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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.