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Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ

2865 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 6:02 AM

You are in the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, Sedan


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#2822 of 2865
Re: Incentives On The Way [tiger16] by akirby
May 18, 2009 (7:55 am)
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Replying to: tiger16 (May 18, 2009 5:48 am)

I prefer black dashes and I've owned several with tan dashes over the years. I did think the older model tan dash used good materials and looked nice but the design did nothing for me at all. I would like to see more wood available on both the MKZ, MKX and MKS.
 
I think you're overestimating the sales targets for this vehicle. Since Hermosillo can only produce 300,000 vehicles (including Fusion, Milan and MKZ and including exports to South and Latin America) and the Fusion and Milan sales are expected to be quite high I think Ford will be happy with lower volume and higher profits on each one.
 
The point is you can't look at the MKZ as a stand alone vehicle due to production capacity limitations.
#2823 of 2865
Re: Incentives On The Way [akirby] by tiger16
May 18, 2009 (9:26 am)
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Replying to: akirby (May 18, 2009 7:55 am)

I actually do agree on the top of the dash being black. It's just the copious amount of black used everywhere else. Although I don't like an all black interior, I think you can get away with it. The problem here is the attempt to integrate the over use of black with another color. It just doesn't work.
A few minutes ago I was at a traffic light behind a new black Avalon and that reminded me of something else I thought peculiar when I was at the L-M dealership on Saturday. Since they dropped the navy blue on the new MKZ, my next choice was black. However, it's not black - it's black metallic with a gazillion gold flecks. From a distance it looks black but, up close, it kind of grays out. And depending on the angle, it can really look "different." Next to the MKZ was an SUV of some sort and, like the Avalon, it was a true black. Deep and glossy, what black should be. The sticker didn't indicate a special paint so, I'm assuming you can't get true black exterior paint in the MKZ. That's really weird.
#2824 of 2865
Re: Incentives On The Way [tiger16] by brucelinc
May 18, 2009 (12:05 pm)
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Replying to: tiger16 (May 18, 2009 9:26 am)

However, it's not black - it's black metallic with a gazillion gold flecks.
 
It is tuxedo black - first introduced on the MKS last year. Now it has spread to the MKZ and Fusion. You are right - the traditional gloss black clearcoat is not available. Apparently a lot of people like the tuxedo black. I don't happen to be one of them. It looks like a dark gray to me - or black with a coat of dust on it.
#2825 of 2865
Re: Incentives On The Way [tiger16] by explorerx4
May 18, 2009 (2:31 pm)
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Replying to: tiger16 (May 18, 2009 9:26 am)

the tuxedo black exterior paint looks great to me.
it would probably be tough to paint match for a repair though.
i would want it over a straight black.
to me, lincolns look best in black.
#2826 of 2865
MKZ over 535xi by alakerson
Aug 23, 2009 (12:58 pm)
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I want to stir things up a bit on this board, so I'll recount my recent car shopping experience.
 
Just finished looking at Infiniti, Audi, BMW middle lines, plus AWD MKZ Quickly ruled out Lexus 350 as too boring. It came down to the Bimmer vs MKZ. Back-to-back test drives led to my choosing the Lincoln. You're probably thinking I'm either a fossil or a wacko, and in either case I probably wear a white belt and white shoes and still watch Lawrence Welk and Love Boat reruns.
 
Nope -- I'm not 500 years old. In fact, I've leased both a 528i (my favorite car in 40 years of buying cars) and an MKZ in recent years, and was really wanting another Bimmer.
 
In favor of the MKZ -- A surprise to me: More acceleration than the 528 (not the 535 though); quieter running; much more comfortable seating (even without factoring in the cooled seats) more back seat legroom, fold-down seats at no extra charge, backup camera and BLIS vs. BMW's front/back sensors, better driver crash ratings (I found that hard to believe, so I doublechecked: five stars for the MKZ driver and three (!?!?!?) for the BMW. Lincoln --better sound system, though I could care less about Synch (like I'll ever figure THAT THING out!) MPG roughly comparable, but Lincoln does it with "regular."
 
MKZ price was about $12-14K less, but that was far from the deciding factor. Going into the process, I knew the BMW would be that much more, but I still in my heart of hearts wanted the Bimmer. Until I drove them back to back.
 
Looks -- defnitely subjective. But both interiors seemed a little plainer than I would have liked, though in different ways. Too much Ford in the MKZ interior, but much too bland in the BMW and with needless, affected starter button. Exteriors: To me the Lincoln design (albeit as one forum writer put it, a tarted Fusion) equals or betters the BMW. I've never been a Bangle fan though, and neither exterior is merits any special praise to my mind.
 
Against the MKZ -- dealer experience. Long drawn out waits (at times, 15-20 minutes) in the not-to-classy Lincoln showroom while the sales person went behind the curtain to confer the Wizard of Oz. Lack of inventory at the Lincoln store -- had to order it. Zero MKZ dealer discount vs. $3k discount from BMW. No loaners for the MKZ when being serviced, but always available BMW loaners at the BMS dealer. BMW showroom and service areas immaculate, professional looking as befitting the brand. As for the Lincoln digs, they're shoved into what used to be the used car building(?) adjacent to the dealer's Ford store, with people nearly tripping over one another, and room for only one car on the floor at most.
 
Also working against the MKZ -- absolutely no cachet, prestige or whatever you want to call it. None, no how and no way. Zilch. What I usually got with the last MKZ from people was something like, "Hey sharp car -- what kind is it?!" When I'd tell them, the subject changed.
 
One other point -- yes, certainly in the hands of a competent sports car nut, or professonal driver, the BMW will out-everything the Lincoln. But unless I inadvertently become a star feature on "World's Greatest Police Chase Videos," I will never need or experience the differences. And beside -- even a Bimmer can't outrun the LA traffic copters.
#2827 of 2865
Re: MKZ over 535xi [alakerson] by gregg_vw
Aug 24, 2009 (5:24 am)
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Replying to: alakerson (Aug 23, 2009 12:58 pm)

IMHO, a good (and balanced) review. Anyone being honest has to admit the MKZ has many positive attributes. It is all the rest of the stuff that holds it back (the Fusion body, Lincoln's lamentably-but-deservedly depleted cachet, the car being quite good enough to compete--but not the standout it needs to be to help re-build the brand, the lack of dealer coddling of Lincoln customers). Hyundai has the right idea: make an outstanding car (Genesis, Equus) that goes way beyond expectations and build it to compete with cars that cost thousands, perhaps 10's of thousands more (in the case of the Equus). Hyundai just passed Ford in sales. They must know something. Lincoln spent what remained of its prestige by the middle of this decade. Now it needs to earn it back, and mere good efforts like MKZ won't help that along much.
#2828 of 2865
Re: MKZ over 535xi [gregg_vw] by akirby
Aug 24, 2009 (6:13 am)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 24, 2009 5:24 am)

I don't disagree, but I really think any big investment in the MKZ at this point would be somewhat wasted given the factory volume limitations in Hermosillo and the popularity of the Fusion. If the Fusion continues to grow (no reason it shouldn't) and the automotive market rebounds then Ford will be close to plant capacity on just the Fusion and Milan alone.
 
I think Ford will have to wait for the Fusion/Mondeo merger where we'll see a new U.S. plant in addition to Hermosillo and we'll see the Milan dropped and the Fusion move upmarket some (just like the Taurus). That will allow the MKZ to also move upmarket with unique sheetmetal and Lincoln's best gadgets and powertrains.
#2829 of 2865
Re: MKZ over 535xi [gregg_vw] by tiger16
Aug 24, 2009 (6:40 am)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 24, 2009 5:24 am)

I have no idea what will happen to Lincoln (or Mercury but, that 's for another day) over the next few years. One thing is for sure. To once again become relevant, they have to start selling cars in significant numbers. Right now, this just isn't happening. The MKS has been out for some time now and I've seen two. The MKZ has been out for 4 months and I have yet to see one on the road. I've become fairly familiar with the service people at the L-M dealership where I bought my Zephyr. They actually have two dealerships and told me between the two, they have only sold one 2010 MKZ. This is terrible. The bland interior certainly doesn't help and the ridiculously high base price is a deal killer. I don't know what Ford was thinking pricing this car essentially the same as the Lexus and actually higher than the G37. One might arque that the MKZ has more standard equipment. But I think the masses will focus on the base price and compare that to image and the Lincoln will become forgettable.
Ford did take my advice on one thing. Late this summer an "Executive Appearance Package" will be available for the MKZ. Among other things, it includes upgraded seating, new door trim (hopefully getting rid of that black vinyl overload) and a wood console. This will certainly help out with the interior but, you are going to have to pay for it. I'm going to get 2010 something or other and would consider an MKZ. The problem, though, is that I want a nice stereo and Nav. Since I don't like the std interior I would have to opt for the upgrade which would bring the MKZ in at about $42K! THIS IS NOT A $42,000 CAR!!! AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN!
My advice to Ford - make the interior upgrade pkg std and offer a $2,500 rebate. The MKZ is competitive in many ways. It is not competitive in name recognition, cachet, image, perception, prestige or whatever you want to call it and unfortunately, those things are very important at that price point.
#2830 of 2865
Re: MKZ over 535xi [tiger16] by brucelinc
Aug 24, 2009 (7:00 am)
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Replying to: tiger16 (Aug 24, 2009 6:40 am)

So, Tiger, are you saying Lincoln improves their image with big rebates, higher volume with less (or no) profit, and furthering the reputation that no one would be caught dead in one unless there is a ton of cash on the hood?
#2831 of 2865
Re: MKZ over 535xi [brucelinc] by tiger16
Aug 24, 2009 (7:16 am)
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Replying to: brucelinc (Aug 24, 2009 7:00 am)

No, I'm saying rebates will help them sell cars. That's something that really isn't happening right now. If you have been paying attention, you would note that Lexus and Cadillac offered rebates this year and according to ALAKERSON, the BMW dealer offered a $3K discount. This isn't anything new and I don't think their image has been damaged. Let's start selling cars before we jack the price up so drastically.

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