stpatrick90

I got stuck with an HHR rental on business in Southern Cali a couple of months ago and never thought any automaker could make a car as shitty as the PT Cruiser was but somehow GM succeeded at this dishonorable task.

AWD or 4WD is the only way I can even entertain the idea of getting up my winding hilly driveway in the winter months, the MKZ was completely defeated by a few inches of late season snow (granted that might be greatly attributed to the low rolling resistance tires more than anything granted the old Sable never did too well even with snow tires).

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I believe that can be attributed to the fact that the 3.0L is both E85 capable (huge in Brazil) and is also available with AWD. Also they don't offer the 3.5L there and that probably most simply can be attributed to the fact that it isn't E85 capable. If the 2.5L (or whatever 4 cylinder a future Fusion may have) could be made to run E85 and sold there it would easily be more popular than the 3.0L.

So after this whole article showdown and such I decided to go out and test some of these vehicles. I am currently interested in purchasing an Explorer and luckily was able to track one down at a local Ford dealership (only found one), it was a XLT 4WD with MyFord and the panoramic roof. The dealership said that they had other people interested and were slightly apprehensive about letting me test drive it but I was able to convince them. So I have already had some brief seat time in a new Explorer and new what to sort of what to expect. Things I noticed, it has a great ride (over the broken pavement around here it tracked straight and true with little in the way of uncomfortable-ness noticed) and on quick back road jaunt it proved to be a competent handler for such a behemoth. Another thing I noticed was how quiet it was, I wasn't expecting it to be as quiet as it was. As to be expected the build quality was impressive with no noticeable issues (I even banged on trim pieces slightly to see their strength/sturdiness and found nothing to be concerned with). MyFord Touch worked perfect for all basic functions such as radio and climate (I find myself preferring the XLT's MyFord interface more than the Limited's Sony My Ford interface). As a whole I was immensely impressed with this automobile. I went across the street to the GM dealership (this particular dealer houses all four GM brands). I looked over the new Regal and have to say that it is an attractive car (didn't test drive it though). Anyways back to point, I wondered the lot and so happened upon a used CX9 AWD in the used lot (2007 with 78,000 miles on the clock and what I would assume is the basic model). Took it out on a short jaunt and can confirm that it definitely is a great handler for such a large car. It was definitely slower than the Explorer (this CX9 was the pre 3.7L V6 model year so it had the 3.5L), that isn't to say that it was slow or anything just not as quick. The ride was noticeably busier, not going to break your back kind of ride or anything but certainly not what you would want in what is essentially a family hauler. It was also noticeably noisier, especially under acceleration and even at HWY speed. Build quality wasn't as good as the Explorer but it is older/used so I will reserve final judgement of its quality till I see a new example. After the CX9 I was able to test a new Acadia (sales person seemed to be under the impression that the Acadia was built on a different platform than the Traverse....obviously wrong but I let him believe so). The Acadia was a midlevel (SLT I think?) and only FWD. Let me just first say that the biggest thing that sticks out in my mind is that there is a ton of seams in the interior on the dash and the dash is made of much harder materials than the Explorer (didn't feel anywhere near the niceness of the Explorer). I would almost venture to say that the materials were the same if not worse than the CX9's. The Acadia was definitely much roomier inside though than the other two (especially more noticeable in the second and third rows). I do have to say that they do have a great idea for folding the second row seats to get into the third row but the passenger side was noticeably more difficult to maneuver than the driver side (to the point that I would say that a small child wouldn't be able to operate it on their own). Driving reminded me way too much of a minivan, and I don't mean that in a good way. It reminded me of an old Pontiac Montana that I drove once, granted that is a slightly harsh comparison as the Acadia did have better ride control over bumps (it rode a bit smoother than the Explorer and noticeably better than the CX9) but felt discernibly disconnected in the corners. I didn't experience any truly discerning torque steer despite being FWD (I mean torque steer was present but it was akin to what a Duratec 3.0L Taurus/Sable produced so not a real concern at all). I do have to say that I would never buy any of these big behemoths in FWD because when you go WOT from a stop and the weight shifts of the front tires it causes traction control to freak out for a bit before you get going. As a whole I am surprised that the Traverse even placed ahead of anything, it makes a great minivan but I in no way view that as a positive comment. I see merit in the CX9 being at the top as it certainly did feel the sportiest of the bunch and I can only imagine the 3.7L would improve things. Of the three I tested though I would personally pick the Explorer. I haven't driven the new Durango but have sat in one and can say that I am impressed with its build quality and interior accommodations (and bear in mind I find most Chrysler products repulsing). If I were to do a full review of the same vehicles MT used I can see the top three being a near dead heat between the Explorer, Durango and CX9. I set out to only compare the Explorer to the Traverse and instead ended up encountering a CX9 by chance and testing a Acadia instead of Traverse.

Agreed. Glitches in car electronics certainly isn't limited to the Ford, or even BMW; the MMI in our Audi has ceased up a few times usually only for a minute or so and there has been two instances which a trip to the dealer was necessary as the system wouldn't reset itself even after restarting the car and disconnecting the battery. In both cases all the dealer did was reset the system and that is all. Apparently Audi is working on a software update.

Glad to hear this. I have certainly fallen in love with our new MKZ Hybrid. The gauge cluster is just so intense and awesome. Because of the gauge cluster with the growing vines and such, I sometimes actually drive it like a sane person rather than drive like my norm, which is most aptly described as rambunctious.

I drove a new Explorer XLT 4WD when I picked up my new MKZ and can surely attest to there being no torque steer evident whatsoever. In the MKS sometimes I get the slightest hint of torque steer but it is never anything to write home about. Also I have had both a Taurus and Sable (both with the Duratec) and while yes torque could be sometimes detected it was never an issue for me, if one finds it difficult to keep control of those cars because of the torque steer they shouldn't be driving in my opinion. I have driven vehicles with ungodly torque so I have a very good idea what it is. In the previous tests that Motor Trend has done with the new Explorer they never once reported an issue with torque steer and nor has any other publication for that matter.

Fusion outsold the Accord and Altima making it the second best selling midsize sedan for the month.

I was just at the dealership last Thursday to check the status of my MKZ order and was talking with the owner (my friend) and he says they can't get enough Explorers in. He told me that they have a small waiting list and that people have been paying full MSRP to get their hands on one.

When we got back there was probably only 8 inches or so on the ground (maybe less?). I put snow tires on the MKS which has essentially made that thing unstoppable in the snow. By the time we made it up the driveway and into the garage the MKS had so much snow packed up into everything it was ridiculous (when it thawed out there was an absolute mess in the garage).

My driveway winds up a steep hill and is very narrow. From Monday to Wednesday we had over 20" of snow and my wife and I didn't get back from a trip till Tuesday so I never got a chance to clear the first snowfall before the next came. The MKS luckily made it up the driveway to the house when we got back otherwise we would have had to walk up the driveway. Don't get me wrong I love the snow, after I cleared the driveway yesterday, the wife and I went snowmobiling which was a blast (granted in some sections the snow was deep enough to bog the snowmobiles down). It was just frustrating that none of my typical snow removal items could get the job done. I do have an old collector Farmall H with a rear blade attachment but it was unfortunately stuck behind the boat in the pull shed and I have to move the boat out of the pull shed to move the H and that just wasn't going to happen yesterday.

I am a bit envious of that right now. Yesterday I had to get a skid-loader from my brother's farm to clear my driveway after all else failed (the Jeep plow couldn't clear it, nor the 4wheeler plow). I actually think the snowblower might have worked but my driveway is almost .5 miles long so I wasn't very keen on using the snowblower for all of it.

Car and Driver

Close Today, Ford produces: I-6 engine for Falcon and Territory SI6 for Land Rover 3.0 V6 for Ranger, Escape and Fusion 3.5/3.7 is in wide use as corporate engine. 4.0L for Ranger (granted it days are severely limited)

First of all no one compared Lincoln to Porsche. If you recall I originally mocked your silly sales volume requirement by using Porsche as a requirement. You see only what you want and ignore everything else. Also I personally could care less about Porsche save for the 911 which is a true enthusiast car. Second of all you are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hung up on sales numbers because you think that is the greatest measure of success. If that were the case like brands Jaguar, Land Rover and even Cadillac shouldn't even try because between Lexus, BMW, and MB they have the market to their own. My first question is how do you know they are performing below average or downright poor? Is this OPINION based on your MADE UP sales volume requirement of 2000/month? Also have you not moved on from Mercury yet? Heck I actually own a Mercury that I love to death but I am not upset. Well seeing as Ford has publicly announced a commitment to Lincoln your claim is again baseless that Ford isn't going to spend the required money. Ford has mentioned EcoBoost powertrains throughout the Lincoln range (including Navigator), they have mentioned a Lincoln specific motor, among other Lincoln specific things. What more do you want? Oh that is right in your world things can be engineered and implemented in a month so that products can quickly sell over 2000/month.

Well you see Porsche is exempted because he owns one. Also Porsche Boxster sales are naturally limited by the number of people who are Dentist and Plastic Surgeons from my understanding so it is a purely logistics issue. (My attempt at baseless claims)

Ford just brought out the upgrades 3.7L, do you expect them to instantaneously have it available for all their vehicles? How has Ford let Lincoln fall? Just because they don't sell like they used to doesn't mean they have fallen. Heck even Ford is a mere shadow of its former self with respect to sales, have they fallen too?

While the MKS may not outperform any of its competitors it certainly is in the same ballpark. Additionally the MKS 3.7L will likely be upgraded to the Ti-VCT unit from the MKX/Mustang which will go a great distance to remedying any powertrain shortcomings it may have.

The entire Lincoln lineup is a failure. None of these models sold more than the magical 2000units/month mark; I think that means they have to cut all these models. /sarcasm

As the OWNER of BOTH a MKS and a S6 (yes that is an Audi) I have first hand experience and can say that the Lincoln has every bit as good materials and fit/finish. Admittedly the interior design of the MKS is a bit more bland than the S6 but that is no means a demerit to its overall quality. Also I wasn't comparing Porsche sales to Lincoln sales but rather mocking your ability to throw out random numbers that are clearly opinion but somehow you still manage to declare them fact. . As the numbers below show, the MKS certainly is more competitive than you would like to acknowledge. Is it the best, no; does it compete, yes! Lincoln MKS 3.7L AWD 271hp 0-60 7.0sec Lat Accel .81g My link Cadillac STS 3.6L RWD 302hp 0-60 6.2sec Lat Accel .86g My link Acura RL 3.7L SH-AWD 300hp 0-60 6.5 Lat Accel .84g My link Hyundai Genesis 3.8L RWD 290hp 0-60 6.0sec Lat Accel .86g My link MB E350 3.5L RWD 268hp 0-60 6.3sec Lat Accel .84g My link Jaguar XF 4.2L RWD 300hp 0-60 6.1sec Lat Accel .79g My link

The MKS came out as a 2008 model! How has it not aged well? It is only entering its third model year! I by no means think the MKS is a perfect car but you certainly live in an alternate reality if you think the MKS is old. The MKS is more than competitive in most respects and I know people on this very website have posted numerous times posts showing the MKS sales versus its competitive set and it certainly holds it own. Your unfounded claims are just ridiculous. Where I live I never see any Boxsters so that must mean Porsche doesn't sell enough and needs to discontinue it.

Oh that is right I live in that nonexistent fairly land that many call the US, what was I thinking.

Have you ever driven an MKS? Seeing as I own a MKS Ecoboost and just so happen to own an Audi S6 which I feel is very direct competition. The only thing that the Audi does better than the MKS is sound better and that is thanks to that magnificent V10 (I cannot even begin to put into words how beautiful of sound that V10 makes). I can honestly attest that the MKS is just as quick as the S6 and the handling between the two of them isn't as far apart as you would imagine (maybe a slight edge to the S6 but the MKS ability to handle snow more than makes up for that). The MKS rides much better than the S6 and they both share the same level of interior quality. So essentially what we have is a car that Lincoln built that competes with the S6 yet cost thousands less.

Who cares how big the gas tank is? The size of the gas tank is one of the last things that I think about when purchasing a car. I don't know the size of the gas tank in any of my cars, granted I probably could assume from this thread that the old Sable has a 18 gallon tank. Oh and It would be a lot easier to camp out of a Fiesta than a Boxster and there is no denying that.