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Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ

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  • driverdmdriverdm Member Posts: 505
    Did you know the MKZ has more horsepower and better features than the base CTS? The base CTS has a 210hp engine and costs $33K to be optioned with leather seats. The only thing wrong with the Lincoln is that it doesn't have a high output engine and a base lower output engine. They may want to copy Caddy in that regard when they give Lincoln its own rumored engine (Twinforce) and redesign the car. I think the MKZ would benefit from a redesign close to the MKR styling and the addition of two engines levels. They can refine the old Duratech which put out 235hp and have a very low entry price. All reviews use the top line car. That creates a buzz where people go into the show room, then add practicality, and purchase the base engine car that looks just as good as the top line model and has just enough speed for them. Ford spies, pay attention to that right there. Lincoln could be great again, no doubt in my mind.
  • cowbellcowbell Member Posts: 125
    From a Toytoa internal report by Seiichi Sudo:

    "The U.S. auto industry pays among the highest manufacturing wages in the world. Compared with Japan and France, the U.S. auto industry pays 50% higher wages and over five times more than Mexico's auto manufacturers"

    And from a House Ways and Means Committee hearing:

    "the artificially weak yen has provided Japanese auto companies a cost advantage ranging from $3,000 on a small car to $12,000 on a luxury sport utility."

    I'm not saying that I know these things are ture, or that I think that's why the domestic manufactures are doing poorly. It's just some information I've heard. Do with it what you will.
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    That is an interesting link. I heard the same from a few guys who work for GM that folks up in the New York and Philly area are taking alot about the MKZ. I was driving to work today in my MKZ right behind a Zephyr, Milian, and new Navigator.
  • scootertrashscootertrash Member Posts: 698
    "The U.S. auto industry pays among the highest manufacturing wages in the world. Compared with Japan and France, the U.S. auto industry pays 50% higher wages and over five times more than Mexico's auto manufacturers"

    The MKZ is a Mexican car, and Ford is a Mexican auto manufacturer is it more patriotic than buying a Toyota or Nissan made by Americans in the US?

    To mMe it's all excuse making designed to distract from the REAL problem--Making yawn mobiles like the 500, playing games with product names like a chicken with it's head cut off and coming out with stuff like the lame 2008 10 year old Focus, that costs more than a new one would have.

    A fish rots from the head.
  • pnewbypnewby Member Posts: 277
    And to me, my philosophy is- an American owned company will put more dollars in the US economy for a vehicle sold anywhere in the world, or built anywhere in the world, than an overseas company. Granted, this could change if all production is sent offshore, but the balance is still better at this time. Of course American companies could learn from Toyota and others that cheaper labor doesn't always equal better profits or more efficiency. When the non-US labor gets as good as the US labor, the costs tend to equal out.
  • exalteddragon1exalteddragon1 Member Posts: 729
    about you, but I can't wait untill Ford redesigns its Lincolns!
  • Me too. The present mishmash lineup includes some good products, but nothing great or outstanding.

    The other problem is all the different looks, grills, tailends, etc. The grills of the MKZ, MKLT, and the upcoming MKS look a bit alike--but now we are told the MKS will have the split grill style of the MKR. The grills of the MKX and Navigator bear no relationship to each other, or any of the others. So, first get the split grill integrated into everything--or at least stop putting completely different grill themes on each of the three trucks. The tail lights are another mishmash. The MKZ and Navigator have a similar tail light theme, but the MKX goes its own way. The MKS, MKR, and TC could be from different planets.

    Of course the various models shouldn't be clones of one another, but just as you can tell an Audi or Mercedes or Pontiac or Cadillac coming down the road, it would be good to have a Lincoln look back.
  • caliddcalidd Member Posts: 60
    Anyone know what changes are planned for the 2008 MKZ?

    Here are my suggestions: (1) wipers either that lie flush at the base of the windshield (instead of the 30% angles of the current right wiper) or recede below the hood; (2) outside mirrors that fold; (3) glove box that is closed in the back so envelopes, maps, etc. can't fall out of the glove box into the vent); (4)thicker padding on the seats and on the small panel over the glove box, which seems flemsy; (5) automatic (hydraulic) hood opener instead of the current stick rod (6) remote gas door opener.
    Any way of getting the blue oval boys to hear my suggestions?
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    Good ones, I would like to add:

    1. Backup camera;
    2. Larger wheel option say 18/19";
    3. Hybrid or better mileage;
    4. Bluetooth;
    5. Something that I can hold onto in order to close the
    trunk;
    6. More chrome better color options;

    Maybe a night with one of those models I see in the Lincoln booth at the autoshow! :)

    Other than that I am very please with my MKZ now with 2.5k miles on it. No problems or issues to report.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Sync will be coming this fall for sure giving Bluetooth capabilities plus MP3 player interfaces and other features.

    Other than that don't look for anything major.
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    And those numbers are almost exactly what I am experiencing. Maybe a little more on the highway. Interesting I was starting to wonder about my 16-17 that I am getting on average combo driving was low but now I see for the AWD it is about average. I did decide that this was my last under 30 mpg or high emissions car that I would purchase so Ford/Mercury/Lincoln has about 3-4 years to keep me in their family.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    I have to question that website. The old numbers on the MKZ were not 17/24 as it says, but 18/26. The figures they give of 17/24 are actually the MKX EPA figures as given on the Lincoln.com website.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    17/24 is for the AWD MKZ. The FWD MKZ is 18/25 for 2007. The website is correct.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    Wrong ! I can show you on the window sticker of my '07 AWD
    MKZ that EPA is 18/26 or you can go to the Lincoln website and see the same thing:
    http://www.lincoln.com/mkz/performance.asp?feature=all-wheel_drive

    FWD is 19/27 on that same Lincoln webpage, and it is also on
    my son's window sticker from his FWD '07 MKZ.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    The figures you give are for the '07 MKX AWD & FWD, not the MKZ.

    See the Lincon webpage at:

    http://www.lincoln.com/mkx/performance.asp?feature=all-wheel_drive
  • exalteddragon1exalteddragon1 Member Posts: 729
    a mustang based Lincoln Mark IX.

    I know its only dreaming, but part of me is glad its not out yet, with the current lincoln styling it would be horrible :mad:

    In the future, I really hope to see something like that, though.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    No, the figures I gave are for the MKZ but they came from edmunds.com - which is apparently wrong. I wonder if it was published incorrectly somewhere and picked up by both Edmunds and the fueleconomy website.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    Whatever the reason for the error, it makes me highly suspect regarding any figures for performance or mileage put out by either source.

    I'm not surprised at the mistake. It is easy to confuse MKZ and MKX when looking at data, and those MKZ figures were exactly what EPA shows for the MKX.
  • heyjewelheyjewel Member Posts: 1,046
    Gee whiz, consumers, the government, Edmunds and even Lincoln marketing cant tell the cars/CUVs apart now. Anyone still not convinced of the STOOOOPIDIDTY of the letter naming fiasco?
  • oshkosh49oshkosh49 Member Posts: 13
    heyjewel, I agree with you. There was nothing wrong with the Zephyr name. If you significantly improve a model from one year to the next, it doesn't mean you have to change the name, IMHO.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    I agree also. I thought Zephyr was a pretty cool name, and leaving it alone would sure have eliminated confusion. I guess I'm just old school because I'm so old, but I always preferred names to numbers. Just because foreign manufacturers like the confusing number system shouldn't mean everyone HAS to do it.
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    Well another snow storm here in DC. I had to go out in it to attend a meeting. I really enjoy the stability the AWD gives me in the snow, sleet, ice, and rain we are having today!
  • caliddcalidd Member Posts: 60
    How does the AWD affect the ride as compared to FWD?

    Also, do you know what the ground clearance is? I've searched the web and can't find it. thanks.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    I have driven my son's FWD several times, and can tell no difference in the ride from my AWD. I will say his car is noticeably quicker, though.

    We had snow last week and I went up to a nearby log cabin development in the mountains, just to see if there was anywhere I couldn't go in the car. I made it up some hills that others had tried and didn't make. I was very impressed with the Z's performance in snow.

    I don't know what the ground clearance is, but I wouldn't take it off-road. I've straddled a few large road kills without them hitting the undercarriage.
  • heyjewelheyjewel Member Posts: 1,046
    "Also, do you know what the ground clearance is?"

    The answer is 'not enough to take it off road.'

    Seriously, if you're looking for something to use on AND off road, don't look at the Edge or emm kay whatever. I've been researching something like that for myself with the added benefit of good gas mileage and I think the Jeep Patriot offers the most bang for the buck. Close to 30mpg hiway and "close to" low range off-roading. No, it's not as 'nice' as the Edge in many ways I guess, but it's cheaper.

    Just MHO.

    Oh, wait. Nevermind. I just noticed this discussion is for the emm kay whatever sedan, indicated by a 'Z'. Sorry for the confusion. A sedan buyer wont want a Patriot.

    But the advice still stands, dont take your emm kay anything off the road unless you have real good towing coverage. A Subaru is a better bet for a sorta off road sedan.

    I HATE these letter names.
  • pegasus17pegasus17 Member Posts: 536
    Can anyone figure out why CR gave a POOR rating to the Zephyr headlights and now a GOOD rating for the MKZ? No mention of what type they rated in the review...Any comments from MKZ drivers on headlight effectiveness?
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    Hmm, don't know. I had both the Zephyr and now the MKZ and no issues with headlights. My MKZ has HID and I do like those better but HID was an option for the Zephyr also. :confuse:
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    My MKZ has the HID headlights and are a little better than my son's, whos MKZ has the regular lights. But both are perfectly acceptable.
  • theman123theman123 Member Posts: 170
    2007 February sales PDF

    I think people like the MKZ
    :)
  • tiger16tiger16 Member Posts: 54
    For the year, sales are DOWN 2.1% from last yr. Not good for a car that has only been out 2 yrs and I suspect that the Feb spike was due to sales incentives. Ford has to address the glaring weaknesses of this car or it won't be around 3 yrs from now or they'll yet again rename it to attempt the illusion that it is markedly new and improved. Some of the areas that need improvement? How about the crappy gas mileage, small gas tank, less than stellar transmission & bland styling. I have an 06 Zephyr so the styling wasn't a turnoff to me but, it is to a lot of people that's partly why they're going elsewhere. Also, I test drove the MKZ and like the ride of my Zephyr better. I'll take ride over handling any day. That's why I got rid of my Maxima.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I didn't see any increased incentives. All of the CD3 cars were way up last month apparently due to the Fusion Challenge advertising campaign. Even people that don't buy Fusions are coming into the showroom and buying Milans, MKZs, Edges and MKXs.
  • And with that, sales decreased 13%. No doubt that some nameplates are seeing increases in sales. But not enough to offset the decreases. Moreover, the increases are from poor sales numbers to begin with. That MKZ can't even move 50,000 units a year is bad news, but hardly surprising, given the competition. That Fusion cannot outsell other mid-size cars that are not as good is a bigger problem.

    The 500/Montego is a fiasco. I still recall the dumb corporate reaction when it was poorly received on launch: "Over time, the Five Hundred's styling will wear better than the 300's"...how pathetic was that? Did anyone think to get a re-skin in the pipeline for 08 or 09? No. Instead, they changed the grill and tweaked the interior. The buying public is not enamored of the bubble top and plain Jane fenders, and front and rear styling, people!

    Edge and MKX sales appear to be a bright spot. However, MKX may be cannibalizing Navigator sales...not so good. The MKZ sales have gone from bad to so-so. Lincoln small sales increases are on top of last year's poor sales. But at least we can say that Lincoln is no longer heading south as fast as Ford, Mercury and Jaguar.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    But keep in mind that a person who moves from a Navigator to a MKX would most likely have moved to a Lexus RX350 is the MKX wasn't available. So while it's not a net new vehicle sale for Ford it does prevent the loss of a sale.
  • brucelincbrucelinc Member Posts: 815
    Ford has to address the glaring weaknesses of this car or it won't be around 3 yrs from now

    Tiger, I agree with you. The Z is a pleasant enough car and is probably quite reliable but it does not stand out in any way and, IMHO, further degrades the Lincoln nameplate. The top-line Milan should have the key Z features - 3.5 engine, better sound insulation, and more upscale interior.

    I think the upcoming MKS with the standard 3.7 V6 should be the entry-level Lincoln. It has more expressive styling, it's larger, and just appears more upscale. Its additional size and room would give it an advantage over other entry level luxury brands. The Z is just too much like its stablemates, the Fusion and Milan. They are fine midsize mainstream sedans but I don't think they made the greatest basis for a Lincoln or Lincoln didn't go quite far enough with the upgrades.

    Like you, I am a bit disappointed in the ride of the Z. I have never driven a Zephyr so I can't compare them but the Z feels like a Fusion to me except a bit quieter. Again, too mid-size mainsteam to be considered entry level luxury, IMHO. The enthusiast press likes the Z better than the Zephyr in terms of ride but I am not convinced that the target buyer does.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    Yes, the MKZ really should have been a ultra premium package Milan. It would diferrentiate itself from the Fusion more instead of being just a rebadge with some styling tweaks.
    The Ford could be the value leader and any "high-line" Fusion could have been sporty like a SVT instead of competing with the Mercury. Drop the Fusion SEL and drop the base Milans. If you want more plushness than a SE model Fusion, then you look at the Milan instead. If there is too much overlap, then there is no real need for the Mercury model just to get a different grill and two tone leather seats.
    Then Lincoln should have a rear drive sedan with a richer-looking interior that would be competitive in materials and style with Lexus or even the new CTS (no cheap-looking painted plastic "satin-look" trim etc.)
  • driverdmdriverdm Member Posts: 505
    That MKZ can't even move 50,000 units a year is bad news, but hardly surprising, given the competition. That Fusion cannot outsell other mid-size cars that are not as good is a bigger problem.

    Because you are not top in your segment, does not mean you are in a bad position. The Fusion handily outsells a Sonata and several other popular models. What is important is that you make money on your products. If Ford can put some money they make off the MKZ into its redesign and compeltely differentiate the next one from the Fusion, sales will be better. Look at the Altima. The second generation was forgettable, but they didn't give up on it. They came out with the third generation and now there is a fourth generation and the Altima is a common name. If Ford can just bring out the Zephyr concept that they had displayed at autoshows, we wouldn't even need this conversation. That concept was hot like fire.
  • driverdmdriverdm Member Posts: 505
    I think that an AWD redesigned MKZ would sell well. I think the MKZ is a good model to keep. If they had come out with the concept Zephyr as it was displayed, this would be a mute issue. Instead, we got a highly revised Fusion.

    Drop the Fusion SEL and drop the base Milans.


    Even if they did that, they wouldn't sell as much as if they had teh Fusion SEL, i.e. revenue would decrease on less units sold. No matter how we slice it, Ford is the volume brand. You've got to have the volume brand with the desired units. Too many SEL are sold for them to shift them to Mercury. You'd only want to do that if customers believed that the price of the vehicle wasn't justified by the brand, i.e. sticker shock like the new Altima which easily can cost $33K.

    I think instead, they should import all of Ford of Europes products as Mercurys. Similar to Saturn and Opel. Or at least build the European Fords in America as Mercurys. All the R&D and design is already paid for so if they are built here it may a. be cost effective and b. will lead to an actual need to hire more people. A very strange concept.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Some posts have been moved to a new discussion. Here's the link: calidd, "Acura TL vs Lincoln MKZ" #2, 4 Mar 2007 11:44 am.
  • theman123theman123 Member Posts: 170
    Hey I was surfing the net and happened to stumble upon this interesting article from Importtrend Oppps I mean Motortrend magazine. It praises the MKZ (Em-Kay-Z) as a wonderful car. But, that's nothing that we didn't know already. Here's the link, Enjoy.

    Motortrend MKZ Test drive
  • dkaplan435dkaplan435 Member Posts: 23
    Here are some photos of the MKZ I took at the Milwaukee Auto Show. I think it's a great looking Lincoln, probably my favorite Lincoln car in the last 10 years.

    Lincoln MKZ photos

    Dave
  • It's definitely not a bad looking car, but it isn't all that distinctive...looking too much like so many other mid-sized cars. There's nothing about the exterior styling that says it is a more expensive car than the Saturn Aura, the Mercury Milan, the upcoming 2008 Chevy Malibu, or the new Chrysler Sebring. I think that is why, though it sells "ok" (and can make a profit from those sales), it is not doing even as well as the LS did. Plus, like the styling or not, it does not look like a Lincoln--whatever that is these days (apparently a mish-mash of disparate looks). The averge Joe only knows it is a Lincoln by reading the label.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    An older retired couple in my neighborhood love owning their 2006 Zephyr.
    From the Milwaukee show photos, that seems like the demographic the MKZ is attracting.
    I think many couples in their 70's and older will really enjoy the new MKZ.

    image
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    That is sort of cold. I am 53 and own the MKZ, my 17 year old likes the car also. My friend is 52 and she owns a Zephyr. I saw a MKZ in Orlando and a guy in a suit around 45 was driving it. I think some on this board are paid consultants for the foreign auto makers!
  • theman123theman123 Member Posts: 170
    I think some on this board are paid consultants for the foreign auto makers!

    LOL, Good one bigt. Uhhh I can personally attest the MKZ is attracting all demographics. I just attended the Atlanta Autoshow. People of all ages teenagers through elderly people were very attracted to the car. The short time I passed through the Lincoln display, at least a dozen families checked out the several MKZ demos at the show. Also, I'm 30 and I like the car very much. I can't afford it, but I'm sick of everybody hating on good American cars. That close minded mentality is sickening. Also, you wouldn't approve of my demographic. I would fall under the Hip-hop; baggy jeans; backwards baseball cap black guy generation. So Jaxs1, keep your insults to yourself. :P
  • It's not an insult to be old...

    The MKZ, like most cars, has a diverse following. But anecdotal likes and loves aside, the proof is in the sales figures, and this is not a car burning up the sales charts.

    Again, it is doing OK, but it isn't even selling as well as the LS did in its first years. And with inflation and the actual MSRP, the LS was a more expensive car.

    Lincoln cannot come back with good efforts that fail to steal many sales from Lexus, BMW, Audi, Infiniti, Chrysler or the like. Lincoln needs a car like the 300 that everyone knows is a Lincoln when they see it coming.
  • cg205cg205 Member Posts: 34
    I agree, bigt. I am 66 and my wife is 60. One year ago last week we traded our Mustang GT convertible for a new red Corvette convertible. Eight months later, we traded our second car for a new MKZ. We love them both. Our 33 year old son and his 32 year old wife drove our Z several times and liked it so much that they bought one also.

    I think some on this board would believe that my wife and I must hate one of our cars......
  • oshkosh49oshkosh49 Member Posts: 13
    Super nice photos of the MKZ. But the thing that disappointed me from looking at your photos was that nobody was interested enough to be standing around and looking at the MKZ. Except for the little old lady who was sitting inside the car. Not good. Not good at all.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I just attended the Atlanta Autoshow.
    Me, too! I was at the Lincoln display around noon looking at the MKXs.

    I would fall under the Hip-hop; baggy jeans; backwards baseball cap black guy generation.
    Me, too! Except for the Hip-hop; backwards baseball cap black guy part. My jean are a little baggy, though.
  • bigtbigt Member Posts: 412
    Who can inference from one photo taken at one point if no one was interested in the car. Yikes, next time maybe we need to put a spy cam and watch it over a few hours!
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