Why Two Lincolns Are A Used Car Buyer's Best Friend

"Steven Lang" (StevenLang) 12/05/2014 at 10:49 • Filed to: None

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Imagine a car with 300+ horsepower, all-wheel-drive, nice comfy Volvo-esque leather seats, and can quickly go from 0% to 50% depreciation in less than two years.

And no, it's not the Chrysler 200.

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Lincoln represents the best and worst of today's used car market. Let's start with the names because, let's face it. Even guys like me who make their living buying and selling cars have trouble figuring out the Lincoln line-up.

Thankfully all you need is a little bit of rhyming if you're looking at two year old Lincolns.

MKS... MKT. MKX and MKZ.

Four models. Throw in the Navigator and you have a quintet of slow selling vehicles which are bad news if you sell em' new, but worthwhile news if you are a used car buyer trying to hit em' where they ain't.

Lincolns are a double whammy when it comes to retailing. Most dealerships don't want them and the few that do often can't have them.

Dealerships that make their profits by financing cars won't buy them because they often wind up sitting on the car lots for months on end. In fact, many floorplan companies that support all those cars you see at a dealership these days, will not finance a Lincoln due to low retail demand. At the wholesale auctions, where millions of vehicles are sold between dealers, Lincolns are pretty much on a par with Volvos. Some folks say they like em'. But very few end up buying them

Even Ford dealers with little Lincoln showrooms buy very few of them. Foreigners, who have a huge influence on luxury vehicles at the wholesale level, can't export Lincoln because overseas buyers would look at the name and go, "Que?" or "Nyet!"

So the Lincoln models tends to go for a cheaper price than most other competitors. Sometimes even several thousands less than those with the right brand in front of their model name.

So you can get a good deal on a Lincoln these days. The tough question to consider is, "Are they worth it?. Well, consider the Lincoln MKS.

This is your Lincoln on drugs...

The Lincoln MKS is the car truck motorized vehicle that spearheads the Lincoln line-up at the used car lots. The MKS is pretty much what the Lincoln Continental was back in the Reagan era. A semi-luxurious Ford with a few extra features and some primped-up styling thrown in. At the auctions the 2012 models go for the same price as a Toyota Camry XLE, about $18,000, with a retail value usually between $20k to $22k.

So in essence, you get a car originally priced in Avalon territory for Camry money. And the kicker of the deal is that even at the low end, the MKS is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! than either of the decontented Toyotas.

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All-wheel drive is usually anywhere from free to an extra two'k, depending on your local weather (bad climates carry a premium). The optional 3.7 Liter 355 horspower Ecoboost version will typically cost an extra $5000. In the real world of daily driving, where your car goes anywhere from the 2/10's to maybe 5/10's of it's capabilities, the plain-jane MKS is really the one luxury sedan to buy if you want to hit em' where they ain't.

The Lincoln MKT is the same as the Flex underneath, while offering the used car buyer a level of distinctiveness (or ugliness) as other failed Lincolns with ill-chosen contours, such as the Zephyr and Blackwood. The MKT is also rare due to... the distinctiveness. They go for about $3000 more than the MKS because it's a crossover. So long story short, you won't find the killer deal here. However there is always room here at Jalopnik for contrarian opinions !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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Ouch! Skip this too.

Now the MKX is a midsize SUV. The same vehicle as the Ford Edge with perhaps a little too much inbreeding with whatever creature lurks deep inside Ford's parts bin.

The MKX name makes you think sporty. But when you see it in person, you wind up saying, "Oh, that's what it is." and then conveniently forget about the whole experience two days later. If you are considering a mid-size SUV that can haul, this one won't. It can tow 3500 pounds which is roughly what an 18 year old Chrysler minivan can haul.

So long story short, don't even bother. Wholesale prices on a 2012 model is around $21,500, with all-wheel-drive adding another $2000 to that total. The Cadillac SRX has virtually identical resale values, with better reliability. The auctions increasingly can't get rid of this Lincoln because those folks who wanted a luxurious SUV that can't haul anything are now buying crossovers instead.

That leaves my personal favorite, the MKZ.

The truth is nobody exactly knew who Lincoln was targeting when the MKZ was first released. It could have been old people. It could have been young people. It could even have been the twelve or so souls who actually understood Jimmy Fallon's commercials at the time, which prominently featured the second -generation MKZ.

In spite of the random Nirvana-like tweets that came with their advertising campaign, Lincoln always had a true contender on their hands with the MKZ. They just managed to bungle their pitch badly by aiming at the opposing team's mascots and, with that first generation, not making the side profile that much different from a Ford Fusion. In the case of the MKZ, Lincoln was aiming to take on the automotive androgyny of the time that was the Lexus ES350 and the Buick LaCrosse.

Once you outfit the MKZ the right way, it completely blows away these two models. It's not even close. The interior is a world better and the exterior offers more presence than either the Lexus or the Buick. The price of a 2012 model on a wholesale level is about the same as a loaded Toyota Camry LE or, just $1000 more than a 2011 Buick Lucerne.

A six-cylinder or hybrid model will wholesale for right around $15,000 which means you should expect a retail price around $17,000 to $18,000 with a modest $1000 premium for all-wheel-drive.

The good news with the MKZ is two-fold. First, the hybrid really doesn't cost much more than the loaded V6 models in the used car market. So you can get a near-luxury car that gets close to 40 miles per gallon for about the same price as a modern day, low-level compact car.

The other good news is that since the MKZ is the last year of the prior generation, it goes for a steep discount in the used car market while offering outstanding reliability.

You do have to be careful with avoiding some of the low-level features. The sound system on the lower end models can be particularly heinous. But if you opt to go just a little bit of upscale, you can still hit a sweet spot price wise.

At the moment Lincoln caters to two different groups. The remaining traditionalists who still long for the size and space of the old world that was American luxury. Those folks, more than likely someone's dad, are going to be happier with the MKS and the MKT.

The near luxury crowd that doesn't want the stiff price premium and potential quality issues of a German car, will favor the MKX and MKZ along with a long, long line of alternative American, Japanese and Korean competition.

My own choice of the four would be the MKZ. But personally, I would want to hit the absolute bottom side of the depreciation curve, say 10 years old or so, before pulling the trigger on one. By that time Lincoln, acronyms and all, will be an orphan brand with an even steeper discount.

Big Bubba Ray > Steven Lang 12/05/2014 at 12:12

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My ex and I rented an MKS a few years ago when we went to Naples, FL for a week. I have to admit it wasn't that bad of a car. Stereo was decent, smooth enough ride and the greatest part of all: cooled seats.

Clay...Bill Clay > Steven Lang 12/05/2014 at 15:00

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"The auctions increasingly can't get rid of this Lincoln because those folks who wanted a luxurious SUV that can't haul anything are now buying crossovers instead."

The MKX is a crossover. It's based on the CD3 platform, which, among other cars, underpinned the previous gen Fusion. And towing capacity of 3500 pounds is right in line with comparable CUVs.

Jimmy Tango > Steven Lang 12/05/2014 at 17:53

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Where can I find reliable auction value, a.k.a. used car dealer's bottom line?

thedevilinside > Big Bubba Ray 12/06/2014 at 14:08

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Cooled seats are an underrated and not made enough option.

lolwaffles69rofl > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:15

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The Ecoboost is a 3.5. The 3.7 is the base engine and isn't boosted.

kosmokenny > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:15

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The MKS Ecoboost is shockingly good for what you can get them for. The MKT I have mixed feelings on. I love the Flex. The MKT and Flex are both ugly, but the Flex is beautiful in a "FU IM A DAMN BOX, IT DOESNT GET ANY MORE FORM OVER FUNCTION THAN THAT" kind of way. I also like the seats in the Flex a lot better. That being said, the massive sunroof in the MKT is awesomesauce, the stereo is not utter shiat like the Sony in the Flex is, and the 2nd row buckets can be heated and cooled instead of just heated like the Flex. You have to spend an insane amount of money to get a better road trip vehicle for 4 adults than the MKT, which you can get fully loaded and low miles for under 25k. Plus, any car with the 3.5 ecoboost is a modest chip tune away from 400 hp, which is just about perfect for a DD.

Hutch > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:18

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I have a 2012 Lincoln MKZ AWD V6 that's loaded with everything. Traded in my Audi A3 on it because I wanted a 'luxury' car that was just get in and drive/reliable (which any Audi struggles with). I knew I had a year ahead of me when I bought it last year where I would put on 25k plus, and didn't want to deal with crazy maintenance beyond oil and basics. Picked up the Lincoln at a then great price of 23k with 20k on it. It's depreciated to 15 ish already (given I have over 50k on it already), but it's just a solid, dependable car with a great ride. I bought a new Ram for my daily so it basically sits now, but it's not worth anything so just leave it in the garage for road trips. Just did a Thanksgiving run of 1600 miles round trip and it was great.

Brosenkranz > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:18

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I guess I'm the only one who thinks the MKT is actually a fantastic looking car. I especially love the back half, with the hips that harken back to cars of yore, the full-width tail lights and the interesting SUV application of a boat tail. The concept was better, yes, but they aren't that much different and everybody loved the concept.

SlabSheetrock > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 14:29

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The problem with that back end is that the pronounced slope cuts way into rear head and cargo room. The Flex carries way more as a result of its son-of-240 styling.

SlabSheetrock > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:30

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Also: Steven, I enjoyed the hell out of your articles over at that other joint. Please post more!

KilgoreTrout53 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:32

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Is there any method to the madness of these letters?

Is there a mnemonic or something (like MK T = Truck, S = sedan, C = Coupe - yeah I know this ins't the code, that's for friggin sure) an old fart like me can employ to remember wtf is what?

Rockchops > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 14:34

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I'd have to agree with you...that you're the only one that thinks its a fantastic looking car :). I would nearly classify it as offensive, in the very least it is pretty ungainly. I think its problem is its sheer size — the shape kind of worked in the 40s but now it appears bloated.

Tatanko > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:35

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One correction: the Ecoboost MKS is a 3.5L. The 3.7L is the N/A "base" engine.

Wave Motion Gun > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:36

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From a financial perspective, purchasing a new Lincoln is basically the same as putting a giant bag full of quarters with a hole in it on the roof of your car and driving around like a madman.

DerrickD > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:39

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I actually just spent quite a bit of time in Lincolns. 3-4 weeks in a MKX during October. I found the ride to be excellent, seats extremely comfortable but offering NO lateral support, and visibility being good. It grew on me quite a bit over those weeks but in the end, I was reminded why I like cars better than SUVs (driving, darting, accelerating). If I am going to drive a SUV, I am going all in with a frame based offroader.... though I could be swayed for a Cayenne Turbo :drool:

I also drove a MKS and shockingly loved it! The ride in regular mode was pretty terrible though. I hated the floatyness but yet you still felt the bumps. It was like half sport and half float, and couldn't figure out what the ride should be. As time when on I found that sport mode got rid of all that floatyness and suddenly became an excellent handling car. I was quite shocked how good it was! I drove the hell out of it a couple days and it took everything I gave it. I also found the seats had heat, cooling, and massaging. Remote start was also great for the cold mornings over Thanksgiving week. I liked it enough that I speced out a loaded ecoboost 3.5 (both rentals had a potent 3.7) at $52k. I am not pulling the trigger on it but it seems to be a good value for the options you get. Wife even mentioned trading her loaded Fusion sport, which she loves.

m4dne55 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:43

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those are some ugly cars

PardonMyFlemish16 > Wave Motion Gun 12/06/2014 at 14:44

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I'm really struggling to think who would do such a think in this information age

The cars aren't bad, but the ownership costs. My god. I feel like you would come out way ahead in 3-5 years with even an ES350 if you could swing the payments.

FCV-8311 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:46

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Give them actual names instead of a mish-mash of seemingly random letters. That would be a hell of a start.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:52

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Thing is, an Ecoboost AWD MKS weighs as much as a house...and isn't really fun to drive at all. For the money, I'd rather have a 535i.

R W > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:54

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It have been in the back of the mkt many times as a black car. Feels very lux inside. So far above what the old town car was.

jedimario > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 14:56

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Screw you, I love my used Navigator.

NeonBlaqk > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 15:04

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I had a "shut up and take my money" moment when Lincoln made this happen. I repaid the favor by visiting their space at an auto show...but I probably wouldn't actually buy one.

Mark McGwire Breastfeeding Fantasy > Jimmy Tango 12/06/2014 at 15:15

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Get your hands on a grey or black book to get an idea of what wholesalers expect to buy and sell at. There's obviously plenty of exceptions, but its a good place to start.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 15:17

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It was only now that I realized that the MKS and MKZ are different cars. That's how much Lincoln is off my radar.

DavidHH > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 15:20

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Domestically Produced Auto's are usually your best value, and I'm not referring to Domestically Assembled. The price, parts and service are better, and the used market has less competition for the consumer. The only problem is when the Domestic Market does not make what you want or need, and for us, automatics are not acceptable. Still I would expect a used Lincoln to significantly cheap to own, particularly if you drive your cars until they die, and thus do not care about resale value, like we do.

heeltoehero > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 12/06/2014 at 15:29

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The cost of ownership over 8 years is much higher. The MKS is the right choice for someone on a budget whose priorities are a bit of poke in a package that is supple and quiet. Not everyone wants all of their cars to light their hair on fire all the time. For some people that's what weekend cars are for.

Cue the jalop rage.

DivideXZero > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 15:29

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I've been say the same about the remodeled MKZ. Used FWD versions at in the low 20s with very low miles. If you are buying a car with warranty still, looked good, drive great, and had luxury, these would have to be steals.

Built BMW Tough > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 15:34

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Get an AWD Ecoboost version, flash some performance software, and BOOM you have a 12-second land yacht.

Shiftright > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 15:35

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I dig it..a lot...

bleedsblue23 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 15:36

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A massively tuned TT 6 lincoln could be a fun car to screw with people...

Rev Hang Slows My Roll > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 15:51

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DAT AZZ!!!!!!

= I C E D R E E = > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 15:55

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I like it too :)

wutang > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:02

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God i hope lincoln goes through a rebirth.......rwd. awd. Something people would actually want to drive. Only way i can see it surviving thd next 10 years if they do a 4 model deal. One midsized car. small suv. Large suv. Sports car.

fintail > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:07

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I have a friend who swoons over the MKZ, but likely due to depreciation, it leases worse than a German car with 10K+++ more MSRP, and he's not willing to lay down around 50K for a new Lincoln, no matter how loaded. I've told him to wait about 27 months, and he'll benefit.

Lothar of the Hill People > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:11

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I love Lincolns and really think their problem is just advertising. Look at how much Mcconaughey's commercials have bumped sales. I REALLY wanted a new Navigator but the wifey couldn't resist all those new Yukon XL Denalis sitting on the lot this summer. The 'Gator wasn't on the lots till much more recently.

Also, I have a neighbor who leaves for work in the morning around the same time I do. She has an MKS and flogs the snot out of it. Those cars will fly!

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > heeltoehero 12/06/2014 at 16:15

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I guess you're right...for some it is the right choice. However, I'd gladly pay the extra cost to have the nicer interior, superior tech, and a far superior car overall. I know of course the average person doesn't really care and that's fine. Even the SHO Taurus which this is based off of is numb, incredibly heavy, ponderous, and under-braked. This is even heavier and softer. I would not enjoy it.

JohnDoeIII > Big Bubba Ray 12/06/2014 at 16:22

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I love the cooled seats in my Navigator.

Steve in Manhattan > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:24

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Some of the contract jobs I do come with a ride home at night. When an MKT pulls up I think the same thing as I do when a Town Car pulls up - this is a nice, quiet, comfortable way to get home. This should be the new "black car" for NYC. Rode home in an R-Class Mercedes once - not as comfortable. The only car I've ridden in that's better than these Lincolns is a Lexus 600hL. When the driver pulled up and the number in the window matched the email, I was sure there had been a mistake. Nope - he got a good deal off a lease and loved the comfort during his long days. So did I.

stevefromtheinternets > Rev Hang Slows My Roll 12/06/2014 at 16:27

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What... what in hell's name is going on back there?

AlphonzeMephesto > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:30

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I just checked Auto Trader, there are currently 5 Lincoln's for sale nationally, and 31 Lamborghini's. It's apparently 6 times easier to get your hands on a used Lambo than a Fancy Ford in this socialist tundra!

anon-sxmcyecofnu1eocpqsk9iq > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 16:30

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I love the tail lights, but the car's a bit too bulky. It would look great slimmed down to a smaller SUV or even wagon.

wilderthanthehate > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:34

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"...those folks who wanted a luxurious SUV that can't haul anything are now buying crossovers instead." If the MKX isn't a crossover, then I'm super confused.

Keith Moon > Rockchops 12/06/2014 at 16:34

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lol

blackjack666 > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 16:37

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I also absolutely love the design! Would get this over nearly anything else, except maybe a new S63. The curves and hips are just perfect whereas the grille manages to be elegant and representative.

Bobsmith30 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:44

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I've always hated those center consoles on those generation fords. Same with the taurus.

bigthree313 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:49

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Used car "steals" are never as they seem. There are so many variables that go into why cars are cost what they do. Stop trying to outsmart the marketplace. The used car market is INCREDIBLY efficient and you're not getting the deal you think. Lincolns are so cheap because nobody wants them. That means when it comes time for you to sell, not only will it take forever to move on craigslist or Autotrader, you'll lose your shirt. Same with Volvo.

Lincolns make great black cars. And I find the MKX, MKZ, MKC to be sharp. Would never buy them though.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:50

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The only thing that would prevent me from buying a used Lincoln is that even with Lincoln's attempts to appeal to a younger crowd, I get the feeling that all the little touches were eliminated by the bean-counters. Someone else mentioned the lack of lateral support in the front seats, which is a good example of something that you'd get in an Infiniti, Acura, BMW, or Mercedes. Unfortunately, that's one of the few things that cannot be improved or added to a car, for a reasonable price.

I don't know much about the other features that Lincolns have (or don't), but that's probably because I don't rent enough cars to get free upgrades.

polka1 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:56

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Expected?

tapzz > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:57

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They go for about $3000 more than the MKS because it's a crossover.

That's it; I'm done. Can I get off this planet now?

Drive-able > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 16:59

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Edit: 3.5 liter ecoboost

CaptainBoss > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:04

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This is comparing cars I'd never look at with cars I'd never look at. The variety of DD-able cars at the $18-20k price point means that anyone who a.) has eyes or b.) likes cars never needs to consider these crapcans. For this price you can get a similarly aged A4, a late model Suburban, a recent Boxster, or a great car in any class that you would be interested in. No reason to plumb the bottom of the barrel when good options are out there.

ZweiDeutschesAutos > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:08

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Good article but the few references to Volvos made me ask why not just get one of them? They're great cars, better-looking, and better-performing than any of these sort of miserable red-headed Lincoln stepchildren. Probably for similar money given the depreciation.

Steve in Manhattan > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 12/06/2014 at 17:11

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Loved my '97 SHO - sold it when I moved to the city. Like the looks of the new one - sad to hear that it's a pig. I haven't driven one - not on any rental car menu that I've seen.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > AlphonzeMephesto 12/06/2014 at 17:12

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Do you have a source for this?

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > Bobsmith30 12/06/2014 at 17:15

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Yeah the whole interior in my dads Edge feels swollen. The center console is hugging your thigh and the dashboard is jutting towards you, which makes me feel claustrophobic in that car. And cops feel the same way. They Aren't buying the the Taurus PI because they don't have enough room for their belt.

BOB JACOBSON > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:25

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Thanks for the tips. I might start looking for an AWD MKZ or MKS next year. I currently purchase drive and flip about every six months. My situation has been allowing me to essentially pay retail where I purchase and sell where I live for 2-3k profit after 6-12 months. They key being AWD. Ive been focusing on Subarus and have been doing well with them but I always get nervous buying used Imprezas, havent been burned yet but the right car is hard to come by.

Carwood > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:36

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From this angle the headlights and lines of the car look rather nice. Too bad their grille stinks.

LoremIpsum010101 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:54

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An MKZ hybrid sounds like a great classy commuter car. The interiors really are quite nice.

The World of Vee > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 17:56

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whoa random shout out! I bought the MKT for my mom, the split wing design is much better than the waterfall grill, looks more handsome and a less ungainly. She absolutely adores the car, loves the comfort etc and absolutely loves the fact that Lincoln dealer picks the car up from home And gives her a loaner for service.

Can't say the same for the range Rover and BMW she used to have!

The World of Vee > SlabSheetrock 12/06/2014 at 17:56

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That's my only complaint. Its not as bad as youd think but its not as much as the flex

The World of Vee > AlphonzeMephesto 12/06/2014 at 17:59

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Funny...carmax has over 400

slippedclutch > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 18:08

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The problem with Lincoln being Ford's "near luxury" nameplate, is that Ford already has the near luxury category covered in every way. Lincoln is actually inhibiting Ford from offering true luxury products. I personally wouldn't mind spending a premium money on an anti-luxury nameplate, like Ford. But I would never spend premium money on a Lincoln, which is a brand that just doesn't appeal to me or most people under the age of 65. Although I was just in a Uber car recently, and the guy swore up and down that his MKT was "the best car in the world." Much better than his previous Lexus. I find that really hard to believe, but it was the perspective of someone who was relatively new to this country.

QCGoose > Big Bubba Ray 12/06/2014 at 18:38

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We have the cooled seats in our '14 Flex Limited and man oh man are they great.

Quadradeuce > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 18:43

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i personally think that the MKZ is the best luxury VALUE out there. We test drove one and loved it for the price. But it doesn't baby well, so we will have to wait to see what the next generation brings when the kids don't need monster car seats.

jayd > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 18:49

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I hate how American auto manufacturers slap shitty chrome highlights all over the GD place then stand back and go, "Opulence. We has it"

bison78 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 18:51

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The problem with that very high initial depreciation is that it continues. So that used Camry that cost the same as the used Lincoln when both are two years old is going to be worth a lot more than the used Lincoln a couple of years down the road.

Big Bubba Ray > QCGoose 12/06/2014 at 18:54

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Must have in hot climates!

tytanium > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 12/06/2014 at 19:08

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Wasn't the 2014 SHO outfitted with a much better base brake package (not the sport package ones, which are even bigger) with much better overheating protection? I've been looking at used 2014 SHOs to replace my '12 Focus because even with just 10k miles on the clock, it knocks off about 12-15k off the original sticker price.

CTvolvo > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 19:17

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Great to see your byline back, Steve! Great analysis as usual.

CyanogenModFTW > Built BMW Tough 12/06/2014 at 19:27

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Exactly!

shocontinental > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 19:37

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The optional 3.7 Liter 355 horspower Ecoboost version will typically cost an extra $5000.

There isn't a 3.7 Ecoboost. The Ecoboost V6 (besides the 2.7) in the Taurus, Explorer, Flex, F150, Transit, MKS, MKT, Expedition, Navigator, and Police Interceptor is a 3.5.

#corrections.

Alternative Facts > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 19:49

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Me too, I have one. Friends love it, even those with BMWs, Mercedes, or both. Love all the gadgets like the fridge. Road trip machine, best in class rear legroom by far. Like the low seats, no climbing aboard. Two words you see in every review: "long" and "fast." Conspicuous consumption. Iconoclastic. I like it.

DipodomysDeserti > heeltoehero 12/06/2014 at 20:03

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BMW gives you free maintenance for the first five years, and after that the oil changes are only once a year. There's not much else to worry about on them. I have a 2011 335d and I have spent $0 on it. I just got new pads and rotors on all four corners for free.

BullittFan_Fords4Life > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 12/06/2014 at 20:18

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Nope, wrong. Try again.

The Police Interceptor sedan doesn't even come with a center console- that was the entire point of shipping them with a column shifter and an open front floor to be able to fit the old CVPI equipment docks.

TadKosciuszko > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 20:30

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Where would they bottom out in depreciation after a decade? Around 6-8 grand or so?

AlphonzeMephesto > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 12/06/2014 at 20:34

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Was through the Auto Trader phone app, the website has 1251 listed. I stand corrected, and never trusting that app again

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > BullittFan_Fords4Life 12/06/2014 at 20:38

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Yeah and I've read a few reviews of the new PI and with the CVPI dock it is too cramped, so they can't wear their belts comfortably. And I quote "The problem was to my right. I'm right handed, as is most of the population. My holster was pressed against the seat-belt latch, which was in turn pressed tight against the metal side of the aftermarket console that contains the police radios and switch gear for the lights and siren. The pressure forced the end of my holster, which is an unforgiving lump of high- impact plastic, to dig into my leg." Source: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/cop-re…

RJP > Built BMW Tough 12/06/2014 at 20:41

0

Can you really make it a 12 second car with only performance chip?

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > AlphonzeMephesto 12/06/2014 at 20:41

0

Haha yeah I thought that seemed a bit low

R.S.D. > Brosenkranz 12/06/2014 at 20:44

1

... love the back half... full width tail... hips... boat tail...

I feel a song coming on:

ambush27 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 21:11

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3.5 ecoboost, not 3.7 which came out a few years later. Also the mkz was only available with the 3.5 from the fusion sport which didn't really have much more power than the 3.0. I think it was from 240-260.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 21:21

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FUGLY!

Matt > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 21:21

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The EcoBoost available in the MKS and MKT is a 3.5 L, the NA motors are 3.7.

I dont know about in the US, but they lease well up here in Canada.

bobkustofawitshz > Carwood 12/06/2014 at 21:31

4

I actually think that black MKS with the sport package doesn't look too bad at all, at least from the front. The blacked out headlights really change the character of the car.

They really fucked up on the refresh, though.

RichardNixon72 > Steven Lang 12/06/2014 at 22:10

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Lincolns are a used car buyer's gold mine. There is literally no downside to buying one versus an overpriced import. To add to Steve's rationale, here's another one- Lincoln's superior factory warranty - 2/24 scheduled maintenance, 4/50 bumper-to-bumper, and 6/70 powertrain (100k on hybrids).

Please tell me again why you'd buy an entry-level Acura, Volvo, Infiniti or new VW, Honda, Toyota, Nissan...?

RichardNixon72 > CaptainBoss 12/06/2014 at 22:12

16

An aged A4 is a timebomb out of warranty. So is a Boxster. Really?

RichardNixon72 > Jimmy Tango 12/06/2014 at 22:13

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Depends on the dealer. Buy a subscription to Black Book or buy one a few weeks old online.

Truth is, every dealer's bottom line is different vehicle to vehicle when talking about used cars.

CaptainBoss > RichardNixon72 12/06/2014 at 22:15

4

Recent models of both are extremely reliable if they're taken care of. My B8 A4 has been fantastically reliable, and Boxsters are known for their reliability.

RichardNixon72 > ZweiDeutschesAutos 12/06/2014 at 22:16

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Long-term dependability except for the XC90.

RichardNixon72 > bison78 12/06/2014 at 22:18

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The point is, you're saving a bunch on INITIAL depreciation and getting a superior car with superior content. Camries always punch above their weight on resale because - like most Toyotas - there is a healthy export market for them. Dealers know they can run them through the lane no matter how godawful they are condition-wise and get a decent return on an 'overvalued' trade.

RichardNixon72 > bigthree313 12/06/2014 at 22:21

1

There comes a time where resale value is more about condition, equipment, and mileage. At a certain point, the vast majority of used cars are worth within $3,000 of one another. If you plan on buying a low-mileage MKZ/S/X and keeping it for four-six years or longer, you're doing very well.

RichardNixon72 > CaptainBoss 12/06/2014 at 22:24

4

There's the big 'if.' I'm more wary of an off-lease Audi than and off-lease Lincoln, and especially an Audi that has been around the block a few times versus a similar-aged Lincoln.

As far as the Boxster, its not really in the same neighborhood as these cars (i.e. bang-for-your-buck practical cars), but IMS failure. That's a big concern.

emjayay > FCV-8311 12/06/2014 at 22:35

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Or a hierarchy of numbers. Cadillac has figured this out.

emjayay > KilgoreTrout53 12/06/2014 at 22:48

2

All the "MK"s sort of stand for Mark, as in Lincoln Continental Mark II.

I think the MKZ used to be the Zephyr for a year or two, named after a late 30's Lincoln model. The original 1940 Continental was a sectioned Zephyr. The MKZ was a retrimmed Fusion with its own interior, and with the current Fusion it's a pretty much unique body on the same platform.

The MKX maybe means Crossover. Similar to the Fusion/MKZ, it was a retrimmed Edge but now has its own body on the same platform.

The new small crossover is the MKC. C for Cheap? C for Cute Ute?

MKS - Supersized? The big one like an S class?

They should do what Cadillac is doing, a hierarchy of numbers, or go with names. Obviously they tried the name thing with the Zephyr, but didn't think it worked.

Caymaro > RichardNixon72 12/06/2014 at 23:10

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IMS failure is not a concern in the 2006 and up Boxters.

HRHKingRonjatheSaint > AlphonzeMephesto 12/06/2014 at 23:27

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huh? You must live in the country and have the radius set to 50 miles...because I am in a major metro, and we have over 5o alone for starters...

FCV-8311 > emjayay 12/06/2014 at 23:28

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Letter/Number combos that have some sort of reasoning to them are good, but I'd still prefer names. If someone says Continental or Town Car we instantly associate those names with Lincoln. MKS, on the other hand, could be several makes and are hard to nail down to a single brand.

darthd > DipodomysDeserti 12/06/2014 at 23:35

1

>once a year oil changes

Enjoy your fucked up engine at 100k or soon after. You should halve their recommended interval if want your car to last.

Pr1ck35imsport > DipodomysDeserti 12/06/2014 at 23:37

2

lol. The first rule about BMW is to never own one out of warranty. If you can, never own outside of free maintenance either. Front brakes or rear brakes ("or", not "and") are $1400. That's just a taste.

I loved my e92 335 but the day that warranty ended I started with my doubts. I bailed a month later the first time I had a several thousand repair bill.

(Mind you I drive a BMW still -

A big BMW fan - but I'll take an Acura fore reliability if it were remotely as good a driver .

Mufti H > Steve in Manhattan 12/07/2014 at 00:28

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NYC Black Cars will stick to town cars for atleast another 5-7 years(considering they refuse to break down and are obscenely cheap), but the Cadillac XTS is already being slowly phased in to replace it as services like Carey and Uber X push for it.
Black cars are sort of dying anyways though, and not only because of Uber and Lyft. Much more people are using public trans. and riding bikes, and the upper class members typically have their own driver more often now then before