Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive-8/06

25 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2006 at 2:09 PM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2007 Lincoln MKZ - To date, the top engine in the Fusion/Milan/Zephyr was the 3.0-liter V6 Duratec engine. While a capable workhorse, this mill is not known for its refinement. (more)

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#1 of 25 Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive by KarenS HOST Aug 18, 2006 (10:22 am)
Check out the first drive and come back here to post your comments. First Drive: 2007 Lincoln MKZ Replies to this message: rolo77 (Aug 19, 2006 4:56 am) modenaf1 (Aug 19, 2006 7:43 am) heyjewel (Aug 19, 2006 7:59 am) and 2 more...
#2 of 25 Lincoln MKZ First Drive by navigator89 Aug 18, 2006 (1:56 am)
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=116471 This is the first review of any car with the new 3.5L engine and it sounds pretty good. 263hp is quite competitive. I guess that's good news for the new Edge and MKX. I'm waiting to see performance numbers for the MKZ. Replies to this message: displacedtexan (Aug 18, 2006 5:20 am) bigt (Aug 18, 2006 5:32 am)
#3 of 25 Re: Lincoln MKZ First Drive [navigator89] by displacedtexan Aug 18, 2006 (5:20 am)
Replying to: navigator89 (Aug 18, 2006 1:56 am) It's significant that the new engine uses regular unleaded, not premium. Ford really needs to tout that. I did notice in the article the continued confusion with the name! Nice review, otherwise. Replies to this message: bigt (Aug 18, 2006 5:32 am)
#4 of 25 Re: Lincoln MKZ First Drive [displacedtexan] by bigt Aug 18, 2006 (5:32 am)
Replying to: displacedtexan (Aug 18, 2006 5:20 am) They should have touted that horn on the Zep concerning the regular fuel! Yes, that is a real nice review on the MkZ. Seems like all of the reviewers are big on the engines.
#5 of 25 great review! by modenaf1 Aug 18, 2006 (2:27 pm)
Great first drive of the MKZ and I like the description of this engine. Also of note, it gets PZEV emmissions. One thing I find troubling about the review is the comment about the old 3.0 being "thrashy." Please don't tell me you said this because "consumer reports" once said it. The 2.5 and 3.0 Duratec's are far from thrashy, in fact they rev silky smooth, however after about 3000-3500 RPM's they start to pick up power and really give a nice loud roaring growl. I have driven many cars, including a few with the 3.0 Duratec and I have to say, it is far from "thrashy." If an engine actually "thrashes" you have some very serious problems. The good old 3.0 Duratec is an excellent engine. I might add that both Porsche and Cosworth helped design it back in the early 90's. Don't believe me, look it up I am sure you will find plenty of information on that. I don't know of many other engines that made 200hp and 200lb ft of torque while running on 87 octane at a 10:1 compression ratio back in the early 90s. Not even the late 90's. Nissan, Honda, Toyota, their 3.0's sure didn't in the 90's. The good old 3.0 is also used in the Mazda 6, the Mondeo ST220 in Europe, Jaguars, one of Morgan's sports cars, and even the Noble M400 which has it twin turbocharged producing 440+ hp! The 3.0 was a great engine and I hate to see it being called thrashy, and the 3.5 is even better, and even more compact! I sure hope the 3.5 growls like the old 3.0 though. I would hate it if all cars had that "electric" whine of the super insulated and dampened Toyotas.
#6 of 25 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive [KarenS] by rolo77 Aug 19, 2006 (4:56 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Aug 18, 2006 10:22 am) The 0-60 times of a EST 6.5 Sec, I was a little surprised I thought it would be in the 7.0 Sec range. I just put a deposit on one, but this really sounds like a well balanced car, Luxury, power, and gas mileage. Chief Replies to this message: modenaf1 (Aug 19, 2006 7:43 am) heyjewel (Aug 19, 2006 7:59 am) modenaf1 (Aug 20, 2006 6:54 pm) and 1 more...
#7 of 25 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive [rolo77] by modenaf1 Aug 19, 2006 (7:43 am)
Replying to: rolo77 (Aug 19, 2006 4:56 am) To be honest, 6.5 actually sounds a bit right or even on the conservative side for the FWD MKZ. Considering the 3.0 liter 221hp Zephyr, Milan, and Fusion did 0-60 in roughly 7 seconds flat, it would be logical to assume that with 263hp now, it should be able to do much better. Even the incredibly heavy Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego with only 203hp can hit 60mph in the 7 second range. Unfortunatly it seems as if the MKZ is taking a similar approach as Toyota and Lexus, they are offering the power for a sporty car, but they are not backing it up with a manual transmission. At least it handles pretty decently though. Do we even know if this new 6sp automatic transmission in the MKZ has a shift it yourself feature? Replies to this message: heyjewel (Aug 19, 2006 7:59 am) modenaf1 (Aug 20, 2006 6:54 pm) heyjewel (Aug 21, 2006 7:03 am)
#8 of 25 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive [modenaf1] by heyjewel Aug 19, 2006 (7:59 am)
Replying to: modenaf1 (Aug 19, 2006 7:43 am) "Do we even know if this new 6sp automatic transmission in the MKZ has a shift it yourself feature?" Yeah, we know. The shifter in this sporty Lincoln has the following gear selections: P R N D L There is no select shift feature. How's THAT for running thru the gears? Manual tranny? I don't think Lincoln will try that again for another 50 years after their dealers could not (or actually in many cases WOULD NOT sell the LS with a stick shift.) The first drive of the Z sounded pretty favorable. But with that stoooopid granny shifter, it's a non-starter for me. Replies to this message: modenaf1 (Aug 20, 2006 6:54 pm) heyjewel (Aug 21, 2006 7:03 am)
#9 of 25 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive [heyjewel] by modenaf1 Aug 20, 2006 (6:54 pm)
Replying to: heyjewel (Aug 19, 2006 7:59 am) That is a bummer. The LS with the 5sp Getrag was very nice too. It is a shame they are so damn rare. The few that bought them are certainly hanging onto them. Oh well, if I won the lottery tommarow I would probably buy an Acura TL instead. If I can help it, I sure as heck am not buying it unless it has 3 pedals. :p It is a shame because the MKZ is a great car...they just aren't selling it with a stick! ARGH! Replies to this message: heyjewel (Aug 21, 2006 7:03 am)
#10 of 25 Re: Article Comments: 2007 Lincoln MKZ First Drive [modenaf1] by heyjewel Aug 21, 2006 (7:03 am)
Replying to: modenaf1 (Aug 20, 2006 6:54 pm) "That is a bummer. The LS with the 5sp Getrag was very nice too. It is a shame they are so damn rare. The few that bought them are certainly hanging onto them" Yep. I've still got my 2001. Still runs like new. Seriously, the MK Z won't have 3 pedals, I can practically guarantee that. If you want a MK Z with a stick, get a Mazda 6.