akirby

Bingo. And anyone who disagrees is stupid.

Depends on whether the problem affected early builds and whether it's a safety issue or not. Just because they stopped shipping to fix the problem doesn't mean it's a recall or that it's a safety issue that would require a stop sale.

Does the engine come with restricter plates?

This is the danger allowing orders before cars are shipping normally. If they don't allow it people get pissed that they can't pre-order. If they allow pre-ordering then any problem or delay gets blown up and everyone gets impatient and pissed off at delays. It's a double edged sword - damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Because if it could then they wouldn't need cooling mules....

Because it's not all speculation. It's a FACT that they killed Mercury and sold the other PAG brands. It's a FACT that they are utilizing unique sheetmetal, interiors and features like electronically controlled suspensions and retractable glass roofs. It's a FACT that they are changing the dealership experience. It's a FACT that they now have a dedicated staff of 150+ people who work on nothing but Lincoln including 100% of the vehicle design. Gloria is right. Even if the MKZ turns out great, you'll say that's just one vehicle and it still doesn't have a unique powertrain because the 3.7L is available in other vehicles. If Lincoln doesn't build what YOU want it to build they're a failure. We get it. Move on.

I think all Fords will have hybrid drivetrains as soon as they have the production capacity. It's key for CAFE compliance.

I'm sure it only applies to orders, not already built vehicles.

Don't forget we're talking about the previous Focus, not the current Focus, which makes it an even more compelling reason to go with the Escape.

I agree they could have differentiated them somehow but they can't do that with every single small difference between trim levels. That's why it's risky to buy a pre-production vehicle before you ever see it in person.

What you see in Lincoln dealerships right now is not "the strategy". Even the MKZ doesn't fully represent the new "strategy". We haven't seen any vehicles developed yet under the "new strategy". So how can you proclaim the "new strategy" schizophrenic or the same old same old when you haven't even seen it yet?

And what about the model comparison which is text?

Fair enough. I guess I read too much into your disappointment.....

That's what I keep saying. Aren't they built on the same platform? It would be a nice vehicle but I don't think it would garner the incremental sales to warrant the investment right now.

After Mulally took over there was only one focus - Ford. That continued until they made the decision to go ahead with a Lincoln revitalization which started with killing Mercury and hiring a dedicated design and other staff. That only happened recently and they have not waivered from that plan yet. So I don't understand the reference to previous plans because they were not nearly the same as the new one.

The difference between the worst and the best is so much smaller than it used to be and the worst vehicles aren't that bad any more. You're just not seeing the rattle traps and failed engines and transmissions after 100K miles any more.

Mercury was never entry-lux - it was just Fords with a different grille. Lincoln may never be what you want them to be but that doesn't mean they won't be successful. Lexus sold 13K FWD based luxury vehicles last month across 2 models. They only sold 6K RWD split across 6 vehicles. Lincoln is going after the high volume, high profit vehicles first. Why don't you just admit that you don't like Lincolns and move on?

I understand they offer them sometimes. I just don't understand why you'd expect and/or demand it.

Lights under the side mirrors that illuminate the ground near the door as you approach the vehicle.

Where all new Lincolns exist before they're shown to the public.

Rebate coupons on a new car that hasn't even started shipping yet? I don't get it.

Absolutely not. There is nothing keen or mentally astute about ignoring all of the differences in how Ford is handling Lincoln now vs in the past. It's ok to be skeptical as to whether it will work or not - that remains to be seen. To say that Ford is doing the same thing they've always done is ignorant.

Sketchy? Good grief - you ordered a vehicle without actually seeing it in person. There will be dozens of things that changed from the pre-production models or that weren't spelled out explicitly in the specs or on the website. Think about how difficult it would be to word the differences in a spec sheet. It's ok to be disappointed but don't blame Ford on this one because you ordered a pre-production vehicle.

Can make a huge difference, even within the same brand and model. A Ford tire engineer said they went through 20 different formulas from Firestone for the 2000 Lincoln LS debut before they got one they were happy with. Even within the same brand and model there can be huge differences. Like the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 - there are at least 3 and maybe 4 different versions of that tire. Ford's oem version is different from Honda's oem version is different than the generic one. The specs are different, too. I switched from the oem Michelins to the BFG super sports and lost 2 mpg. So don't assume it was just the wheels or the size.