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Where Is Ford taking the Lincoln Motor Company?

4178 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 8:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKX

    

Messages Page 287 of 419

#2856 of 4178 Re: Part of the Big 3 problem has always been...... [brucelinc] by gregg_vw

Aug 01, 2008 (6:29 am)

Replying to: brucelinc (Jul 31, 2008 12:50 pm)
The MKS has less room than the Sable and less trunk space, even though it is a longer car. The Sable was already arguably too long for its 112.9" wheelbase. I don't understand why they didn't lengthen the MKS wheelbase at least a couple inches. That is no engineering feat, and would have differentiated it a bit more from the Taurus/Sable. Heck, they could have used the wheelbase from the Flex, which would have produced rear legroom on a par with the long wheelbase Town Car model, and a better balanced stance (shorter overhangs). Woulda coulda shoulda.
 
Lincoln is still in trouble. Not much new on their horizon. The MKT will be out in a year. Even though it is polarizing in a completely different way from the Flex, it will be interesting to see where crossover sales are at by then. I suspect it will draw former Navigator owners who were using their Navs more for show rather than tow, and it could compete with the Lexus crossover. Other than that, you have slightly facelifted MKX and MKZ coming. That won't generate a big increase in showroom traffic. I hope a revitalized Mercury will generate some sales. My gosh, how did this company get so far in the hole that maybe 2012 will finally see most of the mediocre models and other drek gone?

#2857 of 4178 Re: Part of the Big 3 problem has always been...... [gregg_vw] by akirby

Aug 01, 2008 (7:32 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 01, 2008 6:29 am)
My gosh, how did this company get so far in the hole that maybe 2012 will finally see most of the mediocre models and other drek gone?
 
It wasn't easy - it took several years of stupid decisions and ineffectual management starting around 2001. If only Fields, Mulally, Kuzak and Farley could have been in charge back then............

#2858 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [jeyhoe] by brucelinc

Aug 01, 2008 (7:46 am)

Replying to: jeyhoe (Aug 01, 2008 6:28 am)
They peg Acura RL, Lexus GS, Volvo S80 and Caddy CTS as competitors. I await a comparo.
 
You already know where the MKS will rank in the minds of the enthusiast press. Among the cars listed, the S80 and MKS will be fighting over last place. The MKS will be the slowest of this group, will lack the engine refinement of the Acura and Lexus, not ride as well as the Lexus, and not handle as well as the Acura. The STS is the proper Caddy to compare - not the CTS. Either way, the Caddy will be ranked ahead of the MKS but behind the Acura and GS. There you have it - no need to wait for a comparo.

#2859 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [brucelinc] by jeyhoe

Aug 01, 2008 (11:25 am)

Replying to: brucelinc (Aug 01, 2008 7:46 am)
Give this man a prize!
 
MAYBE when ecoBoost arrives there'll be hope?

#2860 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [jeyhoe] by brucelinc

Aug 01, 2008 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: jeyhoe (Aug 01, 2008 11:25 am)
MAYBE when ecoBoost arrives there'll be hope?
 
I really think so. Other than the V-series Caddies, the Ecoboost MKS should run with or outrun the others on the list. I think the AWD with the right tires will be a good handler, too. Combine that with quietness, technology, and decent FE, and you will have a contender.
 
I have never driven a car that an extra 50-100 HP wouldn't make better! The MKS suspension is enthusiast-oriented enough to handle it when equipped with AWD. Frankly, I think the suspension is a bit too firm for a "soft-luxury" car. The ecoboost version is supposed to get paddle-shifters to control the transmission, too.

#2861 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [jeyhoe] by nvbanker

Aug 01, 2008 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: jeyhoe (Aug 01, 2008 6:28 am)
They peg Acura RL, Lexus GS, Volvo S80 and Caddy CTS as competitors.
Well, there you go, that knocks the MKS off my list then, because I want a larger car than a 5er. Guess I'll stay with the Lexus for another year and see if that rumored MKR gets any traction (pun intended) and take it from there. Meantime, I'm not suffering...... but I'm pulling for Ford & Lincoln to make yet another comeback.....

#2862 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [nvbanker] by bumpy

Aug 01, 2008 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Aug 01, 2008 2:55 pm)
Well, there you go, that knocks the MKS off my list then, because I want a larger car than a 5er.
 
Hyundai Genesis

#2863 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [jeyhoe] by brucelinc

Aug 01, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: jeyhoe (Aug 01, 2008 11:25 am)
Put the current MKS up against a similarly priced Lucerne Super or a Lexus ES350, and my money would be on the MKS in an enthusiast magazine comparison. Lincoln may be shooting for RLs, GSs, and STSs but I don't think they are quite there yet.
 
The current MKS is a real paradox, IMO. It is really too big to compete with the usual mid-level luxury benchmarks but the engine is too mundane to compete with the big boys. It is too firmly suspended and not roomy enough to attract TC or DTS owners but too slow to attract the harder core enthusiast.
 
It is almost as though they were trying to please everyone and really didn't knock the socks off anyone! Bring on the Ecoboost, clean up a few loose ends here and there, and then I might go for it.

#2864 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [brucelinc] by ehaase

Aug 03, 2008 (4:46 am)

Replying to: brucelinc (Aug 01, 2008 6:22 pm)
The MKS outsold the DTS, which I consider its closest competitor because of the size, price, and FWD, in its first month. Plus I would imagine a significant percentage of DTS sales, at least 30 percent, are fleet.

#2865 of 4178 Re: Also, Motor Trend [ehaase] by gregg_vw

Aug 03, 2008 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: ehaase (Aug 03, 2008 4:46 am)
The MKS and DTS are similar sized, similar priced and both FWD. Your point is...?

Messages Page 287 of 419

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