New Lincoln MKZ, what do you think about it?

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Not a fan of the new Lincoln styling ... or their MK* naming convention


I will reserve my judgments until the Lincoln "MK-Ultra" hits the market ..

 

[Danh]

Continuation of a trend: Lincoln tries to sell style and technology, Cadillac sells that plus performance. My money's on Cadillac. Lincoln will never really compete without a rwd platform: hard to do luxury cars on the cheap. Plus, one would hope domestic luxury brands would be manufactured in the US or Canada rather than Mexico.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Read the article above, they have RWD in the pipeline.

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^Read the article above, they have RWD in the pipeline.


Yes, the '15 Mustang platform. The paragraph continues on to say that that probably will not happen.
The current Mustang platform was based off the old LS platform. While not necessarily cutting edge at this point in time, it would be a good place to start.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Maybe not the whole platform, more here:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/lincoln-wan...and-discipline/

I think Ford will find a way to compete. They just have a LONG way to go!

 

[morepwr]

I am not a fan of its looks.

 

[clarkflower]

Originally Posted By: Win
The Lincoln would probably make a nice luxury car for a woman.


ohhh...can you say that on the air

 

[kkreit01]

You can't get the 3.7 in a Fusion, and you can't come close to THXII sound in a Fusion. Those 2 alone are enough to buy one. Overall, when you look deep, even the previous gen had many high-quality features not found in Fusions: Bridge of Weir leather (google it and see what other cars uses it), real wood or aluminum interior trim -- as apposed to cheap painted plastic, real metal exterior trim -- in contrast to chromed plastic. Those are just a few items. Granted, they share the same platform -- just like the Verano/Cruze, and may other vehicles out there.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
You can't get the 3.7 in a Fusion, and you can't come close to THXII sound in a Fusion. Those 2 alone are enough to buy one.


Seriously?
OK, I'll concede that it's a Fusion with a larger engine and a better audio system. Like most buyers, it is not nearly enough to make me actually consider owning one.
Lincoln sales in March were down over 22% from a year ago; Lincoln blames the poor sales numbers on "quality concerns with its new MKZ sedan that suppressed availability" but I still seriously doubt that the car will ever light up the sales charts.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Anything Lincoln does at this point is too little, too late. Can Lincoln survive another 10 years while they get it right?

Look at Cadillac and their renaissance with the CTS. The 2014 CTS will mark the third generation of the car since the art and science transformation. Each successive version has been better than the last. The 2014 should truly be world-class, with materials, styling, and a powertrain lineup that can compete on the world stage.

Same thing with Hyundai and Kia. It took three generations of mid-size cars before they could really step up and compete. Each one was better than the last, but it takes a few generation before everything becomes really cohesive and can be taken seriously versus the long-established leaders.

There is not going to be a magic platform or hail-mary car that fixes Lincoln. Too much needs to change and time is not on their side. Had they been more serious when they introduced the LS about turning the brand around, maybe they'd have a solid foundation. Unfortunately, they didn't and they're now stuck in a loop of badge-engineering.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Quote:
Lincoln blames the poor sales numbers on "quality concerns with its new MKZ sedan that suppressed availability" but I still seriously doubt that the car will ever light up the sales charts.


What, you mean building cars in Mexico and shipping them all the way to Flat Rock, Michigan for quality rework isn't a sustainable business model?

 

[DuckRyder]

I guess I will be the dissenter (again).

There were a few of these unloaded at a local dealer in the last few days. I personally think the "Preferred" 3.7 with the grey wheels in one of the best looking cars on the market.

Granted I didn't drive one, but if someone gave me the money and said I had to buy one or a Cadillac I'd buy the Lincoln so fast it would make your head spin.

 

[Spector]

the 2013 is not a dressed up Fusion the 2012 was. I have the 2012 and having driven the Fusion first,. although the same platform in 2012, the Fusion was not a great highway car, there was a difference in handling and, since we purchased the hybrid the Fusion was overpriced as they charge a premium for the hybrid in the Fusion, not the MKZ. We actually liked the 2012 model and having seen the 2013 decided not to wait even thought the hybrid system is more advanced in the 2013.

We love the car, great for the interstate which is what our intent was and are averaging 38 MPG overall. Ford, well they truly stink, they refuse to repair a very slight imperfection in the dash and for that I will never purchase another Ford product!

 

[Spazdog]

Quote:
Push-Button Shift

Not your traditional shifter in appearance or function.

Yeah, that's revolutionary!

Does it have vacuum operated wipers too?

 

[hattaresguy]

Lame, doesn't have much engineering behind it. For starters the motor is installed the wrong way.

It compares to a base Lexus or Acura, which are tarted a tarted up Camry and Accord.

Its not in the same league as the Germans or Cadillac.

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer


There is not going to be a magic platform or hail-mary car that fixes Lincoln. Too much needs to change and time is not on their side.


you got that right!

Why don't they *gasp* engineer a proper luxury/RWD platform!?
The fellas at the blue oval seem allergic to any engineering expenditures for gripe sake!

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer
Anything Lincoln does at this point is too little, too late. Can Lincoln survive another 10 years while they get it right?

Look at Cadillac and their renaissance with the CTS. The 2014 CTS will mark the third generation of the car since the art and science transformation. Each successive version has been better than the last. The 2014 should truly be world-class, with materials, styling, and a powertrain lineup that can compete on the world stage.

Same thing with Hyundai and Kia. It took three generations of mid-size cars before they could really step up and compete. Each one was better than the last, but it takes a few generation before everything becomes really cohesive and can be taken seriously versus the long-established leaders.

There is not going to be a magic platform or hail-mary car that fixes Lincoln. Too much needs to change and time is not on their side. Had they been more serious when they introduced the LS about turning the brand around, maybe they'd have a solid foundation. Unfortunately, they didn't and they're now stuck in a loop of badge-engineering.


Coming from a die hard German car fan, the new CTS which I saw on Tuesday at the NY Auto Show is...WOW.

Its WOW.

I'd buy a CTS with that awesome new 420hp V6 and GM's new 7spd manual they are working on.

For years GM had no engineering in their cars, now they are competing with the Germans.

 

[jrustles]

Now they "are" the Germans! OPEL anyone?

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Lame, doesn't have much engineering behind it. For starters the motor is installed the wrong way.

It compares to a base Lexus or Acura, which are tarted a tarted up Camry and Accord.

Its not in the same league as the Germans or Cadillac.


Now wait just a minute! The base Acura is not a tarted up Accord.

It's a tarted up Civic. Get it straight!

As far as the German "superiority", on a dollar for dollar basis, how is the Audi A6 2.0T better than the TL 3.7 SH-AWD? Of course the Acuras don't compare to the "S" Audis but they aren't really competing on price either. And it took Acura to "advance the breed" with torque vectoring. Audi doesn't own AWD luxury anymore.

 

[kkreit01]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
You can't get the 3.7 in a Fusion, and you can't come close to THXII sound in a Fusion. Those 2 alone are enough to buy one.


Seriously?
OK, I'll concede that it's a Fusion with a larger engine and a better audio system. Like most buyers, it is not nearly enough to make me actually consider owning one.
Lincoln sales in March were down over 22% from a year ago; Lincoln blames the poor sales numbers on "quality concerns with its new MKZ sedan that suppressed availability" but I still seriously doubt that the car will ever light up the sales charts.


I meant "buy one over a Fusion", not to run out and buy one over any other car. Wait until Jan of next year, the MKZs will be discounted by about $7-10K. I bought my '10 MKZ AWD Ultimate in Jan '11 for $13K off sticker. That made it much less than a new Fusion Sport. It may have been a one-of-a-kind deal, but I was happy. I do agree that Lincoln has serious problems, and their resale is horrible. But a 1-2 yr old for about 33-50% off.