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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 375 of 419

#3732 of 4178 Re: The Lincoln Service Experience, fresh and first hand. [e_net_rider] by e_net_rider

Aug 13, 2012 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Aug 13, 2012 3:13 pm)
Continued. As part of the buy-back I agreed to buy another GM. That was a mistake because I lost all incentives. And after months of looking, I special ordered a 2011 Buick Lacrosse CXS, all options except glass top and rear seat DVD screens. I did not know electing the touring package forced horrible Badyear Eagle RSX tires to it. That was almost a deal breaker. I immediately drove to two major tire dealers checking on Michelins. One of them offered me $50 for them. A couple of days later I discover a minor crease in left rear quarter panel, obviously in it before the paint went on, and two exterior parts improperly installed. Dealer took care of. That was minor compared to what followed, including it acting like a caliper stuck on three occasions. In both cases the dealer brought up lemon before I did. Both of those GM dealers had nich showrooms, nice repair facilities, and waiting areas. The Buick always put me in a car nearly new and as close a match to what I had as available. I learned a lot about Lacrosse and Regal, none of it I liked and would prefer the Malibu over the Regal, if it worked.
Now my 2010 MKS. No major issues, only the TSB fix for noisy front brakes, replacing all parts. I considered the Ford dealer because of long ago experience at Mercury Lincoln. (My brother-in-law worked there) Both need major face lifts, the lincoln far more than the Ford. Unfortunately Lincoln also uses rent a wreck.
So how much did this new guy have to do with the mentioned GM products?
Can someone tell me what he did with new MKZ?
Someone said MKS is stodgy. So be it. There is only so much you can do with a body and maintain aerodynamics. The gas mileage is somewhat variable to buyers, but when prices go up they avoid gas guzzlers.
I've seen the 2013 and it has superficial changes for most part. They may have made trunk opening bigger which is seriously needed. I don't know weight of MKS, but mileage is rather poor compared to 4400# Lacrosse CXS with V6. And the 2010 MKS has far less power in the 3.7L. Better in the 2013 by adding to variable valve timing, but they did not add DI, direct injection, which could seriously up power and likely why the GM 3.6 has more power and better mileage. But then that would put the 3.7 close to the 3.5 turbo, likely. And getting that high powered engine means AWD at a real gas penalty. I understand the usefulness of AWD, but for me it would be an extreme premium, price versus usefulness plus gas penalty. The ugly part is the way they are packaging options. What good is a glass top?
The MKS seats are a huge step up from GM's relative to comfort, comparing cooled seating types.
My opinion, add heated steering wheel, blindspot protection, and a couple of other options without forcing 3.5 AWD glass top. Electronic suspension too, if done properly. The Lacrosse called it part of touring package which was a mis-naming. You had normal and sport mode. Normal could be hard with some sway, involved GY tires I'm sure. Sport would stop sway and make it harder. I don't get how they call it a luxury car?
Areas I consider short on my 2010: Paint not durable enough. Carpet appears very cheap, low density, and not wearable. Wheels seem to be a pain to get clean looking. If anyone know the secret to keeping them nice, I'd like to know.
I'd really like to see FLM add HUD, heads up display.
And moving to LED lighting for exterior might be nice. The current headlight system is the best I've seen.

#3733 of 4178 VW sales mentioned by e_net_rider

Aug 13, 2012 (4:06 pm)

Do you know of the VW introduction to China? A two seater that gets like 65 MPG, diesel. It certainly avoids much of regulation here but likely fits the needs of most Chinese. I heard the price was $650.00. For some here that would mean a new one every month.

#3734 of 4178 Paragaphs. . . by cdnpinhead

Aug 13, 2012 (4:31 pm)

are good things, if you want people to actually read what you write. They imply that there's some kind of structure or logic to what you're saying.

#3735 of 4178 Who Knew. . . by cdnpinhead

Aug 13, 2012 (4:29 pm)

that there would be almost 20 posts in here today, with most quite thought-provoking and interesting.
 
I gave Lincoln a shot 12 or so years ago, and I'll be dead before they get back to where I would even remotely consider buying another of their products.
 
But that's just me.
 
The rest of you can argue about GM vs Ford until the world looks level.
 
I'm buying stuff that's made elsewhere.

#3736 of 4178 Re: Who Knew. . . [cdnpinhead] by gregg_vw

Aug 13, 2012 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Aug 13, 2012 4:29 pm)
I'm buying stuff that's made elsewhere.
 
As are most people.

#3737 of 4178 One last thing (ok, two) by akirby

Aug 13, 2012 (6:33 pm)

Just for the record, what I said was that Mercury could be kept but only if they had totally unique products and not just Ford clones. Like a 2 seat roadster. But I never said they should do that.
 
I can see where dealer franchises are probably the biggest driver for keeping GMC/Buick. Perhaps the cost of buying out those dealers is prohibitive compared to the cost savings. At least that is a sound financial reason.
 
I would feel better if GM wasn't pushing factory financing on Sonics to folks with 500 credit scores. Mitsubishi tried that and it almost put them out of business.

#3738 of 4178 Re: One last thing (ok, two) [akirby] by gregg_vw

Aug 13, 2012 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Aug 13, 2012 6:33 pm)
Just for the record, what I said was that Mercury could be kept but only if they had totally unique products and not just Ford clones. Like a 2 seat roadster. But I never said they should do that.
 
Way ahead of you, Allen. I know that is exactly what you said, and what I knew you said. What part of what I said suggested that you suggested that Mercury could be a niche brand but not have unique products? You just like to argue, I think, even when there is nothing to disagree about.
 
But kudos for acknowledging that GM may have some different problems in downsizing than Ford did.

#3739 of 4178 Re: One last thing (ok, two) [gregg_vw] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Aug 13, 2012 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 13, 2012 6:55 pm)
Seems like a pretty civil and interesting discussion; don't know why you guys seem to be trying to make it personal.
 
Ah well, meantime there's more news about the brand, including the "entry level crossover" based on the Escape platform. (USA Today)
 
Funny, when I did a Bing search for Lincoln just now, two of the four ads that flopped up were for Mercedes and Acura. The rest were from Lincoln. So someone is paying attention.

#3740 of 4178 Re: One last thing (ok, two) [steve_] by akirby

Aug 14, 2012 (6:28 am)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Aug 13, 2012 7:07 pm)
Every few months we forget what we argued about before so we have to argue about it all over again.

#3741 of 4178 Re: One last thing (ok, two) [akirby] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Aug 14, 2012 (6:38 am)

Replying to: akirby (Aug 14, 2012 6:28 am)
Do I know you?

Messages Page 375 of 419

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