Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
As Jason and his wife can fortunately attest, the car did an outstanding job of protecting the occupants. That 5 star rating wasn't for nuthin'. Thanks, Lincoln.
I wonder how the occupant(s) of the Civic made out.
$26,500 damage estimate must be pretty close to threshold for a total, but not quite by today's standards.
John- Glad you enjoyed your trip. My longest stint has been 9 hours on our annual summer trek to Maine. I usually split the driving with my wife, but this time I refused to yield. No back pain, no soreness and for the first time, I didn't resemble the number 7 when I got out of the car. Our 4 hour trip to Mass. to see our daughter at school is now like a trip to the store. The last time, I hit 90 on the Mass T'pke. Had no idea. Just noticed that I was beginning to pass everyone.
Artie
This was done by a glass speciality shop who used the OEM glass. (Probably no other source for this one) They came to my home & did it in the driveway in about 30 minutes.
This is a case where I believe a glass shop has more experience than the dealer, and is likely to do a better job, and more quickly. In my case, is was also more economical. A number of glass shops around here (SE Michigan) charge only half of the insurance deductible.
I'm not sure if I spelled 'deductible' correctly, but I don't want the hassle of dealing with the Manny/Moe/Curly spell checker.
Haven't had much experience withe the Montclair dealer, but will definitely post experiences here. I will say that I was able to get the car for dealer invoice without too much negotiating. They have been a pleasure to deal with so far, but that's usually the case when buying!
CONGRATS on your wise choice!
I don't know how long you've been monitoring this board but I hope you are aware of the LS Owner's Club at www.llsoc.com
You should visit there, its a great resource. You may want to add your e-mail to your Edmunds' "profile" so that we all can stay in touch. Or, if you'd prefer, e-mail me directly with your address. You can find my address in my profile.
Joe
Good Luck!
Tom
Brian
Great info about the winshield replacement. In your driveway in 30 minutes, now *that's* service.
BTW: Looks like the spell checker may have gotten you anyway, cause it should be "**Larry**/Moe/Curly" :>)
Jason/Brian:
My wife and I just looked at the photo and are really gratified that the 2 occupants sustained such small injuries. And we're even happier with our decision to get the 5-star crash rated LS.
Speaking of which:
Here I sit, broken-hearted
Called to ask if they'd shipped
and they ain't yet started!
Yeah, my Red LS is *still* sitting in Wixom "awaiting transport". Does anyone know if they keep these cars indoors until shipped? Or is that too much to ask, and my car's been seeing rain, snow, sleet, hail, sand and rock salt since January 29th?
Also, dealer said the car will have the front license plate bracket installed and there's nothin he can do about it.
(Getting impatient)George
I had the windshield repaired. The chip/crack never spread and the repair would not have impaired my vision while driving. My insurance actually has a $50 incentive (in Arizona) to opt for the repair in-lieu of replacement. That's right, they pay me $50 plus they pay for repair itself! When I asked the repair technician (Safelite Autoglass) about what a replacement windshield costs, he radio'd his shop and got a quote of $950 (although, I'm not sure who produced the glass). The repair was done in my driveway, in about 20 minutes time. The resulting scar is no more than a pinhead sized imperfection ... hardly noticeable. Replacement would have also been done in my driveway, and would have taken about an hour.
Anyone got a spare NT web server that they aren't using?
Brian
Someone ought to let the forum know if this has changed for 2001
I wanted to get 16" rims and tires for my LS, but got a royal run-around from TireRack. I didn't feel safe on the original Firehawks as they were about 70% worn and I had already gone through 2 snow storms, I decided to cancel the order from TireRack and get the 17's.
Yes, I am the one that has the LS that can do a pirouette. Sorry to hear that you had a 'near miss', but in one small way I'm also glad to hear of someone else having a somewhat similar experience. You are the 3rd person now to have experienced this, that I know of. I think the car is great, but when things go wrong, they go wrong in a hurry.
Albert
"! Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow tires or chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
--Use only SAE Class S chains with P215/60R16 tires.
--Do not use tire chains with size P235/50R17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains or other chain types may damage your vehicle.
--Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
--Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
--If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
--Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
--The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using snow tires or chains."
The text inside the quotes is exactly as it appears in the manual; the first sentence is preceded by a "safety alert" exclamation point.
I don't know beans about snow tires/chains, etc., because I've never had to use them here in Texas; just wanted to pass along the current info.
I too had my windshield repaired while it was at the dealer for one of its many other service requirements luckily had a deductible as it was ~$1950. Insurance companies have had to notice the increase of windshield replacements with all the SUV's on the road as they sit high off the ground with no mud flaps.
LS is again with the dealer trying to solve the air leak around drivers door/window.
"To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change [approximately 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or 180 days] perform the following ..."
This suggests that it's both mileage and time dependent. Also explains why some forum participants have seen demo vehicles with very low remaining oil life %, yet very low odometer reading.
Just to let you all know that there are a lot of us out here without the litany of problems there might appear to be when reading this list.
I plan to have this looked at during my next service visit in March (6000 miles). My hunch is that the telescoping wheel has pulled the connections loose during maximum travel towards the driver, as I have the seat set way back.
I do notice a cold breeze that comes from the center of the steering wheel around the airbag cover when it is extremely cold outside (subzero). Is it possible for cold air coming up the steering shaft to cause condensation on the metal terminals and therefore a bad contact with the toggle switches? Anybody else want to speculate on this?
With the exception of a condensed headlamp that was replaced, these are the only problems I have experienced. No shift problems, drones, drips, etc. My build date was 4/00.
My radio has stayed on after I left the car a few times too. It does turn itself off after a while. I think its probably a glitch in the software. I mentioned it to my dealer but since it only happened a couple of times, I'm not worrying about it.
Joe
I know about the radio (and all accessories) staying on until you open the door. I think Christoffer1's complaint was that even after you open the door and exit the car the radio stays on. That's what happened to me. I even locked the car and set the alarm and the radio stayed on.
Joe
Wanted to let everyone know that the Charter memberships are now available through March 1, 2001. Anyone who signs up between now and March 1 gets the first year LLSOC membership for $30. After March 1, the membership goes to $35 for everyone else.
I think I've got the Membership application working on www.llsoc.com. Just click on the membership link on the navigation bar and choose the PayPal link if you pay by credit card or the Check link if you want to pay by check. The membership application in the PayPal link should email me the membership application once you click on I Agree and go to the PayPal screen.
Once I receive your application I will send you an email asking you to choose a username and password. This will let me verify that you really did intend to sign up for a membership.
I tried to avoid duplicate emails since I pulled the list from the newsletter sign up and the LLSOC registry. I apologize in advance for any duplicates you may inadvertently receive. If there is one email address you prefer LLSOC uses let us know and we will update our records.
I am in the process of setting up the members-only section this week and working out the login bugs so I won't switch everything over until March 1st. But I will start putting members-only content on the private area this week so you can get a sneak peek once you get a username.
The Lincoln and Ford crew that are involved with the LS please email me at brian.gowing@llsoc.com for instructions BEFORE you go signing up. There is a special area for you special people.
If you have any questions or problems please email me at: brian.gowing@llsoc.com
BTW, I have RTOM several times.
Sounds like the problem is caused either by a faulty door sensor or the radio sensor not detecting the door open. I'd have the dealer check it out anyway.
Brian
Some vehicles built prior to 9/27/2000 with a 3.9L engine and 5R55N transmission or built prior to 10/17/2000 with a 3.0L engine and 5R55N transmission may exhibit delayed Reverse or Drive engagements, harsh upshifts or downshifts, erratic upshifts, or delayed downshifts near 32 km/h. (20 mph). This may be caused by the calibration of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
If you have these symptoms see your dealer. Mark
Tom........
I have had three radios replaced. First one Alernator Whine, Second one Mute did not work, expected a factory cell phone in order to mute, Third radio would not turn off after I got out of the car and closed the door. Current one is working, with occasional button sticking and Lights getting brighter and dimmer.
Mark, Regarding the Tranny, The dealer says I have the latest calibration. My car has never been reflashed and I have a build date of 2/8/2000. I don't know how this is possible. My dealer said he talked to ford tech support who told him this fact. My question is how can I have the latest code that just came out in Mid January when my car had not been touched since the day before LS-MANIA and since I have never had a reflash. By the way one quick code that the service rep didn't know exactly what it was had an Identifier Automatic: 9WHABAHA Could you please enlighten me.
Will the Reflash be enlightening, as far as to how my Car Drives? Everyone seems to be ecstatic from what I can tell. Everyone posting here seems to notice the difference.
Also I do not know if it has been discussed but 2001 V8 have a Gas Mileage of 17-24 MPG vs. 17-23 MPG for 2000. Comments anyone on what caused the increase?
Regards,
Victor
If your car has never had a reflash, then your dealer is wrong. Either he's misinformed or he just doesn't want to do the reflash for you. Tom's post above reposts Mark's info on the latest TSB, including affected build dates. Maybe you should print that message & use it to convince your dealer.
My V8 was built on 08/04/2000, so I have the next-to-latest tranny software, and I can tell you that I've never experienced any hesitation when shifting into reverse or drive; the new calibrations work great.
I believe that the rear-end ratio on the V8 was changed during the '00 production run; I'd guess that that new ratio is responsible for the mileage rating increase for '01. (Pure speculation on my part.)
JohnnyLinc, NOT The Transmission God...;-)
I'd like to publicly thank Jim Rogers for going way beyond the norm in arranging the event and seeing that everyone had a good, informative time.
For a businessman to go this extra distance is remarkable. For an exec at a large corporation to attend to these wonderful details is extraordinary.
If Jim treats those L-M dealers like he treats us owners, then the dealers should be lining up to please the company, and in turn us discriminating customers.
Thank you again for a wonderful time and a great automobile ownership experience!
Rick
1. Do you think Lincoln should have a well-known spokesperson talking about Lincoln performance, particularly the LS?
2. If you answer Yes, which one of these choices do you feel would be the most widely recognized, be the best choice for Lincoln and why?
A. Niki Lauda
B. Jackie Stewart
C. Mario Andretti
D. A.J. Foyt
E. Al Unser Jr.
No particular reason other than I figured it would generate some interesting discussion.
Brian
Niki is relatively unknown to the American masses. Jackie, Mario, and AJ, although great choices, are a bit "over-the-hill"...ready for a body-off restoration you might say.
Al is the youngster of the group (he's about 40). This is Lincoln's target demographic I think. What's more, Al will always be known as a "Jr" which adds a youthful impression.
Now I'll go hide in my trunk while all you "mature" drivers have a go...
:-O
Joe
Thanks for the update everyone!
Tom.......
Seriously, Michael Douglas is taken, Harrison Ford won't do it, nor would Tom Hanks.
And Warren Beatty is too political.
Funny, only men come to mind.
How about a famous but not professional driver like Paul Newman or Tom Cruise. Paul's a little old but Tom's just right ... young, "driven", full of energy.
Tim Allen and Jay Leno are also car nuts but I don't think the image is quite right.
Joe
I would stay from Hollywood types. Even though they are instantaneously recognizable their connection to performance cars will not be so obvious. AND we want to avoid the, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" debacle.
I want to second sawmill's post. Thank you very much, Jim, for the opportunity to meet some of the people responsible for the wonderful car that the LS is! I have almost 11k already and the car just keeps getting better! I CAN'T wait to drive it again. Only 6 hours 45 minutes, but who's counting?!
Also, thank you, Jim, for the really beautiful clock! It has assumed a position of honor in our china cabinet, between the flutes.
Also, as sawmill implies, I would assume that Jim does treat all the professional, yet good natured way that we were treated at MANIA. Jim, you are an example to the auto industry on how to treat the customer after the sale, not just before! I feel that should I have a problem, Lincoln cares enough to make it right! That feeling is solely due to Jim's attitude towards current owners. Thank you, Jim, for your concern to keep us happy owners, and for the ABSOLUTLY WONDERFUL automibile you've turned out. The LS is the true ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE!
Michael
Also, sets up a cool generation joust between Michael and Mario ... "I like the LS because --- no, I like it because", etc. pointing out how the LS appeals to such a broad age range of discriminating drivers.