I have sat in an Edge and will sit in the MKX soon. Looking online it doesn't appear that it is worth spending the extra money. I see a little longer warranty and air conditioned seats. I don't care about the styling differences or any exclusivity issues. Is there anything else that would make the MKX worth the extra? Is there better dealer treatment a la Lexus?
Having just picked up my MKX yesterday and having gone through an Edge vs MKX analysis there is no rational reason why one would pick the MKX over the Edge if they "don't care about the styling differences" as you indicated in your post. I went with the MKX precisely because of styling differences. I loved the interior and the different treatment of the rear. Was it worth the difference in price between the two vehicles... certainly not on paper. Hey, sometimes picking a car to buy is like deciding on which woman to marry..... most times its an emotional rather than a rational decision!!! Good luck with your decision.
The MKX will probably get you better sound deadening and a more compliant ride, but I haven't driven them back to back.
Also, I'm fairly sure you'll receive better treatment at a Lincoln dealership (nicer waiting room, less pressure from sales staff, maybe more attentive service personnel, etc.) a la Lexus versus Toyota. That's based on my experience with my local Lincoln dealership and general experience with near-premium brands like Volvo and Lincoln versus more plebeian brands like Honda.
Like magoo99 said, it's ultimately more of an emotional decision.
In my experience, at the Ford dealer service dept, they scowl and sneer while at the Lincoln service dept they smile and look sheepish. This is when they tell you they cant or wont fix the chronic problem with your car, or that hey, its within spec while refusing to show you any spec. Lincoln also has a "Customer service hotline" where they are trained to talk sweetly while blowing you off. All just in my own personal experience. They may not be all that different from Toyota/Lexus, I dunno. I've always given my money to the domestic mfgs. But I think that may change. It's become obvious to me that, once they have your money, even if it's upwards of $100,000 in a few year's time, they couldn't care if the wheels fall off your car. Or that you cant GET the wheels off your car. Or that the original design was defective so now when it breaks, they force you to spend $1000 on the new and improved design. Warrantee? Responsibility? You gotta be kidding me. Or it catches on fire due to defective switch. Whatever. Dont bother them about it. They just conceived, designed and built the thing, what do they know? My advice would be, get the absolute fewest things on the car that you can. Just the basics, engine, wheels, seats. The fewer things on it, the fewer things to break and therefore the fewer things for them to refuse to fix. So you'll be happier in the long run. Chrome wheels - wouldnt do that cause they make the chrome lugs out of plastic and you have to spend a couple hundred on new lugs when you get a flat and cant get your tire off the car with the supplied tools. Automatic climate control? Wouldnt get that unless you like 1/2 your body freezing, the other 1/2 in an oven and enjoy being told it was designed to do that. Open the window instead. Hopefully it will go back up later. Heated seats? Better to eat a nice plate of beans the night before. I could go on, but my tongue may get stuck in my cheek. My one last comment is, whether you get an Edge or an X, you WILL be living in Drive (only-hey that's a good thing though, fewer numbers on the shifter, fewer gears and such to break!) and definitely "on the edge."
I'd have to say the 'service' comments do apply to Lexus, too. I've had service people treat me well while trying to extort unneeded work out of me. The use people's desire to appear as wealthy owners willing to do anything for their cars as leverage for excess service. Not to wander off topic, just saying 'Lexus level service' isn't necessary a good thing for Lincoln owners to desire.
I have a Lexus and the dealer recommended services often exceed the manufacturer's suggestions but other than that the service has been far better than any other car dealer service I have ever received. They will come out to your house and deliver a loaner and take your car in. They give loaners for all service except an oil change which I do at Toyota. They call several times after the service appointment to make sure that I am completely satisfied. I am spoiled.
They call several times after the service appointment to make sure that I am completely satisfied.
That I would find annoying. Kind of like when the hotel front desk calls less than 5 minutes after you've checked in to see if everything's okay with your room. If there's a problem, I'll let you know.
Not annoying at all since they often offer free oil change and it does give me a chance to get any problems taken care of completely. I follow the Volvo XC 90, Mercedes ML, Land Rover and VW Touareg forums and one of the biggest complaints is how the manufacturer or dealer just doesn't seem to care about an annoying problem. Well that just hasn't happened with my Lexus dealer. Even though I have had very little to complain about.
Over the past two days I've seen no fewer than three MKX - white, red, and black. The darker colors are very striking, and I think they're very good looking cars. Nice to finally see some of these about town.
Best of luck on your new MKX!! I hope you love yours as much as I do mine. Got mine in February and am very pleased with it. Mine is the white chocolate w/the light interior and I think it's just beautiful. I wouldn't suggest the light interior if you have messy kids but being an "older" person with no small children, it works well. Good luck and have fun!
FWD model. Five tankfuls of typical 2/3 city 1/3 highway suburban driving show 17, 16, 18, 17, 18 mpg. A 4/5 highway 1/5 city tankful with the vehicle loaded with four people and luggage, with moderately changing terrain, at mostly 70-75 mpg showed 23.1 mpg. On the latest tankful I saw the average get as high as 23.8 before city driving knocked it back down. These are about what I expected and I'm satisfied. I suspect with some more break-in time, and at a tamer 60 mph rate and less loaded down, the EPA 25 mpg highway rating is attainable.
Sometimes, especially when I drive past (or worse - into) a gas station lately, I feel the urge to sell my thirsty Navigator and get something hopefully similar but less costly to feed. Like say the MKX. So then I get out the calculator and, using the following assumptions:
- I could sell my 2004 loaded Navigator Ultimate for $29000 - I would buy a MKX (or equiv) with similar eqipment for $43000 - a diff of $14000 plus TTL or appx $16000 more to get into the new wheels. - The MKX would get appx 1/3 better gas mileage: - Nav 12 city, 17 hwy; MKX 18 city 24 hwy - gasoline cost $4.00/gallon (it's practically that right now in California, GRRRRRR.)
when I do the math I find that I would need to drive 168,000 miles or approximately 8 to 10 years in the MKX before the savings in gas cost would make up for the $16000 difference in the cars cost. And during that time: - I'd be driving a smaller vehicle - Would not be able to carry 7 or 8 passengers (I could compare to a CX-9 or MDX or something and this would not be as stacked toward the Nav, but still the Nav is much roomier than any of the CUVs, especially the third seat) - I would no longer be able to tow my RV trailer - I would no longer have access to true 4WD, including low range. - I would be looking at silly throw-back guages instead of the electro-luminescent or whatever they are, modern looking guages in my Nav. - etc etc.
So all in all, though gas is going to be $4.00 a gallon unless a miracle happens, I think I'm better off in my big, beautiful, smooth RSC-controlled 8 passenger, more capable SUV for quite a while yet.
And a very rational one. Most people do not buy vehicles for rational reasons. Cars and trucks last far longer these days--without rust problems and mechanical woes--if you just give them the minumum of care. But people trade all the time. Did you know that the AVERAGE car loan is now in excess of 60 months? People are not being rational, or there wouldn't be so many sales and so many models that do exactly the same thing. Since we can afford to buy new, we do. If everyone thought things through as you do, our economy would probably collapse! (Kinda scarey, no matter how you look at it.)
gregg - with what I paid for the Navigator, I propped up the economy for a couple years on my own!
Seriously though, I would need to factor in additional costs to make the comparison more honest. Probably the biggest would be maintenance on a 3 yr+ old Navigator beginning next year when the warrantee runs out. A set of tires alone will be over a grand. So a real number might be more like 150,000 miles assuming the Nav will be appx as reliable as the MKX, which might be a bad assumption due to air suspension for one thing. Mine has been near perfect on reliability so far, CR be darned, but it's only been 40,000 miles.
If instead I had leased the Nav, the equation would look a lot different of course.
True. However, it is not a big factor over that many years. In 168,000 miles, no matter how pampered, the MKX owner is going to buy several sets of tires too, and pay for other maintenance as well. Your Nav will have a bit over 200,000 (and maybe not, as you may drive it less as it ages). A well maintained Nav should do that distance easily.
With newer vehicles, it almost never makes financial sense to trade, in order to get better mileage. Most hybrid owners will probably never drive enough miles to justify the trade from that standpoint. Even first time buyers are usually better off buying the gas version.
However, there can be a certain satisfaction, hard to quantify monetarily, from using less gas to get from point A to point B. It is also more ecological, though that may more questionable, given that in all likelihood your gas hog trade-in will be bought by someone else, and continue to suck gas at the same rate for about as long as if you had kept it for its moslty trouble-free lifespan.
Over time, it all works in everyone's favor (if not your own wallet) to buy a ride with better mileage, because eventually by doing so, the overall fleet will get more mpg and use less of the finite resource oil--allowing everyone to drive a bit longer before we have to use an even more expensive source of propulsion.
I took delivery on my MKX yesterday. I got the black on black AWD with the ultimate package, vista roof and Sirius radio. I had a great buying experience. With a bit of negotiating, I paid very close to invoice.
The following are my initial impressions: - The vehicle is a real head-turner. I've had numerous positive comments already. - I am most impressed by the ride and quietness. The engine noise is very similar to my 2004 V6 Honda Accord when it was new (i.e., when idling it is so quiet you think the engine has died). Road quality in Chicago is terrible at this time of year. You couldn't ask for better handling of potholes. - The seats are very comfortable. - I did not order the THX stereo, but the base unit seems quite good. The Sirius radio controls are much easier to use than my previous XM radio. - Visibility and seating position are good. I don't yet have a good sense for length of the hood/front bumper. In some ways it feels like driving a mini-van, but fortunately, does not feel as long, particularly when parking or cornering. The dash is also not as deep as on a minivan. - Fit and finish is good. I haven't spotted any out of spec gaps. I do think the interior would be improved with a bit more true metal chrome rather than the the satin metallic finish plastic. However, at least there is no plastic wood. - Though I have not tested it hard, acceleration and braking seem very good. - The vista roof really makes the vehicle. - Insurance costs are relatively low. - I love the grille and taillights. This plus the ride is sufficient justification for the price difference from the Ford Edge.
I will post again in a few weeks as I get more mileage data.
I just had the good fortune to drive a black/black MKX with Ultimate and Elite packages for 3 days as a loaner car while mine was being serviced. I would agree with many of your comments. Here in SE KS the black/black combo will be a real seat scorcher in the summer. It was getting up near 90 here while I had the car and the inside got HOT, even with the sunshades on the vista roof closed. The front seat coolers helped a great deal. The THX sound and navigation unit were very nice. When the current lease on my car ends in October I will be looking at the 2008 version of this vehicle again. The black leather looks rich and expensive, but I may go with the camel or stone for temperature reasons. Also want to check out the new 2008 color Indigo Ink, a very dark (almost black) blue, one of the 3 new colors for 2008. For class and looks, the black/black combo cannot be beat!
I'd like to get an MKX with the ultimate and elite packages but without the chrome clad wheels. I've found that there is a chrome delete package that subtracts 265 from the price but seems to only be available if I special order. Does anyone know if these are just covers that can be taken off or is it a different wheel than the aluminum?
Congratulations on your purchase. Black is a very sharp color.
After one month of ownership, I can agree with about everything you said. Specifically: - it is certainly a head-turner. - the vehicle is very quiet. - I also find that I had a hard time judging where the hood ends. But it will come to you. - the vista roof is a very fine feature. - the light tube tailights and the LED backup lights look cool.
We made a 1200 mile trip last weekend. The vehicle performs very well as a long distance cruiser. I am 6'4" and spent time both driving and in the back seat. I did not feel cramped or get tired. Specifically there is a surprising amount of room in the back. I'm sure that is because the vehicle was designed as a five seater, not a seven seater. The back seat passengers had a good time playing cards, using the fold down cup holder as a small table.
We have the charcoal interior. Our headliner is that neutral beige-y color, which Ford calls "Stone" in other vehicle lines. [If this was paint on walls we would call it "Relocation Beige"!!] I think it would have looked better in gray, but I'm wondering if this headliner is a "one size fits all", being used in the Greystone and Camel interiors also. Or, maybe all vista roof cars have this color headliner?
Well it's been 1&1/2 weeks now since I took delivery of my new MKX and it's just wonderful. White Chocolate; Sand leather/Medium Camel; 18" Chrome Wheels; Vista Roof; Adaptive Headlights; Trailer Towing Package; Sirius Radio. A real "looker"....comfortable in all respects and quiet. Controls are smooth,accurate and intuitive. Will keep ya posted. :P
I am on the road all day, 5 days a week and have seen precious few of the MKX and not that many more of the Edge. I thought Ford was really counting on these to help turn things around. Anybody heard how they are selling?
To put it in perspective - Toyota sells 400K Camrys every year for the last several years. Ford has only sold 33K Edges and 10K MKX so far this year. And that will vary by location.
They are still selling well but it will take a year or two to get enough of them out there to see them regularly everywhere.
I will be getting my MKX - vivid red MKX next week. Is there a way to know if I have a good lease deal?
I am leasing the MKX with only the ultimate package showing MSRP of $38440 for $444 a month. Here are the details - May incentives of $1250 cash rebate - $1000 MFG to customer rebate sent to me from FORD (no other money put down), - 39 months with 12000 miles, - money factor based on 1.5% top tier credit _ Monthly lease including taxes $444 a month. - Only other expense will be my "out the door" which I will pay separately for a total of $1567
Did anyone actually drive the Edge along with the MKX, and is there a ride or handling difference if so? I know about the features differences and assume the Lincoln is quieter. Wondering more about the suspension, steering feel, tires, etc. Thanks.
I have had both vehicles for overnight test drives. There is a difference in the ride and quietness between the Edge and MKX. The MKX rides better and is quieter than the Edge. It should be for the price difference. The MKX is not floaty or uncontrolled. It just feels like a more expensive ride.
We just got our new (White Chocolate, Camel interior) MKX last week after waiting about 7 weeks for it. We downsized from an Escalade, and so far are impressed with the car. Height makes it super easy to get in and out. We got all the packages/options except the Vista roof (we live in Florida and don't want any extra heat) and the rear DVD player (no kids at home anymore.)
The rear Cargo Management for $65 is a must. It gives more space and organization around the spare tire. Even our salesman said the dealership should order all of the MKX's with this cheap option.
We love the Trailer Tow Package ($295) because of the upgraded battery and larger radiator, even though we will never tow anything.
Love the easy to use Nav, Sirius, THX (sound is amazing) cooled seats, chrome wheels, interior quietness, etc.
We ordered nice looking carpet floor mats with MKX logo (4 for $69)from the dealership and also ordered a custom fit cargo mat from Weathertech.
We plan to have pinstipes put on next week and will have the graphics place order Lincoln color-matched bumper guards for the sides.
We test drove the Cadillac SRX, Lexus RX350 and Infinity FX35 competition before ordering our MKX. And we think we definitely made the right choice with the MKX!
The Lincoln MKX website (halfway down the home page) now includes a link to all of their accessories. They now have a rear bumper protector and a cargo cover, which some have mentioned wanting in earlier posts. We just picked up the MKX logo car mats we ordered. They are in medium camel (the darker of the two tone Camel interior) and are much more practical than the stock lighter car mats.
Mororweek is reviewing the MKX this week on tv. You can also read the review online.
WHich one wins? According to Motor Trend this month, the Veracruz is a better vehicle than the RX350. The MKX isn't in the same league as either of them (that part is from a previous month).
So, does ANYONE here or at Ford wonder why Hyundai can build a better Lexus but Lincoln can barely build a better Mazda? Hello? Ford? Have you driven a Hyundai .. lately?
It would be nice to know how they ranked with a load of: front seat passenger, 3 kids in the back seat, and 300# of luggage behind the second seat. It's very possible that the order would be reversed due to more/less ABS activity with that weight distribution.
I think it's very important that auto writers test brakes for at least two load distributions: Driver-only, and full vacation load.
Maybe Ford designs a brake distribution for the whole family, and others design for magazine tests.
At the very least, they should report the frt/rr test weight distribution.
Verecruz was not in the review. At least the range of the review was not a contrast between great and bad for the cars. The cars came out about even on the table showing how the cars were rated in many categories. SRX got eliminated from recommendation because of reliability. It won't keep me away from the MKX - I figure some upgraded brake pads (or maybe upgraded brakes from Ford in 2008) should take care of it.
I’ve had my MKX for 6 weeks now and have 1,500 miles on the odometer. The car has completely met my expectations. The ride is quiet and very comfortable and just a pleasure to drive. Gas mileage is at least what Lincoln states my experience is that I am getting a mile or two better per gallon than Lincoln claimed both in city and highway driving.
I’d like to comment about some of the negatives I had read in magazine reviews back when I was doing my research before deciding which car to purchase.
Windshield glare: Yes, in bright sunshine there is definitely plenty of dashboard reflection on the windshield. I have a light camel colored interior, and the black center defrost vent is definitely noticeable on the windshield. A pair of polarized sunglasses all but removes the reflection completely. I can’t remember any car I’ve been in on a sunny day that didn’t have some reflection.
The satan nickel center console: There were reviews written chastising Lincoln for using plastic vs real metal. Anyone who has ridden in my MKX has remarked at how aesthetically pleasing they thought the interior was. In my opinion, while the console might very well be plastic, it does not look it or even feel like plastic to the touch. By the way, the Japanese autos that reviewers tend to highly rate have plenty of plastic on there dashboards and consoles but for some reason these go un-noticed and un-mentioned.
Brakes: I have not noticed any difference in stopping distances between my MKX and any cars I’ve driven the past. Granted I have not had to make any panic stops where I’ve needed to lock up the wheels, but in normal driving the brakes seem more than adequate.
As you read the pros and cons of new car reviews, all have at least some cons. That means that at least in the opinions of the reviewers there is no car that is perfect. So the choice of which car to purchase becomes subjective as it should be. Anyone who purchases a Lincoln product knows up front that they are not getting a finely tuned sports car with above average acceleration and cornering capabilities. What I expect from a Lincoln product is a roomy, quiet, comfortable ride which includes the latest technological safety features. So far I am quite pleased with my purchase.
Mr Maggoo99,yours was avery well written piece nad you are right on the money about all your observations. Where did you buy your MKX and what price was piad?...how difficult negotiations?.... Thanks..and enjoy that CUV!!
Svofan2, please see my post #505 on my buying experience. I live in South Carolina.
In addition to what I discussed in that post, three days after I took possession of my MKX, I received in the mail a private $500 incentive certificate from Lincoln. The certificate stated that this rebate was in addition to all publicly announced rebates and it could be applied to a purchase or lease from April to July. I have no idea as to why I received this offer. Perhaps because I was coming off a Ford Credit lease and they didn't want to lose me, or perhaps because I had requested an MKX brochure from Lincoln on their website. My first reaction was that I had missed out on this rebate since I had already taken possession of my MKX. I called the finance guy at the dealership and explained what I had just received in the mail. His first reaction was to say that I had already received all rebates I was eligible for but I explained that the certificate stated that it was in addition to all publicly announced rebates. He agreed to submit the rebate. I dropped off the certificate at the dealership and about two weeks later I received a check for $500 from Lincoln. I guess I must be living right!!
"There is nothing wrong with the brakes. They're not great but they're ok. And everything else is subjective.
Seems all you do is look for Fords to bash."
My intent is not to be a Ford basher, though it probably looks that way. Few people want Ford to succeed more than I do. However, I will not be a sychophant for inferior products. IMHO it is both inane and insane that Ford brings to market an important vehicle like the Edge/X with brakes that underperform the competition by, what, 15-20% or so? For the buyer of a new $35000+ vehicle to say "well, I'll just get some aftermarket brake pads so I can stop as good as the other guys" strikes me as just a little bit CRAZY. Especially since there is no proof that this will improve the braking substantially. All the tests I've seen mark these cars down for their brakes. That is NOT an area Ford should be scrimping on, yet they obviously did.
In all honesty, if Ford had a vehicle at the head of it's class, I'd be one of the first to be touting it. As it is, I defy anyone to name a Ford vehicle sold in America that is #1 or even #2 in comparison to others in it's segment. And Lincoln is in far worse shape against it's competition. And what is a Mercury anymore but Jill Wagoner's path to stardom?
To the MKX I say - why would anyone buy this vehicle when the Veracruz is so much better for a few bucks less, seats more people and has a 100,000 mile warrantee? To say nothing of other competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, Enclave, Acadia etc etc. Though subjectively the side and rear view of the MKX are very very nice. But the front and the Instrument panel, IMHO, are horrible.
Finally it would seem that the buying public agrees with me as Ford sales are down AGAIN, this time the ONLY manufacturer to be down.
Finally it would seem that the buying public agrees with me as Ford sales are down
MKX sales were up 20% in May from April's numbers. This article in the Charlotte Business Journal says that consumers bought fewer Fords overall, but it's not clear to me if some of that is due to declining fleet sales. (Reuters)
Despite claims of independence, I sometimes have to wonder if Toyota and Honda don’t indeed have writers on the payroll at Consumer Reports. Or, maybe Ford has really ticked off the editors at CR. Read in isolation, the MKX’s review is rather dismal. However, read all of the reviews. Look closely at the comparative chart at the end of the article. Hopefully, the interested party will do just that and not immediately write the MKX off based on one review by CR.
Of the MKX’s mileage, they say “fuel economy of 16 mpg is unimpressive for a five-passenger SUV.” No mention that this is regular fuel. Now, of the Acura MDX they simply say “it returns 17 mpg overall on premium fuel,” of the BMW X5 “it returned 17 mpg overall on premium fuel,” and of the Cadillac SRX “expect 16 mpg on regular fuel.” No negative comments on the fuel efficiency of the Acura, BMW or the Cadillac.
As to ride, of the Lexus RX350 they say “the RX isn’t agile or particularly fun to drive. So drivers who prefer a cushy ride might prefer the RX.” Of the MDX they generally give it good marks and say it has a firmer ride which is “agile and composed.” The MKX’s ride is criticized for having neither the Lexus RX’s excellent isolation from the road nor the quick cornering reflexes of the Acura. This compromise between the two extremes of the RX and the MDX could be considered a good thing. It's one of the things I like about my LS: neither as soft as the Lexus ES or as harsh as the TL I test drove.
The MKX’s controls are criticized for lack of contrast. However, I’ve driven the MKZ, which has a similar control layout and theme, and in my opinion the controls are pretty straightforward, easy to find and use. CR says "the eight rocker switches on the steering wheel were difficult to tell apart." Well, the rocker controls on the steering wheel won’t be a problem to an owner accustomed to driving the vehicle. The plethora of buttons on the MDX are glossed over in this review, with the conclusion that “the controls can be daunting at first but are easy enough to operate once you become familiar with them.” But, in some other magazine, either “Road and Track” or “Car and Driver” the MDX’s dash was criticized as being something rejected by NASA. I guess CR is staffed by rocket scientists. Of other subjective findings, no details are provided regarding the MKX’s “hard plastics on some key touch points detracted from the opulent feeling.” What surfaces? It would be nice to expand if they're going to criticize.
To me, the telling page of this report is the comparison chart at the end of the review. The MKX sure seems to hold its own, with as many full or half-full red circles as the rest, and no black or half-black circles, including holding its own on "Controls and Displays" and bettering most in the crash test data. The interesting bit of information is the “Annual cost, 15K mi. at $2.80/gal” line. The MKX is adjusted to $2.60/gal since it uses regular fuel. Look at the total cost of the MKX, lower than all but the Lexus.
For a contrasting viewpoint, today’s Motor Week review of the MKX had a tone almost the complete opposite of the CR review. Like CR, they did justifiably criticize the longish braking distance, but that's about it.
The regular-premium fuel issue is becoming less a factor in my decision-making. At $3.20 a gallon for regular, I can sometimes find premium for 10 cents more, and always for no more than 20 cents additional. It is interesting that as the cost of gas creeps up, they are not increasing the percentage difference among the fuels--rendering the cost difference less and less meaningful.
Can you post the link to the Consumer Reports review of the MKX.
Sorry, I get the paper magazine, and it was in this month's issue.
I guess to use their website you have to subscribe to that, even if you've already subscribed to the paper magazine? At least, I've never been able to find much on the web without subscribing being told I need to subscribe.
Comments
Also, I'm fairly sure you'll receive better treatment at a Lincoln dealership (nicer waiting room, less pressure from sales staff, maybe more attentive service personnel, etc.) a la Lexus versus Toyota. That's based on my experience with my local Lincoln dealership and general experience with near-premium brands like Volvo and Lincoln versus more plebeian brands like Honda.
Like magoo99 said, it's ultimately more of an emotional decision.
Lincoln also has a "Customer service hotline" where they are trained to talk sweetly while blowing you off. All just in my own personal experience.
They may not be all that different from Toyota/Lexus, I dunno. I've always given my money to the domestic mfgs. But I think that may change. It's become obvious to me that, once they have your money, even if it's upwards of $100,000 in a few year's time, they couldn't care if the wheels fall off your car. Or that you cant GET the wheels off your car. Or that the original design was defective so now when it breaks, they force you to spend $1000 on the new and improved design. Warrantee? Responsibility? You gotta be kidding me. Or it catches on fire due to defective switch. Whatever. Dont bother them about it. They just conceived, designed and built the thing, what do they know?
My advice would be, get the absolute fewest things on the car that you can. Just the basics, engine, wheels, seats. The fewer things on it, the fewer things to break and therefore the fewer things for them to refuse to fix. So you'll be happier in the long run. Chrome wheels - wouldnt do that cause they make the chrome lugs out of plastic and you have to spend a couple hundred on new lugs when you get a flat and cant get your tire off the car with the supplied tools. Automatic climate control? Wouldnt get that unless you like 1/2 your body freezing, the other 1/2 in an oven and enjoy being told it was designed to do that. Open the window instead. Hopefully it will go back up later. Heated seats? Better to eat a nice plate of beans the night before. I could go on, but my tongue may get stuck in my cheek.
My one last comment is, whether you get an Edge or an X, you WILL be living in Drive (only-hey that's a good thing though, fewer numbers on the shifter, fewer gears and such to break!) and definitely "on the edge."
That I would find annoying. Kind of like when the hotel front desk calls less than 5 minutes after you've checked in to see if everything's okay with your room. If there's a problem, I'll let you know.
- I could sell my 2004 loaded Navigator Ultimate for $29000
- I would buy a MKX (or equiv) with similar eqipment for $43000 - a diff of $14000 plus TTL or appx $16000 more to get into the new wheels.
- The MKX would get appx 1/3 better gas mileage:
- Nav 12 city, 17 hwy; MKX 18 city 24 hwy
- gasoline cost $4.00/gallon (it's practically that right now in California, GRRRRRR.)
when I do the math I find that I would need to drive 168,000 miles or approximately 8 to 10 years
in the MKX before the savings in gas cost would make up for the $16000 difference in the cars cost. And during that time:
- I'd be driving a smaller vehicle
- Would not be able to carry 7 or 8 passengers (I could compare to a CX-9 or MDX or something and this would not be as stacked toward the Nav, but still the Nav is much roomier than any of the CUVs, especially the third seat)
- I would no longer be able to tow my RV trailer
- I would no longer have access to true 4WD, including low range.
- I would be looking at silly throw-back guages instead of the electro-luminescent or whatever they are, modern looking guages in my Nav.
- etc etc.
So all in all, though gas is going to be $4.00 a gallon unless a miracle happens, I think I'm better off in my big, beautiful, smooth RSC-controlled 8 passenger, more capable SUV for quite a while yet.
Just one man's opinion.
gregg - with what I paid for the Navigator, I propped up the economy for a couple years on my own!
Seriously though, I would need to factor in additional costs to make the comparison more honest. Probably the biggest would be maintenance on a 3 yr+ old Navigator beginning next year when the warrantee runs out. A set of tires alone will be over a grand. So a real number might be more like 150,000 miles assuming the Nav will be appx as reliable as the MKX, which might be a bad assumption due to air suspension for one thing. Mine has been near perfect on reliability so far, CR be darned, but it's only been 40,000 miles.
If instead I had leased the Nav, the equation would look a lot different of course.
With newer vehicles, it almost never makes financial sense to trade, in order to get better mileage. Most hybrid owners will probably never drive enough miles to justify the trade from that standpoint. Even first time buyers are usually better off buying the gas version.
However, there can be a certain satisfaction, hard to quantify monetarily, from using less gas to get from point A to point B. It is also more ecological, though that may more questionable, given that in all likelihood your gas hog trade-in will be bought by someone else, and continue to suck gas at the same rate for about as long as if you had kept it for its moslty trouble-free lifespan.
Over time, it all works in everyone's favor (if not your own wallet) to buy a ride with better mileage, because eventually by doing so, the overall fleet will get more mpg and use less of the finite resource oil--allowing everyone to drive a bit longer before we have to use an even more expensive source of propulsion.
The following are my initial impressions:
- The vehicle is a real head-turner. I've had numerous positive comments already.
- I am most impressed by the ride and quietness. The engine noise is very similar to my 2004 V6 Honda Accord when it was new (i.e., when idling it is so quiet you think the engine has died). Road quality in Chicago is terrible at this time of year. You couldn't ask for better handling of potholes.
- The seats are very comfortable.
- I did not order the THX stereo, but the base unit seems quite good. The Sirius radio controls are much easier to use than my previous XM radio.
- Visibility and seating position are good. I don't yet have a good sense for length of the hood/front bumper. In some ways it feels like driving a mini-van, but fortunately, does not feel as long, particularly when parking or cornering. The dash is also not as deep as on a minivan.
- Fit and finish is good. I haven't spotted any out of spec gaps. I do think the interior would be improved with a bit more true metal chrome rather than the the satin metallic finish plastic. However, at least there is no plastic wood.
- Though I have not tested it hard, acceleration and braking seem very good.
- The vista roof really makes the vehicle.
- Insurance costs are relatively low.
- I love the grille and taillights. This plus the ride is sufficient justification for the price difference from the Ford Edge.
I will post again in a few weeks as I get more mileage data.
After one month of ownership, I can agree with about everything you said. Specifically:
- it is certainly a head-turner.
- the vehicle is very quiet.
- I also find that I had a hard time judging where the hood ends. But it will come to you.
- the vista roof is a very fine feature.
- the light tube tailights and the LED backup lights look cool.
We made a 1200 mile trip last weekend. The vehicle performs very well as a long distance cruiser. I am 6'4" and spent time both driving and in the back seat. I did not feel cramped or get tired. Specifically there is a surprising amount of room in the back. I'm sure that is because the vehicle was designed as a five seater, not a seven seater. The back seat passengers had a good time playing cards, using the fold down cup holder as a small table.
They are still selling well but it will take a year or two to get enough of them out there to see them regularly everywhere.
I am leasing the MKX with only the ultimate package showing MSRP of $38440 for $444 a month.
Here are the details
- May incentives of $1250 cash rebate
- $1000 MFG to customer rebate sent to me from FORD
(no other money put down),
- 39 months with 12000 miles,
- money factor based on 1.5% top tier credit
_ Monthly lease including taxes $444 a month.
- Only other expense will be my "out the door" which I will pay separately for a total of $1567
Hoping I am getting a good lease deal.
The rear Cargo Management for $65 is a must. It gives more space and organization around the spare tire. Even our salesman said the dealership should order all of the MKX's with this cheap option.
We love the Trailer Tow Package ($295) because of the upgraded battery and larger radiator, even though we will never tow anything.
Love the easy to use Nav, Sirius, THX (sound is amazing) cooled seats, chrome wheels, interior quietness, etc.
We ordered nice looking carpet floor mats with MKX logo (4 for $69)from the dealership and also ordered a custom fit cargo mat from Weathertech.
We plan to have pinstipes put on next week and will have the graphics place order Lincoln color-matched bumper guards for the sides.
We test drove the Cadillac SRX, Lexus RX350 and Infinity FX35 competition before ordering our MKX. And we think we definitely made the right choice with the MKX!
More after we judge the mileage and driving.
The Lincoln MKX website (halfway down the home page) now includes a link to all of their accessories. They now have a rear bumper protector and a cargo cover, which some have mentioned wanting in earlier posts. We just picked up the MKX logo car mats we ordered. They are in medium camel (the darker of the two tone Camel interior) and are much more practical than the stock lighter car mats.
Mororweek is reviewing the MKX this week on tv. You can also read the review online.
So, does ANYONE here or at Ford wonder why Hyundai can build a better Lexus but Lincoln can barely build a better Mazda? Hello? Ford? Have you driven a Hyundai .. lately?
What about Veracruz?
MKX just is not competitive. Sad but true. Wonder when the lawsuits over the subpar braking performance will begin.
Seems all you do is look for Fords to bash.
I think it's very important that auto writers test brakes for at least two load distributions: Driver-only, and full vacation load.
Maybe Ford designs a brake distribution for the whole family, and others design for magazine tests.
At the very least, they should report the frt/rr test weight distribution.
I’d like to comment about some of the negatives I had read in magazine reviews back when I was doing my research before deciding which car to purchase.
Windshield glare: Yes, in bright sunshine there is definitely plenty of dashboard reflection on the windshield. I have a light camel colored interior, and the black center defrost vent is definitely noticeable on the windshield. A pair of polarized sunglasses all but removes the reflection completely. I can’t remember any car I’ve been in on a sunny day that didn’t have some reflection.
The satan nickel center console: There were reviews written chastising Lincoln for using plastic vs real metal. Anyone who has ridden in my MKX has remarked at how aesthetically pleasing they thought the interior was. In my opinion, while the console might very well be plastic, it does not look it or even feel like plastic to the touch. By the way, the Japanese autos that reviewers tend to highly rate have plenty of plastic on there dashboards and consoles but for some reason these go un-noticed and un-mentioned.
Brakes: I have not noticed any difference in stopping distances between my MKX and any cars I’ve driven the past. Granted I have not had to make any panic stops where I’ve needed to lock up the wheels, but in normal driving the brakes seem more than adequate.
As you read the pros and cons of new car reviews, all have at least some cons. That means that at least in the opinions of the reviewers there is no car that is perfect. So the choice of which car to purchase becomes subjective as it should be. Anyone who purchases a Lincoln product knows up front that they are not getting a finely tuned sports car with above average acceleration and cornering capabilities. What I expect from a Lincoln product is a roomy, quiet, comfortable ride which includes the latest technological safety features. So far I am quite pleased with my purchase.
Where did you buy your MKX and what price was piad?...how difficult negotiations?....
Thanks..and enjoy that CUV!!
In addition to what I discussed in that post, three days after I took possession of my MKX, I received in the mail a private $500 incentive certificate from Lincoln. The certificate stated that this rebate was in addition to all publicly announced rebates and it could be applied to a purchase or lease from April to July. I have no idea as to why I received this offer. Perhaps because I was coming off a Ford Credit lease and they didn't want to lose me, or perhaps because I had requested an MKX brochure from Lincoln on their website. My first reaction was that I had missed out on this rebate since I had already taken possession of my MKX. I called the finance guy at the dealership and explained what I had just received in the mail. His first reaction was to say that I had already received all rebates I was eligible for but I explained that the certificate stated that it was in addition to all publicly announced rebates. He agreed to submit the rebate. I dropped off the certificate at the dealership and about two weeks later I received a check for $500 from Lincoln. I guess I must be living right!!
Seems all you do is look for Fords to bash."
My intent is not to be a Ford basher, though it probably looks that way. Few people want Ford to succeed more than I do. However, I will not be a sychophant for inferior products. IMHO it is both inane and insane that Ford brings to market an important vehicle like the Edge/X with brakes that underperform the competition by, what, 15-20% or so? For the buyer of a new $35000+ vehicle to say "well, I'll just get some aftermarket brake pads so I can stop as good as the other guys" strikes me as just a little bit CRAZY. Especially since there is no proof that this will improve the braking substantially. All the tests I've seen mark these cars down for their brakes. That is NOT an area Ford should be scrimping on, yet they obviously did.
In all honesty, if Ford had a vehicle at the head of it's class, I'd be one of the first to be touting it. As it is, I defy anyone to name a Ford vehicle sold in America that is #1 or even #2 in comparison to others in it's segment. And Lincoln is in far worse shape against it's competition. And what is a Mercury anymore but Jill Wagoner's path to stardom?
To the MKX I say - why would anyone buy this vehicle when the Veracruz is so much better for a few bucks less, seats more people and has a 100,000 mile warrantee? To say nothing of other competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, Enclave, Acadia etc etc. Though subjectively the side and rear view of the MKX are very very nice. But the front and the Instrument panel, IMHO, are horrible.
Finally it would seem that the buying public agrees with me as Ford sales are down AGAIN, this time the ONLY manufacturer to be down.
MKX sales were up 20% in May from April's numbers. This article in the Charlotte Business Journal says that consumers bought fewer Fords overall, but it's not clear to me if some of that is due to declining fleet sales. (Reuters)
Of the MKX’s mileage, they say “fuel economy of 16 mpg is unimpressive for a five-passenger SUV.” No mention that this is regular fuel. Now, of the Acura MDX they simply say “it returns 17 mpg overall on premium fuel,” of the BMW X5 “it returned 17 mpg overall on premium fuel,” and of the Cadillac SRX “expect 16 mpg on regular fuel.” No negative comments on the fuel efficiency of the Acura, BMW or the Cadillac.
As to ride, of the Lexus RX350 they say “the RX isn’t agile or particularly fun to drive. So drivers who prefer a cushy ride might prefer the RX.” Of the MDX they generally give it good marks and say it has a firmer ride which is “agile and composed.” The MKX’s ride is criticized for having neither the Lexus RX’s excellent isolation from the road nor the quick cornering reflexes of the Acura. This compromise between the two extremes of the RX and the MDX could be considered a good thing. It's one of the things I like about my LS: neither as soft as the Lexus ES or as harsh as the TL I test drove.
The MKX’s controls are criticized for lack of contrast. However, I’ve driven the MKZ, which has a similar control layout and theme, and in my opinion the controls are pretty straightforward, easy to find and use. CR says "the eight rocker switches on the steering wheel were difficult to tell apart." Well, the rocker controls on the steering wheel won’t be a problem to an owner accustomed to driving the vehicle. The plethora of buttons on the MDX are glossed over in this review, with the conclusion that “the controls can be daunting at first but are easy enough to operate once you become familiar with them.” But, in some other magazine, either “Road and Track” or “Car and Driver” the MDX’s dash was criticized as being something rejected by NASA. I guess CR is staffed by rocket scientists. Of other subjective findings, no details are provided regarding the MKX’s “hard plastics on some key touch points detracted from the opulent feeling.” What surfaces? It would be nice to expand if they're going to criticize.
To me, the telling page of this report is the comparison chart at the end of the review. The MKX sure seems to hold its own, with as many full or half-full red circles as the rest, and no black or half-black circles, including holding its own on "Controls and Displays" and bettering most in the crash test data. The interesting bit of information is the “Annual cost, 15K mi. at $2.80/gal” line. The MKX is adjusted to $2.60/gal since it uses regular fuel. Look at the total cost of the MKX, lower than all but the Lexus.
For a contrasting viewpoint, today’s Motor Week review of the MKX had a tone almost the complete opposite of the CR review. Like CR, they did justifiably criticize the longish braking distance, but that's about it.
Sorry, I get the paper magazine, and it was in this month's issue.
I guess to use their website you have to subscribe to that, even if you've already subscribed to the paper magazine? At least, I've never been able to find much on the web without subscribing being told I need to subscribe.