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Lincoln Aviator

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  • tomgbtomgb Member Posts: 6
    I'll have to add my vote for a poor brochure. It isn't until you get to the 7th panel that they finally show you a picture of the SUV. Maybe someone is hoping for a brochure designer award but it won't be because this one gets to the point of giving you useful information in any hurry.

    Will we ever get to see a _real_ product at the dealer?
  • aviatormanaviatorman Member Posts: 44
    I actually like the brochure, although they need to focus your on the vehicle, not the pretty background.
  • dc661dc661 Member Posts: 71
    Not sure where you heard of the apx. 2000 vehicles being recalled but according to automotivenews.com US production reports, only 157 Aviators have been built as of Nov. 23rd. They built 26 last week and 9 the week before. They must be having some problems though or production figures would be much higher. Seems like it will be several weeks before we see any at dealers.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I just saw a dark blue one out for a test drive in Alpharetta (north Atlanta). Must have come from World Lincoln Mercury. So there's at least 1.
  • sequoiasaurussequoiasaurus Member Posts: 240
    How did that "dark blue" one look? That's the one I'm really interested in but seems all the ones in print are silver.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I didn't really have time to get a good look - it whizzed by doing about 40 and I just happened to catch Aviator on the right rear. From what I did see it looked pretty good. Maybe the Explorer or, more likely, the Mountaineer come in that color. If so you could get a good idea from one of those. IMO the best color is Vivid Red.
  • wesley1derwesley1der Member Posts: 49
    My dealer in Ohio got in a silver Aviator. Took for test, nice drive. Price $47,000 plus. Wanted 24 mo lease. 24,000 mi. $22,037.19 one pay lease. Seems way to much to me. I will look else where.
  • johnnylincjohnnylinc Member Posts: 308
    As akirby surmised, Medium Wedgewood Blue is available on the '03 Explorer (the regular 4-door, not the Sport or Sport Trac.) It's also available on various models of the '03 Navigator, Expedition, and Excursion; not the Mountaineer, though.

    If there's a large Ford dealer near you, you should be able to find one of the Ex trucks in your color; this would give you a good idea of how it would look on the Aviator. Be sure to check the window sticker to make certain you're seeing Medium Wedgewood; True Blue is also available on some configurations, and it's similar to Wedgewood--darker, though, IIRC.

    I saw an Aviator in Gold Ash at a car show a few days ago; it was subtle, but VERY sharp. The Aviator color palette looks really nice; I don't think there's a bad one in the bunch.
  • navigator3740navigator3740 Member Posts: 279
    My dealer got 4 in today, had one prepped by this afternoon, so I got a thorough test drive (with 3 of my friends) in a Ceramic White Aviator this evening. He also got a Red one, which his wife immediately took possession of, and a Blue one, one other White one. My Rants and Raves follow:

    RANTS: I hope Billy is listening, because there is one issue I have with many luxury car makers, and unfortunately, this one is a shining example. It's a Lincoln, not a Ford. So there are some features every Lincoln should just not be punched out without - and Memory Seat is one of them. This Aviator is a stripper, it had almost no options, but Memory Seat should be standard. Hell, my 2002 Mountaineer has it! Inexcusable. Other than that rather unforgivable (and very GM like) flaw, I have no serious issues. I felt the steering could use a little more low speed boost, but it's tolerable. Also, the rear A/C controls up front are flush with the roof, and should be canted so myopically challenged guys like me can see them.

    RAVES: And, there are many. This car ROCKS! The engine has a lovely low growl that just purrs pleasure when you gas it. Fabulous power, smoothness and range from the engine. Transmission is seemless. This thing is a real driver. It handles like it's on rails. Comfortable in the extreme. Solid, quiet, and rigid feel all around. The look and feel of luxury in the switches and gauges, and the dash is remarkable in its clarity and brilliance. The heated and cooled seats is a big plus here, be nice if you could set their position, BILLY! The car is worth waiting for, IMHO.

    Overall, I'm very impressed, and will buy one for my wife when her lease is up. It's everything I expected in performance and quality. I found no defects or hints of defects.

    So, we have at least 4 in Las Vegas. You all should be seeing some very soon.
  • force98force98 Member Posts: 81
    According to the Aviator brochure I got from my LM dealer, the Aviator comes standard with "Memory Feature", which controls seat, exterior mirrors, and pedals. Edmunds lists this as standard, and the LM web site does not show them as an option when you build the vehicle (neither does Edmunds or MS CarPoint, for that matter).
  • navigator3740navigator3740 Member Posts: 279
    My apologies......It was my mistake. They moved the window controls over to the center console, I got that, but also was ignoring the buttons on the door, which were the seat controls...I was just assuming they were window controls. (blush)
  • joqjoq Member Posts: 8
    Dealer called on Tuesday and said they got 3 Aviators in. 2 were preordered by customers so they have just one available for test drive.

    I will set up a test drive this weekend.
  • joqjoq Member Posts: 8
    To clarify, the Aviator has memory seats AND mirrors as standard equipment right?
  • force98force98 Member Posts: 81
    Yes--and the power adjustable pedals are tied into memory also.
  • lee1000lee1000 Member Posts: 10
    After ordering a Vivid Red Aviator Luxury edition AWD almost six months ago, I finally took delivery on Friday. It is spectacular with a few faults. Handling and performance are great. My only complaints have been hinted at previously, there is too little headroom foor a person with a long torso, like me, which also gives a problem with entry through the doors. So far the only other complaints are more than anticipated wind noise and lack of power adjustment of the seatback as the manual detents are too course for finding a truly comfortable position. These are picky, but they are real and could easily be improved upon.

    Would like to hear from anyone else who actually has one. Love the RED.
  • navigator3740navigator3740 Member Posts: 279
    But the Dealer's wife took that one almost off the truck, so haven't seen how it looks yet. I agree with you on the manual seatback adj. I think that's cheap, getting back to my rant against Lincoln for putting out product on the cheap sometimes. Nonetheless, I will likely buy a 2004. Maybe they will have fixed it by then?

    On my thorough test drive, I did not detect excessive wind noise......
  • rdelrdel Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone have any lease numbers yet, my dealer said 800 a month for three year lease, might as well lease a navigator at that price.
  • londonfinlondonfin Member Posts: 31
    Does anyone know if the Aviator has or will have anything like OnStar? Thanks.
  • utl3utl3 Member Posts: 26
    I just took my first test drive today and all I can say is Wow! I have not felt steering and a transmission shift like that in any domestic car. This is a great package, but one thing that is strange is that the one I drove had no auto-dimming mirror? I have gotten used to it in my other cars, including my Expedition EB, and I was very surprised that the Aviator did not have it. This was a premium version with all options, and the sales person was just as confused. He said the Mountaineer and Navigator both had this feature as standard equipment.

    This is a very weird place for Lincoln to save money, all the competition either has it standard or as an option. Could it be a fluke due to an early model or did they just try and slip it by? Also no compass, which both my truck and Expedition have?
  • johnnylincjohnnylinc Member Posts: 308
    There's no mention of an auto-dimming mirror in either the brochure or the product information sheet. In fact, the info sheet simply says, "Mirror, Rearview" in the "Key Interior Features" list. Looks like they left it off.

    The compass is included in the message center; I assume it's accessible via the buttons below the climate control panel.
  • e350v10e350v10 Member Posts: 92
    I just took delivery of a black Aviator Premium AWD w/ moonroof and rear DVD. FYI, there are financing and lease deals (36 and 48 month leases) and up to 72 month financing. 24@2.9% to 72@6.9%.

    I turned in a '00 Expedition w/ the 5.4 V8 and the difference is unbelievable - I think I got a sports car! Is it not hard to believe that this is the same engine as was in our '96 Cobra!

    I am looking forward to towing our 5500 lb. camper with it, as it is 1500 lbs lighter than the Expy and has 42 more horsepower!

    The auto dimming rear view mirror is a mystery, especially because there is wiring behind the mirror for the auto dimming function.

    The HID headlights are a dream, as is the sound system. The childseat tether anchor is located in the floor of the rear seat area, preventing the cargo cover from sliding all the way forward.

    We are driving it 1200 miles for Christmas, so that will be the true test compared to the Expy, but I've already noticed the incredible difference in the ride compared to the Expy - and I don't have to shoehorn it into our garage.
  • JBaumgartJBaumgart Member Posts: 890
    e350v10 and other owners, just curious about a few things. What do you think about the rear seat option, captains chairs or bench seat - pros and cons other than the obvious 2 vs. 3 person seating capacity? How about the interior choices, which one looks better with the wood and aluminum dash? Exterior colors - does that white tricoat offer any advantages to the others, looks aside? Why is the only one they charge extra for? Lastly, any word on when the Navigation system will be made available?
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I liked the captain's chairs with console in the 2nd row (I test drove one several months ago). Unless you have a need for that extra seat often I recommend the console. As for the paint - tri-coat means it has more layers of paint (3 I presume) and therefore costs more. There's no advantage to it - it simply has a richer, deeper appearance. If you haven't seen it already - the vivid red is stunning.

    Can't speak to the interior - I'm not sure the ones I looked at this past summer are the final colors. But the two I did see were so close I couldn't tell much difference.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I have a 99 expy w/5.4 and I agree - the Aviator felt like a sports car by comparison. In fact, motorweek even compared it to the LS - quite a complement for a truck based SUV.

    But I don't think it's the same engine as the 96 cobra. Very similar but I'm sure many changes were made in the last 7 years.
  • wesley1derwesley1der Member Posts: 49
    My dealer wanted $22,037.91, for 24 month one pay lease. Seemed a bit high to me. What do you think?
  • pakaganpakagan Member Posts: 11
    Lincoln has special financing on the aviator thru Jan the first week of January. 1.9% for 3 years up to 4.9 for 6 years. Also I turned in my navigator lease for the aviator and got $2000 rebate plus the special financing. I got the ceramic white aviator with the entertainment system. I was really wanting the ceramic white premium with light parchment, sun roof but no one was expecting this auto in and my lease was ending on Dec 19th and wanted to take advantage of the rebate on the lease. Although the next day 2 salesman called from the same dealership and had this auto. oh well - maybe I'll get some of it back when I sale it.
  • pearlmadpearlmad Member Posts: 1
    I have gone to dealer as recently as yesterday and they didn't talk about the special financing option..I am interested in payment mostly and want to be no more than $600. Turning in a Nav and want to know the real deal so that I don't get, you know. Any further info? Is the $2000 rebate the real deal for returning buyers?
  • pakaganpakagan Member Posts: 11
    I got a white aviator, premium with the sunroof, CD entertainment unit, pinstripes, uniseal protection for aviator. Total price $49,821.73 including tax, title and license. I received a $2000.00 rebate for returning a leased nav that ended 12/19/02 and special financing 4.9. I put down $7,355.11 and have pymts of 650 per month for 6 years. If you go to Lincoln they have 1.9 advertised as a special introductory for 3 years. One of the dealerships here in Dallas also wasn't aware of the special. I was offered this deal in 2 different dealerships and the financing is from Ford Motor Credit. I figure 4.9% for 6 years isn't too bad. If you need any other info let me know. The white ceramic is really pretty.
  • steve00gatorsteve00gator Member Posts: 24
    What is with the $2,000 credit? I will be turning in a Navigator on lease, would the credit apply to a new Navigator lease?
  • pakaganpakagan Member Posts: 11
    I was told if you turn in a leased Lincoln say the nav and get an aviator you get 1000 rebate until January 6, 2003. I believe if you go to Lincoln.com it is on their board under special offers.
  • jack7742jack7742 Member Posts: 8
    We just took delivery yesterday of a ceramic white, premium AWD with towing package as only option. I'll let you all know how it is if I ever get my wife out of it. One thing for sure, the ceramic white is NICE. I'm going to spent the weekend doing the Klasse AIO and Klasse Glaze routine. During my 5 minute turn at the wheel, the power was truly impressive. More later.
    Jack
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Congrats! We'll expect a full report from you!

    tidester, host
  • JBaumgartJBaumgart Member Posts: 890
    Which interior did you get? I was wondering how the parchment might go with the ceramic white - if the two in combination would be "too much" light color and not enough contrast?

    Is anyone able to get any kind of a discount from MSRP, or are Aviators in extremely tight supply all over the country?
  • pakaganpakagan Member Posts: 11
    I got the white ceramic with the light parchment and its looks great. I also got a pinstripe about the color of the mats and its puts it all together really well. If you turn in a lincoln and get ford credit financing the program is 2000 rebate if you are turning in a lincoln lease and going for another lease it is 1000 rebate. I think might need to be coming off a lease. Ford Credit has 1.9%financing for 36 months if bought by 1/06/03 2.9 for for 48 all the way to 4.9 for 72 months.
  • dc661dc661 Member Posts: 71
    To answer an earlier question, Navigation System is to be available in December, 2002 according to the Aviator brochure. Don't know if Lincoln is still on track with this. Also, brochure had no mention of Stability System. Found that curious. Wonder when we'll see that? Anyway, this is the first pic I've seen of the Nav system installed.


    image
  • pakaganpakagan Member Posts: 11
    I wanted the navigation sytem in my aviator and was told by two different dealerships that production for the navigation system will begin in production on jan 15th and shipping the end of Feb and probably the beginning of March to the dealerships. I assume the problem with getting the aviators out much later than they expected delayed the navigation system.
  • sequoiasaurussequoiasaurus Member Posts: 240
    I guess Lincoln made up with me today since it took nearly 5 weeks to receive a brochure. :) I got a cool mailer in the box today. It is a clear tube with a folded paper airplane on the inside that says the Aviator has arrived.

    While in line at the post office today several people asked me what it was and I showed them. Once up at the window the PO clerk asked me what it was too and said he had seen several while boxing the mail this morning.

    Oh well I just thought I would share that with you. I'm sure most here will be getting one too.

    Still waiting to see one in person though.
  • aviatormanaviatorman Member Posts: 44
    I received a clear tube-like thing Saturday. I also thought it was a great marketing campaign.
  • l_taylorl_taylor Member Posts: 2
    I had ordered an Aviator with the Navigation system back on October, and was just told today that the vehicle would not be delivered until March 2003. Needless to say I am going to cancel the order.
  • sirknightdsirknightd Member Posts: 96
    Maybe while we are waiting for the navigation and advance trac stability system to be offered, the financial incentives will get better, and any quirks will be ironed out. It is a shame we have to wait as most suvs in this segment offer this equipment right now
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    The alternative would have probably been to delay the entire vehicle launch. Since a lot of folks don't want navigation or stability control it makes sense to release the vehicle without them.
  • JBaumgartJBaumgart Member Posts: 890
    The Wall Street Journal just had an article about the 10 "hottest" and "coldest" vehicles on the market, and the Aviator was ranked No. 1 on the "hottest" list, as measured by the average time each model sits on the dealer's lot before being sold. For the Aviator, which the article acknowledged is a brand new release where supply has not had a chance to catch up with demand, the average was just three days. (The longest was a Cadillac something-or-other, at more than 180 days). So I guess Lincoln was smart to release the car now, before DVD and advance trac become available, as they are selling them as fast as they can make them for the time being.
  • haironghairong Member Posts: 153
    This is to bring a closure to my participation in this thread.

    My almost year long hunt for a midsize 30k-40k SUV is over: I bought a Honda Pilot yesterday.

    I've researched and looked at these fine vehicles, Aviator, MDX, Mountaineer, Murano, Pilot, and XC90. Among them, I test drove Mountaineer, Murano and Pilot. Here's my run down.

    1. Mountaineer V8/AWD/Premier w/ RES, MSRP $38400, can be had for under 31k. It actually represents the best value in these group, with A-plan and hefty incentive. It has been my fallback and bargaining chip all along. The questionable quality/reliability and the fact I found a Pilot at a lower price did it in.

    2. Murano SL/AWD w/ Premium/Sunroof/Leather, no DVD, MSRP $34300, almost bought it at $31500. This is the sport car of the bunch. If not for my wife's objection of the styling (I'm not to warm to that either), It would have been my Thanksgiving present.

    3. Pilot EX-L RES, MSRP $32480, bought it at $30480. This is the plain Jane of the group. It lacks a lot of safety/luxury features found on others, but it has great balance and Honda quality. When I found one at this bargaining price, the decision was easy.

    Among the three I haven't test driven, here is my observation,

    4. MDX Touring w/ RES, MSRP $40300. I did not like MDX's styling coming in, but it is like THE benchmark for this class, I had to include it. It's good at everything, has a lot of stuff than the Pilot. In the end, I still don't like its look, plus the MSRP pricing.

    5. Aviator AWD/Luxury, w/o RES, MSRP $43000. If Murano is the sport car of the group, Aviator is the luxury sport sedan. It does everything very well, speed/handling/NVH/safety/luxury, you name it. When Ford announced its price back in summer, I knew I am not in their target demographics. After a long long wait, when it is finally available after Thanksgiving, I resisted the temptation of test-driving it. Even with A-plan (around 38k), it is still too rich for me. Had Ford extended the 0% for 60month deal to Aviator, it would have been a totally different story.

    6. XC90, T6 AWD w/ options, MSRP well over 40k. This is THE safest SUV, at any price, and a good looking one, too. Again, it's the price. No aplan, no deal.

    In my book, there are no losers among them. Each vehicle brings a lot to the table, at their respective price. My decision was constantly changing, had to make a lot of compromises among sportiness/utility/luxury and of course my wallet.

    Thanks for reading my long post. I won't be completely gone. I will still read all the posts here, but won't be posting as much. This has been the most thorough research I did on any purchase, by far. Thanks to Edmunds and all the friendly posters here, I enjoyed it very much.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    How refreshing to see someone who is reasonable and objective, does their homework and explains their decision. Interesting comment on the MDX styling. I take it you're not overjoyed with the Pilot styling either, but the price won you over?
  • haironghairong Member Posts: 153
    I am neutral to Pilot's traditional boxy styling. Bland, but not objectionable, a Honda true to the teeth. It was the price, and quality. I ditched one Honda dealer for insisting on 1000 below MSRP. The Mountaineer has over $4000+ extras that are not found on Pilot, at just a couple of hundred dollars more than what I paid for the Pilot. Had I bought a 7/100k ESP for the Mercury, it would have cost just over $1000 more, but I'd still be worrying about the thought and the hassle.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Congratulations! We'll expect to hear all about your experiences on the Honda Pilot boards in Town Hall!

    tidester, host
  • navigator3740navigator3740 Member Posts: 279
    Most people I know don't regret buying their Honda. I haven't. But I also don't "enjoy driving" the Honda much.
  • jack7742jack7742 Member Posts: 8
    After one week with the Aviator we're very pleased. The drive train is great. The engine/transmission is super smooth (better than our LS that was traded in). The Power just flows, you don't even notice shift points. Can't back it up, but it also seems quieter than the LS.It's a matter of personal taste, but we really like the exterior and especially interior look. Audio is super, and I'm sold on the HID headlights. After the LS, all the interior storage is appreciated.

    Front seat room is just OK for me (6'-4" & 260lbs.), but excellent for wife. We're still going through the owners manual to insure all things are setup the way we want. It's almost like setting up the home PC. There are a ton of options that can be programmed (audio, locks, mirrors, seatbelt chime, etc.). The first couple of tanks of gas haven't been anything to brag about, but it wasn't bought for gas mileage.

    Initial impression is "it's what we expected and we're very pleased", and does it ever draw looks and questions every place it's parked.
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