Questions to Ask When Buying Used [Lincoln LS Edition]

[RavenSEAL]

Sorry for making another thread...

So I've started having a change of heart after speaking to a couple of Miata owners...

Biggest suggestions (point outs) I've come across considering I'm a fairly new driver with little "Manual transmission experience" have been the following:

A) "It's RWD, unless you have a lot of practice, there is a good change you might spin out going 70MPH on the highway"

B) "It's a hydraulic manual transmission, completely different monster"

C) "Safety rating is non-existent, specially on a soft top"

D) Buy a Civic

Those are quoted directly, so...yeah.

That leaves me moving down the checklist tooooo...

A Lincoln LS!

Price ranges found: $4,000 to 5,000
Years: 2000-2004
Mileage: 100k-120k

Whats the general consensus on this car here at ATG? I for one love the looks.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'd buy the Miata. I think it's underpowered, not a good looking car, disappointing interior, I hate convertibles, and I'd still take the Miata over the Lincoln.

 

[Don Karnage]

A) "It's RWD, unless you have a lot of practice, there is a good change you might spin out going 70MPH on the highway"
.

Who told you that one? Unless you're taking a corner at high speed you shouldn't worry about bringing the tail around. When the tail comes out it just takes a sharp jab with the wheel in the direction the tail is going to bring it back in line. My first real car was a camaro LT1 Z28 with a manual and i'm still alive.

 

[Howard]

The LS is not a reliable car and has a horrible interior. I looked at it before picking up my CTS (which, incidentally, isn't perfect either).

 

[Plugers]

On the plus side you have a ton of Mustang go fast parts you can throw at this car.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Lincoln VS Cadillac

Some of the best looking LSes :

Supercharged :

WTF I don't even... :
http://forums.aspeedracing.com/showthread.php?t=12357&page=3

Also, extremely useful link : http://deneau.info/ls/


My own 06 is cosmetically bone stock except for two LVC decals and light Huper-Optik tints all around. Mods are more functional in nature :

• Moderate SCT Xcal3 tune

• Complete LED conversion (interior, puddles, trunk, license, reverse)

• Hoen Xenonmatch bulbs for the highs and fogs (to match stock HIDs)

• Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT HU w/Infinity Kappa Four + 682.9cfs and stock sub + sub-amp

• Stoptech SS lines + drilled/slotted rotors

 

[amdhunter]

Lincolns are for taxi drivers.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

The LS is not a reliable car and has a horrible interior. I looked at it before picking up my CTS (which, incidentally, isn't perfect either).

As far as reliability, I'd definitely advise getting a Gen2 (2003+). Lots of interior improvements and more power.

Some of the exterior cosmetic changes may not float your boat (square -> round fogs, single -> two-tone rear lights, etc.) Also, Gen2 uses a drive-by-wire throttle, which by default is a little slow in responding but this can be fixed by a SCT flash (which most Gen2 enthusiast owners do).

Aftermarket parts for the LS are relatively scarce and getting wheels for it is a little bit of a PITA (unusual bolt pattern + offset).

That's all I got so far.

 

[DaTT]

I have always loved the look of the LS. I remember when they first came out, Motor Trend built a race edition, it was awesome.

Side note, my wife's grandfather has an LS with the V8 and has had zero problems with it.

 

[RavenSEAL]

How would the maintenance of an LS compare to that of a 3 series around the same year?

 

[Plugers]

I would think drivetrain maintenance shouldn't be much more than a mustang. At least with the v8 as they both use the modular v8.

 

[5150MyU]

3.9L does tend to leak oil into the spark plug wells-causing a miss fire and there by causing plug and coil problems.
The left side (drivers side) is rather harsh to change (2002).
The rear most lower bolt on the valve cover is very hard to get to as it is blocked by the brake power booster.
But using some silicone sealer and doing the job right you will stop your leak.

 

[jlee]

Whuutt?

Spin out on the highway because it's RWD?

Dude, find friends that aren't stupid. At least test drive one.

 

[JCH13]

Sorry for making another thread...

So I've started having a change of heart after speaking to a couple of Miata owners...

Biggest suggestions (point outs) I've come across considering I'm a fairly new driver with little "Manual transmission experience" have been the following:

A) "It's RWD, unless you have a lot of practice, there is a good change you might spin out going 70MPH on the highway"

B) "It's a hydraulic manual transmission, completely different monster"

C) "Safety rating is non-existent, specially on a soft top"

D) Buy a Civic

Those are quoted directly, so...yeah.

That leaves me moving down the checklist tooooo...

A Lincoln LS!

Price ranges found: $4,000 to 5,000
Years: 2000-2004
Mileage: 100k-120k

Whats the general consensus on this car here at ATG? I for one love the looks.

A) Unpossible... I... just... what? I don't even... Silliness...

B) Hydraulic Manual Transmission? Is that even a thing? It has a hydraulic clutch, yes... Frankly the Miata has the best, easiest-to-drive manuals I've ever used. Hell, my girlfriend can drive mine with a 6-puck race clutch...

C) I can see this point, to a degree. This is why god gave us a huge selection of SCCA-approved roll bars for very reasonable prices.

D) Boo!

 

[RavenSEAL]

Lincoln VS Cadillac

Some of the best looking LSes :

Supercharged :

WTF I don't even... :
http://forums.aspeedracing.com/showthread.php?t=12357&page=3

Also, extremely useful link : http://deneau.info/ls/


My own 06 is cosmetically bone stock except for two LVC decals and light Huper-Optik tints all around. Mods are more functional in nature :

• Moderate SCT Xcal3 tune

• Complete LED conversion (interior, puddles, trunk, license, reverse)

• Hoen Xenonmatch bulbs for the highs and fogs (to match stock HIDs)

• Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT HU w/Infinity Kappa Four + 682.9cfs and stock sub + sub-amp

• Stoptech SS lines + drilled/slotted rotors

So sexyyyyy D:

 

[MotF Bane]

Whuutt?

Spin out on the highway because it's RWD?

Dude, find friends that aren't stupid. At least test drive one.

Don't you see all the trucks, heavy SUV's, police cars, and even Lincoln LS's spun out every day?

 

[MotF Bane]

So sexyyyyy D:

It's rice.

 

[MotF Bane]

A) Unpossible... I... just... what? I don't even... Silliness...

B) Hydraulic Manual Transmission? Is that even a thing? It has a hydraulic clutch, yes... Frankly the Miata has the best, easiest-to-drive manuals I've ever used. Hell, my girlfriend can drive mine with a 6-puck race clutch...

C) I can see this point, to a degree. This is why god gave us a huge selection of SCCA-approved roll bars for very reasonable prices.

D) Boo!

I must admit I have been waiting to see your reply to this thread.

 

[RavenSEAL]

It's rice.

I don't care about that, it looks stunning. D:

At least it's not purple pimp with 23" rims like some i've found.

 

[Ferzerp]

One of these tried to race me the other day. I sort of did a and ignored it.

 

[manimal]

First question I would ask has any elderly people died in this vehicle or has it crashed into a buffet line recently.

I actually think they are nice cars. The two that friends owned always seemed to leak oil from somewhere.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I don't care about that, it looks stunning. D:
At least it's not purple pimp with 23" rims like some i've found.

Ugh, there _are_ LSes out there that have been severely ghetto-ed up (24" wheels, etc.)

One of these tried to race me the other day. I sort of did a and ignored it.

Heh, some folks just can't accept that it ain't a fast car. It's plenty perky (~290hp on Gen2), but chubby (~3700lbs).

As far as the COPs go, Gen2s are covered until 100k miles, except the 06 that is (God knows why). The only other usual
things I know of that tend to foul up are the DCCV, mechanical cooling fan (on the Gen1s) and degas bottle (hairline crack,
system loses pressure, temp spikes).

Last thing is watch your battery. The LS gets twitchy went the batt is marginal / has a marginal charge.

 

[Throckmorton]

The Miata won't spin out that easily... they're very underpowered. But they aren't safe because of how low and small they are. In a collision with a brick wall, yeah they're probably not bad, but a truck's bumper will easily decapitate you. There's no B pillar and only a flimsy A pillar to protect you. That's the risk you take. I loved my 1996 Miata but I drove really cautiously in populated areas.

 

[Throckmorton]

I would get an LS with the V6 and manual transmission. It would be a fun car.

50/50 weight distribution, wishbones front and rear, RWD... what's not to love?

 

[CraigRT]

LS is hot.. I've never been a die hard Ford guy but that car was always good looking from the get-go.
I know someone who had a V6 LS with manual trans and they loved it.