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Comments
Maybe it is just a special vacuum vortex that is created on just my car. Not only is the windshield getting pelted, but the bumper, headlights, grille and hood all have some major chips in them.
Consider yourself lucky Scott.
Bruno
Thanks!
"The Lincoln LS Premium Package is not available with the Sport Package."
Guess it makes some sense. The Premium Package does include "17-inch chrome aluminum wheels" and the "12-speaker Alpine Audiophile system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer". Wonder if that will be true for '02s?
Precision handling tuned shocks, sport tuned steering calibration and performance brake linings.
This is the exact same description used for the Sport Package suspension; I don't know if they're exactly the same mechanically, but it certainly appears that they are. It wouldn't make sense to me that there would be a third suspension calibration avaiable or that they'd use the non-Sport settings with the chrome Sport wheels. This is speculation on my part, but they usually document running changes.
On the other hand, the literature doesn't indicate that an all-charcoal interior is available with the Premium package (both interior colors are supposed to be tutone), but I've seen one.
Packv12 is correct; the SST shifter is definitely NOT part of the Premium package. Premium also has the bright bumper strips, rather than the body-colored Sport bumper caps.
I see this as more of an issue with Ford once again revamping their web site. I guess that I can look forward to getting lost in my first attempt to locate the owner's connection!
Both Edmund's and Kelly do a pretty good job keeping track of availability of option, but I think that Edmund's is a bit better in their research. You should have been here for the heady days when the Audiophile system with glove box mounted CD changer got the axe in the Sport Model, Edmund's pointed out that information rather quickly.
- took a gravel hit (passing truck last fall) when the spreading cracks got long enough I got it replaced in March.( less than $500, don't use the Ford OE glass it about twicw s much).
- 6 weeks later, another peice of gravel found me and I've got another crack.
- Another rep for our company with an LS has replaced a windsheild already.
- Guy at place that replaced my first one mentioned a process that can repair a crack area smaller than a dollar bill for about $60.
I've driven about 40K a year for the last 12 years anf this is the first (and second )winsheilds I've ever had to replace.
A combination of Glass properties,airflow and or windsheild angle?
Also, asked dealer for the Tranny reprogram at 30k service, they did it - reponsiveness improved and highway mileage jumped 2mpg.
I don't think they do it unless asked, but it is worth asking for.
Brian
Speaking of mileage, I just returned from my first long trip with the LS. Just over 2700 miles of interstate, mountain road, and national park driving. Overall actual mileage was 24.43, the computer's readings averaged 24.66. Always over 26 mpg on the interstate, best single tank was 26.84. Cruise set at 80-82, AC on practically all the time, and lots of hills, even on the interstate.
And what a ride! We talk about handling here a lot, and rightly so, but this is a superb cruising machine. Last Sunday I drove from Phoenix to Greeley, Colo., 985 miles with only the minimum pit stops. Even got to deal with the Late May Blizzard of '01 that hit the Denver area. Arrived home tired of sitting in one spot, but that's all. And it was still a pleasure to slide behind the wheel the next day.
Let's see, St. Louis isn't quite that far and there shouldn't be snow in July, so getting to LS Mania 2 will be a piece of cake.
Best $33 I ever spent. If interested here is the source: John D Muller
338 Hyspot Road
Greenfield Center, NY 12833
His email is:John Muller [jmuller@nycap.rr.com]
I was pleased and amazed at these CDs. Check it out if you are interested in having this information.
I am guardedly giddy......
Have one complaint, but not related to the LS. On the drive back, a piece of truck tire came flying from under the car in front of me, rattled up under my car and the one behind me. Well, net effect was it ripped the plastic covering under the front of the engine/radiator half off. My baby has been damaged, but only cosmetic. Guess I will wait until the first service interval to get it repaired.
There are 16 days left before the registration deadline for Mania 2 in St. Louis occurs. The hotels will only hold the rooms at the rates we were quoted until June 12. Once this date passes the hotels are free to release the rooms.
June 12th is also the date when I have to make the decision if Mania 2 is going to happen at all. So far I have received only 5 confirmed reservations, with another 10 indicating that they are planning on attending. That makes 15 people only. While the event is on July 12-14, I have to send out deposits for the event by June 12.
The feedback from the people who are planning indicates that the fee is not unreasonable. To rent out Gateway Raceway for two days and have the SCCA professional driving instructors and track workers for the two days is around $30,000. We planned to cover the cost of the event by having a 100 participants in the school.
We are providing the lunches at the track on both days, along with a welcome reception on Thu. night and a banquet on Fri. night. There are quite a few of the Lincoln folks that are planning on being there, but only if there is enough participation.
Bottom line: If you are planning on attending sign up and let me know and reserve your room. If we don't have at least 50 people by June 12th, LLSOC will be forced to cancel the event and we won't have a national event at all this year.
There is an awful lot of work that is going into this to make it every bit as good as Mania 1 and better. Where else will you be able to drive on a professional road course taught by professional SCCA instructors, while enjoying the company of other LS owners?
LLSOC hopes to hear from more of you soon.
All the concerns and apprehensions I had going in were completely groundless. And BTW, the Bondurant School cost ten times what we're paying for Mania 2. (I even had to buy my own lunch.) Here's a chance to play with our cars in a controlled, safe environment, and to experience what they (and we) are capable of in extreme situations, with professional instruction. Did I mention it's also a lot of fun?
(My apologies to those who've read my posts on the LLSOC board. I still get pumped up & carried away every time I start thinking about this.)
I missed Mania 1 and have kicked my own butt for it all year. Won't make that mistake again.
Scott (stepping off the soapbox, putting down the megaphone)
www.lincolnls.com
www.lincolnsonline.com
Both have message board/forum. Can't say I remember seeing anything on either recently about Mania 2.
Good idea giowa! I forgot to post info. on those two sites.
Any additional suggestions on things to do that would help convince people that this would be a worthwhile event to attend would be most appreciated!
Brian
2. desertguy: Doubt I can convince the FBI to allow me into the Federal Witness Protection program in order to go to Mania 2. Being incognito is only way I'd likely be able to get out alive. And I'd probably blow my cover, kind of like Sammy "the Bull" did. I'd say something like "But what proof do you have for your gizmo purporting to get 50 mpg from a half tank of water?" Then the gig would be up! Odd you mentioned my SS. Took her to Kansas City with family and an extra kid for a short trip this weekend. Beauty of this beast includes her roominess inside and in trunk, she runs on regular unleaded, and gets about 25 mpg on interstate at 75 mph. That is what the Merc Marauder folks are looking forward to (and maybe towing capabilities).
The LLSOC membership packages will be sent out as soon as the window decals get done, which should be about 2-3 weeks.
Here's what members get:
1. Inside and outside mount window decal. Will be clear background with a etched glass look to the logo.
2. Embroidered cap with the logo. Dark gray for Charter members with Charter Member as part of the embroidery. Black caps for regular members.
3. Thank you letter for everyone who has graciously supported LLSOC through your membership and kind words.
4. Plastic Membership card (I looked at laminated ones and these are much better) with your name and barcoded membership number. We will use the barcode to register people at Mania as well as the card will be used for future member discounts at dealers, etc.
5. The first issue of the quarterly magazine is in the final stages of tweaking. I didn't have enough substance to release it yet. But I'm hoping that by the end of June that it will be released. Hopefully everyone will enjoy at least one article in it
P.S. giowa, speaking for myself, I would enjoy meeting you at Mania. I don't think you need to worry about being a pariah at the event. Everyone who owns a LS is equal in my book. Buy you a double martini if you show
Brian
Brian
Hey, giowa, a REAL pariah would show up in his LS with the ISSCA sticker in the window. So, leave the sticker in the Impala and just show up. If you bring the Chevy, we'll make you autocross it. That'll show ya
Scott
The only thing I did not like was the odd behavior of the engine and transmission. When trying to accelerate for entrance ramps or lane changes, the car responded hardly at all. As I pressed the gas down further trying to get it going, it suddenly shifted WAY DOWN and spun the engine up, and then accelerated fairly well. This felt like an old Tempo rental car, and certainly not what I would expect from a such an otherwise refined car. I have recently driven Acuras and Avalons with about the same weight and rated horsepower and their engines were much more responsive, although the rest of the LS is superior in my opinion.
In these posts, I have seen mention of the "transmission reflash". I doubt if the car I drove had been reflashed. What effect does the reflash have on the V6 acceleration?
Thanks for your help.
Mark, what is involved in replacing the tranny casing? Should I be concerned about tranny operation after this casng replacement? Will I need to get the tranny TSB again as the tranny was working fine after the lastest TSB reflash?
So now waiting another week for this work, after it took one week for them to decide on replacing the casing. This now adds up to more than 8 weeks my 00 LS8 Sport has been in the shop.
Regarding the reflash, check the number, and ask your dealer to check the car. The software reflash costs the dealer little or nothing, and they should be happy to do it if they know it might sell the car. Have had my 2000 LS V6 Sport/Auto for 33,000 miles and have no regrets whatsoever. Had it up to 120 briefly today on I-95 and it was solid, with strong acceleration
You will not need to have the TSB done again. The reflash is on the Powertrain Control Module which is separate fromt the transmission. It will retain the programming.
the LS6 for the first time. My first impression was that this thing couldn't get out of its own way. I later realized that the small amount of throttle I was giving it only produced a downshift one gear, or maybe even only just unlocked the TCC. As you found, this produces very modest acceleration. Don't be afraid to get on it. It will wind up to 6500 RPM before you know it. You won't hurt anything. Upshifts are controlled electronically.
The V6 does accelerate quite well from a roll. However, as ronniepooh states, if you're looking for more, try the V8. I'm satisfied with my V6 Sport. Could it use more power? Sure, but the overall driving experience so great that I don't even notice it. After 17 months of ownership, I'm still looking for excuses to drive it and I'm still frequently way over the speed limit, V6 or not.
Obviously, I don't know what the asking price of the car you're looking at is, but a recent dealer ad in my area had a '00 Sport V8, 15K miles, with all options for 29K. I'm sure there's plenty of wiggle room on the price here.
The Acura and Avalon might have more straight-line acceleration, but both are FWD cars and can't hold a candle to the LS in handling, especially the Avalon. Different target market.
Ask them to see the service history on your car. This shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure it wasn't a daily rental or loaner.
Let us know what you decide. Good luck. I hope you become a member of the "LS family."
Please advise on pros/cons.
Thanks much
I have made this trip many times. It is 95% interstate cruising at 70-75 MPH - about 2500 RPM with the 3.58 gear. I usually get mileage in the high 23's to low 24's. This time, though, after the first 100 miles, the computer was showing 26.9. By the time we arrived in Iowa, it was showing 27.4! Thinking the computer was out of whack, I filled up and checked it manually - 27.26! On the return trip to Minneapolis, running around 80 MPH, the mileage was 26.9. Overall, this is about 3 MPG better than I have ever gotten before.
I have only made one change to the car since our last trip - swapping the tires. They are the same size and the odometer showed exactly the same miles for the trip that it always has so there is no speedometer error.
I am not a Firestone basher nor am I a Michelin advocate. It is not logical that the Michelins would have enough lower rolling resistance to make a 3 MPG difference, but I am at a loss to explain this sudden huge gain.
This car is still a mid-size. It is shorter than our Sable and only seats 4 adults. The driveshaft tunnel makes the middle of the back seat "comfortable" only for short-legged kids. The trunk is a little smaller, but looks like it has more useable space. With the donut spare there is lots of room under the trunk floor for little things. All of the things "wrong" with the car to me are just nit-picking stuff anyway.
I would recommend the LS without hesitation. It is refined yet sporty. It wants to run every time you turn the key. Staying at the speed limit is a challange! I find myself hitting triple digits getting on the freeway! That's not too hard with everyone else doing 80+, but I digress. If you want a Lexus smooth, quiet, isolated ride, this car isn't for you. If you like to DRIVE, you'll find this car quite satisfying. Don't let a test drive fool you. This car needs quite a few thousand miles to loosen-up. It feels very slow and unwilling right away. The RPM's don't want to climb. Once the engine breaks-in the RPM's climb and before you know it, you're at the rev limiter! I'm already planning my next one and we will be a 2 LS family!
Regards,
Airwolf1000
"If you want a Lexus smooth, quiet, isolated ride, this car isn't for you."
I think this could be misleading. My 2000 LS V8 non-sport IS definitely in the smooth, quiet category. Maybe not quite Lexus, but 80 MPH cruising is deceptively smooth & quiet ... to the point that all four occupants can converse in normal tones, as though the car is parked.
I had no complaints about manual downshift quality so that is fine, too. What really surprised me was the much crisper manual upshifts. I don't recall upshift quality being mentioned in the summary of the TSB that I read, but the improvement is obvious. The 1-2 and 2-3 manual shifts at WOT gives a very pleasing lunge that is much stronger than before. I can't help but wonder if 0-60 and quarter mile times wouldn't be slightly improved.
My questions: Was the TSB intended to improve upshift quality or is that just a pleasant side-effect? Also, this morning when I started the engine (about 50 degrees outside temp) the engine quickly settled into a normal nice idle. It didn't run at 1500 RPM like it usually does. Did the TSB impact engine calibration or was the low idle just a result of the warmer (by Minneapolis standards) temperature? Or was it some strange fluke?
I swear everything about this car pleases me more every time I drive it!
Bruce
I'm glad you like it. A lot of effort went into that update, both from my area (transmission) and from the engine calibration people.
The TSB installs the 2001 calibration into the 2000 cars. There were many, many improvements that went into it both from engine and transmission. The TSB just mentions the areas that we had complaints so that the dealers know how to resolve those complaints. The TSB does not have a comprehensive list of all the improvements.
Mark
Your statement
"There were many, many improvements that went into it both from engine and transmission. The TSB just mentions the areas that we had complaints so that the dealers know how to resolve those complaints. The TSB does not have a comprehensive list of all the improvements"
begs the question . . . can a comprehensive list of all the improvements be made available?
My dealer put a very hard sell on me to have the transmission fluid changed at 30,000 miles. I do not meet the severe service as outlined in the owners manual. My dealer says "Driving in the Twin Cities IS severe service."
Has anyone else been encouraged to do this? Any opinions? Thanks.
Bruce
I agree with you on everything you said. Especially the 1-2 2-3 shift. I have had a 2001 loaner LS on multiple occasions and man.... Engages almost seamlessly and with authoritii...Big difference from my 2000 which still needs the TSB. The 1-2,2-3 Sounds like boxing ( give em the old 1-2). Anyways the new 1-2, 2-3 combo is a knockout... As well as the removal of the reverse delay. Keeps you from getting hit off guard
Airwolf