Article Comments - 2009 Lincoln MKS First Drive / Full Test

154 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 2:21 PM

You are in the Lincoln MKS Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Lincoln MKS, Sedan

First Drive: 2009 Lincoln MKS - First Impressions: The world's most completely equipped Taurus/Taurus X/Sable/Volvo/Flex, which turns out to be not such a bad thing. (more)

Full Test: 2009 Lincoln MKS AWD - Bottom Line: A luxury sedan for the Ford faithful, but all others would be advised to look elsewhere as there are far better luxury sedans for the price. (more)

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#44 of 154 Mindless drivel by med5 Jun 12, 2008 (11:45 pm)
It's just amazing to read how opinionated people are about a car not a single person has driven. Edmunds itself starts the kicking. It's First Drive review struggles to find something bad to say about it, but the main thing they can come up with is that it's platform is related to that of the Ford Taurus. Really? I thought both came from the Volvo S80, a more expensive European luxury car. Name a luxury brand that doesn't used shared platforms. Is the Rolls Phantom just a fancied up, $400,000 BMW 7 series? The Acura RL just an Accord? All Infinities just Nissan Zs? Every other review, as well as the substance of the Edmunds review, is quite positive. MKS doesn't share a single body panel or interior piece with the Taurus and it doesn't look quite like any other car. Since a highly revised suspension was created, front and rear, for the car, Edmunds insists on claiming it was lifted from the Flex. It is equally accurate to say the Flex borrowed it from the MKS. The fact is, as stated by Lincoln engineers on another website, that the suspension change was required when problems were found in the MKS's development due to the higher torque engine, which doesn't come on the Flex. This car appears to be as good as it gets for the price. If some luxury cars that cost $20k to $40k more offer any practical benefits or functional improvements over the MKS, please tell me what they are. I can see the benefit of the MKS's larger, quieter interior, superior navigation system, voice control, front/rear sunroof and better fuel mileage, but I can't quite see what advantage the more expensive luxo cars have over it. Only the hard-riding hot rod versions of other brands spent time on the Nurburgring, which is irrelevant in any case. People don't race luxury cars. Please don't make me laugh by suggesting the competition is more trouble free, with the possible exception of the Lexus models. And don't complain about lack of power. The base engines in the BMW 5 series and Cadillac CTS, for example, are less powerful than the MKS, yet nobody whines about them. At least give this car a fair hearing and leave your anti-Ford biases behind. I have owned every one of the most popular luxury cars and find this one at least as interesting as the competition. I have never owned or considered a Town Car. Replies to this message: speculator (Jun 13, 2008 5:23 am) displacedtexan (Jun 15, 2008 2:45 pm) speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:37 pm) and 2 more... nvbanker (Jun 16, 2008 10:33 am) speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:54 pm)
#45 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [med5] by speculator Jun 13, 2008 (5:23 am)
Replying to: med5 (Jun 12, 2008 11:45 pm) The Rolls Phantom is 230" inches long. It doesn't share platforms with the Bimmer 750. The 750 doesn't even come close to 230". Also the Rolls engine develops 600 Hp BMW derivative. As for the MKS, why not make the same modifications to the suspension and brakes that was done to the MKS optional on the Taurus.It could be a two or three thousand dollar option marketed as a sport package. The fact is that everything that is suppose to be exclusive to the MKS can be added as an option on the present Taurus if Ford wished to do that. It doesn't matter if the MKS has a more powerfull engine that the CTS or Bimmer what counts is the time that it takes for the vehicle to accelerate to the quarter mile. In that respect the MKS is slower. If this vehicle were a flag ship none of the mechanicle modification would be possible on its lower price cousin. In Europe, Volvo is not considered to be a premium mark. Volvo was never considered to be a premium vehicle in the USA until Ford marketeers said it is. In the 70's and 80's the price of the car was on par with that of Buick. On the Infiniti fwd vehicles, the tendency for torque steer was dealt with.If these Infinities are on par with the lower price Nissan offerings ,give me the Nissan anytime over the MKS. I have driven the MKS. If driven hard and making abrupt Lane changes as if trying to steer out o f an accident the tendency for torque steer is evident when having to steer back into the lane to avoid oncoming traffic. The steering of the. vehicle won't center itself under acelleration while at the same time using the handling property of the vehicle .The driver has to really assist the steering for the vehicle to center tself. Normally, if one makes a sudden manuvere with a car the steering should return to center when the driver takes his hands of the wheel.The vehicle shouldn't keep turning. But that is a problem of most fwd vehicles. Replies to this message: displacedtexan (Jun 15, 2008 2:45 pm) speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:37 pm) displacedtexan (Jun 18, 2008 8:40 am) and 1 more... nvbanker (Jun 16, 2008 10:33 am) speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:54 pm)
#46 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [speculator] by displacedtexan Jun 15, 2008 (2:45 pm)
Replying to: speculator (Jun 13, 2008 5:23 am) speculator, have you actually driven the car, and for how long and under what conditions? I only ask b/c a salesman at my local Lincoln dealership said they had an MKS, briefly, for the sales force to look over, but it soon went back to Dallas. The salesman said they've been told it'll probably be August before they start arriving in showrooms here in OKC. Replies to this message: speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:37 pm) displacedtexan (Jun 18, 2008 8:40 am) pmerk28 (Aug 01, 2008 6:13 pm)
#47 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [speculator] by nvbanker Jun 16, 2008 (10:33 am)
Replying to: speculator (Jun 13, 2008 5:23 am) In Europe, Volvo is not considered to be a premium mark. Volvo was never considered to be a premium vehicle in the USA until Ford marketeers said it is. Same with Mercedes - big deal. The S-80 IS a luxury car, I had one, and though not particularly dependable, it was damn nice and in its own way, nicer than the Lexus I own now. I'm driving an LS 430 now, and seriously considering this Lincoln - so evidently SOME people are cross shopping it with other true Luxury Marks. I am the first to admit Lincoln has lost its way, and been cheapened horribly, but this car smells like a comeback to me. I'm going to check it out. Replies to this message: speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:54 pm)
#48 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [displacedtexan] by speculator Jun 16, 2008 (4:37 pm)
Replying to: displacedtexan (Jun 15, 2008 2:45 pm) I own a Lincoln -Mercury dealership. I have a few as DEMOS. I have driven the vehicle. Edmunds got their vehicle from a dealer who has a few as demos. The car was put through its paces on an obstacle course, Replies to this message: displacedtexan (Jun 18, 2008 8:40 am) pmerk28 (Aug 01, 2008 6:13 pm)
#49 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [nvbanker] by speculator Jun 16, 2008 (4:54 pm)
Replying to: nvbanker (Jun 16, 2008 10:33 am) Am I to understand that Mercedes was never considered to be a premium make? Well, what about the 300 SLGullwing? The 1935 540k . It was the first car with irs. It cost as much as a Dusenberg. How about the 1967 250 SE and coupe and not to forget the convertible or cabriolet version Don't forget about the 600 pullman. Or the 450 series from the 70's especially the 450 SEL 6.9.
#50 of 154 Actual test drive by bfarrell Jun 17, 2008 (7:25 am)
Yes, I actually had a chance to drive this new Lincoln last thursday. Put about 20 miles on a factory supplied vehicle. For the price point of under $50k fully (fully)loaded this vehicle is a winner. Driving dynamics impeccable, acceleration very acceptable and smooth (it is not a sports sedan), trans allows standard auto ... sport mode auto ... and manual shifts, quiet to the max, good vision, great seating both in terms of positioning and comfort, very nice interior, hugh back seat that is heated standard, enough technology to almost be overkill, only negative is an abysmally small trunk opening with a high lift over although the trunk itself is huge. The vehicle is extremly handsome in person and is not a clone of every other lux model on the market ... you will know it is a Lincoln. All in all a great effort by the Lincoln team that should do well if those who feel they must own a $70k import can get over the undeserved Lincoln image. Replies to this message: speculator (Jun 17, 2008 11:10 am)
#51 of 154 Re: Actual test drive [bfarrell] by speculator Jun 17, 2008 (11:10 am)
Replying to: bfarrell (Jun 17, 2008 7:25 am) Did You put it on an obstacle course as I have? If you had, you would have discovered the cars short comings.
#52 of 154 Obstacle course by bfarrell Jun 17, 2008 (11:50 am)
Yea, I think Lincoln should have made sure the MKS could win the 24hrs of LeMans .... NOT !!! This vehicle is not intended to be a "sport " sedan nor is it. What it does well is handle freeway cruising and city traffic very very competently with out beating the driver to a pulp. You know the way 99% of non midlife crisis Americans drive. If you want to send $ 60 - 70k for an automobile whose capabilities are unusable in normal driving so be it!
#53 of 154 Re: Mindless drivel [speculator] by displacedtexan Jun 18, 2008 (8:40 am)
Replying to: speculator (Jun 16, 2008 4:37 pm) Thank you. I wish my closest dealership had had the opportunity like you did. Replies to this message: pmerk28 (Aug 01, 2008 6:13 pm)