Opinions on Lincoln LS

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Phishin

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I am in the market for a used car, and I've always liked these cars. Been eyeing a few local for sale. I can buy a 2000 model with 100k miles in good shape for $5000.

Are there known issues with the all aluminum 3.9L V8? What about the AT's in these cars? I'm scared to death to buy a Cadillac around this vintage and money because nearly all Northstars blow head gaskets shortly after 100k miles and Caddies are not cheap to fix.

What attracts me to the Lincoln is the sking and V8 performance. Same reason I like the Cadillacs and the Oldsmobile Aurora.

Thanks for your input and experiences.
 
Perhaps it was a different year, but I think BDCardinal, a Ford parts man posted about these cars awhile back. They are known to have some quirks and the quirks can get very expensive to repair.
 
I would never buy one or ever recommend one to anyone I knew. Heck, I wouldn't recommend one to someone I hated.

They do make me money in parts sales though.
 
I agree with bdcardinal. I remember looking at them a few years ago and was scared away from the common issues they have. They do look good no doubt (in my opinion haha).

The funny thing is I live in a lower income area and see a handful of them around with missing fenders and all beat up. I don't know why you would want an expensive car to maintain on a limited income? You need to look cool though I guess.

I'd just scoop up an older honda accord for a nice daily
smile.gif
 
Don't get me wrong, they look cool, and it was true, it smoked a comparable BMW 5 series in a direct comparison.

However when things go wrong, they go wrong in a big way.

For example, the front lower ball joint is only serviced in a complete upright. Moog does make a ball joint by itself, but we refuse to install them for customers, too much liability.

It isn't uncommon for me to hand out 2 coil covers, 2 valve cover gaskets, 8 coils and 8 plugs on one of these. Also the cooling system is plastic, when we do a repair on it, we replace everything, no options for a partial repair. Including hoses, the parts are over a grand for all the components. On the plus side all the engine parts come from Ireland or the UK which is kinda cool.
 
I had to spend a few years working on the LS before I retired from FoMoCo. In all my years it was the only car I ever busted the glass in while replacing a window regulator.

Just one of those used cars that are best to avoid.
 
I had a 2004.

When it works, it is a very good car to drive.

The models before 2003 where lower powered. In 2004, Lincoln did a redesign on the engine and some little stuff on the inside and out.

While I would not recommend buying one, if you REALLY REALLY want one, at least get a 2004+

That said, I would not buy another one. I would not recommended you buying one either.

They are just a pain to deal with when they have 100k on them. EVERYTHING wants to and will break.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Don't get me wrong, they look cool, and it was true, it smoked a comparable BMW 5 series in a direct comparison.

However when things go wrong, they go wrong in a big way.

For example, the front lower ball joint is only serviced in a complete upright. Moog does make a ball joint by itself, but we refuse to install them for customers, too much liability.


So what? Lots of cars have non-serviceable ball joints. Heck, my old Escort had them--you had to replace the whole LCA. (Which was a 10-minute job!) Rock Auto lists three ball joints...the Moog ($62), a "Deeza" ($40), and a Raybestos Problem Solver ($88). All look like they will work fine...personally, I'd use the Moog, only because I have never heard of Deeza.

Quote:
It isn't uncommon for me to hand out 2 coil covers, 2 valve cover gaskets, 8 coils and 8 plugs on one of these. Also the cooling system is plastic, when we do a repair on it, we replace everything, no options for a partial repair. Including hoses, the parts are over a grand for all the components. On the plus side all the engine parts come from Ireland or the UK which is kinda cool.


Radiator is a hundred bucks, WP is about fifty, another fifty for both hoses...nothing looks especially exotic.
 
We dont use aftermarket parts. The ball joint is part of a MSRP +$500 a piece suspension upright, not a control arm.

For the cooling system you have to include the entire thermostat assembly. There are multiple components and seals which are all plastic.
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Radiator is a hundred bucks, WP is about fifty, another fifty for both hoses...nothing looks especially exotic.


OEM Radiator MSRPs for $320.68

OEM waterpump MSRPs for $199.10

You can't compare what any of us could buy a Chinese knock off on RockAuto to having the job done at a dealer service dept. The customer is going to be paying for OEM parts at MSRP, because almost any dealer will refuse to install customer supplied parts.

OP, don't bother. They are cool cars to drive and look at, but I could never recommend one to anyone.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
OP, don't bother. They are cool cars to drive and look at, but I could never recommend one to anyone.


From my own knowledge of these cars this is EXCELLENT advice!
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We dont use aftermarket parts. The ball joint is part of a MSRP +$500 a piece suspension upright, not a control arm.

For the cooling system you have to include the entire thermostat assembly. There are multiple components and seals which are all plastic.


Anyone stupid enough to take an out-of-warranty car to a dealer for service deserves to get reamed!
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We dont use aftermarket parts. The ball joint is part of a MSRP +$500 a piece suspension upright, not a control arm.

For the cooling system you have to include the entire thermostat assembly. There are multiple components and seals which are all plastic.


Anyone stupid enough to take an out-of-warranty car to a dealer for service deserves to get reamed!


And in my experience they will!!!
 
I though about getting a V6 manual one which should have few less quirks, but they are far from simple and reliable as well... I couldn't find a real good forum for them either with good technical posts, and they are a rare car up here so the independents mechanics aren't going to save me money as they've never worked on one before...
540i's of that era are not much more and are far more common and maybe cheaper to run? I dunno.
 
It's like buying a Jaguar S-type.

I always thought the Lincoln was a bit better looking, but seems to be plagued with the same sorts of problems as it's Jaguar sibling.
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle

Anyone stupid enough to take an out-of-warranty car to a dealer for service deserves to get reamed!


There are times when you have basically no option but take it to the dealer. So, it isn't always because the person is "stupid."

I took my Hyundai to an independent shop that's well known for advanced diagnostics. It was having ESC issues. They were able to retrieve the codes, but didn't know the cause or how to fix it, so they told me to take it to the dealer.
 
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