"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/15/2016 at 20:17 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Volvo S80, Jaguar S-Type, Lincoln LS, Ford
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"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/15/2016 at 20:17 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Volvo S80, Jaguar S-Type, Lincoln LS, Ford | 4
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Last time on Used Car Face-Off we highlighted several SUVs from Japan made in the early 2000's that are likely mascots of reliability and will serve you for many thousands of miles. However, our Euro-American trio today is also from the early 2000s, and each vehicle has a mileage under 100K. That is a good thing, as these are three of the most notorious reliability nightmares from Ford during that era: the Volvo S80 T6, the Lincoln LS, and the Jaguar S-Type. Which will you attempt to use as a means of transportation and prestige despite the dubious reputation?
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The Volvo S80 marked somewhat of a downturn in reliability for Volvo at the beginning of the Ford era, with the S80 the most egregious offender with iffy electronics and a horrendously unreliable GM 4 speed transmission in the T6 models like this one. However, this particular example seems to be well-taken care of, and with only 76K miles, it still has at least 10K more to go before its first transmission replacement! Is its understated Scandinavian style which still looks as good today as it was groundbreaking in 1999 worth the $5.5K figure?
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The Lincoln LS was meant to be somewhat of a response to the increasing number of European imports on the roads in the early 2000s as Ford’s rendition of the Cadillac Catera. Unlike the Catera, however, the LS was designed with the American market in mind instead of being a rebadged Omega, and so the LS was never much of a sports car but more a luxury cruiser. However, they have been known to eat transmissions and engines alike as referred to by Wikipedia, although since this one has only covered 81K miles, will its far less complex engine bay, RWD platform, and lower cost let it surpass the Swedecrusier?
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The S-Type was designed as a platform mate to the LS and thus shares several characteristics to the Lincoln including the RWD and reliability standard. However, the seller of this big cat touts that because it is the 4.2 RWD, it bests the 3.0 AWD in terms of reliability figures. Does this big gold saloon car appeal to you at $5.5K and 98K miles, or do you find truth in the statement that this was Jaguar’s Edsel?
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 20:27 |
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Ford for me, because I owned a Ferd from that era so my expectations will soften the blow.
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/15/2016 at 20:36 |
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Excuse me: Lincoln
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Amoore100
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/15/2016 at 20:37 |
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Yes, but I doubt the LS comes anywhere near the relative reliability of your Duratec Sable...
Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 21:02 |
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I wonder what my LS is worth, considering it has a third of the mileage and is in perfect mechanical condition (the interior looks almost new). It has been quite reliable, too. The Volvo is probably the most reliable, though.
Frenchlicker
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 21:54 |
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However aside from the engine nothing else was reliable. I've owned a Vulcan Taurus so I think I'm prepared for ownership of these vehicles.
shop-teacher
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 22:30 |
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Ehhhh, I’ll take the Volvo. It’s the best looking, and it has those comfy comfy seats for when I'm waiting for the tow truck. I really wanted to like the LS when it came out, but it was just so ... Meh looking. Those Jags are freaking hideous.
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Amoore100
> Frenchlicker
01/15/2016 at 22:36 |
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Not sure if it's worth it though after all the pain and suffering...just be lazy and get a Town Car instead if you want a Ford cruiser that you can not spend a fortune fixing...
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Amoore100
> shop-teacher
01/15/2016 at 22:38 |
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Interesting but true observation, although one might argue that the Volvo badge carries the least cachet for American buyers in comparison to Lincoln which had the Continental and Jag who had the E Type while Volvo was busy selling 240s...
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shop-teacher
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 22:48 |
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You’re right, but I’ve never been much into brand cachet. The LS is no Continental (although it’s better than the awful turd they were calling a Continental at that time), and the S-Type is a visual abomination with no redeeming aesthetic features.
Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
> Amoore100
01/15/2016 at 23:26 |
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I really never knew that all of these were Fords HAHA. But some time in my childhood I remember loving each of these a separate times.
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Amoore100
> shop-teacher
01/16/2016 at 00:53 |
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Agreed, neither have I, but I just found it an interesting reversal of roles in that the oldest car with the least coveted badge is the nicest of the bunch, and that Lincoln and Jaguar were just screwing around while Volvo quietly made decent, if not the most exciting cars.
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Amoore100
> Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
01/16/2016 at 00:58 |
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Well, you learn something every day! The only reason I first learned of the S80's relationship with Ford is because many years ago my dad’s mechanic recommended a replacement for his ancient 740 in the form of the Ford Five Hundred because it used the Volvo P2 platform (as did the S80). As for the Jag and Lincoln, it was all over the Motor Trend articles that I pored over as a kid. Interestingly enough, as a kid I couldn’t care less about European and American cars and just wanted to know why they couldn’t build things as reliable and good as the Japanese. I’d say I’ve matured out of that Japanese-only mentality and started appreciating Euro more, although I really love all cars in general.
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Frenchlicker
> Amoore100
01/16/2016 at 07:17 |
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Where I come from if I want a cheap Ford cruiser I’d get an F150. Tad more useful too.
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Amoore100
> Eric @ opposite-lock.com
01/19/2016 at 22:08 |
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The Volvo seems to be an iffy case, where the engine is pretty much bulletproof but some owners have reported as many as 4 transmissions at 180k miles whereas others are on the original at that mileage. Specific examples and driving style seems to factor in with the Volvo, which is likely true for all three of these models.
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Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> Amoore100
01/20/2016 at 00:15 |
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The thing is that both the LS and the S-type have the same basic engine design - Jaguar’s cursed AJ-V8. The upside to the LS is that the parts for it are pretty cheap and readily available, but the downside is that they cut corners and put things like plastic timing chain tensioners in the Lincoln (these were metal in the Jaguar). The probability of having to replace coil packs regularly is high with both and other engine problems are known to be common. Both have very questionable transmissions.
So, the Volvo has the upside of a more reliable engine to offset the other problems, which is why I’d put my money on it being more reliable overall.
V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> Amoore100
02/07/2016 at 16:44 |
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If this were a “DD, Track, Burn” article, I would vote to burn all 3 and I’m a Ford fanatic....
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Amoore100
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
02/07/2016 at 17:03 |
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Well it wasn’t really Ford’s fault...ok, it was.