That's what they've been doing with the Zephyr. It's hard to see because it's not an actual rebate but they were discounting the Zephyr's around $4K as part of a factory subsidized lease program.
I think it's smart, too. It not only gives people great deals and gets the cars on the road without huge cash rebates, but it almost guarantees another sale in 2-3 years when the lease is up (provided they like the car and want to stay with Ford/Lincoln/Mercury).
Yes. I have been asking around for a lease factor percent and can't get a thing. The dealer wants to order one for me but doesn't know percents. I read that recidual is 50 percent. Appreciate any other information. My Z4 lease is up in July but I hope to sell and get the MKZ sooner. I saw a 06 Zepher last week and the interior is awesome, fit and finish good, owner said he loved it.
Has anyone noticed that the Zephyr does not have air ducts (vents) for the rear seats? I think it's a shame if they don't add that to the MKZ...how can you call that a luxury sedan!?
Having it on a sub 30k car is pretty nice to begin with. I don't even know too many vehicles that have this feature. BTW I see some MKZ's in my local dealer lots (according to their website). I'll have to check them out at some point.
Which vehicles? I love leather seats, but I always find them too hot. I'd like to find a cheaper car that offers air conditioned leather seats. I've never seen one though.
BTW the local Lincoln dealer has some MKZs listed in inventory already. They look nice. Don't have 35k to blow on a fully loaded MKZ though.
Which dealer has the MKZ? Can't wait to see them. I am expecting to pay around 35k but I want the one will all the bells and whistles. I saw the ads last night on TV. They are reallly pushing the performance aspect of this one.
I live in the metro Detroit area and all of the dealers seem to have them. I'm doing a search on Lincoln's website though. I have not confirmed this in person. All of them seem to be fully loaded (FWD and AWD). If you take a look at one you'll have to let me know how it is.
Would any one know if the magnaflow exhaust made for the Zephyr part 16675 retail 794.96, fit on the new MKZ 07 AWD, with the larger engine would the exhaust change also, or stay the same.
Chief
Please no abuse on this one, just want a poor man hot rod Lincoln
Did anyone notice? Even after about a year on the market, and even though the MKZ is the best Lincoln has to offer right now, the sales figures are way less than the 50,000 range one would expect for a competitive near luxury sedan?
I went to buy the MKZ this weekend. I have never been so disappointed in a car. The engine, even with the extra HP, seemed to lag. More unimpressive was the interior of the car, which looks so good on their website. If you touch the materials, you will realize they are very cheap and feel like they could break easily. I have been looking for over a year and thought I found the car I wanted. I guess I will keep looking.
I haven't driven the MKZ yet, but I wonder if it has anything to do with that AISIN transmission (AISIN is a Toyota subsidiary). There are a bunch of people in the Camry forums complaining that the 07 transmission lags a lot. Ford should look into putting that 6F transmission that's in the Edge/MKX. We'll have to see the reviews to see how it performs.
Ahem....it DOES have the 6F transmission that's going in the Edge/MKX. And the same 3.5L engine. The Aisin unit went out with the 3.0L and the Zephyr name.
Not true. I have the Ford Plant source guide here with me and it clearly states that the 6F is only being shipped to Oakville. Also the gear ratios of the MKX and MKZ are different according to Ford's website. There's no way they could be the same transmission.
The plan was clearly to use the Ford/GM joint venture 6 speed tranny exclusively with the 3.5L Duratec. Either they changed their mind and kept the Aisin unit or it's a misprint.
That's probably the eventual plan, but I think Ford figured the replacement costs would be too high and no one would really notice. It's a shame since Edmunds seems to feel that the transmission was the problem to begin with. I haven't driven the vehicle so I wouldn't know how it actually responds. Toyota seems to be able to put out less than stellar transmissions though and still get a strong response. That's the power of image that Lincoln has lost.
More unimpressive was the interior of the car, which looks so good on their website. If you touch the materials, you will realize they are very cheap and feel like they could break easily.
I thought the same thing about the fully optioned Toyota Camry XLE. At a $31,000 plus sticker and the Toyota name, I expected much better.
I confirmed this with a Ford engineer. Apparently there wasn't enough time to get the engineering done for the MKZ and the Edge/MKX. At least they're both 6 speeds.
I'd take a test drive and if it drives ok - go for it. I don't think it's going to make a big difference. They're both 6 speeds and I haven't heard of any reliability problems with the Aisin units.
akirby, do you know when they're going to stick the 6F into the MKZ? I haven't driven either one of those transmissions, but I'm hearing good things about the 6F.
Just to let you guys and Carman know the current lease programs for the MKZ are great. 24 months= 1% interest(x24 for factor) residual=65 %, 36 months-1.5% and a 50 % residual. This is a good deal. I got this from my friend who is a Lincoln sales manager in Virginia. Hope it helps. Wayne.
Look at several of them. I am waiting to see them in Black and Blue with dark interiors. You really have to look close to see the difference. The only reason I am thinking about getting one is that I purchased the stripped down version of the Zephyr for around 28k but now want a Nav and THX and moonroof. Not sure if having the AWD will help on the resale.
I saw on the lots several Zephyrs with aftermarket enhancements such as cloth roof and additional chrome. They really looked nice. I look at the catalog of an aftermarket service and you can put some nice touches on whatever you get these days.
I am also going to wait to see the MKx that is suppose to drop here in a few weeks. I did sit in the new Navigator and it is really nice. If I still had kids around I would consider that. It runs on regular gas now also but the interior is really something to see.
Interesting discussion with the sales rep while I was waiting on my 10k service about the Lincoln's future strategy concerning the Towncar and Limo business.
Interesting discussion with the sales rep while I was waiting on my 10k service about the Lincoln's future strategy concerning the Towncar and Limo business.
Oh yeah He was not sure what it was going to be. He talked about all the interest in the MKs at the auto show last year here in DC. He was not too sure about how the MKs would sit with all of the Limo industry folks who love the stretch versions of the TC and Navigator. He talked about the FWD Caddy versus the RWD Lincolns and how the folks who run them 100k milage per year like the maintenance on the Lincoln better.
He talked about how Lincoln does not want to piss off the old Lincoln crowd however they are dying out (literally) and they want go start building a base for the future.
With dealers offering to put fake roof coverings on the MKZ, the marketing is unfocused/all over the place. It certainly won't make the MKZ or MKS more useful to the livery business. Those glued on padded things are an abomination on any car, but thankfully are much more rare now that the set who tend to demand them as dressup are now in nursing homes or deceased.
Lincoln has already confirmed that they'll move Town Car production to the CV/GM plant, so they're not abandoning it. The MKS is not the TC replacement.
Some of the colors on the lot do not perform any justice to the car. Looks like the Black, Blue, and Merlot are the best. The rest of them look like Grandma.
No - they're both 6 speed transmissions and you probably couldn't tell the difference between them. It was more of an engineering issue as to why they didn't use it - not a product issue.
Looks like the Black, Blue, and Merlot are the best.
I agree - the car looks great in dark colors.
Somebody around here mentioned seeing one with a cloth top. I couldn't imagine anyone doing that to the car, until I saw a cloth top on a Chrysler 300! No accounting for taste.
Comments
I think it's smart, too. It not only gives people great deals and gets the cars on the road without huge cash rebates, but it almost guarantees another sale in 2-3 years when the lease is up (provided they like the car and want to stay with Ford/Lincoln/Mercury).
Car_man, "Lincoln Zephyr: Lease Questions" #12, 16 Sep 2006 11:50 am
BTW the local Lincoln dealer has some MKZs listed in inventory already. They look nice. Don't have 35k to blow on a fully loaded MKZ though.
http://www.lincoln.com/shoptools/config.asp?configAction=searchInventory&brandCo- de=Lincoln&vehicle=mkz&modelYear=2007
same.
Chief
Please no abuse on this one, just want a poor man hot rod Lincoln
I'd think a different engine and adding rear drive would certainly change the exhaust configuration. (See worthless opinion disclaimer, above)
Did anyone notice? Even after about a year on the market, and even though the MKZ is the best Lincoln has to offer right now, the sales figures are way less than the 50,000 range one would expect for a competitive near luxury sedan?
Gear Ratios (MKZ)
1st 4.15:1
2nd 2.37:1
3rd 1.56:1
4th 1.16:1
5th 0.86:1
6th 0.69:1
Gear Ratios (MKX)
1st 4.484
2nd 2.872
3rd 1.842
4th 1.414
5th 1.000
6th 0.742
Ford Media
I thought the same thing about the fully optioned Toyota Camry XLE. At a $31,000 plus sticker and the Toyota name, I expected much better.
I saw on the lots several Zephyrs with aftermarket enhancements such as cloth roof and additional chrome. They really looked nice. I look at the catalog of an aftermarket service and you can put some nice touches on whatever you get these days.
I am also going to wait to see the MKx that is suppose to drop here in a few weeks. I did sit in the new Navigator and it is really nice. If I still had kids around I would consider that. It runs on regular gas now also but the interior is really something to see.
Interesting discussion with the sales rep while I was waiting on my 10k service about the Lincoln's future strategy concerning the Towncar and Limo business.
Oh the choices!
AND??????
He talked about how Lincoln does not want to piss off the old Lincoln crowd however they are dying out (literally) and they want go start building a base for the future.
That was about it.
Despite being FWD, the Cadillac has a proven and powerful V-8.
Chrysler must be praying Lincoln puts it's eggs in the MKS basket.
transmission used for 2007 MKZ. Our contact at Product Development advised
the plan is to use the Aisin transmission through at least the 2008 model
year.
I was unable to find any reference in Lincoln's product information to the
new 6F transmission being used on MKZ.
here is the answer I got from the dealer
Chief
Our contact at Product Development advised
the plan is to use the Aisin transmission through at least the 2008 model year.
The difference is the year "expect it for 2008" VS "through at least the 2008 model year"
Chief
Absolutely nothing.
I agree - the car looks great in dark colors.
Somebody around here mentioned seeing one with a cloth top. I couldn't imagine anyone doing that to the car, until I saw a cloth top on a Chrysler 300! No accounting for taste.