American auto manufacturers are moving to Mexico while the Japanese are moving to America because of COST. That's it. If the UAW would step down from their high pedestal and look around they'd find that they are, in part, directly responsible for the decay of the American manufacturing infrastructure. The folks building that Honda are getting paid what? $15/hr tops? While the folks building a LS (or whatever) are getting closer to $30/hr. How do you compete with that?
Absolutely! I've had my '03 for 9 months now and have had only had 1 problem, the rear seat would not latch after I used the pass thru to the trunk. And the car is just plain old fun to drive.
It seems that the '03 updates addressed most of the concerns of the owners of the '00-'02 models. If you have any doubts, look at the 'problems and solutions' boards of the competition. You'll find that the LS has fewer and less severe problems.
The Zephyr is based on the Mazda6 platform, AWD with a 3.5L DOHC V6. That will be the next baby Lincoln... They will release more information at the NY Auto Show...
Though I'm not sure which is scarier, actually remembering the previous incarnation of the Zephyr name, or the actual car that bore the name. My grand-dad had a Ford Fairmont for a few years, and is what drove a life-long Ford man to buy GM. What a POS that Fairmont was . . . like I said before, those were pretty dark years for Detroit Iron.
necroscope: You're preachin to the choir. UAW just keeps demanding more. They're just locked into that 1930s union mentality. ANd I guess they've got the big 3 locked in as well. So the Japanese (and Germans) are free to use cheaper labor in the USA while Ford goes to Mexico to build the "American Family Sedan". What a disaster. Either way, UAW is soon a paragraph in the history books. Just hope they don't take the American auto industry with them.
Lincoln Zephyr. Travel well in a Zephyr. What a luxury Zephyr should be. Zephyr - American Luxury. Sorry, it just isn't working for me. And it does really conjure up some major recent bad iron. At least the Monterey and Montclair names date to the 50s and 60s when American iron was as good as anything and people loveed their cars. Nobody will remember or care about the 1930s Zephyr. At least then it might have been a good name.
But ANT says it's going to have a 3.5Liter V6? That's a new Ford engine, isn't it? Bigger than the one in my LS. Yet the car is smaller/lighter. At least that's a step in the right direction.
The 3.5L DOHC V6 will first debut on the 2006 Aviator, which will also be based on the Mazda6 platform. The Zephyr should be getting this engine as well since it'll debut the year after.
It would be VERY stupid of Ford to place the 3.0L even pumped up to 232HP as in the LS-V6, since the Futura sedan (possibly a name change to Four-Hundred.....Taurus replacment, Also built on the Mazda6 platform, will sport the 3.5L in ST trim making 270HP.
So using common sense, it would dictate that the 3.5L will have been produced and released in another vehicle, sharing the same platform.
Have had '00 V8 Sport Auto 4.5 years, 55K. Paid too much, had several of the startup defects, & while it ain't bad in snow (haven't been stuck in Cincinnati yet), I think average front wheel drive is better.
But yes, I'd buy another one. Why? The damn thing's such a pleasure to drive. Gets up an goes, handles beautifully - zero drift, & rides so comfortably. Love the auto driver position memory & telescopic wheel. Atuo rain sensor (Here that may be gone now.) Still proud to walk up to it & get in till this day even with the dings. & I probably could buy a better LS today for several grand less. Hard to beleive there's a better ride for the money out there. Still hope they're making them in '08 or may be forced to buy a 2-3 year old one.
compared to their competition at the time folks... The Citation and Aspen/Volare were just as pathetic IMO, and the Fairmont was cheaper to buy than the others. We had one. It was good for 5 years with no problems - then I sold it.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer the question of whether they would acquire their LS again. Signed the contract Mon night for an 04 LS V-6 with appearance package, sunroof, heated/cooled front seats, and a few other things. Trading in a low mileage, but getting tired '94 Cad Eldorado. Having had 4 Audis, 4 Porsches, 1 Cad, 2 Oldsmobiles, 1 Chevy Cavalier, a Geo Prism, a couple of Pontiacs and I can't remember what else over the past 40 years; this promises to be an interesting experience.
Got a decent deal from a Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has been in business forever. Only about 4 miles from my house so service udring warranty should be easy.
I bought an LS in OCt.'99, kept it for almost 2 years. Still to this day I dream about that old car. Like so many of you I have the ability to put 2 and 2 together. The sum of a LS is greater than all of BMW's parts! I get the most bang for my buck with this american sedan. To those who are looking...take it for a drive. On wet roads,dry roads, curvy roads. If it doesn't put one of those "pleasantly suprised" smiles on your face then you probably don't buy the whole sport sedan enthusiasts concept. Either way if you are looking for something that "travels well" or makes BMW sweat, then you are talking about the Lincoln LS.
Now, to the Lincoln people. DO NOT let this opportunity slip away. You still have the chance to bring this car into the spo(r)t light. Show us the Ford GT. Show us the new Mustang. Show the world what we already know. That the LS can kick a** and take names. Also, 3 letters...AWD, seriously.
No doubt it is superior to the Eld. Very comparable to the Audis I have had in the past. Going to pick it up late this afternoon--if it is not raining. got to kep it clean for a day or two.
Hi I am a new member and I really need some help. I am a new owner of a Lincoln LS 2000 v8 automatic transmission and I love it ! I am looking for a shift knob woodgrain who will fit on this car at a reasonable price. Any idea where I can find it. Thanks Marco
I'm in the market for a used car. I am attracted to the 2001 LS because there are a glut of them coming on to the used car market after 3 year leases have expired. My concerns about buying an American made car is that they are usually not as reliable as the foriegn competition. Are my fears unfounded with the LS? Is there any particular year/model that I should look for or avoid? Thanks in advance.
My 2001 V8 ran without flaw until it recently passed the 45,0000 mile mark - then wham! The dreaded "check left brake light" message. It costs a $5.00 bulb (two-pack) and twenty minutes to replace. Why can Ford not match the reliability of German and Japanese cars?! You can expect the same dismal performance if you buy an LS.
"Why can Ford not match the reliability of German and Japanese cars?"
I would say, take a look at Camry's, Corolla's from 1999, to now. The vehicle could be weeks old (back then and now), and there's brake bulbs already out on them. For some odd reason it's one of their gremlin's that hasn't been corrected till resently. Naturally, Ford nor Toyota, make the lightbulbs. The bulb supplier is at fault.
But naturally, because the LS is american, it's "An issue, that requires immidate dramatic attention at the dealership".... When at Toyota, it's "a minor inconvinience" that can be smoothed over with a coupon for a free oil change....
Whether it is a Camry or a Taurus, it is still the manufacturers fault when a bulb (or anything else) does not perform. The mfg. is responsible for the performance of its sub- contractors. There is no blaming the subs IMO.
We rented another 2004 LS in Phoenix this past week. This one had 12K on the odo and was champagne in color. We enjoyed it until we went over a parking lot bump strip at a creep and both the ABS and traction control lights came on and stayed on. Resetting by the manual or turning the car/ATC off did not help. Finally at Hertz suggestion we turned the car in at the Palm Springs Airport. All they had for us was a black Jaguar S Type. Poor us! Had a ball with it (4.0 V8) but a black car with black leather isn't the ideal desert car. The Jag is currently residing at the Phoenix Airport.
Thanks for the quick responses. I guess I am a little nervous about getting the LS after reading the Edmunds long termroad test review. They seemed to have problems with their LS. Is there any year that is a problem year, or are all the LS versions about as reliable as eachother? Any thoughts? The other cars that I am considering are the Acura TL or a Lexus RX300. I know that this is like comparing apples with oranges, but what the hey.
I have a 2000 LS V-8 with the Sport Package. I've got 40K miles on it (build date was October 1999). The only problems I've ever had were the rear window regulator failure (both rear window regulators replaced per the Lincoln TSB - no questions asked); and the transmission reflash to speed up the shift delay between Park and Reverse. The car has simply been flawless otherwise.
My LS gets autocrossed monthly (very competitively too), and I certainly don't baby it, but I do hold to rigorous maintenance schedule. The car does not burn oil, rattle, or vibrate. Previoulsy, I'd owned Japanese brands for 15-years and none of those cars were as trouble-free as this Lincoln. Check out my edmunds profile to see which cars I previoulsy owned for reference.
From what I've heard anecdotally, the 2000, first year out, had more issues than other years in general, but I know several people who had them without any serious flaws for 100,000 miles too.
As with all cars, they're machines, and you can get one that is more problematic than others. But by and large, these cars have an excellent following and reputation, despite Edmunds' long term report.
Yesterday, I even heard Click & Clack from Car Talk (NPR) actually recommend one to a caller, saying it was "very reliable"! Remarkable, from two guys who rarely have much good to say about any domestic make.
"My 2001 V8 ran without flaw until it recently passed the 45,0000 mile mark - then wham! The dreaded "check left brake light" message. It costs a $5.00 bulb (two-pack) and twenty minutes to replace. Why can Ford not match the reliability of German and Japanese cars?! You can expect the same dismal performance if you buy an LS." Is this sarcasm? A brake light fails at 45K, the machine tells you what's wrong, it's fixed in 20 minutes, & you can jump to its overall reliability not be as good as the J's & G's? A bit extreme.
My 2001 V8 ran without flaw until it recently passed the 45,0000 mile mark - then wham! The dreaded "check left brake light" message. It costs a $5.00 bulb (two-pack) and twenty minutes to replace. Why can Ford not match the reliability of German and Japanese cars?! You can expect the same dismal performance if you buy an LS." Is this sarcasm? - YES. The LS has been absolutely reliable, comfortable to drive on long trips, and a pleasure to drive on mountain roads. The point was a light bulb was the ONLY probelem in 45,000 miles.
I had a 2000 LS8 up to 130K, and throughout that time I had the reflash performed early on and that was it. Never bothered with the TSB over the window regulators since I never opened them (this is FL!)
Bought a new LS8 a few months ago, so far 13K miles and no issues either. You can definately feel the upgrades done for 2003+, even if they were minor overall, but still has been reliable for me. And that's quite a bit to say considering how hard I drive vehicles.
I'm drooling over an 04 LS 8 Ultimate in Light Tundra Green myself..... Or maybe in the Red? Of course the Light French Silk is nice too...as is the Black, and the White. I guess Silver is about the only color they make that doesn't send me......
What really sends me though, is the way these cars perform...
Ironically, it's one of the best things that occured in the Jac Nasser era (in there's maybe just 2-3 things that occured on a positive, with a 1000 negatives).
Silver is a good dirt/dust hider. As the same with light french silk and even seafoam green (forgot the specific name). I have black myself and I'm a slave to it, but every car I've had with painted bumper's, I've asked in black....IN case there's a bump or scratch, it doesn't stick out, as it would on white or a lighter color. But that's just a me thing since I ram shopping carts, and rubbermaid trash cans that might have wandered onto my path....
I purchased a 2001 LS V8 with 26,000 miles last September and it appeared to be a lease turn in. Other than a few light scratches in the paint, the car seemed to be in excellent condition. I now have 35,000 miles on the car and still enjoy it alot. I've had a couple of problems, but nothing major and nothing that seems to give me worry that I may have problems down the road. One thing you will want to do is make sure the PCM has been updated or re-flashed. This will cure the well publisized R to D engagement that early LSs had and once that was done to mine, the transmission also shifted smoother. One common problem on V8s is the valve covers start leaking oil and the gaskets have to be replaced. This is not a very complicated fix and should be covered under the warranty. I wouldn't necessarily condemn American cars as not being as reliable as foriegn cars. All the cars I've owned have been American and all but one were reliable, well built cars. One area where the imports(at least the Japanese) do shine is overall build quality and fit and finish. As for mechanical reliability, I think the gap between US and imports has closed dramatically. Go test drive some LSs and see what you think. As for models to look for, well if you like performance(and are willing to pay a little for it at the pump) then scope out a V8 with the sport package. Pre 2003 V6 models also had the sport package option. I would probably shy away from a 2000 just because it was the first year of a totally new design and there were a few known problems that some people had. And a 2000 is likely to be past or getting near it's warranty end date unless the previous owner had an extended warranty. Good luck.
U use shoe polish on those scratches too, ANT? He He....
Unfortunately, I seem to find white and yellow things to back into with my black bumpers... However, since the new SUVs I'm driving have the reverse sensing on them, I hit a lot fewer light poles now
Not only would I, I did. I had a 2000 V8 Base (leased). I now have a 2003 V8 Sport (in the Siver Birch that doesn't please nvbanker).
2. Is the Lincoln LS reliable?
I had zero reliability problems with my '00 LS. I did have a couple of the early issues, transmission re-flash to improve shifting, rear axle replacement to get rid of the drone, etc. I'd call these refinement issues, not reliability problems as they had no effect on the ability to drive the car. For the 2001 model year these early build refinements are not an issue as most of the updates went into production towards the end of the 2000 model year. If you belive Consumers Reports, they have now put the Lincoln LS on their recommended list.
I would not take the Edmunds long term test seriously. They don't understand why the battery is in the trunk and they refused to check into having their PCM re-flashed to improve the shifting even after several people in this forum e-mailed them to tell them how to solve the problem.
"Never bothered with the TSB over the window regulators since I never opened them (this is FL!)"
Ironically, the window regulators are under the highest stress when they're in the full up (window closed) position. The TSB simply authorized the replacement of the opposite side rear window regulator to be replaced when replacing the broken one. The culprit was a plastic clip breaking after it had weakened under the constant stress of non-use (closed windows) and exposure to higher ambient temperatures (this problem was more common to LSs that resided in the sun belt).
The window regulators were purchased from the same vendor that supplies Mercedes, though only Lincoln opted for the plastic clip. The 2nd generation window regulator had a reinforced plastic clip, and that too failed. The 3rd and final regulator design utilized a metal clip like those used in the Mercedes design. This is the fix that was applied to my car, and I've had no problems since (knocking wood while typing).
I should explain. I had 3 silver cars at one time in the late 80's, an 87 Sable, an 88 Ranger, and a 90 Cougar, and I think I "silvered" out! Just haven't been moved by a car in Silver since. But I came dangerously close to buying a Silver Birch Navigator in 03. Even brought it home overnight, but rejected it actually, because of the damn power running boards! They drove me nuts, always going in and out.
I bought a White one this time, so that shows you how much taste I have...... No offense intended!
Actually I haven't hit anything to scuff the bumper's, I've always had this radar for knowing what's around me. But I do hit things out of the way that happen to be rubber, so it bounces off.
The few marks I've had I've been able to remove with compound, or in a case where I was rear ended (Camry's front bumper fell off, grill crunched, hood lip mared), I see that as I walk to the rear and was about to kick the lady then I see my bumper...swiched her pain flakes, used my nail and her paint came off, no issue.
Also helps I have reinforced bumper's because of these inconviniences, and because I'm just waiting for someone to cut me off so I flip their vehicle (frontal reinforced as well), BUT that's another story....
nvbanker, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to have a little fun. No offense was taken. My wife didn't want to get silver because her last car was silver. With the 2000 LS I let her pick the color, Ivory Parchment Tri-coat (which I like too) but this time I put my foot down and picked the color.
The color choice was determined by the interior color and what was on the dealer lots. I didn't want a black interior, because our other 2 cars have black interiors. I would have been just as happy with Medium Steel Blue, Light Gold Parchment and possibly the Tundra that you like. I didn't want red because the wife's car is red and I didn't want a dark color because they are too much of a pain in the rear end to keep clean.
Picked up my wife's new LS last Wed. It is vivid red. Great color. Also got 'silvered out.' Had to remove a 7" black mark from the LR door on Sat. My wife was visitng her mother and someone got too close with a shopping car or scotter or something. Fortunbately it buffed out with no damage to paint or sheet metal.
It was in the dealer's shop this morning. Stupid hood latch would not lock properly. Had to take it off yeaterday and adjust it so it would lock. Dealer did some adjustments this morning and pronounced it fixed. Also reminded us that since it is an aluminum hood (I knew it was light) & to be careful closing it. I close the hood on my Boxster wearing cotton gloves so I don't mess up the paint. Is that careful enough?
Looking good so far. Yesterday she had the sunroof open and the seat heater on. Only in America--what decadence!!
Saz1, Don't just take our word for it, check are the problems and solutions boards for the LS vs the Acura TL. You'll find that the TL has 500 postings to that board vs 100 for the LS. Yet the LS has 13,000 postings to the regular discussion board vs 6,000 for the TL. The TL has tire problems, flaws with the NAV system, rattles, rattles, rattles. And don't forget the 3 year reliability study from JD Power. You'll find Lincoln ranked way ahead of anything German that is not a Porshe.
You can't use the number of posts in any given Problems discussion as any indication of reliability for a number of reasons.
First, the number of posts you see in a discussion do not tell you the numbers of posts that exist in archived versions of that discussion. Some discussions have as many as ten or more archived versions (we had to cut them off around 500 posts on our previous platform ).
But even if you knew the total of all posts under any one subject, you still don't know which posts were specific problems. And even if you knew THAT, posts on message boards such as the Town Hall are entirely anecdotal.
You need to do some research on the websites that gather data in a controlled manner and publish meaningful statistics to find out the average reliability of any given vehicle. JD Power is certainly one of them.
I'm sure in a number of those posts, archived or otherwise, there a a fair number of them related to major transmission failures in the TL. Make sure you check that out before go that route. This was enough to make me look elsewhere (that and the fact that they were FWD, were lacking in torque....)
Regarding bulbs burning out, is it due to the bulb manufacturer simply making bulbs that don't last? Or is it due to the car manufacturing that somehow causes them to burn out. ( I really have no idea which it is). I have noticed that by far the cars that I notice with burned out headlights are VWs and I mean by far. I would think that if it was the bulbs, that would be an easy fix. Change your supplier. Since so many of these cars have headlights out (Mostly Passats / Bugs) I would think the cause lies somewhere in the electronics of the car.
With my partner's Volvo, it was the wiring harness that somehow was burning out the bulbs repeatedly. Once the harness was changed, the bulb issue went away for good. So........
I own an o2 LS with the pearl paint. After its first Ohio winter, I have found tons of tiny orange spots (about the size of the head of a pin)all over both sides of the vehicle. I have owned white cars before and have never experienced this. COuld the spots be some form of rust. I know one other person with the same car in the same color who experienced the same problem. I will check with dealer to see if this condition falls under warranty. Any comments or thoughts??
Comments
But wait - I did (setting aside a teutonic transgression in between) do it again.
- Ray
'00 and '03 - purchased '99 and '04 . . .
And the car is just plain old fun to drive.
It seems that the '03 updates addressed most of the concerns of the owners of the '00-'02 models. If you have any doubts, look at the 'problems and solutions' boards of the competition. You'll find that the LS has fewer and less severe problems.
You're preachin to the choir. UAW just keeps demanding more. They're just locked into that 1930s union mentality. ANd I guess they've got the big 3 locked in as well. So the Japanese (and Germans) are free to use cheaper labor in the USA while Ford goes to Mexico to build the "American Family Sedan". What a disaster. Either way, UAW is soon a paragraph in the history books. Just hope they don't take the American auto industry with them.
Lincoln Zephyr. Travel well in a Zephyr. What a luxury Zephyr should be. Zephyr - American Luxury. Sorry, it just isn't working for me. And it does really conjure up some major recent bad iron. At least the Monterey and Montclair names date to the 50s and 60s when American iron was as good as anything and people loveed their cars. Nobody will remember or care about the 1930s Zephyr. At least then it might have been a good name.
But ANT says it's going to have a 3.5Liter V6? That's a new Ford engine, isn't it? Bigger than the one in my LS. Yet the car is smaller/lighter. At least that's a step in the right direction.
It would be VERY stupid of Ford to place the 3.0L even pumped up to 232HP as in the LS-V6, since the Futura sedan (possibly a name change to Four-Hundred.....Taurus replacment, Also built on the Mazda6 platform, will sport the 3.5L in ST trim making 270HP.
So using common sense, it would dictate that the 3.5L will have been produced and released in another vehicle, sharing the same platform.
But yes, I'd buy another one. Why? The damn thing's such a pleasure to drive. Gets up an goes, handles beautifully - zero drift, & rides so comfortably. Love the auto driver position memory & telescopic wheel. Atuo rain sensor (Here that may be gone now.) Still proud to walk up to it & get in till this day even with the dings. & I probably could buy a better LS today for several grand less. Hard to beleive there's a better ride for the money out there. Still hope they're making them in '08 or may be forced to buy a 2-3 year old one.
Trading in a low mileage, but getting tired '94 Cad Eldorado. Having had 4 Audis, 4 Porsches, 1 Cad, 2 Oldsmobiles, 1 Chevy Cavalier, a Geo Prism, a couple of Pontiacs and I can't remember what else over the past 40 years; this promises to be an interesting experience.
Got a decent deal from a Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has been in business forever. Only about 4 miles from my house so service udring warranty should be easy.
Thanks again for the input and advice.
It actually cost me less (a lot less) than my '00. With all the improvements, it is a better car AND a better bargain.
Just my 2 cents - with a $.02 mail in rebate = free info.!!!
- Ray
Never expecting to call any Lincoln 'a bargain' . . .
Now, to the Lincoln people. DO NOT let this opportunity slip away. You still have the chance to bring this car into the spo(r)t light. Show us the Ford GT. Show us the new Mustang. Show the world what we already know. That the LS can kick a** and take names. Also, 3 letters...AWD, seriously.
Laxman,
Will own a LS again,very soon.
Right on, Laxman! What you said!!
No doubt it is superior to the Eld. Very comparable to the Audis I have had in the past. Going to pick it up late this afternoon--if it is not raining. got to kep it clean for a day or two.
I am a new member and I really need some help.
I am a new owner of a Lincoln LS 2000 v8 automatic transmission and I love it !
I am looking for a shift knob woodgrain who will fit on this car at a reasonable price.
Any idea where I can find it.
Thanks
Marco
circlea
I would say, take a look at Camry's, Corolla's from 1999, to now. The vehicle could be weeks old (back then and now), and there's brake bulbs already out on them. For some odd reason it's one of their gremlin's that hasn't been corrected till resently. Naturally, Ford nor Toyota, make the lightbulbs. The bulb supplier is at fault.
But naturally, because the LS is american, it's "An issue, that requires immidate dramatic attention at the dealership".... When at Toyota, it's "a minor inconvinience" that can be smoothed over with a coupon for a free oil change....
My LS gets autocrossed monthly (very competitively too), and I certainly don't baby it, but I do hold to rigorous maintenance schedule. The car does not burn oil, rattle, or vibrate. Previoulsy, I'd owned Japanese brands for 15-years and none of those cars were as trouble-free as this Lincoln. Check out my edmunds profile to see which cars I previoulsy owned for reference.
You won't regret getting an LS.
As with all cars, they're machines, and you can get one that is more problematic than others. But by and large, these cars have an excellent following and reputation, despite Edmunds' long term report.
Yesterday, I even heard Click & Clack from Car Talk (NPR) actually recommend one to a caller, saying it was "very reliable"! Remarkable, from two guys who rarely have much good to say about any domestic make.
I PROMISE you that the LS will be at least as reliable as any European brand, and likely better.
Bought a new LS8 a few months ago, so far 13K miles and no issues either. You can definately feel the upgrades done for 2003+, even if they were minor overall, but still has been reliable for me. And that's quite a bit to say considering how hard I drive vehicles.
What really sends me though, is the way these cars perform...
Silver is a good dirt/dust hider. As the same with light french silk and even seafoam green (forgot the specific name). I have black myself and I'm a slave to it, but every car I've had with painted bumper's, I've asked in black....IN case there's a bump or scratch, it doesn't stick out, as it would on white or a lighter color. But that's just a me thing since I ram shopping carts, and rubbermaid trash cans that might have wandered onto my path....
Unfortunately, I seem to find white and yellow things to back into with my black bumpers... However, since the new SUVs I'm driving have the reverse sensing on them, I hit a lot fewer light poles now
1. Would you get another Lincoln LS?
Not only would I, I did. I had a 2000 V8 Base (leased). I now have a 2003 V8 Sport (in the Siver Birch that doesn't please nvbanker).
2. Is the Lincoln LS reliable?
I had zero reliability problems with my '00 LS. I did have a couple of the early issues, transmission re-flash to improve shifting, rear axle replacement to get rid of the drone, etc. I'd call these refinement issues, not reliability problems as they had no effect on the ability to drive the car. For the 2001 model year these early build refinements are not an issue as most of the updates went into production towards the end of the 2000 model year. If you belive Consumers Reports, they have now put the Lincoln LS on their recommended list.
I would not take the Edmunds long term test seriously. They don't understand why the battery is in the trunk and they refused to check into having their PCM re-flashed to improve the shifting even after several people in this forum e-mailed them to tell them how to solve the problem.
Ironically, the window regulators are under the highest stress when they're in the full up (window closed) position. The TSB simply authorized the replacement of the opposite side rear window regulator to be replaced when replacing the broken one. The culprit was a plastic clip breaking after it had weakened under the constant stress of non-use (closed windows) and exposure to higher ambient temperatures (this problem was more common to LSs that resided in the sun belt).
The window regulators were purchased from the same vendor that supplies Mercedes, though only Lincoln opted for the plastic clip. The 2nd generation window regulator had a reinforced plastic clip, and that too failed. The 3rd and final regulator design utilized a metal clip like those used in the Mercedes design. This is the fix that was applied to my car, and I've had no problems since (knocking wood while typing).
I bought a White one this time, so that shows you how much taste I have......
Actually I haven't hit anything to scuff the bumper's, I've always had this radar for knowing what's around me. But I do hit things out of the way that happen to be rubber, so it bounces off.
The few marks I've had I've been able to remove with compound, or in a case where I was rear ended (Camry's front bumper fell off, grill crunched, hood lip mared), I see that as I walk to the rear and was about to kick the lady then I see my bumper...swiched her pain flakes, used my nail and her paint came off, no issue.
Also helps I have reinforced bumper's because of these inconviniences, and because I'm just waiting for someone to cut me off so I flip their vehicle (frontal reinforced as well), BUT that's another story....
The color choice was determined by the interior color and what was on the dealer lots. I didn't want a black interior, because our other 2 cars have black interiors. I would have been just as happy with Medium Steel Blue, Light Gold Parchment and possibly the Tundra that you like. I didn't want red because the wife's car is red and I didn't want a dark color because they are too much of a pain in the rear end to keep clean.
It was in the dealer's shop this morning. Stupid hood latch would not lock properly. Had to take it off yeaterday and adjust it so it would lock. Dealer did some adjustments this morning and pronounced it fixed. Also reminded us that since it is an aluminum hood (I knew it was light) & to be careful closing it. I close the hood on my Boxster wearing cotton gloves so I don't mess up the paint. Is that careful enough?
Looking good so far. Yesterday she had the sunroof open and the seat heater on. Only in America--what decadence!!
Don't just take our word for it, check are the problems and solutions boards for the LS vs the Acura TL. You'll find that the TL has 500 postings to that board vs 100 for the LS. Yet the LS has 13,000 postings to the regular discussion board vs 6,000 for the TL. The TL has tire problems, flaws with the NAV system, rattles, rattles, rattles.
And don't forget the 3 year reliability study from JD Power. You'll find Lincoln ranked way ahead of anything German that is not a Porshe.
First, the number of posts you see in a discussion do not tell you the numbers of posts that exist in archived versions of that discussion. Some discussions have as many as ten or more archived versions (we had to cut them off around 500 posts on our previous platform ).
But even if you knew the total of all posts under any one subject, you still don't know which posts were specific problems. And even if you knew THAT, posts on message boards such as the Town Hall are entirely anecdotal.
You need to do some research on the websites that gather data in a controlled manner and publish meaningful statistics to find out the average reliability of any given vehicle. JD Power is certainly one of them.
:-)
Regarding bulbs burning out, is it due to the bulb manufacturer simply making bulbs that don't last? Or is it due to the car manufacturing that somehow causes them to burn out. ( I really have no idea which it is). I have noticed that by far the cars that I notice with burned out headlights are VWs and I mean by far. I would think that if it was the bulbs, that would be an easy fix. Change your supplier. Since so many of these cars have headlights out (Mostly Passats / Bugs) I would think the cause lies somewhere in the electronics of the car.