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15392 messages, Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 5:20 PM
You are in the Lincoln LS Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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often becomes reality. Especially in today's political climate. Here's the thing. Many of us bought the LS because it handled better than any other car available in North America for under 35K. Several of us were refugees from Miatas and other cars that handled well. . .but didn't have rear windows that fell down in 114 degree heat. Others liked the LS styling and were surprised by some of the stuff that fell off as the car was used (nothing quite like reaching for the rear seat fold-down handle and having the whole assembly come off in your hand). Now several of us are discussing whether the power offered by the LS is "adequate." Well, if you're me and want a manual, the field gets smaller quickly. Previous posts of mine need not be repeated here, but the point is, if one wants a manual with more than 220 hp and engine management that actually allows pleasant clutch engagement. . . So I guess the deal is, if you're in the game, you'd better be prepared to play it. Can the LS compete with the Audi & BMW? I've done the research and decided the LS is superior to Infiniti & Lexus (at this price point), but I'm nowhere near convinced they compete favorably with the Huns (relax, I am one). Brian, I'm extremely pleased that FLM was willing to share with you the coming attractions. That, with some assurance that the "teething" issues we've all had to deal with have been eliminated, would go a long way towards assuring me that my LS manual isn't an orphan. News at 11? |
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Thanks for the info on Calibration. I didnt get it but now I do. Since I did get the 01-05-05 reflash I wont insist on the 01-14-05 reflash The first one did improve several things. like the seeming misfire at a steady 60mph. Sorry to hear about the slow 3-2 downshift and the fact it is a known problem that you guys are working on. Would that be a fix covered under the warranty if and when you solve it? Probly something you can't answer. but thanks for your help Kevin |
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Lincoln does have a long way to go to compete on a global basis with cars and car companies that have been doing the luxury sports market longer and better than Lincoln has been doing. I think that the pressure the enthusiast market is bringing to bear on Lincoln (us) is helping them to raise the bar higher than they may have originally planned to do. 2002 is a transition year for the LS. No changes basically. Do I wish the 2003 were coming on line in 2002? You bet. Lincoln is currently a year off the market and are scampering to catch up. They aren't used to the volatility in this segment, but they are learning quickly. Quality was a giant bugaboo with the car. No doubt about it. Good news is that they are going over cars with a fine tooth comb on the assembly line. The level of expectation nowadays is for cars to be close to perfect, probably because of the standard that has been set. I expect nothing less from Lincoln. They must keep up or surpass the other makes to be able to remain competitive. Though having taken a tour of the assembly line I can't figure out how cars have as few problems as they do considering the enormous complexity of putting the suckers together I believe we need to keep the pressure on Lincoln to keep getting better faster. My hope is that they are able to accomplish their goal. There certainly are enough dedicated people wanting to do it. If I had to bet on it, I'm not entirely sure how confident I could do that just based on the industrial behemoth that has to get motivated to play along, especially the bean counters and statisticians that only care about numbers and not soul. |
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I have to stand up in front of all of you and admit, "Yes, I am a gearhead". Having said that, I also have to say that a large portion of my driving is back and forth to work. The question then arises, how fast do I really want or need to get to work ?? Secondly, would I be willing to go into SUV gas usage territory just to say that I have 300, 400. or 500 HP under the hood ?? As I've said in previous posts, the LS is my wife's primary car, however I do drive it quite a bit. My primary vehicle is a Z-28 Camaro. I'm truly amazed at how the LS, as a 4 door sedan, compares performance-wise to the Camaro, what is highly regarded as a "factory hot rod". Yes, the Camaro accelerates more quickly, as I believe it to be due to the greater torque of an engine that's 100 cu.in. larger. Once in motion, however, the LS seems to be similarily quick in passing types of maneuvers. Beyond any shadow of doubt, the LS rides 1000% better than my Camaro, even after I installed a $400 set of Bilstein shocks on the Camaro, which helped the ride considerably. The LS corners almost as well as the Camaro, even though it's a non-sport model. What I'm getting at, is everything we buy, whether it's a car, washing machine, or TV, has some sort of compromise involved. Along with that, most of us, as individuals, change our perceptions as time goes by. In 1971, my SS454 Chevelle was really something, although I doubt that I would be in love with that car today. As others have mentioned, the bar has been raised, and in some way, shape or form, most manufacturers have responded. I agree wholeheartedly with those who don't want to see the LS wither and die. We've made a large investment in a car we like, and want our next one to be "Even Better". Hopefully, LM will not disappoint us and leave us with a lackluster car, or worse yet, an "orphan car". Do we really need more HP ?? Probably not, but on the other hand, why not !!?? Like they said in the early days, "If some is good, and more is better, that too much is just enough !!" Happy motoring !! |
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I bought my 2000 LS sport because it 1) fit my budget, 2) has 32valve V8, 3) Is rear wheel drive, 4) Its suspension was inspired by CART and F1, 5) has a gorgeous exterior and interior. I was definitely disappointed with acceleration figures when they were published. I don't have to out gun 540's or GS430's, but I would definitely like mid 6 second 0-60 a mid to low 14second quarter mile. With the resources the Ford has I wouldn't think this would be impossible. In terms of day to day driving, the power is more then adequate. But occasionally, I would like to break loose the rear wheels like was able to do with my ’87 5.0 mustang. The car seems sluggish in the 20-40 mph acceleration range, then seems to pick up. At highway speeds (65+), it’s explosive. |
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When I say "adequate" the phrase "exceeds my expectations" defines my thought process. I also have a bad habit of understating things. When my lease is up early '03 I will probably not get another LS mainly because I am not happy with the value (overall value not just resale or price value) of the one I currently drive. (Nomex ON) I am not saying that I dislike the car. I really enjoy driving it and truly appreciate all the positives. Just not enough to pony up for another one. More power is not necessarily the deal maker for me. I am more pleased with the build quality, performance, and value of my wife's '01 Mercedes C240 that cost $6,000 less than my '00 LS and it has 100hp less than the Lincoln! Not to mention the fact that the MB resale has dropped less than 10% since new. In the same time period (just under a year) my LS resale dropped 25% and is falling like a stone. I expect to see my LS at or below the residual price a full year ahead of lease end (36 mo term). |
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| I guess some folks on this board care, but I, for one, am not concerned for the next few model years. I own my LS8 outright, and do not intend to part with it for a few years yet. I've always purchased my cars, and keep them 6 years on average. Currently, I see no reason to depart from my past record, as I truly love my LS! This was the right car for me that came along at the right time. I WILL try to improve the performance of this car through bolt-ons (Borla, MAF, air box, wheels/tires) but, barring any wrecks or other major trouble, I'm quite satisfied. I may salivate and get jealous when the MY03 hits the streets, but, I'll wait. It takes a really special new car to make me part with my current ride. My last two primary rides ('90 Nissan 300ZX and '00 LS8 Sport) happened to garner the Motor Trend Car of the Year award (earned AFTER I made my purchase). It's funny, when this "special vehicle" hits the Auto show circuit, I get hit with this bolt of lightning and its love at first sight. The effect still hasn't worn off as far the LS is concerned. | |
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I've put the magazine online so you can brag to your less fortunate car club buddies about it! The order form for wearabLS is also online as part of the magazine so you won't have to cut up your copy of the magazine if you want to order stuff. giowa: Thanks for your comments on the mag. from a previous post. Didn't get a chance to say that yet. Also, yes the membership number, if you disregard the 10100 in the front signifies the number of where you came in to the club. The lower the number the earlier you joined. Brian |
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I think your mid 6 second 0 - 60 and mid 14 second quarter miles times are reasonable expectations in the not-to-distant future. It is going to take more than VVT to do it, though. I would like to see a displacement increase. A supercharger on the current engine should also do the trick. The current set-up is a little weak under 3500 RPM. Frhill, I assume you have the 3.31 gear. I have the 3.58 and my analysis of the acceleration is a little different than yours. Mine is a bit of a dog off the line but 20 - 40 is like a rocket. Since the tranny reflash, I get a tire chirp on the 1-2 shift but the ratio is so close to 1st, I have to shift again around 55. Then it seems a little weak until 65 or so. Funny how "feel" and "memories" and "reality" sometimes conflict. When I had a T-Bird SC in 1990, it was the quickest thing in it's class. My memory of it is that it was a rocket in every speed range. 315 lbs/ft of torque felt really good! The acceleration numbers, though, were very similar to a current LS V8. |
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Called the dealer about the window crash... "bring it in... you wont need a loaner it will only take an hour or 2 to fix it." Well today after sitting in the dealership for 2.5 hours I'm called to the cashier.... car's ready Get to the cashier and..."oh sir that part is backordered.. we'll call you when it comes in." Go to see the service writer and ask him if there is someway they can get the window closed and lock it in place.." no way.. the regulators broken" Well I say how do I keep the rain out? " a plastic bag and duct tape works pretty well" he says How long before the part comes in? " don't know could be weeks" he says needless to say after the second window crash and no end in site. Not to mention the score of other problems. I wish I had just bought a cheap used honda accord...and invested my money in technology stocks... the return would have been much higher... By the way the lot was full of used ( I counted 8) 2000 v8's mostly loaded...for less than 28K list Kevin Charter member of the Licoln LS owners Club. At least the Magazine and hat were great. good work Brian |
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