Any opinions on the Lincoln LS?

[bigslim]

Bigslim, your thinking about the previous generation (4-passenger) Thunderbird that had a 4.6L.

True, I was. I knew that the new T-Bird had the 3.9 because it shares the chassis with the LS and S-Type. The previous generation T-Birds had the 5.0 from 89' to 93' and 4.6 liter engines in later years.

 

[jerrym3]

Ls

I, too, was surprised at the features the LS8 Sport has even when compared to my 03 Bird, which is a sibling. Not the best of timing, but this car "didn't get any respect".

Every review that I read had mostly good things to say about the car especially when compared to overpriced foreign competition.

Again, my major gripe is the toned down interior on the LS (and the TBird). I think the dash in my 94 TBird is far more attractive than either car.

Pricing was a major factor, as I can take advantage of the Ford A-Z plan discount (about 4K+) and any normal manufacturer discounts (6K), but I would have bought this car even if I was only getting one or the other.

Give an LS8 Sport a shot before you decide.

 

[Stew]

True, I was. I knew that the new T-Bird had the 3.9 because it shares the chassis with the LS and S-Type. The previous generation T-Birds had the 5.0 from 89' to 93' and 4.6 liter engines in later years.

Actually the 5.0 was available only in 91-93, only motors on the 89-90 were the 3.8 NA and 3.8 SC V6s. the real gems in those cars weren't the V8s at all, but the SC 3.8, ESPECIALLY the 94-95 SC. the new ones indeed have the 3.9 V8.

Brian

 

[QWK SVT]

Actually the 5.0 was available only in 91-93, only motors on the 89-90 were the 3.8 NA and 3.8 SC V6s. the real gems in those cars weren't the V8s at all, but the SC 3.8, ESPECIALLY the 94-95 SC. the new ones indeed have the 3.9 V8.

Brian

Yep! I gave up a 95 Cougar with the 4.6L V8 for the MM. Even with a few mods, it was no match for the MM, in any category. Well, it might have handled, and/or braked a little better. Mods included: 4.10 rear (from 3.08), CAI (removing the huge violin case restriction), Underdrive pulleys, chip, Eibach Springs and Koni adjustable shocks, with 17" Wheels wrapped with Dunlop A2 235-55-17s.

 

[gpfarrell]

Might make a great wife's car.

I had narrowed my choice down to the MM or an LS.

This website showed more owner enthusiasm, and more bolt-on/plug-in goodies than I could find for the LS... so I started leaning this way.

Also, I think the MM is more distinctive than the LS, and I like driving something different.

However, I'd rate the LS above lots of other buggies, especially if you compare the value you get for the real purchase price... new or used.

I doubt she'll miss the misstique.

 

[Patrick]

Might make a great wife's car.

I had narrowed my choice down to the MM or an LS.

This website showed more owner enthusiasm, and more bolt-on/plug-in goodies than I could find for the LS... so I started leaning this way.

Also, I think the MM is more distinctive than the LS, and I like driving something different.

However, I'd rate the LS above lots of other buggies, especially if you compare the value you get for the real purchase price... new or used.

I doubt she'll miss the misstique.

I just looked at the link you posted in your sig.
:2thumbs: Great pics.

 

[jerrym3]

LS Styling

I'm a fan of the LS style until you get to the back. The tall tail lights and the small Lincoln emblem in the plate area make the car look tall and stubby form the rear.

Eliminating that little chrome kick up for the emblem in the rear plate area and dropping the chrome in favor of the body color would have classed up the back.

At leastv with the 04, they split the tail lights (orange/red) which made the lights look a little smaller.

 

[ADE 1000]

I have driven an LS on several occasions and know a few people who have them. Those that own them, seem to have pretty good luck with the car.

I agree with most others comments about the car. What it excels at is handling and the power on the '03+ V-8 models is quite strong. With the deep discounts out there I think it is one of the best luxury car values on the market. I also considered one instead of the MM, but it is really a totally different kind of car (a little too European in flavor for my tastes.) My only real complaint about the LS would be that the interior is a little tight. But if you are coming from a Mystique, that might not bother you as much.

 

[Bradley G]

Mistake to Lincoln LS

Hey Rodster!! I saw an L S C model in black on my way to work last week. Very nice, Show the Mrs. one and watch her face :coolman:

 

[TripleTransAm]

Eliminating that little chrome kick up for the emblem in the rear plate area and dropping the chrome in favor of the body color would have classed up the back.

Interesting point. I'm not sure what model year I drove in the summer of 2002, but I quickly noticed the newer ones seemed to have more chrome on the bumpers when I started spotting them back home. I think I preferred the understated treatment.

That, and I am not a fan of the brushed aluminum detailing that many cars use in the interior.

 

[TheDealer]

I've been leasing Lincolns for my wife since 1995. Had a 95 Mark, a 97 Mark, a 2000 LS, 2001 LS, and now a 2003 LS. My wife loves them. I like driving it too, when she lets me. The LS comes in different models, LSE, Premium, Touring, and others. Depending on the year there are different models. They come in a v-6 and a v-8. You can get the his and her shifter for the Auto trans. A lot of different options. My wifes is a Touring, with the no chrome in the bumpers. She has the his and her shifter. We both like the car and all three have been almost trouble free. Couple of very minor problems, but no major break downs or anything. She puts about 15k per year. RAY

 

[mrogerc]

I had a 2000 LS V6 Manual I traded for my Marauder.

Compared to the Marauder, the LS had a more comfortable ride and better handling. It was also a lot quieter.

In every other respect, I prefer the Marauder. The MM is much more car and I love the interior size and seats. The trunk is awesome. And the aftermarket stuff--especially the supercharger-- is much better for the Marauder.

I also like the relative rarity of the MM, although there were far less manual LS's built than Marauders.

Now that I have a long city commute, I even like the Marauder's auto trans.

I was tempted to try a custom twin-turbo mod for my LS, but the fact that there is no limited slip differential available is a big drawback to more power. And while I am adventuresome, owning a one-off car is not for me.

The biggest difference between the two has been reliability. My LS had tons of "first year" problems. The lights, the stereo, the gas pedal (really!), paint issues, thermostat (with a botched repair that leaked), and twice I had it strand me because of a ignition wiring problem that took over a week to fix. All this happened in 36000 miles. My Marauder, after 9000 miles---4000 of them supercharged--has had a key fob stop working and the dash light switch stay on. Pretty good.

Amazingly, because it handled so well and shifted so sweetly, I still liked the LS very much. And I do not think my reliability experience was typical.

 

[mtnh]

I have a 2000 LS manual and really like it. For used LS deals in the 25K range, it may be a wise thing to consider a LS V6 Base model, which is available in the $25-27K price range, brand new. Also, as Jerry from Jersey said, you can get a $41K stickered LS for a small amount more than $30 with the proper timing (relative to leftover models from the previous year or later in the product model year cycle, like after january).

The HP increase that was gained first in 2002 with a better-breathing airbox and then in 2003 with variable cam timing, is just what the already quick LS needed. The resultant power increase places the new V6 3.0L engine into the power range that was available in the first V8s.

My own experience with the V6 MTX 2000 LS is that the transmission and engine combination, while wasting less power than an automatic due to less drive train losses, makes me only curious about what it would be like to drive a V8 LS. I do know that in highway passing, going 70-95+, it is a very rapid accelleration in that range with no downshift. Combined with the near 50/50 weight distribution and rear wheel drive, I think that the LS is the perfect car for me. It also has a very high crash test rating, so it was also designed to be a very safe car. Ditto on the high-speed off-on ramp performances. This car shines in handling, although in reality, the Marauder is very close in performance. The LS tends to cater to the smaller person, in terms of actual driving comfort, as many 6'3" and above people tend to not be able to feel comfortable in the driver's seat. It also is not as comfortable to the more plump driver.

All that said, I still get a huge thrill when I open up the Marauder at any speed. I think I get to drive it at least 300 miles a year these days...

The LS is certainly no slouch, though, and I get a kick out of how my car can swallow a 10-foot piece of pipe and a decent-sized pack of 2x4 or 2x6 lumber and still be able to close the trunk. I remember the day that I bought 40 steel 2x4 studs at lunch time, and had forgotten that I needed to pick up my daughter and her twin friends at gymnastics 5 miles from home on my way by...I had the 60% side of the rear seat folded down, and one of the twins sat in the front, one on the remaining 40% rear seat, and my daughter, well, let's just say that I drove carefully with her laying on her side in the trunk and sticking through onto the 60% side of the seat beside the metal studs... we laughed alot on that ride... :cool4:

Mike

 

[Sactown]

I was also considering a new LS when buying the MM. Like everyone else, I think it handled great and the V8 had plenty of power for a daily driver. I wish the MM had the feature list of the LS. Opted for the MM because of size though. I was fine driving the LS (6'2"-220 lb) but adults in the back would have problems (I'm the short guy in my family).

 

[TheDealer]

I wish they would have put the Lincoln LS trans. in the Marauder. They shift great and it's a 5 speed auto that you can shift manually too.

 

[Bradley G]

rental car

I just got an LS for a loaner car from a rental co. while the car gets a grocery list done thank you MM.net It does have an aggressive shift schedule.Too small for my Big AZZ!

 

[AJAX]

i drove several and my wife really liked them i think they use the same engine in the jag friend of mine stated they are a dealer only car to get worked on. we bought a 03 mm for less money than a 02 and 03 ls and i can work on most of the mm. can see around the engine. iusi

It depends what year LS, they bumped the horse power from 250 to 280 in 2003, ive driven both, you can tell a difference, the car handles well too...nice car...