You are acting just like Ford and telling people what they want and saying what they have use for.
And you are the successful product of Madison Avenue advertising hype, the purpose of which is to persuade people, often against reason, to think they just must have some new feature whether it is functionally significant or not.
The present trend of "you shift it" manumatics is a fad where the car companies in the list you specified are falling all over themselves to play "follow the next guy." If Ford chooses not to cater to that whim, more power to them. As has been pointed out by someone else, after the novelty wears off the gear shift selector stays in "D" 99.99% of the time. The Zephyr/MKZ is a fine automobile in its own right without having to play to the gadget of the day.
I personally would count H.I.D. Xenon headlamps, a superb audio system and an excellent Navigation system, all of which the Zephyr/MKZ has available, as much more important than a manumatic shift device.
Incidentally, the 3 series which you indicate as the "performance segment leader" I would submit is not even a competitor of the Zephyr/MKZ. If your bag is a cramped, overpriced, overhyped car, hamstrung by blocky, rough-riding run-flat tires and the horrendous i-Drive system, not to mention front cupholders which intrude into the front seat passenger's space when in use, by all means have at it. I will take the smooth, refined, commodious, quiet, elegant, polished and highly pleasing Lincoln any day.
Since Lincoln lists the 3-Series as a competitor and they built the car you are talking about, I respectfully disagree.
Also, FYI, if you don't play "follow the next guy" and instead chose not to "cater to that whim", you lose in the market. The market does not care about what you think of their needs, they demand it, and that is that. This is the same mistake Ford did by saying it isn't going after horsepower and launched the 500 with the alemic engine and said that the hp was adequate. Then they got blown away by the competition. The market does not use sound logic. It wants what it wants.
And you are the successful product of Madison Avenue advertising hype, the purpose of which is to persuade people, often against reason, to think they just must have some new feature whether it is functionally significant or not.
Indeed that may be true but the problem is... most of the rest of the buying population of America is with me. Look at the market sales of the cars I mentioned compared to the Zephyr. As a man that analyzes businesses for a living, I'll tell you, "follow the money".
As has been pointed out by someone else, after the novelty wears off the gear shift selector stays in "D" 99.99% of the time.
Who cares if when people are comparing it, they are looking feature for feature and are like "I might use that". That are swooed in by the "fad" as you call it and after the noelty wheres off put it back in "D". But guess what, BMW, Infiniti, and NOT Lincoln already have their dollars by that time.
PS. I would be in that .01% that use their manu-matic on a daily basis as well as several others in this forum and the Fusion forum that have complained about the lack of the feature.
Indeed that may be true but the problem is... most of the rest of the buying population of America is with me. Look at the market sales of the cars I mentioned compared to the Zephyr. As a man that analyzes businesses for a living, I'll tell you, "follow the money".
Part of the reason for this is that the Zephyr is a "first " year car and many people follow the unwritten rule not to buy a car in the first year. Another reason is the misconceived conception that "Foreign" cars are heas and heels better than American. If you want to spend roughly 1200.00 for something you will hardly use, more power to you. I'd rather spend it on something that i can use and enjoy.
One of the things those of us who buy both "American" and imports have discovered is that you often can buy foreign in the first year and encounter no satisfaction or reliability problems at all. Plus all anticipated features are available right away. I am aware the 07 Camry has had issues, but this is unusual for Toyota and probably reflects the success of the product (to meet market demand, they are building it in too many places and high quantity too quickly).
One of the Zephyr's problems has been sharing literally everything with Fusion/Milan. Yes, it is more polished and has a higher standard content, but it doesn't offer anything different drivetrain-wise...no more hp, no more transmission features, no stability control. The 07 will have a bigger engine and AWD (good things)...but Fusion and Milan will have to have those same things in a year or two hence in order to compete with all the other intermediates.
I agree. Ford should follow the money. Lincoln can field a good car like Zephyr, but most cars in the class are as good or better already. It hasn't really distinguished itself. Maybe it will in 07.
Meanwhile, where are the proposed stablemates that are really going to turn Lincoln around? And what will Lincoln do when Mercury dies (nothing at all in the pipeline there)?
1. I can't find a digital clock anywhere in my rented Zephyr. The analog lock is not readable at night -- no matter what the setting of the instrument panel lights. For some reason there is an out-of-the-blue mention of the analog clock in section on the radio in the manual. I guess that there is a digital clock in the radio that has been disabled for the Lincoln/Mercury models vs the Fusion.
2. Had to put electrical tape over the bright lights on the moonroof switches. They are bright no matter what the instrument panel light setting.
3. Had to put electrical tape over the edge of the hood that faces the driver. Every time I went under a street light there was a bright spot of light that quickly traversed the hood edge from left to right. It is a reflection of the street light on the edge of the hood that faces the driver. Very distracting.
4. Seam in center of leather seat bulges out on each side to make two sharp edges down my spine. Same on the one I drove at the dealer. I put a plastic seat cover over the seat.
5. The alarm button on the key is not recessed very much and doesn't feel much different from the other three buttons in the dark. Guess how I found out.
Lots of fun to drive, but I'm getting frustrated with little dumb things like this.
I have my zephyr since december and have not experienced most of the issues that you refer to. Im curious if any other owners have experienced any of these issues
1) no problem reading the clock at night 2) the moonroof lights are not bright at all 3) i have no problems at all like this 4) seats have no bulges at all...though the light color is a pain to keep clean 5) i agree with this issue
I have not had any of the issues you mentioned. I wonder how you get your report back to the Lincoln folks. I am sure they can use these types of details. I wonder about the radio fan noise. Were you driving a car with the THX amp in it?
I am still on the floor after watching both the Dateline adn 60-minutes specials on E85 and Brazil. I guess now we are truly a 3-world country. I wonder why (since it does not cost much) Ford/Lincoln would not make their cars Flex vehicles even if just to make a political statement.
I wonder why (since it does not cost much) Ford/Lincoln would not make their cars Flex vehicles even if just to make a political statement.
Don't believe all the GM marketing hype. Ford has been selling E85 Flex-fuel vehicles a lot longer than GM (Rangers, Explorers, Taurus, etc.). In fact, Ford plans to sell 250,000 flex-fuel vehicles in 2006. They just don't advertise as well as GM.
The *dirty* truth about E85 fuel is that it costs more in energy to produce than it provides, (dirty coal-fired plants are being built in the midwest to make the stuff) the total CO2 emitted by these plants plus the cars that burn E85 is higher than the totals for gasoline, and it provides fewer mpgs than gas so it'll cost the consumer more money.
E85 definetly *ain't* the answer (well, unless you're in the corn business.)
Ford has been the leader for MANY MANY years, when it comes to E85 fuel. It only costs about $110 to retrofit an engine for it to run with E85. If you notice, some of the engines are the "old-school" ones from waaayyy back when, when even THEN, Ford didn't market it as much. Vulcan engine (3.0L) being one of them.
And if you wanted to use the "Alternative Fuel vehicles" statement, Ford actually is the leader in volume of "Alternative Fuel vehicles". For years they have had the gas powered Crown Vics, E-series, the E85s on numerous vehicles, a few electric vehicles like the Ranger/Crown Vic. Most of this awareness has been exposed to fleet sales and it's not till now some other manufacturer's have been bragging about E85 which personally, is nothing to write home about...
One would assume that someone skims forums like this...
1. I have figured out how to barely discern the hands on the analog clock at night. It is really irksome that the manual mentions the analog clock in section on the radio. Betcha the Fusion radio has a digital clock.
2. The lights on the moonroof switches are probably just me. I find those two useless indicator lights in my peripheral vision very distracting. Easy to fix with tape over them.
3. If I get a Zephyr, I'll brush clear matte model airplane paint on the edge of the hood that faces the driver.
4. The sales rep also noticed the seam bulging up the center of the seatback on the demonstrator. Probably a workmanship issue.
5. I have trained myself to not place a finger anywhere near that button on the key. No idea why it isn't recessed more. If I get a Zephyr, I may disable that button. Car alarms go off so commonly that I doubt it is of any protective value anyway.
6. The rental doesn't have THX. The fan must be a kudge to fix a reliability problem. It is however a very, very quiet fan.
The car is fun to drive. I like the short length and the narrow width. I like the way you can see over the hood.
Looks like the MKZ will resolve my engine noise frustration. They keep talking about "refinement" in the press stuff.
Maybe the MKZ will have more of the missing luxury features like a diversity FM antenna.
I live in charlotte, NC, and ive started to notice a lot of Zephyr's cropping up. I must say this car has a very classy and stately appearance in dark colors. It looks very expensive, and i always see other's staring just like me when they see one. It has a very commanding look in person especially from the rear. Seems like that rear shelf sits pretty high up. Is it diffricult to see out the back? I saw a black one that had some aftermarket rims, i guess around 18 or 19 inch's or so. It gave the Zephyr a decidely sporting look, very very nice. This vehicle is very appealing to me and should go a long way at bringing down lincoln's average buyer age. Cant wait for the new engine, im glad they didnt alter the look any, because i really dont think it was neccessary. just my opinion. And if any current owners can answer is it diffricult backing with this vehicle, with the tail end so high. thanks.
I have a Fusion and the rear visibility is different but once you get used to that it's fine. Definitely no safety issues.
And my Fusion has the same analog clock (SEL versions only) as the Zephyr - no clock on the radio display. I don't remember what it looks like at night - I'll have to check tonight.
I have the Merlot version and just did a Virginia legal tint and my my it really looks sharp now. Maybe I will go get some larger rims. I watched an interview with the designer of the Chrysler 300 and he said that it is the after-market who is having the most influence on future buyers. They see a car turned up a notch and then they run and buy one. Interesting thought but after the tint was done there were a bunch of folks standing around when it came out of the car wash. They all gave me compliments about the look of the car. I finally figured out how to make Mp3 CD's and now I have about 140 songs per CD and it is fun guess who is playing and then looking at the screen to see the artist name, song, and album title. Hey just having fun with the Zephyr.
Oh, BTW: I do take extra care when changing lanes but it is no different than when I was in my 300m.
A typical American attitude and indicative of a nationwide problem. You are missing the point entirely. The point is the day of cheap energy is over. It's no longer an issue of how can we drop gas to under $2 a gallon. It's how do we assure that we have gas period. And how do we assure that having that gas does not depend on some sheikdom's whim. Same problem with the car mags that dump on the mix-engine cars. Yes, it's going to take a long time to make up on gas money savings what you paid for the vehicle, and yes, when you factor in the cost of eventually replacing the batteries, you'll probably never break even. But the point it to reduce our dependence on MidEast oil. Would you be willing to pay $5 a gallon to be able to tell Iran and Saudi Arabia to go, ah..., and fly a kit? I would !
"A typical American attitude and indicative of a nationwide problem. You are missing the point entirely. The point is the day of cheap energy is over."
Well if I'm a typical American, what are you?
IF you read my post you would have seen I was mostly complaining about how *dirty* the E85 technology is compared to gasoline. Using your logic, perhaps we should burn coal in our cars to stick it to the emirs? There's lots of oil to be had in and around the USA but people like (you?) will stand in the way of drilling for it while advocating a dirtier fuel. What does that make you? And NO absolutely not will I pay $5.00 per gallon for gas, nor will the 'typical' American. Their budgets and that of truckers and big business can not stand up to what would be a 100% increase in the cost of fuel in a year or so. You think $5 gas won't kill the American economy? There are many factors causing this spike in fuel cost. One of the biggest was a big hurricane, perhaps you recall that? Another is a religous idiot in Iran. ANother is democrats who have prevented drilling in the ANWF despite ALL the evidence from the pipeline that it is NOT harmful to the environment. Yeah, burn your dirty E85. Pay more per mile for the stuff. Buy your price-inflated hybrid and pass the $10,000 cost of new batteries on to the next greenie. Advocate for higher gas prices and more gas tax. Stick it to the midEast? How about biting off your nose to spite your face?
First, 48% of our crude is in-house. Second, a refinery has not been built in over 30 years in the states. Not in my backyard! Do you want one in your's while your children play outside? Now I live in the mid-west and of course oil and corn have lobbying power vs. the much cleaner sugar used to fuel almost all of brazil and south america. As far as a breaking point in what people will pay, I can't imagine that happening. I'ts the same as when I quit Cigs 8 years ago when Marlboros were $2.50 a pack, I quit because I wanted to. Of course friends said when it hit x amount of dollars they would quit also but here we are 8 years later and they all still smoke. We as a country will never be free of our oil addiction until enough people want to quit, and alternative choices have any sort of muscle in Wash dc.
Thank you for proving my initial point. You want $1. a gallon gas...but no oil drilling in my back yard, no refinery close to where I leave, and heaven forbid someone should suggest nuclear.... As for the other accusations, don't believe I ever said anything about not drilling for oil domestically. But I do believe we have pretty much dried out our resources here...except for coal and yes, we probably should start burning coal in our cars--by processing it into a petroleum product. Ah, but that's going to cost more money than crude oil and of course that will show up at the pump. Yes, there are many factors affecting gas prices. Refining capacity, yup. But somehow oil at $70.per barrel (when it was running, what $35. not that long ago) might have an affect. As as for the hurricane affect, what major hurricane has hit the refineries in the past 6 months when gas prices have gone up significantly? Finally, as for $5 per gallon killing the economy, guess you don't travel much. Europe was paying $3. per gallon twenty years ago, and, unfortunately, there is still a France. Of course they have tremendous public transportation systems (which doesn't sound like anything you'd be interested in). And they don't get into their 2+ ton, 13 mpg SUV and drive "off road" into a supermarket parking lot to buy a quart of milk. The second most ludicrous vehicle on the road (the number one being the Hummer). So fine, don't conserve, keep the "not in my back yard mentality", keep your dependence on foreign oil to keep prices down for you extravagant use of fuel, and maybe the Emir of Dubai can buy a dozen more B747's next year...or maybe we can have another war in the MidEast to stabilize our oil interests, killing soldiers, so you don't have to conserve or pay $5. for gas.....
does anyone know when the MKZ will be released for testing by the auto mags? im anxious to see how the new 3.5L V6 performs, as this engine is critical to fords future. It certainly makes nice horsepower #'s on regular fuel.
Personally, I don't mind oil drilling in my back yard. I mean, if they allow for a modern factory it would emit much less polution than the current factories. Only one problem... that is the reason they are no longer built.
See, alot time ago, when there were many players in the oil industry, the market was competetive, over the years, environmental laws, once the enemy of the oil industry, are the the chief reasons for profitieering. Since no news facilities are affordable, production is diminished, and the increase in demand means jacked up prices and profits.
I am sure the oil co's conspire with each other to jack it some more, how else can you explain dramatic increases in prices, with low decreases... they have to be working together!
Anywhay, and i know its a zephyr thread, but our environmental laws need rethinking, or incentives on new construction need to be implemented, to make supply inline with demand.
the only way we stop our dependance on foreign oil is to produce enough for our own needs. No American should sacrifice there lifestyle, we can work together to save it.
If ethanol really is the new economy fine, but meanwhile the transitiion is happenning, the rest of us need to have gas at regular prices. The entire economy, just imagine how much it could have grown, even more than the record growth of today. these high prices affect everyone, but especially the middle and lower classes.
Im all for ethanol, but by the time it gets here, the way things are going, we will all be in the poor house, and China will be in control of the worlds oil supply since our boys seem to make more money by producing less.
Who wants the next century to belong to china? I want it to belong to the USA, to GM, to ford, to cars like the Zephyr (butmade in USA), to a lifestyle we deserve to keep.
If you want to drive a small car fine, but people should not be forced to do the same.
When the MKZ arrives later this year.. i belive it can give the ES350 a run for its money. the both have a 3.5 liter V6 with about the same output.. and the MKZ will be available with AWD..something lexus does not offer in the ES, when it comes to options they both offer the sameones.. but lexus does have more a few neater tricks in ES than Lincoln has in MKZ ... wat do u think???
The 250 hp figure for the MKZ is out of date. I am in a hurry to run out of here right now, but I think the revised figure is 268...not a whole lot different than 272. A lot depends on the torque and horsepower curves...
What we may deserve, and what we end up with may not be the same thing. Not much we can do about the China syndrome, nor India for that matter either. Both economies are growing like wildfires, and both places will ultimately have many times the resources we do.
Further, both countries already have middle classes that rival or exceed the size of our own. China in not too many years will become the world's largest auto producer. Visit India as I do and you will see their production not all that far behind. Japan will remain a major player, and both Thailand and Malaysie (among others) are moving up.
And all aspire to live as well as we do. Therein lies the rub: there aren't enough resources in the world to move so many people up to the consumption levels we Americans see as our right. We won't see gas at "regular prices" ever again, except perhaps for short-term fluky periods in the market.
Whatever we might do to increase exploration and production is only going to cost us more at the pump, not to mention be a reminder that the resource is finite. New technologies and new fuels will be required, but it is unlikely any fuel revolution will come cheap.
People shouldn't be forced to drive a certain car, but if you believe in market forces, you will see more extravagant and inefficient machines become much more expensive than they are now. The Zephyr is not a big player here on the "inefficiency scale," being near luxury, relatively small, and at least somewhat fuel efficient.
But Lincoln should have a hybrid MTZ ASAP. They should also consider the diesel-hybrid powertrain proposed for the aborted Mercury Meta One. Lead the pack, dammit, lead. Producing a car competitive with, let's say, the ES300 is not enough today. With what Lincoln is doing now and proposing for the next few years, there isn't much hope this marque will rise above the pack again.
no one really knows how much oil is left, but the fact is, that the real reason price is up is b/c there ios more demand than supply. so fic it!
Enironmental laws need some relaxing, and what they did to AT&T way back when (baby bells) needs to be done to Exxon Mobil, and then and only then can supply come back.
Further, its not outlandish for the govt to make its own oil platform, and sell the oil to govt agencies AT COST, not market. That will force a price reduction accross the board.
all of thius new economy garbadge is great, but it does not mean we have to go to the poor house. We can fix this mess, but first we have to want to.
Oh yea, and if we do go nucular, that will DRAMATICALLY reduce not only pollution and co2 emissions, but our dependance on foreign oil as well.
And whoever said the 3.5L is at 250hp? its officially at 263. not too far behind lexus. What is troubling is the lack of voice activated controlls. This car does have a commanding presence though, can't argue with that, and allot of features for the CURRENT price.
Well, if the MKZ will have about 268hp, then that already makes it a stronger competior to the ES350, CTS and TL. I hope FoMoCo drops that engine into the Fusion/Milan soon.
Actually, the ES 350 is going to have a new six speed transmission too. So the Zephyr's acceleration should be about on par with the ES 350, and I'm sure it's slalom speed will be better because it is based on a sporty car, the Fusion.
Lol, Lincoln MKZ win Motor Trend COTY for 2007? Not likely. I'm betting they're going to choose the Toyota Camry or the Honda Fit.
Actually, the ES 350 is going to have a new six speed transmission too. So the Zephyr's acceleration should be about on par with the ES 350, and I'm sure it's slalom speed will be better because it is based on a sporty car, the Fusion.
LOL, I said that as a joke, that's why I said it. Because Import Trend would not pick a Ford to save their lives. Import Trend is beyond Ignorant. They are incredibly bias and Anti-Domestic to the point of almost being racist. Import Trend is pathetic. They should just change their name from Motor trend to import trend and cut through the BS hell everybody knows it.
I'm betting they're going to choose the Toyota Camry or the Honda Fit.
Ha, here's a curve ball, How about the Shelby GT500. It has just about the same chance of winning as the MKZ. Imagine if that happened the import fans would hit the roof !!!! LOL I would die from laughter if that were to happen. Then I woke up and realized it was a dream.
The catch 22 is that even if we manage to institute laws or processes that reduce gasoline costs, then demand will shoot up from where it is now. Pressure on price will increase again. We cannot get around that the world has changed. Places like India and China used to rely on far fewer motor vehicles. Now their roads are clogged with traffic faster than they can build them. And present demand in India is based on paying as high (or higher) fuel prices as we do.
We are in a new era, where the outcome over time will be a wholesale move to other sources of energy--because oil will no longer be the cheap resource it was for so long--no matter what short-term solutions we may try to lower its cost.
BTW, the figure I keep hearing is 265 hp on regular gas. That is certainly competitive. What is the next iteration though? Ford cannot keep struggling to get competitive, only to find the target has moved on.
There are many factors which go into marketplace share, but new product is one factor highly correlated with it. FoMoCo has produced the fewest new models of the "big Three" in the past few years, and has the fewest completely new products proposed. Ford stock keeps sinking, while GM (no model of good busines recently) has already shown a turnaround.
Toyota has four new vehicles this year alone. None of them are clones. And how does the large Avalon with 268 hp get better mileage than the 4 cylinder Fusion? Git'r done, Ford, or...
It may not be just a dream. MT has often chosen domestic. You have to remember the past few years have not exactly been domestic's shining years compared to the competition. But MT loves the Mustang, so there's hope.
It may not be just a dream. MT has often chosen domestic. You have to remember the past few years have not exactly been domestic's shining years compared to the competition. But MT loves the Mustang, so there's hope.
Yeah that is true, but come on. There is no way that MT is going to pick no darn Lincoln MKZ as MT COTY. If anything the Shelby GT500 is Fords best shot. My guess is, MT is going to slam the GT500 about it's interior or the lack of one. So the chances of that happening are probably none. :lemon:
Well, I don't think the MKZ has much of a chance whether it is American or Japanese. It will now be quite competitive, and certainly better than before. But in a crowded field of near luxury sedans, many of which offer 260+ hp, and optional AWD, it is a competent contender, not the standout. Further, it must compete with ALL cars, and for 2007, there is a ton of new or redesigned machines out there. Of course the GT500 is Ford's only shot at the prize for 2007--although the Edge may be nominated for trucks (or SUVs).
BTW, I find it ridiculous that crossovers are referred to as trucks. They are perceived as and used as cars. It's just a technicality to get around higher MPG requirements.
BTW, I find it ridiculous that crossovers are referred to as trucks. They are perceived as and used as cars. It's just a technicality to get around higher MPG requirements.
Noticed there here in Fairfax county Virginia all of the Zephrs on the lots are all fully loaded and costed around 35k. I purchased the basic model for around 27k. Perhaps this is a reason why you do not see many on the road. At 35k there are too many other attractive options. With the coming name change and model I doubt they will sell many more of them this year. What do you guys think? :confuse:
I am getting so many good comments about the window tinting that I am thinking about putting a set of custom rims on it. My only issue is that I am going to trade the Zephpr in for the MKz later this year. A friend said that it will not matter because you could just move them over to the new car and put the old rims back on the one you would sell. What do you think? I know nothing about getting custom rims. I thought you had to get a new tire to go along with them? Lets say I purchased something larger, could it be used on the new MKz later?
On the other hand will the rims that come with the MKz be good enough?
Has anybody heard anything about the MKZ having ESC? I know that the MKZ is getting a new engine but I haven't heard anything about it getting ESC. The lack of ESC has been one of the most consistent complaints about the Zephyr from critics. Thanks
bigt, you have come to the right place. The bolt pattern of the MKZ and the Lincoln Zephyr should be identical. The bolt pattern is basically the number of nuts that support the rim and how far they are apart. A 5 X 116 pattern means there are five bolts, space equally distant across a diameter of 116 millimeters. I'd go over to tirerack and read about offsets as well. Generally, when going aftermarket you go with a lower offset but it all depends on how low you want to go. The lower the offset the more the tires are pushed out to the rim of the fender. A rule of thumb is that you shouldn't go bigger then an inch or two from the top factory rim. So for the MKZ that would be an 18 or a 19 inch rim. I, personally, would stop at 18.
would use Mark only on the upcomming Mustang based Coupe, like they are supposed to. I just hope they get around to building the thing. This whole strategy of defiling the one name worth a darn to lincoln, by splashing it on everything they make is so bad it... in the words of lewis black "defies description!"
Who would be interested in a mustang based, Lincoln Mark IX, with a 5.4L 300 hp/360tq engine from the F150 as the base and only engine, with Nav and rearview camera, with adaptive headlights, and standard 18 inch wheels, stability control, and traction control.
Just compared the Zephyr and 2007 Lexus ES350 this weekend. IMHO, there was no comparison, as the the Lexus seems to be in a another class entirely. I know that a lot of people seem to like the Zephyr interior--and I think it's decent--but it does not have nearly the fit/finish/aura of the new Lexus. Further, even with the 3.5, the MTZ will not have stability control. The Lexus has heated/cooled seats like the MTZ and a great stereo upgrade like the MTZ.
But it was putting the two in the same lot and noting that the Lexus looks expensive sitting there and the Zephyr does not especially. The MTZ/Zephyr is a good car, decently styled, but it doesn't stand out in a crowded field of very competent sedans. It needs to though.
BTW, I also compared the Zephyr more closely with the Milan. Although the Z is the better equipped car, I really like the Milan styling better inside and out. Not only do I prefer the integration of the Milan front end to the Z, but curiously, the Milan has a lid on the console cupholder holes and the Z does not.
Comments
BTW, I think you meant 'Merlot'? :>) That's the color of my '04 Navigator. Has light grey interior and is quite beautiful in it's own right.
And you are the successful product of Madison Avenue advertising hype, the purpose of which is to persuade people, often against reason, to think they just must have some new feature whether it is functionally significant or not.
The present trend of "you shift it" manumatics is a fad where the car companies in the list you specified are falling all over themselves to play "follow the next guy." If Ford chooses not to cater to that whim, more power to them. As has been pointed out by someone else, after the novelty wears off the gear shift selector stays in "D" 99.99% of the time. The Zephyr/MKZ is a fine automobile in its own right without having to play to the gadget of the day.
I personally would count H.I.D. Xenon headlamps, a superb audio system and an excellent Navigation system, all of which the Zephyr/MKZ has available, as much more important than a manumatic shift device.
Incidentally, the 3 series which you indicate as the "performance segment leader" I would submit is not even a competitor of the Zephyr/MKZ. If your bag is a cramped, overpriced, overhyped car, hamstrung by blocky, rough-riding run-flat tires and the horrendous i-Drive system, not to mention front cupholders which intrude into the front seat passenger's space when in use, by all means have at it. I will take the smooth, refined, commodious, quiet, elegant, polished and highly pleasing Lincoln any day.
Also, FYI, if you don't play "follow the next guy" and instead chose not to "cater to that whim", you lose in the market. The market does not care about what you think of their needs, they demand it, and that is that. This is the same mistake Ford did by saying it isn't going after horsepower and launched the 500 with the alemic engine and said that the hp was adequate. Then they got blown away by the competition. The market does not use sound logic. It wants what it wants.
And you are the successful product of Madison Avenue advertising hype, the purpose of which is to persuade people, often against reason, to think they just must have some new feature whether it is functionally significant or not.
Indeed that may be true but the problem is... most of the rest of the buying population of America is with me. Look at the market sales of the cars I mentioned compared to the Zephyr. As a man that analyzes businesses for a living, I'll tell you, "follow the money".
As has been pointed out by someone else, after the novelty wears off the gear shift selector stays in "D" 99.99% of the time.
Who cares if when people are comparing it, they are looking feature for feature and are like "I might use that". That are swooed in by the "fad" as you call it and after the noelty wheres off put it back in "D". But guess what, BMW, Infiniti, and NOT Lincoln already have their dollars by that time.
PS. I would be in that .01% that use their manu-matic on a daily basis as well as several others in this forum and the Fusion forum that have complained about the lack of the feature.
And still I think its omission was a serious mistake by The Ford Motor Company.
Part of the reason for this is that the Zephyr is a "first " year car and many people follow the unwritten rule not to buy a car in the first year. Another reason is the misconceived conception that "Foreign" cars are heas and heels better than American. If you want to spend roughly 1200.00 for something you will hardly use, more power to you. I'd rather spend it on something that i can use and enjoy.
One of the Zephyr's problems has been sharing literally everything with Fusion/Milan. Yes, it is more polished and has a higher standard content, but it doesn't offer anything different drivetrain-wise...no more hp, no more transmission features, no stability control. The 07 will have a bigger engine and AWD (good things)...but Fusion and Milan will have to have those same things in a year or two hence in order to compete with all the other intermediates.
I agree. Ford should follow the money. Lincoln can field a good car like Zephyr, but most cars in the class are as good or better already. It hasn't really distinguished itself. Maybe it will in 07.
Meanwhile, where are the proposed stablemates that are really going to turn Lincoln around? And what will Lincoln do when Mercury dies (nothing at all in the pipeline there)?
When you turn off the radio there is the little whizzing noise of a fan shutting down.
There must be a small cooling fan in the audio system somewhere. Must be cooling the amplifier. Weird.
2. Had to put electrical tape over the bright lights on the moonroof switches. They are bright no matter what the instrument panel light setting.
3. Had to put electrical tape over the edge of the hood that faces the driver. Every time I went under a street light there was a bright spot of light that quickly traversed the hood edge from left to right. It is a reflection of the street light on the edge of the hood that faces the driver. Very distracting.
4. Seam in center of leather seat bulges out on each side to make two sharp edges down my spine. Same on the one I drove at the dealer. I put a plastic seat cover over the seat.
5. The alarm button on the key is not recessed very much and doesn't feel much different from the other three buttons in the dark. Guess how I found out.
Lots of fun to drive, but I'm getting frustrated with little dumb things like this.
1) no problem reading the clock at night
2) the moonroof lights are not bright at all
3) i have no problems at all like this
4) seats have no bulges at all...though the light color is a pain to keep clean
5) i agree with this issue
Don't believe all the GM marketing hype. Ford has been selling E85 Flex-fuel vehicles a lot longer than GM (Rangers, Explorers, Taurus, etc.). In fact, Ford plans to sell 250,000 flex-fuel vehicles in 2006. They just don't advertise as well as GM.
E85 definetly *ain't* the answer (well, unless you're in the corn business.)
And if you wanted to use the "Alternative Fuel vehicles" statement, Ford actually is the leader in volume of "Alternative Fuel vehicles". For years they have had the gas powered Crown Vics, E-series, the E85s on numerous vehicles, a few electric vehicles like the Ranger/Crown Vic. Most of this awareness has been exposed to fleet sales and it's not till now some other manufacturer's have been bragging about E85 which personally, is nothing to write home about...
1. I have figured out how to barely discern the hands on the analog clock at night. It is really irksome that the manual mentions the analog clock in section on the radio. Betcha the Fusion radio has a digital clock.
2. The lights on the moonroof switches are probably just me. I find those two useless indicator lights in my peripheral vision very distracting. Easy to fix with tape over them.
3. If I get a Zephyr, I'll brush clear matte model airplane paint on the edge of the hood that faces the driver.
4. The sales rep also noticed the seam bulging up the center of the seatback on the demonstrator. Probably a workmanship issue.
5. I have trained myself to not place a finger anywhere near that button on the key. No idea why it isn't recessed more. If I get a Zephyr, I may disable that button. Car alarms go off so commonly that I doubt it is of any protective value anyway.
6. The rental doesn't have THX. The fan must be a kudge to fix a reliability problem. It is however a very, very quiet fan.
The car is fun to drive. I like the short length and the narrow width. I like the way you can see over the hood.
Looks like the MKZ will resolve my engine noise frustration. They keep talking about "refinement" in the press stuff.
Maybe the MKZ will have more of the missing luxury features like a diversity FM antenna.
And my Fusion has the same analog clock (SEL versions only) as the Zephyr - no clock on the radio display. I don't remember what it looks like at night - I'll have to check tonight.
Forcing me to learn to use the right-side mirror, which I wasn't in the habit of using on my old car.
Almost all the current cars have that high rear.
It reduces the pain of a pickup or SUV behind you blinding you with lights.
The top Lexus 2007 ES model has a remotely-operated sunshade, which the sales rep touted for that purpose.
I'm getting better at decoding the clock face in the dark. Requires deductive reasoning, definitely not clearly illuminated.
--cg
I'm wondering if Hertz sets the idle speed high on their cars, perhaps to ensure that they don't stall?
The tach on the rental Zephyr reads 750 RPM when idling. What does yours read?
Oh, BTW: I do take extra care when changing lanes but it is no different than when I was in my 300m.
Well if I'm a typical American, what are you?
IF you read my post you would have seen I was mostly complaining about how *dirty* the E85 technology is compared to gasoline. Using your logic, perhaps we should burn coal in our cars to stick it to the emirs? There's lots of oil to be had in and around the USA but people like (you?) will stand in the way of drilling for it while advocating a dirtier fuel. What does that make you? And NO absolutely not will I pay $5.00 per gallon for gas, nor will the 'typical' American. Their budgets and that of truckers and big business can not stand up to what would be a 100% increase in the cost of fuel in a year or so. You think $5 gas won't kill the American economy? There are many factors causing this spike in fuel cost. One of the biggest was a big hurricane, perhaps you recall that? Another is a religous idiot in Iran. ANother is democrats who have prevented drilling in the ANWF despite ALL the evidence from the pipeline that it is NOT harmful to the environment. Yeah, burn your dirty E85. Pay more per mile for the stuff. Buy your price-inflated hybrid and pass the $10,000 cost of new batteries on to the next greenie. Advocate for higher gas prices and more gas tax. Stick it to the midEast? How about biting off your nose to spite your face?
But what does this have to do with Lincoln's?
Which given the monthly mag's lead times, the cars will be in their hands within a couple of weeks.
See, alot time ago, when there were many players in the oil industry, the market was competetive, over the years, environmental laws, once the enemy of the oil industry, are the the chief reasons for profitieering. Since no news facilities are affordable, production is diminished, and the increase in demand means jacked up prices and profits.
I am sure the oil co's conspire with each other to jack it some more, how else can you explain dramatic increases in prices, with low decreases... they have to be working together!
Anywhay, and i know its a zephyr thread, but our environmental laws need rethinking, or incentives on new construction need to be implemented, to make supply inline with demand.
the only way we stop our dependance on foreign oil is to produce enough for our own needs. No American should sacrifice there lifestyle, we can work together to save it.
If ethanol really is the new economy fine, but meanwhile the transitiion is happenning, the rest of us need to have gas at regular prices. The entire economy, just imagine how much it could have grown, even more than the record growth of today. these high prices affect everyone, but especially the middle and lower classes.
Im all for ethanol, but by the time it gets here, the way things are going, we will all be in the poor house, and China will be in control of the worlds oil supply since our boys seem to make more money by producing less.
Who wants the next century to belong to china? I want it to belong to the USA, to GM, to ford, to cars like the Zephyr (butmade in USA), to a lifestyle we deserve to keep.
If you want to drive a small car fine, but people should not be forced to do the same.
Thanks for hearing me out :P
Further, both countries already have middle classes that rival or exceed the size of our own. China in not too many years will become the world's largest auto producer. Visit India as I do and you will see their production not all that far behind. Japan will remain a major player, and both Thailand and Malaysie (among others) are moving up.
And all aspire to live as well as we do. Therein lies the rub: there aren't enough resources in the world to move so many people up to the consumption levels we Americans see as our right. We won't see gas at "regular prices" ever again, except perhaps for short-term fluky periods in the market.
Whatever we might do to increase exploration and production is only going to cost us more at the pump, not to mention be a reminder that the resource is finite. New technologies and new fuels will be required, but it is unlikely any fuel revolution will come cheap.
People shouldn't be forced to drive a certain car, but if you believe in market forces, you will see more extravagant and inefficient machines become much more expensive than they are now. The Zephyr is not a big player here on the "inefficiency scale," being near luxury, relatively small, and at least somewhat fuel efficient.
But Lincoln should have a hybrid MTZ ASAP. They should also consider the diesel-hybrid powertrain proposed for the aborted Mercury Meta One. Lead the pack, dammit, lead. Producing a car competitive with, let's say, the ES300 is not enough today. With what Lincoln is doing now and proposing for the next few years, there isn't much hope this marque will rise above the pack again.
Enironmental laws need some relaxing, and what they did to AT&T way back when (baby bells) needs to be done to Exxon Mobil, and then and only then can supply come back.
Further, its not outlandish for the govt to make its own oil platform, and sell the oil to govt agencies AT COST, not market. That will force a price reduction accross the board.
all of thius new economy garbadge is great, but it does not mean we have to go to the poor house. We can fix this mess, but first we have to want to.
Oh yea, and if we do go nucular, that will DRAMATICALLY reduce not only pollution and co2 emissions, but our dependance on foreign oil as well.
And whoever said the 3.5L is at 250hp? its officially at 263. not too far behind lexus. What is troubling is the lack of voice activated controlls. This car does have a commanding presence though, can't argue with that, and allot of features for the CURRENT price.
Well, if the MKZ will have about 268hp, then that already makes it a stronger competior to the ES350, CTS and TL. I hope FoMoCo drops that engine into the Fusion/Milan soon.
Lol, Lincoln MKZ win Motor Trend COTY for 2007? Not likely. I'm betting they're going to choose the Toyota Camry or the Honda Fit.
LOL, I said that as a joke, that's why I said it. Because Import Trend would not pick a Ford to save their lives. Import Trend is beyond Ignorant. They are incredibly bias and Anti-Domestic to the point of almost being racist. Import Trend is pathetic. They should just change their name from Motor trend to import trend and cut through the BS hell everybody knows it.
I'm betting they're going to choose the Toyota Camry or the Honda Fit.
Ha, here's a curve ball, How about the Shelby GT500. It has just about the same chance of winning as the MKZ. Imagine if that happened the import fans would hit the roof !!!! LOL I would die from laughter if that were to happen. Then I woke up and realized it was a dream.
We are in a new era, where the outcome over time will be a wholesale move to other sources of energy--because oil will no longer be the cheap resource it was for so long--no matter what short-term solutions we may try to lower its cost.
BTW, the figure I keep hearing is 265 hp on regular gas. That is certainly competitive. What is the next iteration though? Ford cannot keep struggling to get competitive, only to find the target has moved on.
There are many factors which go into marketplace share, but new product is one factor highly correlated with it. FoMoCo has produced the fewest new models of the "big Three" in the past few years, and has the fewest completely new products proposed. Ford stock keeps sinking, while GM (no model of good busines recently) has already shown a turnaround.
Toyota has four new vehicles this year alone. None of them are clones. And how does the large Avalon with 268 hp get better mileage than the 4 cylinder Fusion? Git'r done, Ford, or...
Yeah that is true, but come on. There is no way that MT is going to pick no darn Lincoln MKZ as MT COTY. If anything the Shelby GT500 is Fords best shot. My guess is, MT is going to slam the GT500 about it's interior or the lack of one. So the chances of that happening are probably none. :lemon:
BTW, I find it ridiculous that crossovers are referred to as trucks. They are perceived as and used as cars. It's just a technicality to get around higher MPG requirements.
Amen to that!
On the other hand will the rims that come with the MKz be good enough?
Thanks
Who would be interested in a mustang based, Lincoln Mark IX, with a 5.4L 300 hp/360tq engine from the F150 as the base and only engine, with Nav and rearview camera, with adaptive headlights, and standard 18 inch wheels, stability control, and traction control.
Im just throwing this out there
But it was putting the two in the same lot and noting that the Lexus looks expensive sitting there and the Zephyr does not especially. The MTZ/Zephyr is a good car, decently styled, but it doesn't stand out in a crowded field of very competent sedans. It needs to though.
BTW, I also compared the Zephyr more closely with the Milan. Although the Z is the better equipped car, I really like the Milan styling better inside and out. Not only do I prefer the integration of the Milan front end to the Z, but curiously, the Milan has a lid on the console cupholder holes and the Z does not.