Lincoln. The LS is at least as good as the Maurader. And we all know that it is MUCH BETTER!!!!

airwolf1000

I was reading car and driver I believe it was the 11 Car Test where it came in Last (The V6 Version) but it said a bump up to the V8 Corrects the Lack of Power and is considered by many the Ultimate American Sleeper or something to that extent.

I agree that is why I Like the LS. I know what I am Packing. I like pulling up to the Ignant thinking its a CONTI or a an eclipse and showing them was its all about. Being Underrated can be a good thing as long as those that are in the know Recognize...

I think the Rags have alot of RESPECT for the LS. While it currently will not outright win any category it is very good at Everything. I think it will win though in one category. Value up front. Residuals are horrible though if you are trying to lease or sell yours.. Hopefully this will correct itself with time.
Currently 36 Month residual is rated at 43% by Lincoln and about 40% by others. BMW's are 50%+
BMW's do go for way above invoice and no dealer cash incentives.. and the cars are overpricced as it is though so, I guess you pay for it at sometime.

akirby

Is the LS residual based on selling price or MSRP?

scottc8

I can only remember hearing of one. A guy who was at LS Mania 2, from the DC area IIRC, had a catastrophic engine failure when it was very new, and had it replaced. Sorry I can't remember his name (even though I sat with him at lunch). He was in the video Ford made of our tour of the assembly plant, if that helps anyone remember him.

Good point, Vic. A sleeper can be fun. I love the "What IS that?" look from the guy who DIDN'T accelerate to cruising speed while still on the 35 mph interstate on-ramp.:)

slunar

Residual % is based upon MSRP. This is one of the reasons why Lincoln residual% is lower than many other luxury cars since as we know you can get quite a bit off of MSRP on a Lincoln.

However, residual % only tells a small part of the story. The actual depreciation in $$ from actual sale price to re-sale or trade in is the important #. Also if your primary concern is total cost of ownership the much higher initial price of a BMW or similar car can increase the cost of ownership significantly.

Scott, I'm with you, I love driving sleepers. I love my LS's low insurance cost, which is part of driving a sleeper.

Another thing I love with my LS is taking a certain road that I drive on once or twice a week. It has a partially blind corner posted 15 MPH. I can easily take it at 45 MPH with my LS. It is after a straight road section that is down hill and the corner is off camber. The fun starts as I coast down the hill at 45 MPH, turn into the corner without touching the brakes and then accelerate through the corner. Usually there is some idiot right on my rear bumper as I must be going too slow for them on the downhill straight, even though 45 MPH is 10 over the posted limit on the straight. The real fun is watching the tailgater on my rear end experience complete panic as they hit the corner. Just yesterday I thought the bozo behind me in a Nissan SUV was going to completely loose it. Got a lot of laughs watching him swerve all over the road. Lucky that there was no on coming traffic. Hopefully next time he's on the road he'll be paying a little more attention.

tlahaye

Ouch! As much as I enjoy playing with my LS, and I'm sure I don't drive as well as many others here, I think we all have to be careful about baiting the uninformed into situations thay may not be able to handle. This is especially true when we know the road, and the other guy might not.

Hate to sound like an old lady, and I do play with my car and take some unnecessary risks, but I try not to involve others. It's not just that guy on your tail who found himself in trouble. I'm envisioning my wife and kids in the Windstar approaching from the other side of that partially blind curve, and remembering why I keep them in the world's safest minivan.

akonikua

Re: Project car body kit pictures (sent 6/16/02)

The car looks great! The wheels are fantastic too! 17s or 18s?

Brian, I recall you saying you had the non-sport LS...the picture shows that there are no chrome strips on the front of the car. Was this part of the CDC kit? The kit also claims to come with the spoiler. Also, I recall you saying that you had trouble getting the sport side marker lights for the front fascia. Do you have the part # for that? Thanks.

akonikua

Has anyone tinted their stock LS glass? I wanted to go Limo on my all black 00', but I am in Southern Cal where the law states that the back 3 windows can be any shade, but the driver and passenger windows must be 70% (or almost completely clear!). My glass is already pretty dark...but it could be darker. Anyone in Cali have a problem with dark front windows?

lobsenza

I tinted mine to the darkest allowed in Texas (35% on the side) and one step darker on hte rear window.

ezaircon4jc

I live in San Diego and have my windows tinted. I went with 50% on the front windows, 35% on the rear windows and (I believe) 15% on the back glass, that on a silverfrost with deep charcoal car. I have also removed my front plate. When I got my most recent ticket on the 5 by Camp Pendleton, I just rolled down both front windows as the CHiPer approached. From what I hear, the cops really don't care as long as you don't go too dark. I've had 50%/35% on my Sable for 5 years and haven't had a problem.

Mike
LLSOC Charter Member

babylou

My apologies; I mentioned the "beemer"/bimmer" deal and called the poster an idiot because of their childish post to simply rag on the LS. I was basically telling the poster to go home. I guess my approach was ill conceived. I'm sorry and will try to be a good boy in the future.

akonikua

Hey where did you get it done at and did they do a good job? I live in San Diego too...and my windows are already pretty dark...(I believe the darkest stock type available)..but I want to go darker (maybe 20%10%10%...too dark?). Also, like you, I don't have a front license plate...has that caused you problems? Thanks.

ls1bmw0

San Diego? And ezaircon hasn't LLSOC'ed your car yet? Wow, Mike you're slipping! Too bad I didn't know that sooner or you could have come up today and checked it out while we do 2 Magnaflow systems on Mike and Mark's V-6s

re: project car. The chrome strip is missing in the front because the entire front fascia comes from CDC. At some point I'll replace the rear fascia with one from www.bumpers.com with the sport one and then the car will not have any chrome strips on it.

The wheels are 18 x8.5 inches. They also have 17x7.5 inch wheels as well. So if you had a Sport model and wanted to keep the stock tires but change wheels you could.

My windows are also tinted. I went with 50% in the fronts and 35% in the rear and back and haven't had any problems either.

keyrow

lolaj42: You said, "Please inform all your BMW bretheran [sic] . . ." As I have never owned a BMW I do not have any such brethern. I've always found Bimmers too expensive for what you get. That is why I own an LS!

Akirby: I said nothing that is either disrespectful or rude. I was merely defending pmeeker from babylou's attack. I was trying to point out that "idiot" is not the correct term, however "ignorant" is a valid one. The word "ignorant" simply means "a person untaught or uninformed" per Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. It is a statement of fact, not an insult, excepting those who do not know its definition. So your assertion that I have violated the MA or TOU is incorrect. I am indeed sorry that you have taken offense where none exists. But since you are offended my sincerest apology is hereby tendered. Let's leave this nonsense in the past and move forward.

This is my last post on this rediculous "issue," please allow it to die a quiet death.

scottc8

You make a very good point. My daily route home involves a series of six sharp curves, four of them off-camber, marked 35 mph on a 55 mph county road. I can drive my LS through that stretch at 85 without interference from AdvanceTrac, but I've seen a few guys get pretty wild trying to stay with me. They wouldn't try to run with a Corvette, but when they see a luxury sedan (a LINCOLN fercryinoutloud) running away from their Mitsubishi Eclipse, or whatever, they don't like it one bit. The possibility of goading someone into serious trouble has occured to me. Thanks for the reminder.

ezaircon4jc

I had it done on Miramar Rd. I think the name is Diamond Tinting, in that strip mall on the north side of the street, east of the 805. They did a really nice job for $210, IIRC. My opinion is your numbers would my too dark. I wouldn't go over ~50% on the front windows. You don't want to attract attention! No problems with(out) the front plate, either. Heck, if all the Vette boys can get away with it, so can I! I DID fab up a way that I can install it, if I need to, temporarily. You aren't a club member yet? Check us out at www.llsoc.com We do a lot of fun stuff. We're having a beach party in August.

Jesh Brian. The few LSes I've seen lately were opposite direction on the freeway! I might have gotten 97 reduced to 85, but I'm POSITIVE the CHP frown on u-turns on the freeway . See you later!!

Mike
LLSOC Charter Member
So Cal Chapter Director

akirby

Babylou - apology accepted. We've had more than our share of name-calling and arguments in the past and I just didn't want to start that again.

Keyrow - apology also accepted. I believe that you didn't intend any disrespect, but your assertion that "any regular poster should know" and anyone who didn't was "ignorant" did come across as somewhat of a flame. Not that it hurt my feelings or anything (I'm a big boy) but I did not want this forum to digress to it's former state before gio..err..riez..err...whatever he calls himself nowadays was kicked off.

I know this was directed at pmeeker but it's far more effective to just ignore those kinds of posts. Bash the cars all you want but leave out the personal attacks. Pat will take care of the troublemakers.

slunar

tlahaye & scott:

Sounds like you guys have bought into our litigious society. If I understand you guys right, I should always be checking my rear view mirror to assess the capabilities of the driver and his (her) vehicle. I should then adjust my speed accordingly to make sure that they guy behind me will not exceed their driving skill level..

All too many drivers are oblivious to what they are supposed to be doing, that is paying attention. Seems to me like all to many drivers just run up on the rear end of the car in front of them and then follow them way too closely, no matter what the speed of the car in front is.

If there is a very large yellow sign showing a 90 degree turn with big "15 MPH" letters on it I can't see where my responsibility is. I also have seen vehicles that were in front of me get themselves too close to the edge on that corner.

Put away the cell phones, PDA's, NY Times and paperbacks (yes at least once a week I see someone who is reading a news paper or book while driving), quit swapping CD's, stop changing radio stations and pay attention to the task at hand, that is driving.

rgnmstr

You gotta wonder if Popular Science feels that way why didn't they include the LS in the test or substitute it for one of the others.

ezaircon4jc

The Magnaflow is in and it is wonderful. About as loud as the Borla, yet with a more refined sound. There isn't the resonance that is found in the Borla. The tips don't hang down below the valance like the Borla. The resonators and mufflers have a very highly polished finish. There are 3 pieces vs. Borla's 5, which made installation quicker and easier.

tlahaye

Slunar, it's not a litigation thing, but social compact and the golden rule. We're not legally responsible to the distracted, inattentive, and incompetent drivers out there, but I don't think we should bait them, and when we see them headed for trouble, a tap on the brakes as a warning (assuming they'll notice) wouldn't hurt.

I've played the games you describe, and enjoyed the hell out of it. It's the macho thing and having the best handling car on the block and all that.

Thing is, I honestly never "saw" my wife and kids in the oncoming car until I visualized your situation. Your post struck a chord.

mbnut1

Good point! I've played the same game with SUV's or pickups who were tailing me but only on off ramps where the only place for them to go was a ditch. Nontheless as you so well point out it really isn't very socially repsonsible behavoiur. I often find myself having to manage drivers behind me if for example I see highway traffic coming to an abrupt stop and someone is following too closely.

ezaircon4jc

So now I'm responsible for the actions of the guy behind me? That's like the guy that tailgates. I change lanes from the stopped lane into the moving lane (I see a hole and quickly take it) and the tailgater plows into the line of stopped cars. I see no responsibility for the consequences of his tailgating, which didn't allow him to see the stopped cars. It happens quite often around here. Too many drivers are driving the car directly ahead and not the road. I didn't goad him into racing the corner. His machismo couldn't "let" a Lincoln take the corner faster than he. Again, drive the road, not the car directly in front!

ezaircon4jc

The only tailgate managing I do is either move over of leave extra room in front, and that is only to keep from getting rear-ended. The problem is people really don't know how to drive. All they do is point and shoot. To most, driving is a spectator sport. Anyway, I'll continue to be responsible for me (after all, that is a full time job) and let others be responsible for their own selves!