The dealer that we bought our 2002 V8 Sport from has a 2003 V8 Sport on his floor which includes Advance Trac, moonroof, DVD/THZ and park assist. MSRP is $45,885. He has it priced at $35,500. That's $10,000 off. Anyone else seeing these kinds of prices. I'm taking an early retirement pkg. and turning in a company car and I was thinking 325i but this deal seems increadible.
In USA Today 11/4, money section, there is an article sourcing Consumer Reports as saying the Buick Regal as being the most reliable family sedan, bumping the Camry, and Maxima. Also, the Lincoln LS has improved reliability so that is is now on the recommended list.
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rgnmstr: I recently bought a 2003 LS V8 Sport with NAV/THX. Between rebates and dealer discount I was able to get $11K off of MSRP. Since some of the incentives are regional you may or may not be able to do better than I did.
I'd go for the LS, it's a lot more car than a 325i. Plus with a 2003 you get 36mo / 36K mile free maintainance (in addition to the 50K/48mo warranty).
The 2003 is nicely improved over the 2000 LS I had, more power, more luxury. The 3.9L V8 with VCT is truely a WONDERFUL engine! The NAV system isn't perfect, but now that I have one, I wouldn't want to do without it. The THX audio is one of the best sounding stock OEM audio system I've heard too.
Any suggestions for snow tires for an 02 LS8 with sport package? Tire size is 235 50R 17. Anybody buy snows for the rear only as opposed to front & rear which could get costly? Would I be further ahead to buy 16" wheels for winter use since price of 16" snows are much lower? THanks.
My 2004 V6 LS "wanders" at highway speeds. It is necessary to constantly "correct" the steering. A little too much force (very little) and one over corrects and if not careful this results in a back and forth oscillation. When my wife drove the car for the first time,I was bounced back and forth in the passenger seat. It can be controlled by close attention to the steering, but this requires concentration and is fatiguing. I have spoken to a 2001 V8 LS owner who has never seen this problem. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to correct this? (Tire inflation is OK.)
Since you got eleven grand off what type of financing were you able to obtain? I was planning on putting $10k down. The 2002 we bought had 0% for 60 mo. or .9% for 48 mo.
rgnmstr - I went with the 39 month fake lease that is the balloon payment option (Ford calls it the RCO program). It had the highest amount of rebates and the interest rate for 39 months was 1.5%. So I have 38 dirt cheap monthly payments and then that 39th killer payment.
The interest rate varies by market. At the time I got my '03 LS some markets were as low as 0.5% and others as high as 3%, so it depends where you live.
If you are putting down $10K, DO NOT use the 0% APR or other special finance rate. If you put down any substantial amount of money taking ALL the rebates and using the normal APR (or looking for a 3rd party loan) will usually work out to be the lowest cost. The breakover point will depend on the actual price of the car and the availble APR, but I found that it usually worked out if you put down more than $4K the 0% APR came out more expensive.
Your dealer HAS to disclose the total amount of all finance charges so ask their finance person to calculate the finance charges for the different forms of financing (that is if you can't calculate the finance charges yourself) and then compare the real total price of the car, that is car, rebates, taxes and finance charges among the different finance options.
I'll have to ask about that RCO balloon thing. I called the dealer today to ask about the $45.8k sticker car that I saw in the showroom that was being sold for $35.8 and the salesman told me it was dropped another 2 grand today. That's $33.8 for a black/black V8 SPORT with THX/NAV, moonroof, Advance Trac and backup alarm !! Edmunds TMV says $38.8k for this car and that number included the incentives. I started asking if it had been a demo, a loaner to the owner's daughter or some other story car. No, it's a zero miles, never been driven, showroom car. Hell, I paid $36k ($41.5 MSRP)for our 2002 V8 Sport. At the time that was over five grand under MSRP and more than a thousand under invoice. I thought that was a great deal. I asked the salesman what it would take to hold the thing until I could get out there. I gave him my credit card number. I have first rights of refusal. I'm excited. Once again the BMW guy looses out.
IIRC, LS sales peaked with the first model year 00 (calendar 99-00). I imagine there's less than 200K total in the US. I purchased one for my wife b/c it's a good car, marginally exclusive, and reasonably priced. But the original '00 is on the Consumer Report watch list for cars to avoid. I'm not sure about the revised '00, '01, or '02.
They just made Consumer Report's recommended list this month. Reliability has been steadily improving since introduction of the 00. It's now very good. Bout time to discontinue the car, eh?
rgnmstr - That sounds like an GREAT deal. I'm guessing that Lincoln really wants to clear out the remaining '03 LS's. The dealers around me have cleared out almost all of their '03's.
It's seems amazing, but I paid less for my 2003 V8 Sport with NAV/THX & Advance Track than I did for my 2000 V8 Base with only heated seats and tri-coat paint. (of course the 03 Sport comes with heated AND cooled seats).
The '03 V8 is a definate improvement over the '00, significantly more engine power, especially at low RPM's. On back roads I used to put my '00 in 4th most of the time, especially going up hills. Between the '03 engine and 3.58 rear end, I almost always just leave my '03 in 5th. The '03 is also noticably quiter, transmission shifts better, the seat leather looks & feels better, the seatbelts retract right all the time (was one of the few aggravations with my '00), the extra console space and cup holders are wonderful, the rain sensing wipers work much better, the steering precision is better, the auto up and down front windows are great, the cam chain whine is gone, THX sounds great, the auto headlamps come on more appropriately, etc. I can go on a lot more, but I think you get the idea.
That's the new program replacing leases in certain states. It's really a lease with the only difference being you are the legal owner of the car, not Ford Motor Credit. Why is this important? Because local governments started suing Ford for unpaid parking fines on leased cars because they were the owner of record. So they quit 'leasing' and devised this RCO program where you still make lower monthly payments to cover the depreciation cost. At the end of the lease they "buy it back" from you for the balloon payment price or you can pay the balloon payment and keep it. Sounds like a lease, works like a lease, quacks like a lease....
<<<You got that deal without having to use a gun? >>>>>>
Yes, and what I also appreciate is this particular dealer, who we also bought our 2002 V8 Sport from, only adds taxes, tags and freight. Every other dealer I've been to this time around shopping for a 325i wanted to add on all kinds of crap. $200 advertising, $200 fee for tag paperwork, etc.
Could be worse. You could have bought a TBird at $15K over MSRP. Or a Blackwood. I heard one dealer trying to get rid of the last few Blackwoods was offering a Blackwood at MSRP - and you get a free brand new Cougar!
If I were to put snow tires on my cars, I'd go with all 4 and here's why:
Front wheels need traction to steer you and keep you from that deep ditch on the side of the road. Rear wheels need traction to get you moving.
All four need traction to help you stop.
I have AWD on my BMW 325xi and have All Seasons with a very 'snow friendly' tread. They will give you grip in the snow, but have the tread pattern to squirt it out. I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. They already have a narrower track than the standard 325.
I'd imagine for the LS you could go with a narrower snow tire and go with your standard wheels, though dedicated snow wheels with snow tires (read - steel) may be an easier and cheaper way to go (consider mounting/balancing costs).
-Paul
Still in the market for a LS V8 Sport with everything. Rented a Cadillac Seville SLS over a weekend trip to St. Louis. Did NOT like the acceleration, but the ride was great. Gimme that V8 power in the LS. Still impressed with it, but I'm still learning about the new 5. (LS is in the lead).
<<<Still in the market for a LS V8 Sport with everything. Rented a Cadillac Seville SLS over a weekend trip to St. Louis. Did NOT like the acceleration, but the ride was great. Gimme that V8 power in the LS. Still impressed with it, but I'm still learning about the new 5. (LS is in the lead). >>>>>>>.
Isn't the SLS a front wheel drive? I find it strange that if you were considering a 5 series BMW and an LS you would even entertain a front wheel drive car. The new 5 with a V8 will cost you at least twenty grand more than the LS. Twenty grand would buy a nice used sailboat that you could have fun with on the weekends.
I always liked the 98-03 Cadillac STS, but after having an LS I really am warming up to RWD. If your considering a Seville, wait for the 05 STS which will probably be out in less than a year. Someone over in the CTS thread had a link to an interior pic of the 05 STS and it was very nice looking. Much more upscale than the CTS.
Stopped by the dealer today to drop off credit app. and I'm glad I gave the salesman a hundred bucks the other day to give me first right of refusal. When the finance mgr. came out he said he was already working on an application for the same car and he didn't know there was already a deposit on it. My salesman told him it was already sold. I feel sorry for the guy sitting in the office when they told him the car he wanted was history. Still can't believe $12k off. Should pick it up next week. Only problem is I have to take over the 2002 V8 Sport and my wife gets the new one. Well there is always weekends. I'll post an opinion of the 2003 and all the refinements vs the 2002 after I take delivery. The NAV system seems pretty useful after playing with it today. I'm pretty familar with GPS units because we use one on my boat and this one has a nice bright screen even in bright sunlight. For those who don't know, this is hard to do with a color screen. Must be a quality unit. If it wasn't installed in this car it's not something I would normally buy because of the high price and the forced THX audio system. I'm in the consumer electronics business and for the life of me I don't get what a THX system which is designed for movie soundtracks and watching movies is doing in a car. Just a gimmic I guess. I'm sure Lincoln is paying George Lucas a fortune for the THX rights. Probably way more than the system is worth in a car to most people.
Well, I'd like to at least hear the THX system to evaluate the benefits. You may be right, or it may be amazing. I also find it really amazing how many of you own 2 of these marvelous machines! As good as they are, it's rare that families double up on the same models like I see on this thread. Speaks volumes about the car. Which, by the way, I agree with.
Took the LS in for the 30K service yesterday and also mentioned the rough idle. As expected, they found nothing wrong with the idle and said mine idled just like other LSs. So to those with V8 LSs, when your sitting stopped at a traffic light with both hands on the wheel, do you feel a slight vibration? And if your sitting in park with a cup of coffee in the cup holder and you remove the lid, does the vibrtion cause ripples in it? The reason I ask is I don't think this is normal for an LS. It doesn't shake to the point that you think their is a major problem, but the shake is more than I used to feel in my Intrigue(which always had a slight idle shake due to it's 90 degree V6). And when I first bought the LS, I remember it having a very smooth idle. I also got the line about it being okay to use 87 octane even though 91 is recommended. I think it is time to try a different dealer. On to the 30K service, they changed the oil, oil filter, transmission fluid and screen, engine air filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter as well as rotate the tire and a host of inspections. The transmission seems to shift a bit smoother than before, although I still get a slight delay on R to D engagements. On the ticket, I noticed it said they used 5W20 oil, Is this okay for the V8? I remember seeing in the manual that the V6 calls for this, but I believe the V8 said 10W30. At least it is on record that this is what the dealer put in it if there are any problems.
What year is your LS? I have a 2000 V8 Sport, and it does not vibrate at all at idle. In fact, that's one of the things that has always impressed me, this is the smoothest most vibration free engine I've ever owned. I'd take it back and have them check it again.
I believe, depending on year, that 5w20 is too light an oil, my owners manual says 10W30. I've heard of other dealers doing this as well.
Can anyone give me some advise? I am test driving 2001 and 2002 used LS's. Are there any reliability differences in the sport stick trans vs the regular one? Also, are there improvements in the 2003 trans.
I test drove a 2001 today with 28K on it...nice car. I've found myself turning the traction control off, due to the retarding of the engine when slipping. I dig the slip, personally. Better on or off in the snow?
No difference between the SST and non-Sport transmissions except the shifter and some software. The trans is identical. The '03 transmission is somewhat improved. To the driver, the most noticeable difference is the ability to select 1st gear from a standing start. On '00-02s, it would only shift to 1st if the throttle were opened >60%. This was because of the EPA fuel efficiency certification.
Yes, better in the snow with traction control or, if the car has it, Advance Trac ON. Occasionally you can turn it off and spin your way out of deep snow, but in three years I've only done it once.
BTW, if you're spinning the tires so often that you want to turn the TC off, I'd take a good look at the tires. Between good traction, tall gearing, and only fair low-end torque, it's not that easy to break the rear tires loose on an LS.
V8lincolnguy, you need a less lazy dealer. My 89k mile V8 idles smooth as glass. It was just as smooth right before I changed the original spark plugs at 80k miles. And you should use 5W30. And you should keep using 91 octane gas.
And your dealer should read the LS owner's manual.
<<<<<<Isn't THX a CERTIFICATION that things are done properly, and not necessarily an assembly of electronics & speakers? >>>>>>>
THX started out as a set of parameters and specs. for movie theaters. Lucas Films came up with the stuff. It involved carpets, theater seating materials, drapery materials etc. This evolved into certain specs for home theater electronics. The important thing to remember about this scam from George Lucas is that these specs are MINIMUM specs. I've heard lousy THX home theater systems and great systems that were not THX certified and the manufacture couldn't care less. In home audio one of the specs Lucas requires for example is a very low vertical dispersion of the high frequences from the speaker system In my opinion I would think that this would only cause any THX certified speaker to sound boxy instead of open sounding which causes the speaker to disapear which is what you would want. Any of Lucas' amplifier specs are already surpassed by any quality company with a brand name. All this has nothing to do with music reproduction which is why I can't understand why Lincoln would want to pay Lucas Films royalty money to put the silly thing in a car.
I'd guess that at least 90% of the people shopping for home/car electronics are clueless when it comes to selecting quality products. How else can you explain the fact that Bose is still in business?
I'll add to Scott's and Swaugger's comments. Both my '00 LS V8 and '03 LS V8 idle incredibly smooth. I'd call them the smoothest idling and running engines I've ever had.
There are many things that could cause a rough idle, coil pack, mis-firing injector, spark plug, dirt on the MAF(mass air flow sensor). A common problem with Ford engines is the IAC (Idle Air Control valve) gets gunked up with residue causing rough idle. I know that on the 4.6L V8 the IAC has been updated at least 2 times. However I don't believe that the 3.9L V8 uses the same sort of IAC that most other Ford engines do. I think the V6 LS does use that sort of IAC.
As far as LS auto transmissions go. The trannie was updated just after the start of the 2002 model year to change the OD ratio from .75 to .71 (overdrive or 5th gear). The new OD ratio also changed 2nd gear ratio giving more equal gear ratio spacing between 1-2 and 2-3.
For 2003 the transmission was updated again to what is called "synchronous shift" In the LS trannie 2nd gear is created by 1st X OD. The 2nd to 3rd shift requires both the main gear set to shift AND the OD to shift back out of OD. The trannie change for '03 is designed to make the 2 gear changes happen at the same time thus reducing the total shift time for the 2-3 shift.
From my experience, both the ratio change and the synchronous shift change are nice improvments. But I wouldn't consider them deal breakers if you're looking at a 2001 vs. 2002 LS.
I thought the SLS was RWD, but I could be wrong. I prefer the STS myself but I didn't have one available to me. I'm not to keen in Caddy's new angular designs but I like the previous SLS/STS body style - angular but not too much so.
The jury is out on the new 5. But does anybody have the link to the new STS pics? The LS is still in the running (even though I want a Wrangler for playtime ) but want to see the STS anyway.
I thought the STS was RWD... the new one had better be for me to consider it. Until then, it's still between the 5 and the LS. Anybody have new shots of the 05 STS (non-spy) are available yet?
To confirm what lobsenza said, an equivalently equipped BMW 530 will run a good $10,000 more MSRP than a LS V8. With dealer discount and rebates, that price difference can swell to $15K at street price. Plus sales tax, insurance and property tax will all be higher too increasing the BMW cost of ownership. Equivalent leases seem to run around $200 more per month for a 5 Series.
Go check out the 5 Series pricing on Edmunds. You can option out a new 530 to around $63K and a 545 to over $70K.
If you can get by the styling, the new 5 series looks like a great car the 545 performance looks great. It has many new luxury items not available on a LS, like heads up display, heated steering wheel, rear seat DVD entertainment system, 20 position front seats. But at a price differential of $15K to $30K, I'll stick with my LS.
comparison, and the Continental board is shut down...today I went to a local Lincoln dealer, sat in a 2000 Continental (front wheel drive, 275 HP V8) and 2001 LS V8...as the lower back ages, the inflatable lumbar support is becoming mandatory...did not est drive either, yet, due to traffic, so I will probably go back Sat morn so I can hit I-285 and try both vehicles at 75-80 mph...which vehicle would be better for long term comfort, say, a few hours behind the wheel???... the Conti seems a little larger on the inside, but the LS had telescoping steering wheel, bringing me closer to the pedals (helpful at 5'3"), I don't believe the Conti had tele wheel...interesting, the Conti had 25000 miles after 4 years, asking price 19000, LS had 20000 miles, asking price 25000...seems depreciation hit the Conti hard, and I am wondering if it might be the "next great deal" compared to the LS...any thoughts, random or otherwise, would be appreciated...also, were there any major problems with the Conti (other than slow sales, it seems rather attractive to me) that one should be concerned with???
I wouldn't say the Conti had many major problems, but it's not one of Ford's more reliable vehicles. Survey's showed the Conti have had a myraid of issues and problems... I would stick to the LS.
There will be a major handling difference between the 2. The LS is a RWD performance sedand and will handle much better. The Conti will have a softer flotier ride and is FWD. The LS is very comfortable on long trips. Note that the angle of the lower seat cushion does not adjust on the passenger side on the LS.
The current SLS/STS is FWD. One of the best FWD vehicles available, but still has the drawbacks of FWD and the front heavy layout. The 05 STS(there will ne no more SLS model) WILL be RWD. It will likely be more expensive than an LS although probably a bit less than a comparably equipped 5 series. Cadillac is dead serious about competing with the Germans with their new vehicles.
While the Continental is a plush vehicle inside, the fact that it is built on the Ford Taurus chassis just doesn't seem to do the classic nameplate justice. In all honesty, the LS should have been the Continental when it came out in mid 1999. Or better yet, Ford should have built a stretched wheelbase version the DEW98 platform and made that the Continental. I have never driven the Conti so I cannot comment on how it drives, but I think I'm safe to say the LS is superior in handling. And unless Town Car cushiness is your idea of good ride quality, the LS probably rides better than the Conti as well. Drive both and see which one you like the best and which one has the best seats for your back. I've done two 8+ hour trips in the LS since I bought it and have found the driver's seat to be very comfortable.
Car and Driver did a test a couple of years ago. They took 10 of their staff members and had them each drive 1000 miles in one day for 10 consecutive days. That's 10,000 miles in 10 days. Each drive was 16-20 hours long. None of the drivers had any problems with seat comfort - not a single complaint. That should tell you something. For long trips you need support, not overstuffed cushions.
The LS seat cushion tilts independent of the seat back, which allows locating the lumbar support higher or lower on the back. I don't know if the Continental is constructed this way
I've done two 11-hour days in my LS, and found the seats to be excellent.
Regarding ride comfort:
In my opinion, the LS Sport is too harsh with the standard 17" tires/wheels. I'm in the process of replacing mine with 16"
What tire pressures do you run in the stock, 17" michelins? Just curious, as I happened to drive another '03 LS8 Sport yesterday - and the ride does concern me a bit. Thanks, - Ray Who does still enjoy many things about the LS . . .
Comments
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I'd go for the LS, it's a lot more car than a 325i. Plus with a 2003 you get 36mo / 36K mile free maintainance (in addition to the 50K/48mo warranty).
The 2003 is nicely improved over the 2000 LS I had, more power, more luxury. The 3.9L V8 with VCT is truely a WONDERFUL engine! The NAV system isn't perfect, but now that I have one, I wouldn't want to do without it. The THX audio is one of the best sounding stock OEM audio system I've heard too.
The LS is one of the most directionally stable cars on the road. What you describe it totally uncharacteristic. There has to be something wrong.
The interest rate varies by market. At the time I got my '03 LS some markets were as low as 0.5% and others as high as 3%, so it depends where you live.
If you are putting down $10K, DO NOT use the 0% APR or other special finance rate. If you put down any substantial amount of money taking ALL the rebates and using the normal APR (or looking for a 3rd party loan) will usually work out to be the lowest cost. The breakover point will depend on the actual price of the car and the availble APR, but I found that it usually worked out if you put down more than $4K the 0% APR came out more expensive.
Your dealer HAS to disclose the total amount of all finance charges so ask their finance person to calculate the finance charges for the different forms of financing (that is if you can't calculate the finance charges yourself) and then compare the real total price of the car, that is car, rebates, taxes and finance charges among the different finance options.
I called the dealer today to ask about the $45.8k sticker car that I saw in the showroom that was being sold for $35.8 and the salesman told me it was dropped another 2 grand today. That's $33.8 for a black/black V8 SPORT with THX/NAV, moonroof, Advance Trac and backup alarm !! Edmunds TMV says $38.8k for this car and that number included the incentives. I started asking if it had been a demo, a loaner to the owner's daughter or some other story car. No, it's a zero miles, never been driven, showroom car. Hell, I paid $36k ($41.5 MSRP)for our 2002 V8 Sport. At the time that was over five grand under MSRP and more than a thousand under invoice. I thought that was a great deal. I asked the salesman what it would take to hold the thing until I could get out there. I gave him my credit card number. I have first rights of refusal. I'm excited. Once again the BMW guy looses out.
IIRC, LS sales peaked with the first model year 00 (calendar 99-00). I imagine there's less than 200K total in the US. I purchased one for my wife b/c it's a good car, marginally exclusive, and reasonably priced. But the original '00 is on the Consumer Report watch list for cars to avoid. I'm not sure about the revised '00, '01, or '02.
It's seems amazing, but I paid less for my 2003 V8 Sport with NAV/THX & Advance Track than I did for my 2000 V8 Base with only heated seats and tri-coat paint. (of course the 03 Sport comes with heated AND cooled seats).
The '03 V8 is a definate improvement over the '00, significantly more engine power, especially at low RPM's. On back roads I used to put my '00 in 4th most of the time, especially going up hills. Between the '03 engine and 3.58 rear end, I almost always just leave my '03 in 5th. The '03 is also noticably quiter, transmission shifts better, the seat leather looks & feels better, the seatbelts retract right all the time (was one of the few aggravations with my '00), the extra console space and cup holders are wonderful, the rain sensing wipers work much better, the steering precision is better, the auto up and down front windows are great, the cam chain whine is gone, THX sounds great, the auto headlamps come on more appropriately, etc. I can go on a lot more, but I think you get the idea.
Don't you love attorneys?
>>>>>>
Yes, and what I also appreciate is this particular dealer, who we also bought our 2002 V8 Sport from, only adds taxes, tags and freight. Every other dealer I've been to this time around shopping for a 325i wanted to add on all kinds of crap. $200 advertising, $200 fee for tag paperwork, etc.
Some would say that, with discounts of this magnitude, the sales must be going nuts.
Others wouldn't.
Front wheels need traction to steer you and keep you from that deep ditch on the side of the road.
Rear wheels need traction to get you moving.
All four need traction to help you stop.
I have AWD on my BMW 325xi and have All Seasons with a very 'snow friendly' tread. They will give you grip in the snow, but have the tread pattern to squirt it out. I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. They already have a narrower track than the standard 325.
I'd imagine for the LS you could go with a narrower snow tire and go with your standard wheels, though dedicated snow wheels with snow tires (read - steel) may be an easier and cheaper way to go (consider mounting/balancing costs).
-Paul
Still in the market for a LS V8 Sport with everything. Rented a Cadillac Seville SLS over a weekend trip to St. Louis. Did NOT like the acceleration, but the ride was great. Gimme that V8 power in the LS. Still impressed with it, but I'm still learning about the new 5. (LS is in the lead).
Isn't the SLS a front wheel drive? I find it strange that if you were considering a 5 series BMW and an LS you would even entertain a front wheel drive car. The new 5 with a V8 will cost you at least twenty grand more than the LS. Twenty grand would buy a nice used sailboat that you could have fun with on the weekends.
I believe, depending on year, that 5w20 is too light an oil, my owners manual says 10W30. I've heard of other dealers doing this as well.
I test drove a 2001 today with 28K on it...nice car. I've found myself turning the traction control off, due to the retarding of the engine when slipping. I dig the slip, personally. Better on or off in the snow?
Yes, better in the snow with traction control or, if the car has it, Advance Trac ON. Occasionally you can turn it off and spin your way out of deep snow, but in three years I've only done it once.
BTW, if you're spinning the tires so often that you want to turn the TC off, I'd take a good look at the tires. Between good traction, tall gearing, and only fair low-end torque, it's not that easy to break the rear tires loose on an LS.
V8lincolnguy, you need a less lazy dealer. My 89k mile V8 idles smooth as glass. It was just as smooth right before I changed the original spark plugs at 80k miles. And you should use 5W30. And you should keep using 91 octane gas.
And your dealer should read the LS owner's manual.
THX started out as a set of parameters and specs. for movie theaters. Lucas Films came up with the stuff. It involved carpets, theater seating materials, drapery materials etc. This evolved into certain specs for home theater electronics. The important thing to remember about this scam from George Lucas is that these specs are MINIMUM specs. I've heard lousy THX home theater systems and great systems that were not THX certified and the manufacture couldn't care less. In home audio one of the specs Lucas requires for example is a very low vertical dispersion of the high frequences from the speaker system In my opinion I would think that this would only cause any THX certified speaker to sound boxy instead of open sounding which causes the speaker to disapear which is what you would want. Any of Lucas' amplifier specs are already surpassed by any quality company with a brand name. All this has nothing to do with music reproduction which is why I can't understand why Lincoln would want to pay Lucas Films royalty money to put the silly thing in a car.
There are many things that could cause a rough idle, coil pack, mis-firing injector, spark plug, dirt on the MAF(mass air flow sensor). A common problem with Ford engines is the IAC (Idle Air Control valve) gets gunked up with residue causing rough idle. I know that on the 4.6L V8 the IAC has been updated at least 2 times. However I don't believe that the 3.9L V8 uses the same sort of IAC that most other Ford engines do. I think the V6 LS does use that sort of IAC.
As far as LS auto transmissions go. The trannie was updated just after the start of the 2002 model year to change the OD ratio from .75 to .71 (overdrive or 5th gear). The new OD ratio also changed 2nd gear ratio giving more equal gear ratio spacing between 1-2 and 2-3.
For 2003 the transmission was updated again to what is called "synchronous shift" In the LS trannie 2nd gear is created by 1st X OD. The 2nd to 3rd shift requires both the main gear set to shift AND the OD to shift back out of OD. The trannie change for '03 is designed to make the 2 gear changes happen at the same time thus reducing the total shift time for the 2-3 shift.
From my experience, both the ratio change and the synchronous shift change are nice improvments. But I wouldn't consider them deal breakers if you're looking at a 2001 vs. 2002 LS.
Thanks to all who responded! A special thanks to luas who nailed the problem.
roi4
The jury is out on the new 5. But does anybody have the link to the new STS pics? The LS is still in the running (even though I want a Wrangler for playtime
-Paul
-Paul
Go check out the 5 Series pricing on Edmunds. You can option out a new 530 to around $63K and a 545 to over $70K.
If you can get by the styling, the new 5 series looks like a great car the 545 performance looks great. It has many new luxury items not available on a LS, like heads up display, heated steering wheel, rear seat DVD entertainment system, 20 position front seats. But at a price differential of $15K to $30K, I'll stick with my LS.
The LS seat cushion tilts independent of the seat back, which allows locating the lumbar support higher or lower on the back. I don't know if the Continental is constructed this way
I've done two 11-hour days in my LS, and found the seats to be excellent.
Regarding ride comfort:
In my opinion, the LS Sport is too harsh with the standard 17" tires/wheels. I'm in the process of replacing mine with 16"
Thanks,
- Ray
Who does still enjoy many things about the LS . . .