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Lincoln MKZ: Test Drives

16 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2007 at 6:01 PM

You are in the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lincoln Zephyr, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 16 MKZ Test Drive by jmille35

Oct 24, 2006 (7:43 am)

Just put 60 highway miles on a MKZ that I kept overnight to test drive. Observations:
NVH? Excellent except on rough surface aggregate paved roads but still light-years better than the larger Avalon SLR and even the Lucerne CLX-8.
Gas mileage...Uh! Next subject!. I only got 24 mpg(below the 27mpg advetised) on fairly flat roads keeping it between 55 and 65...I did gun it a few times up to 90 mph. Third, it's got all the bells buttons and chimes you could hope for. Conclusion: It seems to be a great bachelor/couple car. If you are a larger family, go to the last old Merc Grand Marquis LS 2007..like driving your living room and Ford is practically giving them away this Fall.

#8 of 16 Re: MKZ Test Drive [jmille35] by bigt

Nov 02, 2006 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: jmille35 (Oct 24, 2006 7:43 am)
I thought the AWD version was harder to accelerate than the FWD version. I am going to wait and drive the MKX before making my final purchase choice. I had my Merlot Zephpr parked next to a Merlot Lexus ES350 and they looked very close in style. Surprised me and I paid many 1000's less than that guy!

#9 of 16 Re: MKZ Test Drive [bigt] by gregg_vw

Nov 03, 2006 (6:58 am)

Replying to: bigt (Nov 02, 2006 4:37 pm)
Well of course that is in the eye of the beholder.
 
And your Lincoln purchase may be a smart move, if you love the car and plan to keep it a long while. But as re-sale is already showing, the Lexus will net a person thousands more on re-sale, even many years later. So part of it is how much you want to lay out. If you really want to save some $$, consider a loaded AWD Milan--same basic shape, nice interior, almost as much exclusivity and better mileage.

#10 of 16 Re: MKZ Test Drive [gregg_vw] by rockylee

Nov 07, 2006 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Nov 03, 2006 6:58 am)
The Lexus, cost thousands more to begin with so at the end of the day what's the difference ????
 
Rocky

#11 of 16 Re: MKZ Test Drive [rockylee] by gregg_vw

Nov 07, 2006 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: rockylee (Nov 07, 2006 5:13 pm)
That was my point, Rocky.

#12 of 16 Re: MKZ Test Drive [gregg_vw] by rockylee

Nov 07, 2006 (8:06 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Nov 07, 2006 6:02 pm)
Okay, I apologize. I must of misunderstood you.
 
Rocky

#13 of 16 Test Drove a new MKZ by jaxs1

Nov 12, 2006 (8:44 pm)

I didn't get to drive it on on open highway to take advantage of the extra power of the new engine vs the old engine, but around town driving was a disappointment. The engine was a little course even under the very mild in town driving we did where the tach probably never passed 2500 RPM.
Even though it had better leather than a Fusion or Milan, the interior has a lot of cheapness to it. The steering wheel and buttons looked and felt cheap. I actually scraped my hand on the wheel when the edge of part of it spun during a u-turn.
The satin-look plastic metal trim all around the car looked cheap. A fully loaded 2WD MKZ at around $38K is not competitive in refinement with other cars of that price range (ES350, new G35 etc.). It is only competitive on paper where you can say it has "X" and "Y" feature on a checklist of feautures.
The MKZ dashboard seemed way too high even when I raised the seat to the point where my head was touching the ceiling. It just didn't drive that nicely at all. Very awkward and old feeling.
 
I then drove a V6 Milan that was optioned to a $23K price point and that at least seemed like it would be somewhat competitive with a Camry of the same price range except for fuel economy (4 cylinder).

#14 of 16 Re: Test Drove a new MKZ [jaxs1] by bigt

Nov 13, 2006 (6:31 am)

Replying to: jaxs1 (Nov 12, 2006 8:44 pm)
I am about to get a fully loaded AWD MKZ for about 34k.

#15 of 16 Re: Test Drove a new MKZ [bigt] by gregg_vw

Nov 14, 2006 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: bigt (Nov 13, 2006 6:31 am)
How about a fully loaded DAW BFL?

#16 of 16 MKZ Test Drive by wbb56

Jan 31, 2007 (6:01 pm)

The MKZ is a nice car--too bad the competition is so damn good.
I drove a loaded RWD MKZ for 3-4 hours. Getting to 90 MPH on the interstate was fast and easy--although I noticed 0-35 was kind of pokey. 35-90 very , very fast. Little or no wind or road noise-even at the high speeds. Handling was better than average. For highway driving-I'd give it a solid A-, especially with the wonderful THX stereo cranked up. What a fantastic sound system (even satisfied my 14 year old's need for deep, deep bass!).
I liked it almost as much around town. Quiet, smooth, and fairly comfortable. But please, please change the Tilt/Telescope wheel to power. I'm 6'3", and while I can find a reasonably comfortable position behind the wheel--power would help a lot. Another BIG issue around town--the nearly 40 ft. turning radius--only car I've drive that's as bad--Volvo's S60.. it's almost bad enough to make me take the car off of my list. Parking this car is not fun.
Heated and cooled seats are nice. Not the most comfortable--but good. The 10-way power passenger seat is nice and rear seat room is a nice compromise between the Lexus ES-350 and Toyota Avalon. Another bonus, the rear seats fold flat--expanding an already generously sized trunk.
My test drive was in a car with the light tan interior--my wife hated it--she also hated the retro-looking dash. It's large and very high. I didn't mind it at all-but the black interior is much more attractive.
All of the controls are easy to reach and work well. The afore-mentioned sound/NAV system is exceptionally well designed-a pleasure to use.
Over all the MKZ is very, very good car. But is it good enough to compete with the ES-350, Toyota Avalon, BMW 3 and/5? Maybe--but probably not until next year. A few more refinements (Bluetooth integration, power tilt/swivel, auto trunk open/close, window shades, etc..) and it will be there.
For me it makes my buying decision very difficult--I had narrowed my considerable list to just a few 2005 530i, 2007 Avalon Touring, 2007 ES-350--now, before I part with $30k+ I'm going to have to seriously consider the MKZ.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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