Well, I don't still have my LS but the lease on my Jag XType is over in about 4 months. I am seriously thinking LS for it's replacement. If truth be known, I wish I had never let my original LS go. (don't miss those falling windows though :-)) Wife loves the XType and I have had virtually no problems but I still prefer the LS.
For you newer LS afficianados, sorry for us old farts catching up. I actually regret turning in my MTX because a replacement is just not out there. Handling is my forte, and my FX45 just does not handle like a sedan. The LS is just one of the best handling vehicles in the world, and rare in a sedan. Yes, the CTS-V would be a killer. I'd have to get past the reliability problems that Caddy has, the styling and the price. Then there's the pushrod engine with only two valves. If I could get past the limits of two doors, the new 400hp GTO would be the better value. They are practically giving away last years 350hp GTO. George, I turned in my LS with over 45k on it and the brake pads still had meat on them. I'm disappointed in the Zephr and 500 because they are FWD. And the Mustang with the live rear axle instead of the DEW98 Lite. What happened? At least the Cobra will have IRS. Ford does some funny things for sure. They need to keep a model for a long time,refine it and keep the price down so Consumer Reports will just love the value. I don't think Americans are into change for change's sake that much. New whoopdie-do styling is not as important as substance.
I have an 01 LS with 44K on the clock. Havent had too many problems with it (broken power window, airbag wire harness). Anyway, the warranty is up soon and was wondering whether it was worth gettin the extended warranty from Ford or someone else. I am looking at the Ford Premium Care or the Intercontinental Warranty. Any thoughts?
You asked for my thoughts, so here you go. If you can afford to plop down $1000 - $1500 or so for an extended warranty that will only cover you for another couple of years then you can probably afford to pay for any potential repairs in that same time period. The odds are not in your favor - if they were then the warranty company would not be making any money. You're basically betting that you'll have repair costs that exceed the cost of the warranty and if you don't, you've thrown away $1000-$1500. And remember, the warranty period doesn't start until the factory warranty is up, so a 6 yr, 75000 mile extended warranty is really only a 2 yr, 25,000 mile warranty because the factory covers the first 4 yrs/50,000 miles.
That said, if it makes you feel more secure to have it and you don't mind spending that much money and getting nothing in return....go for it.
Get it or don't, I can go either way, though in theory, akirby has to be right. But if you do get one, GET IT FROM FORD! Trust me.....you'll be sorry if you don't, and you need it.
Alan, many of us have our original LSs for two reasons. Reason 1 is that we REALLY LIKE the cars. Reason 2 is that sadly, they're depreciating like a rock in water, so it's financial suicide to trade if you really don't have to.
I looked into trading up our 2000 in 2003, and then again 2004. It's ridiculous what the cost would be, "X" plan notwithstanding. With the 2000 having only 34,000 miles, it looks like we'll have it for a while longer. (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
I have to disagree. When it becomes cost prohibitive for one to change something they don't like often they do not. However, I like my car even with all the misfortunes I have had. Fortunately many of my problems occured under warranty becasue it can become cost prohibitive to keep something you love. When stuck between those two conditions I guess the only option is to drive wrecklessly
Alan, you missed my point. I LIKE my 2000 LS. I like the LS to the point that I'd trade up to a newer model IF it was financially feasable to do so.
However, since the LS, as well as a number of other cars, is depreciating like a rock in water, I've chosen to keep it for a few more years. I can't justify spending $20-25K just to have a 4 year newer car.
Or, the car would have to have been a real lemon for me to spend that kind of money just to dump it. Hopefully, this clears up what I was trying to say....
I understood what you were saying. Depreciation makes it a little harder to get rid of but my original point was that the vast majority of LS owners really love their cars as evidenced by the long term owners that are still here, not to mention that other place.
Depreciation is one of the reasons why I may not purchase a LS even though I think it is a good vehicle, but I'm wondering if the depreciation is slowing down after 2 years. For example, I can get a 2003 LS for under $25,000, which is $20,000 depreciation in only two years! But, what kind of depreciation can I expect over the next 2-3 years? After all, the value can't go down to just $5000 after 4 years (or at least I hope not)! I just want to try and protect myself in case I have to sell the vehicle in 2-3 years due to job loss or another reason.
Don't fall into that trap! That $25K 2003 LS did not sell for anywhere close to $45K. It was probably closer to $38K or even less. So you're only seeing $13K in depreciation. The ones who got hit hardest were the early LS buyers who didn't get any rebates (like me). When the rebates and discounts started on the 2002 - 2003 models that really dropped the resale value on the 2000/2001 models. Anyone who buys a LS now gets a major discount which will more than offset the lower resale value. Compare the purchase price (you can probably get $8K - $10K off sticker) with what it should be worth in 2 or 3 years and use that as your cost basis - not MSRP on a new one compared to resale on an older model. Apples and oranges.
I don't know if my LS and TBird wheels were made for Ford by the same manufacturer, but my 03 Bird has to have a defective rim replaced due to flaking inside the wheel resulting in an air leak.
Another ThunderBird chatbox user said that he had a similar problem with a 007 TBird rim.
I'm EXACTLY where you are. Car was 5 years old three days ago & has 54,955 miles on it.
Drives like a charm again by just having tires rotated (Wasn't bad, just a little off optimum). Still love the handling, ride, & pickup. Would do it all over again & may. But not for the 2-3 years - if they're still around.
Hi guys, not sure if any of you remember me, but I used to chat with many of you almost every day several years ago. I haven't logged on in a couple of years but it is nice to recognize so many screen names and see that you are still passionate about your LS's. It also still bothers me seeing when some of you have problems. I just noticed the one about temperature differences. Have you cleaned the water valves? There are some screens in the water valves that can be clogged with debris or contamination, it can cause a differential in water flow to the heater cores and as I recall in worst cases heat to still come out of one side while the other side is cooling, maybe that is the issue? For the past two years I have been exclusively working on the Police car high speed / rear crash issue so i haven't had much time to keep track of the forums. I had two more LS's (01,02) but have an X-Type right now. I miss the LS though and may get another next year. Well just thought I would say Hi to you guys, The involvement I had with the LS and in particular the people on this forum is one of my favorite memories. Happy Motoring!! Dick Cupka
Hi Dick - welcome back! Most of us are still here and still just as passionate about the LS as we were when you left.
Unfortunately we're not sure about the future state of Lincoln sport sedans given the recent trend towards AWD based on FWD platforms (like your X type).
I only went to the first Mania event. Enjoyed it a lot -- I'm looking at the clock, still on my desk.
Being a hard-core manual transmission person, I was sorry to have Lincoln hand me my walking papers in '03, the same year a number of significant improvements were made to the LS.
You guys created a wonderful car, but it appears the bean counters won out. Instead of decades of year-over-year improvements, we have a six-year flash in the pan.
". . .the vast majority of LS owners really love their cars as evidenced by the long term owners that [sic] are still here. . ."
As is often the case Allen, I beg to differ, though rarely with you.
The vast majority of LS drivers are as clueless as the day is long. Each came into possession of their LS for reasons that I'm not sure could be explained, but "excellent handling" is likely to be in the double-digits on their list.
The hundred or so enthusiasts who populate "the other board" and the nine who show up regularly here (or the 15 who post most of the messages there) shrink to insignificance when put up against the 150 - 200K LS's that were somehow moved through the white-shoe Lincoln dealers over the past five years.
Don't really disagree with you there, Steve. I guess I was really referring to the fact that there is a small number of enthusiasts who bought this car early on and either still have their original cars or have bought new ones and are still on this board and the other one. I think that says a lot about how good this car is, even though I realize the future ended for you and others when they dropped the manual in 2003 and the future of the LS in general doesn't look too bright right now given Lincoln's future direction.
I bought my 2001 MTX V-6 sport LS with 50,000 miles on it about 2 years ago. I was offered an extended Ford warranty but decided to take my chances and declined it. I'm glad I did as the LS has been about the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have about 80,000 miles on the car now and other than one rear window regulator, it has never seen the inside of a repair shop. I also did a Ford-Lincoln dealer search on its repair history before I owned it (it was a Ford executive car) and the only repair it had ever had was for rear brake pad replacement just before I bought it. This car is a gem! It still looks and drives like a brand new car. It's as tight as a drum, the five speed manual trans is loads of fun, and it handles like a dream. I like it so much that I can't envision selling it for a very long time. The Lincoln LS is a terrific car and I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for a used sport sedan.
Well, my LS with 50,900 miles has begun flashing the air bag light at me. It happens about every other time I drive it and goes to steady on after flashing for a while.
Anybody had this happen?
Thanks
George (who wonders if the firmware in the LS computer begins randomly generating errors after the odometer rolls over to 50000. :>)!
Anthony...back on May 15, 2004 post #13215 you mentioned "...and much more soundproofing (I dislike any type of noise).."
Did you do the soundproofing yourself? I'm hypersensitive to noises as well. I have taken my 03 LS in a couple of times for a noise/noises. All very minor, except one coming from the rear right (somewhere) when driving over sharp angles where body roll would be more pronounced then normal. The dealer has yet to fix that issue and I was wondering if you've experience something similar and been able to correct the problem.
What is the right fuel for LS v6? According to the manual, I should use premium gasoline (octane 91 or above)without methanol. But I find lots of gas station selling gasoline with ethanol in my state, Connecticut. Do your guys use gasoline containing ethanol? I think it is hard to separate ethanol and methanol by chemistry.
i am looking to buy a 2002-2004 LS (V6 or V8). I am a 20 year old, currently commuting college student. Looking at gas mileage and quality of make and model, how is this car rate on gas mileage and (good quality) life-span in comparison to other high-end luxury vehicles. Please give me some advice and suggestions on whether to buy, if V6 or V8, and qhat else to look at. thanx.
Yes I did the sound proofing myself. Actually the LS has been the quietest car I've had, after having a Mustang as one of my first vehicles, I learned how to soundproof with thanks to friends who worked in Acoustical Engineering. Therefore they helped me out on a few projects.
Dynamat (while expensive) is something I use quite a bit of. Removing door panels, under the carpeting (Since I have to lift the carpet, I just upgrade it to some very thick pile- this part can get expensive if someone does it for you), a good layer aft the back seat (trunks are a common place for noise intrusion, same with the rear parcel shelf), some Dynamat panels adhered under the hood itself, fenders, wheel wells, between headliner and metal ceiling, etc. In some areas of the firewall, injection foam.
Also added a few lines of insulation foam string (Home Depot, under weatherproofing and door thresholds) around doors. Make sure those seals are properly lubed. I leather/vinyl cleaner on them every 2 months so they don't crack.
Then you have the window glass thickness, that if thickening, might help. Instead of going thru THAT expense, I had them laminated which prevents smash and grab robberies since it keeps the glass intact. The film itself helps thicken and quite a tad as well.
What helped me if I had a previous LS, so I just removed everything (except the Laminated paper/glass) and placed it upon the new LS. Just had to cut and tailor a few lil' things here and there since some items were addressed from the previous version, onto the new one, to quiet it even further. One example is, many of the points in the firewall I had to inject insulation were already taken care of and didn't need it.
IN the end of the day (rather week) is it worth it... All depends on your view. My point wasn't to quiet just the car itself, I just DON'T Need to listen the motorcycles or the ghetto-fied Civic next to me with a fart-can sounding muffler blasting his hip hop music to the world. IN total, roughly $640, and only because much of the labor was done by friends, many strings pulled, lots of favors that were owed to me.
Just got back from a 4,000 mile road trip. Average 30 mpg. 2003 6 cyl. The ride was fantastic. Wet and dry and was never in the granny lane. Avg drive speed 64mph. 9500 miles on car. Better than the 2001 and 2000 models. It's a shame Ford doesn't support this great car. I think that it to costly to make, compared to the rest in it's class. Next car will not be a FORD product. No For product looks good in the future line-up.
I'm probably switching to a Mustang for my next vehicle regardless. I almost bought one before getting the LS. I'll keep my 2000 LS for another 2 or 3 years though.
I will likely follow. I had considered the Boxster S and the Cobra Mustang but my sweet lovely wife who I love dearly had other ambitions for my daily driver.
Funny though when it came to her car I had little to no input even refused to buy an LS, GASP!, then I recommend the 3.5 Altima which she didn't like becasue of the tail lights. She said she wasn't going to settle PERIOD.
In the end, nearly 8 months of shopping, she test drove a maxima didn't like it then she low and behold she took a liking top a shinny black nissan ALTIMA 3.5SE.
Did I get credit? NOPE! Fellas don't settle buy what ya want. Yes I love my car dearly but I settled. I won't trade my LS on my next purchase becasue it will become a project car or I might throw darts at it, I kid, actually there are some things I want to do to it. Primarily, gut it and transplant the 4.6 mustang engine and everything to the rear end.
Isn't interesting that the old original LS gang seems to have had it with FORD. We all seem to agree that the LS is a special car. Ford does not see it that way. The suits in the board room did not appreciate the strong following and therefore did not do the proper marketing to build on this group. The quick buck loomed large and now they are chasing a 'new market' that they , each year, are losing to the imports. The imports win and FORD financial,thats where the money is, will come up short. Remember back 3/4 years, when the FORD car execs lurked around this board and would help solve problems. Ford is going back to the old ways. Its a shame..........
My LS is the only vehicle I've ever owned (I don't lease, BTW) that was built in the U.S. Even my Eagle (nominally "American") was built in Canada. Plus which, it sucked after the first four years.
OTOH, the LS is hanging in through its fourth year, and may well last into (and past) the fifth. Problem is, I have nowhere to go when it finally does pack it in.
Actually I do, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Ford. GM is a possibility, but makes me nervous -- I'll hide & watch for the next year or so. Otherwise, I'm offshore, where I've been most of my driving career.
After 4 years of driving my LS, I was reaffirmed in my LS ownership this morning when pumping gas at a local station (that I still drive a cool car.) I pulled up to a pump with a gentleman already filling his Camry. After going into pay, he came around the back of his car and looked at the back of my car and asked: What kind of car is that? I told him the Lincoln LS and he said it was a very pretty car. (okay, so the use of "pretty" was questionable, but hey it was a compliment none the less.)
It is nice to know that my 4 year old semi-clean, but dusty LS still attracts attention and is still turning heads! It is a cool car.
I get compliments on my LS constantly, it's a 2000 V8 red/burgundy metalic, tinted windows, 19" Zinetti wheels and a magnflow X pipe exhaust. I removed the lincoln tags and markings (expect the grill and the LS on the front quarters) and no one really knows what the car is. This is saying alot as you don't get complements on cars in the OC because most everyone (and their teenagers) have a nicer car than yours no matter what you drive.
Yeah, that fits. I've posted here many times, IMO, the LS is the most underrated vehicle I've ever found on the planet. While it is sad that Ford has so under marketed this car and it has an uncertain future, it's great that we have discovered it and had it while we have. Were it not for my particular needs not coinciding with it's appearance in the market, I would have certainly owned at least one of them.
Un derrated Un derfunded Un dermarketed (should be a word, if it isn't) Un certain future (it's pretty certain, I think) Un supported by Ford/Lincoln Un dersold by the dealers (what's an enthusiast?)
Un able to explain why it was ever introduced, given the above
Check out this week's "On the Table" at http://autoextremist.com . Here's a relevant excerpt: "It seems that Ford has decided to throw in the towel and is abandoning the luxury market for the brand altogether. Instead, Lincoln will be aiming at the dreaded (and over saturated) "near luxury" market – that Twilight Zone of $35,000 to $50,000 - which is quickly turning into the auto industry’s vision of Hell, as competitive entries pile up and on top of each other in one giant ball of consumer confusion. So, what Ford is really saying is that they choose not to compete against Cadillac, let alone the import brands, with what once was one of America’s most prestigious brands."
LS, say hello to all three Capris, the XR4ti, and the Scorpio; you'll be hanging out with them from now on...
UNimpeachably the best looking and best driving car I have stabled. I still prefer it over my leased 350Z!
LS Drives like a sports car and looks like a well dressed gentleman in the board room compared to the competition. If FLM would only send it to a few therapy sessions scrtach that if only the folks at FLM would take a few therapy sessions then maybe they could see the err in their ways.
Comments
" And the new STS is a beauty, though I don't know if it's avail with MTX. "
Not now - an not likely, from what I've read.
- Ray
Impressed with the STS - and it's automatic trans . . .
I actually regret turning in my MTX because a replacement is just not out there.
Handling is my forte, and my FX45 just does not handle like a sedan. The LS is just one of the best handling vehicles in the world, and rare in a sedan.
Yes, the CTS-V would be a killer. I'd have to get past the reliability problems that Caddy has, the styling and the price. Then there's the pushrod engine with only two valves. If I could get past the limits of two doors, the new 400hp GTO would be the better value. They are practically giving away last years 350hp GTO.
George, I turned in my LS with over 45k on it and the brake pads still had meat on them.
I'm disappointed in the Zephr and 500 because they are FWD. And the Mustang with the live rear axle instead of the DEW98 Lite. What happened? At least the Cobra will have IRS.
Ford does some funny things for sure. They need to keep a model for a long time,refine it and keep the price down so Consumer Reports will just love the value. I don't think Americans are into change for change's sake that much. New whoopdie-do styling is not as important as substance.
That said, if it makes you feel more secure to have it and you don't mind spending that much money and getting nothing in return....go for it.
I looked into trading up our 2000 in 2003, and then again 2004. It's ridiculous what the cost would be, "X" plan notwithstanding. With the 2000 having only 34,000 miles, it looks like we'll have it for a while longer. (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
Mine is 5 years old but it only has 55000 miles so I'm keeping it for another 2-3 years.
However, since the LS, as well as a number of other cars, is depreciating like a rock in water, I've chosen to keep it for a few more years. I can't justify spending $20-25K just to have a 4 year newer car.
Or, the car would have to have been a real lemon for me to spend that kind of money just to dump it. Hopefully, this clears up what I was trying to say....
A new LS is a heck of a bargain right now.
Another ThunderBird chatbox user said that he had a similar problem with a 007 TBird rim.
Anything like this happen with the LS rims?
Drives like a charm again by just having tires rotated (Wasn't bad, just a little off optimum). Still love the handling, ride, & pickup. Would do it all over again & may. But not for the 2-3 years - if they're still around.
Well just thought I would say Hi to you guys, The involvement I had with the LS and in particular the people on this forum is one of my favorite memories. Happy Motoring!!
Dick Cupka
Unfortunately we're not sure about the future state of Lincoln sport sedans given the recent trend towards AWD based on FWD platforms (like your X type).
I only went to the first Mania event. Enjoyed it a lot -- I'm looking at the clock, still on my desk.
Being a hard-core manual transmission person, I was sorry to have Lincoln hand me my walking papers in '03, the same year a number of significant improvements were made to the LS.
You guys created a wonderful car, but it appears the bean counters won out. Instead of decades of year-over-year improvements, we have a six-year flash in the pan.
Anyway, thanks.
As is often the case Allen, I beg to differ, though rarely with you.
The vast majority of LS drivers are as clueless as the day is long. Each came into possession of their LS for reasons that I'm not sure could be explained, but "excellent handling" is likely to be in the double-digits on their list.
The hundred or so enthusiasts who populate "the other board" and the nine who show up regularly here (or the 15 who post most of the messages there) shrink to insignificance when put up against the 150 - 200K LS's that were somehow moved through the white-shoe Lincoln dealers over the past five years.
We were sold a bill of goods.
At least in my case, it won't happen again.
Anybody had this happen?
Thanks
George (who wonders if the firmware in the LS computer begins randomly generating errors after the odometer rolls over to 50000. :>)!
Did you do the soundproofing yourself? I'm hypersensitive to noises as well. I have taken my 03 LS in a couple of times for a noise/noises. All very minor, except one coming from the rear right (somewhere) when driving over sharp angles where body roll would be more pronounced then normal. The dealer has yet to fix that issue and I was wondering if you've experience something similar and been able to correct the problem.
What is the right fuel for LS v6? According to the manual, I should use premium gasoline (octane 91 or above)without methanol. But I find lots of gas station selling gasoline with ethanol in my state, Connecticut. Do your guys use gasoline containing ethanol? I think it is hard to separate ethanol and methanol by chemistry.
Yes I did the sound proofing myself. Actually the LS has been the quietest car I've had, after having a Mustang as one of my first vehicles, I learned how to soundproof with thanks to friends who worked in Acoustical Engineering. Therefore they helped me out on a few projects.
Dynamat (while expensive) is something I use quite a bit of. Removing door panels, under the carpeting (Since I have to lift the carpet, I just upgrade it to some very thick pile- this part can get expensive if someone does it for you), a good layer aft the back seat (trunks are a common place for noise intrusion, same with the rear parcel shelf), some Dynamat panels adhered under the hood itself, fenders, wheel wells, between headliner and metal ceiling, etc. In some areas of the firewall, injection foam.
Also added a few lines of insulation foam string (Home Depot, under weatherproofing and door thresholds) around doors. Make sure those seals are properly lubed. I leather/vinyl cleaner on them every 2 months so they don't crack.
Then you have the window glass thickness, that if thickening, might help. Instead of going thru THAT expense, I had them laminated which prevents smash and grab robberies since it keeps the glass intact. The film itself helps thicken and quite a tad as well.
What helped me if I had a previous LS, so I just removed everything (except the Laminated paper/glass) and placed it upon the new LS. Just had to cut and tailor a few lil' things here and there since some items were addressed from the previous version, onto the new one, to quiet it even further. One example is, many of the points in the firewall I had to inject insulation were already taken care of and didn't need it.
IN the end of the day (rather week) is it worth it... All depends on your view. My point wasn't to quiet just the car itself, I just DON'T Need to listen the motorcycles or the ghetto-fied Civic next to me with a fart-can sounding muffler blasting his hip hop music to the world. IN total, roughly $640, and only because much of the labor was done by friends, many strings pulled, lots of favors that were owed to me.
I would recommend a 2003/2004 - there were over 500 things improved from the 2002. But most importantly test drive any car you're considering.
Funny though when it came to her car I had little to no input even refused to buy an LS, GASP!, then I recommend the 3.5 Altima which she didn't like becasue of the tail lights. She said she wasn't going to settle PERIOD.
In the end, nearly 8 months of shopping, she test drove a maxima didn't like it then she low and behold she took a liking top a shinny black nissan ALTIMA 3.5SE.
Did I get credit? NOPE! Fellas don't settle buy what ya want. Yes I love my car dearly but I settled. I won't trade my LS on my next purchase becasue it will become a project car or I might throw darts at it, I kid, actually there are some things I want to do to it. Primarily, gut it and transplant the 4.6 mustang engine and everything to the rear end.
In the Daddy will have 2 fast cars. Mwahahahaha!
The end.
My LS is the only vehicle I've ever owned (I don't lease, BTW) that was built in the U.S. Even my Eagle (nominally "American") was built in Canada. Plus which, it sucked after the first four years.
OTOH, the LS is hanging in through its fourth year, and may well last into (and past) the fifth. Problem is, I have nowhere to go when it finally does pack it in.
Actually I do, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Ford. GM is a possibility, but makes me nervous -- I'll hide & watch for the next year or so. Otherwise, I'm offshore, where I've been most of my driving career.
It is nice to know that my 4 year old semi-clean, but dusty LS still attracts attention and is still turning heads! It is a cool car.
Un derfunded
Un dermarketed (should be a word, if it isn't)
Un certain future (it's pretty certain, I think)
Un supported by Ford/Lincoln
Un dersold by the dealers (what's an enthusiast?)
Un able to explain why it was ever introduced, given the above
"It seems that Ford has decided to throw in the towel and is abandoning the luxury market for the brand altogether. Instead, Lincoln will be aiming at the dreaded (and over saturated) "near luxury" market – that Twilight Zone of $35,000 to $50,000 - which is quickly turning into the auto industry’s vision of Hell, as competitive entries pile up and on top of each other in one giant ball of consumer confusion. So, what Ford is really saying is that they choose not to compete against Cadillac, let alone the import brands, with what once was one of America’s most prestigious brands."
LS, say hello to all three Capris, the XR4ti, and the Scorpio; you'll be hanging out with them from now on...
LS Drives like a sports car and looks like a well dressed gentleman in the board room compared to the competition. If FLM would only send it to a few therapy sessions scrtach that if only the folks at FLM would take a few therapy sessions then maybe they could see the err in their ways.