As some of you may know, I may be in the market for a 02 LSE in about 2 weeks. Anyone have an absolute best price that theyve paid for one recently? 35.6k is the best "bottom line" offer I received via email from a local dealer. (that price is inclusive of the 3k factory rebate)
<<<<<<<Anyone have an absolute best price that theyve paid for one recently? 35.6k is the best "bottom line" offer I received via email from a local dealer. (that price is inclusive of the 3k factory rebate) >>>>
I don't know what options your considering but we bought a 2002 V8 Sport a year ago that was loaded and when I say loaded I mean everthing even the communication package for $36,900. Window sticker was $41,520 and invoice acording to Edmunds was $38, something. Acording to the numbers I saw, Edmunds was high on the invoice. I don't think they factor in the holdback.
I can't remember where you are, but my dealer is selling for $6K off sticker w/0% financing or $7K off sticker, no financing. I believe that includes the incentives. It may be worth a trip to San Diego. It is still bikini weather here!!
A container ship and a car-carrier ship collided in the North Sea last weekend. 40 to 50 million bucks of Saabs, Volvos and BMW's are swimming with the fishies. All 26 seamen were rescued. But there will be some M5 and M3 purchasers that will disappointed. The FWD Volvos and Saabs are probably better left there.
Ezair: Thats the EXACT same deal going on here in DC, well, at least at one suburban MD dealer. 43,xxx sticker on the V8 LSE with everything except communications package and chromed rims, invoice is 39,xxx, and its going for 36.5k with the 3k back, Im guessing 37.5k with 2k back and 0% for 60 months.
Now the rebate/finance incentive expires 01/06/03. But Im guessing some BETTER incentive must be around the corner on leftover 2k2 LSE's..or am I dreamin? :-)
Brian...can you point me (as cryptic as you can, I knwo the rules here are strict) to Mark's x plan post? A search on "the other site" didnt pop up anything..thanks.
Congrats on you new LS fokrab. Due to a special circumstance I got out of my '00 LS lease 5 mo. early back in Sept. I almost got a '02 V-8 Premium, but opted to get something else for the wife and hold out for an '03 LS. If in Sept the deals on the '02's were as good as they are now I would have got a '02 LS instead.
Um, folks, email is always a good alternative when you want to talk about things that aren't all that appropriate here. It's certainly easier for you to understand what is being said.
Trying to imply things that you've been asked to leave out of here is quite confusing to everyone.
A journalist with a major daily newspaper is looking to talk with people who bought entry-luxury cars having owned more-expensive luxury cars (e.g. traded 5-series for 3-series). If you have a story to share, please send your daytime contact information to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Friday, December 20, 2002. Please be sure to include the vehicle model names and model years. Thanks for your consideration!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I think the new refined LS is now in the true luxury class and has graduated from the "entry-level" luxury class. Therefore, a manual transmission would make it sort of an oddity and be somewhat out of character. If it was available with an manual, the only comparable car would be the BMW 540i6. Have you ever seen one? Call your local BMW dealer and see if you can find one, especially as a certified preowned. When I see a 540i in a parking lot, I always walk by to see if it has the Getrag. Up to now, no luck. I think I've seen more M5's, and even here in Socal (the land of status SUV's with 24" chrome wheels), M5's are very rare. Let's face it folks, a manual transmission is out of character inversely to size, weight, and the emphasis on luxury. Sure, you could put one in a Bentley. But the car would laugh at your efforts to wring out some perceived performance increase with that kind of mass to move. The car would probably reward you with reactionary protest. Neither party would enjoy the exercise. I think the new LS is very polished and defies its mass and weight. It's the most fun you can have sitting down with room for 5, in 6.7 seconds and .84g, and with no less than a boss Nav and killer THX sound system. But there are some of us who really didn't care so much for all the luxury but found our ideal compromise with a slightly lighter LS with the same interior room, almost the same 2000-2002 performance and at a reduced cost. The early LS filled the bill, and my 2000 MTX LS will always represent to me the "Steve McQueen" version of the LS. Not, it's not the "Cobra" edition. Middle of the range power. Fewer amenities. No sunroof, no subwoofer, no traction control. Cheap at 32k. My bargain 540i6. I've even given up the idea of serious modifications. I think that even wheels would somehow ruin the purity of it's classic, purposeful design. It is what it is, and that is a piece of history. A star that was born and meant for me. (Hopefully, not a black hole). In 1983, I bought a Toyota Cressida manual. I kept it for 17 years. In 1986, after 3 years, Toyota gave up production of a MTX Cressida. After 3 years, Lincoln gave up making it's first manual since 1951. Am I a jinx or what? So in the interest of preserving the manual availability in some other brand, I have chosen to keep my LS MTX. Just think. As LSes approach the 50k mark, people will think I drive a true luxury car. I will just have to worry about all those 2000-2002 LSes hitting the used car market and seeing a whole different demographic being able to afford my car. I may have to sell it when I see kids with backward baseball caps racing LSes with cut springs, 6" exhaust tips, and tri-wing spoilers. Ouch! Well, the future has no guarantees. Enjoy whatever LS flavor you have or want while gasoline is relatively cheap.
The "good" news is that when they try and lower the LS, they will drag the pavement even on level, smooth surfaces! They will probably screw up the suspension with those airbags. Will they even know how to drive a RWD performance sedan? Their first 4-wheel drift will probably take out their cars, as well as a few feet of guard rail!
On the bright side, if we can't get performance parts, they won't be able to either. Then again, we all know that those stickers are worth at least 10hp and the oversize wings, at least 20!
We will see loads of generic, mostly "dress-up" items on these "2nd generation" LSes. Since every aftermarket wheel has insufficient offset, expect a load of pigeon-toed LSes with tires hanging outside the wheel wells. The word will soon get around to the low rider crowd that no spacers or special offset king pins are necessary to achieve the "wide-track" look. Of course, Jonathan at LS HQ will have a cow over this. As of now, we have not seen many Landau/Vinyl tops on LSes. Wait until depreciation brings our cars into that demographic segment's pocketbooks. Pep Boys and J.C. Whitney will be just one source of the LED windshield wiper lights and other "custom" items for the LS. I'm sure other sources will supply enough generic wings, exhaust tips, whitewall tires, blue headlight bulbs, add-on antennas, etc to make us all barf. I might be interested in seeing a "street racer" version. You know, instrument pods mounted on the left A pillar, chrome fire extinguisher on the right one. 5 point harness, roll bar, all the ho-daddy stuff that never gets used. It will make for an interesting contrast to the more common do-dad loaded LSes. Maybe we will all be lucky and the Civic crowd will just pass on a car with the Lincoln nameplate. So that leaves just the Vinyl top and 20" offset chrome wheel crowd. If we are lucky, they will find depreciated Navigators more to their liking. They seat more than 5, and can take up to 24" chrome wheels. They also have room for more and larger subwoofers, bigger amps, LCD TV screens and DVD/CD players.
Your last few sentences are a more likely scenario. You don't see the boy racers with older Marks. The Lincoln nameplate won't attract the Civic crowd. As for low-riders, the Chevvy nameplate is the must have one. Although, I have seen some older Marks lowered with really far out offset wheels with the skinny tires. There was a on-line pic of a really boy racer XType being passed around the Jag board but I can't find it now. It was horrible to my eyes. Even had a triple wing!
the LS is an old farts car and looks frumpy. Bah! Behold the Project car, also otherwise known as the Magnaflow Poster Child! Pat, not to worry, it's my car and my copyright.
My nausea subsided when I saw your picture. It looks like you have done EXTENSIVE mods to this car, which started out in life as an innocent V-8 non-Sport. Not a trace of that left. Looks like a total repaint as well?
Pat please delete post 10840! Ugghhh! Doen't it violate the Copyright Law or something? J/K! But man I hope my LS never looks like this... This is called going to far...Just my personal view though. I wouldn't want that. I hope that is not the LS after its a few years old. I better brace myself though as it sounds Stanny had predicted this scenario way before I thought it was conceivable. If a graphic is out, it won't take long... A sad day for the LS.
I just wanted to wish everyone here and at Edmunds, a Merry Christmas. LS Enthusiasts and owners started chatting here over 3 years ago and most of us are still here. I have met many great people, and many great things and get togethers have occurred as a result of this forum. I wish to enjoy many more chats and get togethers with everyone in the coming years.
Twice in the past month, I have started my 2000 LS V8 Sport and within a minute, the temperature gauge is pegged out and the command panel says"Engaging the Engine protect mode" and the car will slow down.
Pull over-shut the car off-wait 30 seconds-start it up again and it will then run normal. There really is never a overheat problem.
Anyone ever have a similiar problem or suggestions.
Yikes -- actually, unless funkcity owns that picture, it really could be a copyright issue.
Funkcity, how about posting a link instead and deleting that post? (Unless you do own it -- it looks like it's been linked from a commercial site, though.)
I believe this happend to a member of the unmetionable site a few months back. If memory serves (better watch that, I am over 40), it was the head temperature sensor. Hopefully he'll see this and correct me if I'm wrong.
While at my local Ford - Lincoln dealer last night to order another Focus wagon (company car), I was excitedly told that they'd just received an '03 LS, and asked if I would like to take it out. I drive an '01 LSV8 Premium now, and have been waiting somewhat impatiently to see first hand all the touted "improvements" made to the delayed '03. Deciding to accept their kind offer, I was introduced to a silver Sport Premium with everything but NAV and THD sound systems. Walked around the car quite a few times, looking for all the subtle changes, of which there are many. First impression... *Nice*, but man, those wheels are butt-ugly! Everything else looked great, especially the now visible tailpipes, complete with sound! In my opinion, the '00 - '02's were overly muffled for the car's image, a problem that Borla detected and immediately rectified.
I spent a good 10 minutes checking out the interior of the car. They have found all kinds of cabin space for storage, and it just seems overall to be a bit larger. The fit and finish is excellent, and the materials used are of high quality, leaving me with the impression that I am indeed sitting in a luxo-sports car. *Much* improved! I'm not sure about the console and adjustable arm-rest package yet, but found that the already magnificent seating is only further enhanced by the adjustable pedals. Only the most extreme in body stature may not be able to find a supremely comfortable, hours-on-end seating position. First impression, considering that the interior was still fully swathed in shipping materials... *Wow*, but man, that steering wheel is butt-ugly!
My test drive, however, did not go as Lincoln would have wanted. I immediately felt that there was a problem with the transmission in this car, but was unsure, being unfamiliar with some features. I have not driven a model with select-shift yet, and the fly-by-wire thottle seemed *way* different than my present ride. However, the car seemed to hang well past the second gear shift point with normal acceleration, and when I feathered the throttle to prompt a shift, I got a major surprise! The tranny immediately hit fourth or fifth, lugging the engine badly, and then dumped straight to first, at approx. 65km/hr! The tach went bouncing up into the red, and all I could hear was the sound of a very tight and new 3.9 being tortured by over-rev! I immediately slowed down as quickly as possible, and turned around to go back to the dealer. I tried to maintain speed with the traffic flow as it was quite heavy, but as I crested a small hill on the way back, the same sequence of events happened, sending the tach needle bouncing into the red zone once again! I slowed down rapidly again, and this time the message center beeped and flashed up "check transmission". No kidding!! Anyways, I limped back to the dealers as gently as possible, not sure that I was even going to make it. They were quite surprised about my early return, but when I reported my experience, they were horrified and apologetic, to say the least! The car is in the service bay as I write this, and I'm sure there's some major head-scratching and computer search/phone calls going on with Lincoln engineering type folks. They will give me a call as soon as they're confident that all is well, and have already offered the car for a weekend, if I wish. Think I'll start out with a drive around the block, however...
Part two posted when experienced.
Lasting impression... Man, those wheels are butt-ugly!! They do, however, match the steering wheel! ;-)
but thanks for the informative post. Some of our owner's club members got a chance to drive some pre-production cars a couple months ago. They reported problems with the powertrain calibration on the V8 cars, but nothing as bad as your experience. They also had a chance, more recently, to drive the '03 LSs on a track with some other cars for comparison purposes, and it seemed the problems were solved. So we'll hope the car you drove was a fluke.
re those wheels: Almost nobody liked them when we previewed the cars in February, and almost nobody still does. But there they are. If I were buying an '03, think I'd have them swap the wheels off my '00 V8 Sport before taking delivery. No kidding.
Hey everyone! I'd like to say Merry Xmas and assorted other Happy holiday greetings from rainy California.
I've enjoyed Edmunds town hall and the Lincoln LS owners club since late 2000 when I ordered my LS. For those who don't know me, and those who do and wanna get in the not-so-way-back machine, here's a picture of me about to set the land-speed record in an LS:
Well, all right, a bit of hyperbole, but great fun in Feb of this year put together by Brian Gowing and Lincoln folks. (And a big Thank You to my friend who took the photo - if only I could remember who it was :>( Sorry. Please remind me if you read this.)
My 2 year lease is up on my LS in February and sadly I don't know if I'll be able to keep her, or even if I'll want to, at the contract price. Main reason I probably won't be keeping Red: I've been unemployed for exactly one year today and, though the roof is still up there, $$$ are scarcer than hen's teeth around here.
I've been surviving by selling my fine art photographs at Art shows here in California, and in Arizona starting next year. It has been great fun, and very rewarding in comparison to trying to make marketing happy as an engineer, which is my other career. I would like to continue doing this, and may have to the way job situation is here in Silicon Valley area. In this case, my LS will be up for auction in late February :>(
OTOH, a former coworker has set up some interviews for me first part of January so I may be gainfully employed again next month :>( Yeah, I may *have* to take the job, but I won't be looking forward to long hours with little to show for it. Except maybe my LS! :>)
So there it is. I may be signing off from this board in Feb. And maybe not. Would like to keep Red. We'll see.
Merry etc to all. It's gonna be a great Xmas here.
Greetings to all from Montreal. I've also been lurking in the background for the past 3 years. My LS lease is up in July and I don't know what will replace my 00. No regrets and lots of smiles! Seasons greetings to all on this board. Ray Chartrand
who's going to help me keep from getting lost in Dearborn this summer? Good to hear from you.
Cyber-acquaintances started here have grown into real friendships over the past couple years, and I'm grateful to have stumbled in to this board when I was car shopping in 2000.
Merry Christmas to everyone on the board, old regulars and newcomers. And, last but not least, our esteemed Den Mother, Pat.:)
<<<<Lasting impression... Man, those wheels are butt-ugly!! They do, however, match the steering wheel! ;-) >>>>>>>.
Gee I thought the club members told the big wigs those wheels were ugly 8 months ago. They were bragging how they "god rid of the spoiler" I wonder why Lincoln paid no attention to the wheel suggestion. They were supposed to be giving some a preview and "listening to feedback" LOL.........
We were told that the suits and focus groups loved the wheels. That's what you get when you ask Focus clubs about LS wheels!!! We told them again when we drove the pre-production models how ugly the wheels were. There was talk of making the '00-'02 wheels a no-cost option. I haven't heard anything about that since.
We can't complain too much. We got 90%+ of the stuff we complained about on the first generation.
According to a Lincoln engineer, who I think knows a little bit more about it than anyone here, the lead time on wheels is 2 years. Thus, they couldn't have changed them in time even if they wanted to.
They would have been better off to leave the Sport wheels the same.
They could then have used their Lincoln DNA wheels (The ones that look like a Navigator, Aviator, T&C)for the Non-Sport.
Most LS enthusiasts have slammed the new 03 wheels. Where as the 00 thru 02 wheels were perfectly acceptable to them. It looks like there will be a lot of aftermarket wheel sales to people who are in the know.
I saw anew '03 v8 sport and thought the wheels looked good.I do like my super silver's on my 2000 v6 sport, but i'm ready for a change..i'm under the Ford ESP 6yr.100k warranty though, so i'll drive mine for some time yet, 48k and all smiles..Gary in Iowa
I'm also happy with my 02 Sport silver painted 17" In my humble opinion instead of doing a radical change they should have just offered a similar 18" wheel on the 03 Sport as an option with larger section width tires.
Scott, I'll ride shotgun with you any time. I plan on going to Dearborn for the next bash and hanging with the club even if I don't own one. It isn't a prerequisite for membership is it? A domestic change and two kids through college have me looking at my 85 El Camino as my daily driver for the next year or two. Of course if the Ford people can make me an offer I can't refuse I may end up in another LS :-) As for Montreal, I'll have to save it for my next trip. I filled up on steamies, fries, smoked meat etc. Merry Christams to all. Ray Chartrand
I saw an '03 the other night but was not able to get inside. I own a '02 Sport MTX. I like the '02 wheels and fog lights much better than the '03 ...but you gotta love the new exhaust pipes! I wonder how much to switch? As far as the '03 (and '04) goes, I'm going to wait until the '05 comes out. Maybe we'll see a six speed MTX. In the meantime ...Happy holidays to all. Has anyone else added XM satellite radio!
Comments
I don't know what options your considering but we bought a 2002 V8 Sport a year ago that was loaded and when I say loaded I mean everthing even the communication package for $36,900. Window sticker was $41,520 and invoice acording to Edmunds was $38, something. Acording to the numbers I saw, Edmunds was high on the invoice. I don't think they factor in the holdback.
All 26 seamen were rescued.
But there will be some M5 and M3 purchasers that will disappointed.
The FWD Volvos and Saabs are probably better left there.
You may want to check Mark Kovalsky's post about x-plan on the "other" site. Don't know if it will help you or not but it may be worth checking.
Brian
Ezair: Thats the EXACT same deal going on here in DC, well, at least at one suburban MD dealer. 43,xxx sticker on the V8 LSE with everything except communications package and chromed rims, invoice is 39,xxx, and its going for 36.5k with the 3k back, Im guessing 37.5k with 2k back and 0% for 60 months.
Now the rebate/finance incentive expires 01/06/03. But Im guessing some BETTER incentive must be around the corner on leftover 2k2 LSE's..or am I dreamin? :-)
JLinc, NOT a member of any subversive organizations...
". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."
Congrats on you new LS fokrab. Due to a special circumstance I got out of my '00 LS lease 5 mo. early back in Sept. I almost got a '02 V-8 Premium, but opted to get something else for the wife and hold out for an '03 LS. If in Sept the deals on the '02's were as good as they are now I would have got a '02 LS instead.
Trying to imply things that you've been asked to leave out of here is quite confusing to everyone.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5600&sid=183&n=157
If you have a story to share, please send your daytime contact information to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Friday, December 20, 2002. Please be sure to include the vehicle model names and model years. Thanks for your consideration!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Great car!
I have not however read how it stacked up against the 540. That would be of interest.
Quote: "Only the lack of a manual transmission keeps it from an A-plus in my notebook."
Boy... Where have I heard that before?!?
Therefore, a manual transmission would make it sort of an oddity and be somewhat out of character.
If it was available with an manual, the only comparable car would be the BMW 540i6.
Have you ever seen one? Call your local BMW dealer and see if you can find one, especially as a certified preowned.
When I see a 540i in a parking lot, I always walk by to see if it has the Getrag. Up to now, no luck. I think I've seen more M5's, and even here in Socal (the land of status SUV's with 24" chrome wheels), M5's are very rare.
Let's face it folks, a manual transmission is out of character inversely to size, weight, and the emphasis on luxury.
Sure, you could put one in a Bentley. But the car would laugh at your efforts to wring out some perceived performance increase with that kind of mass to move. The car would probably reward you with reactionary protest. Neither party would enjoy the exercise.
I think the new LS is very polished and defies its mass and weight. It's the most fun you can have sitting down with room for 5, in 6.7 seconds and .84g, and with no less than a boss Nav and killer THX sound system.
But there are some of us who really didn't care so much for all the luxury but found our ideal compromise with a slightly lighter LS with the same interior room, almost the same 2000-2002 performance and at a reduced cost.
The early LS filled the bill, and my 2000 MTX LS will always represent to me the "Steve McQueen" version of the LS.
Not, it's not the "Cobra" edition. Middle of the range power. Fewer amenities. No sunroof, no subwoofer, no traction control. Cheap at 32k. My bargain 540i6.
I've even given up the idea of serious modifications. I think that even wheels would somehow ruin the purity of it's classic, purposeful design. It is what it is, and that is a piece of history. A star that was born and meant for me. (Hopefully, not a black hole).
In 1983, I bought a Toyota Cressida manual. I kept it for 17 years. In 1986, after 3 years, Toyota gave up production of a MTX Cressida.
After 3 years, Lincoln gave up making it's first manual since 1951.
Am I a jinx or what? So in the interest of preserving the manual availability in some other brand, I have chosen to keep my LS MTX.
Just think. As LSes approach the 50k mark, people will think I drive a true luxury car.
I will just have to worry about all those 2000-2002 LSes hitting the used car market and seeing a whole different demographic being able to afford my car.
I may have to sell it when I see kids with backward baseball caps racing LSes with cut springs, 6" exhaust tips, and tri-wing spoilers.
Ouch!
Well, the future has no guarantees. Enjoy whatever LS flavor you have or want while gasoline is relatively cheap.
On the bright side, if we can't get performance parts, they won't be able to either. Then again, we all know that those stickers are worth at least 10hp and the oversize wings, at least 20!
Since every aftermarket wheel has insufficient offset, expect a load of pigeon-toed LSes with tires hanging outside the wheel wells. The word will soon get around to the low rider crowd that no spacers or special offset king pins are necessary to achieve the "wide-track" look.
Of course, Jonathan at LS HQ will have a cow over this.
As of now, we have not seen many Landau/Vinyl tops on LSes. Wait until depreciation brings our cars into that demographic segment's pocketbooks.
Pep Boys and J.C. Whitney will be just one source of the LED windshield wiper lights and other "custom" items for the LS.
I'm sure other sources will supply enough generic
wings, exhaust tips, whitewall tires, blue headlight bulbs, add-on antennas, etc to make us all barf.
I might be interested in seeing a "street racer" version. You know, instrument pods mounted on the left A pillar, chrome fire extinguisher on the right one. 5 point harness, roll bar, all the ho-daddy stuff that never gets used. It will make for an interesting contrast to the more common do-dad loaded LSes.
Maybe we will all be lucky and the Civic crowd will just pass on a car with the Lincoln nameplate. So that leaves just the Vinyl top and 20" offset chrome wheel crowd.
If we are lucky, they will find depreciated Navigators more to their liking. They seat more than 5, and can take up to 24" chrome wheels. They also have room for more and larger subwoofers, bigger amps, LCD TV screens and DVD/CD players.
Be warned you'll scream.
Not a trace of that left. Looks like a total repaint as well?
Airwolf.
Best Wishes,
Airwolf
Pull over-shut the car off-wait 30 seconds-start it up again and it will then run normal. There really is never a overheat problem.
Anyone ever have a similiar problem or suggestions.
Funkcity, how about posting a link instead and deleting that post? (Unless you do own it -- it looks like it's been linked from a commercial site, though.)
This rendering has been around for a long time.
24" wheels with a serious offset incompatibility will NEVER fit in an LS, so it is not to be taken seriously!
Try:
http://www.boydcoddington.com/gallery/luxary/lincolnlarge.jpg
or for another treat (the real LS )try:
http://www.boydcoddington.com/gallery/luxary/luxary.html
Happy Holidays
funkcity.................out
BTW, I knew pat would say something about the picture!
You gotta love loopholes to get around an issue or in this case links!
Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season to all!
Airwolf
I spent a good 10 minutes checking out the interior of the car. They have found all kinds of cabin space for storage, and it just seems overall to be a bit larger. The fit and finish is excellent, and the materials used are of high quality, leaving me with the impression that I am indeed sitting in a luxo-sports car. *Much* improved! I'm not sure about the console and adjustable arm-rest package yet, but found that the already magnificent seating is only further enhanced by the adjustable pedals. Only the most extreme in body stature may not be able to find a supremely comfortable, hours-on-end seating position. First impression, considering that the interior was still fully swathed in shipping materials... *Wow*, but man, that steering wheel is butt-ugly!
My test drive, however, did not go as Lincoln would have wanted. I immediately felt that there was a problem with the transmission in this car, but was unsure, being unfamiliar with some features. I have not driven a model with select-shift yet, and the fly-by-wire thottle seemed *way* different than my present ride. However, the car seemed to hang well past the second gear shift point with normal acceleration, and when I feathered the throttle to prompt a shift, I got a major surprise! The tranny immediately hit fourth or fifth, lugging the engine badly, and then dumped straight to first, at approx. 65km/hr! The tach went bouncing up into the red, and all I could hear was the sound of a very tight and new 3.9 being tortured by over-rev! I immediately slowed down as quickly as possible, and turned around to go back to the dealer. I tried to maintain speed with the traffic flow as it was quite heavy, but as I crested a small hill on the way back, the same sequence of events happened, sending the tach needle bouncing into the red zone once again! I slowed down rapidly again, and this time the message center beeped and flashed up "check transmission". No kidding!! Anyways, I limped back to the dealers as gently as possible, not sure that I was even going to make it. They were quite surprised about my early return, but when I reported my experience, they were horrified and apologetic, to say the least! The car is in the service bay as I write this, and I'm sure there's some major head-scratching and computer search/phone calls going on with Lincoln engineering type folks. They will give me a call as soon as they're confident that all is well, and have already offered the car for a weekend, if I wish. Think I'll start out with a drive around the block, however...
Part two posted when experienced.
Lasting impression... Man, those wheels are butt-ugly!! They do, however, match the steering wheel! ;-)
re those wheels: Almost nobody liked them when we previewed the cars in February, and almost nobody still does. But there they are. If I were buying an '03, think I'd have them swap the wheels off my '00 V8 Sport before taking delivery. No kidding.
I've enjoyed Edmunds town hall and the Lincoln LS owners club since late 2000 when I ordered my LS. For those who don't know me, and those who do and wanna get in the not-so-way-back machine, here's a picture of me about to set the land-speed record in an LS:
http://www.whitneygallery.com/Jenn/Jenn_files/MY_69_Lincoln.jpg
Well, all right, a bit of hyperbole, but great fun in Feb of this year put together by Brian Gowing and Lincoln folks. (And a big Thank You to my friend who took the photo - if only I could remember who it was :>( Sorry. Please remind me if you read this.)
My 2 year lease is up on my LS in February and sadly I don't know if I'll be able to keep her, or even if I'll want to, at the contract price. Main reason I probably won't be keeping Red: I've been unemployed for exactly one year today and, though the roof is still up there, $$$ are scarcer than hen's teeth around here.
I've been surviving by selling my fine art photographs at Art shows here in California, and in Arizona starting next year. It has been great fun, and very rewarding in comparison to trying to make marketing happy as an engineer, which is my other career. I would like to continue doing this, and may have to the way job situation is here in Silicon Valley area. In this case, my LS will be up for auction in late February :>(
OTOH, a former coworker has set up some interviews for me first part of January so I may be gainfully employed again next month :>( Yeah, I may *have* to take the job, but I won't be looking forward to long hours with little to show for it. Except maybe my LS! :>)
So there it is. I may be signing off from this board in Feb. And maybe not. Would like to keep Red. We'll see.
Merry etc to all. It's gonna be a great Xmas here.
George
:-D
Either way, thanks for the report.
Seasons greetings to all on this board.
Ray Chartrand
Cyber-acquaintances started here have grown into real friendships over the past couple years, and I'm grateful to have stumbled in to this board when I was car shopping in 2000.
Merry Christmas to everyone on the board, old regulars and newcomers. And, last but not least, our esteemed Den Mother, Pat.:)
Gee I thought the club members told the big wigs those wheels were ugly 8 months ago. They were bragging how they "god rid of the spoiler" I wonder why Lincoln paid no attention to the wheel suggestion. They were supposed to be giving some a preview and "listening to feedback" LOL.........
We can't complain too much. We got 90%+ of the stuff we complained about on the first generation.
They could then have used their Lincoln DNA wheels (The ones that look like a Navigator, Aviator, T&C)for the Non-Sport.
Most LS enthusiasts have slammed the new 03 wheels. Where as the 00 thru 02 wheels were perfectly acceptable to them. It looks like there will be a lot of aftermarket wheel sales to people who are in the know.
Gandhi restaurant: 10 for food & 10 for service.
A domestic change and two kids through college have me looking at my 85 El Camino as my daily driver for the next year or two. Of course if the Ford people can make me an offer I can't refuse I may end up in another LS :-)
As for Montreal, I'll have to save it for my next trip. I filled up on steamies, fries, smoked meat etc.
Merry Christams to all.
Ray Chartrand