2005 Lincoln LS - Great car that few people know about

A few months ago I purchased a used 2005 Lincoln LS V8 Sport. I was looking to replace my 1999 Buick Regal LS that was damaged in an accident. I wanted to step up and
purchase a performance sedan along the lines of a BMW or Audi. I knew I would need to look at used vehicles as I
was not ready to pay $40K+ for a new car.

I looked at several different used models from BMW, Jaguar, Acura, Volvo, Mercedes, and Infiniti. I spent
over 2 months researching and test driving cars.
While doing some research on an Infiniti G35 I came across a link that said also consider Lincoln LS.

I was kind of surprised to see a Lincoln listed in with
the other performance sedans. I was not that familiar
with the Lincoln line outside of the Continental and
Town Car and had always associated the Lincoln name with
cushy luxury cars for seniors.

I clicked the Lincoln LS link and began reading and was
surprised to read that there was such a fine American
built sedan.

I decided I had to see one of these cars for myself. I
found several models at a local dealer and test drove
a 2001 model. I liked the car a lot, but did some further
research and decided that the model years 2003 and up
were reported to offer superior handling, more horsepower,
and better gas mileage than earlier models.

I test drove a 2005 at a local dealer and ended up buying
the car for just under $24K on the road. I was shocked
that such a fine car (with 25000 miles of warranty coverage still available) could be had for that price.
I estimate that this car probably stickered for around
$42,800 or more.

I think many of the V8 Sport models are a particularly
good buy as they come with some really nice features for
the money.

Unlike many other American (and Japanese) midsize cars,
the Lincoln LS is rear wheel drive. The V8 Sport comes
with a 5 speed automatic transmission that also has a
sport shift feature that allows the driver to manually shift the gear selection. The suspension is a stiffer
more sporty feeling suspension that is very tight and
has very little body roll in turns.

From some reviews I read that Lincoln had achieved
something along the lines of a very near 50/50 weight
distribution between the front and rear of the LS.
This was credited with much of its excellent handling
characteristics.

I think the car has a very attractive exterior and very
nice lines. I particularly like the look of the headlights
(with their clear covers) and grill.

The V8 engine is very nice (and sounds great). It is a
3.9 litre V8 designed by Jaguar and it provides 280 horsepower in the 2005 model. The gas mileage is not
that bad for this car. On the highway I have gotten
22.6 MPG. All around town I can usually get 21.7 MPG.
Reviews have put this car at 0-60 in sub 7 seconds.

My Buick with the 3.8 six cylinder was getting around
25 Highway so I do not feel I gave up too much for the
extra power and nicer car.

What I like the most about this car is that it is just
plain fun to drive. The steering feels great, acceleration
is excellent, and handling is fantastic. I had not driven
a rear wheel drive car in so long (since the 80's) that
I had forgotten how nice their handling can be.

My V8 Sport model also has heated and cooled front seats,
sun roof, 6 speaker stereo with 6 CD changer,
sport transmission, power leather seats (with driver
memory), and trip computer. The dashboard and controls
are laid out very nicely. These cars can be purchased
used with low miles and manufacturer's warranty for under
$26,000. Don't be scared off because of the V8. It is
not that much bigger than the GM 3.8 V6 and the mileage
is not bad. If you look at some of the other six cylinders
with Turbo or super charger assist and you will see the
mileage is comparable and the V8 often still has more power.

Although I do love the car very much, there are some things
that I think could be better:

1) Although the stereo sounds nice, we have a 2004 Dodge
Durango with an 8 speaker Infinity stereo that really
blows the Lincoln LS's stereo away. Although the Lincoln
LS can be had with a Thx stereo that I have heard and it
does sound nice.

2) Interior room is a bit tight. Front seat passengers
will have few complaints, but rear seat passengers may
have a different opinion. I think the LS can seat 4
adults with reasonable comfort. If any of the rear seat
passengers are approaching 6 feet tall they will likely
feel cramped. The LS is listed as a 5 passenger car, but
I would not subject 3 adults to the rear seat.
I definitely think the 1999 and later Buick Regal has more
interior room and easily can take 5 adults.

3) Decorative metal on dash and on doors. It has a kind
of chain mail pattern to it that I guess is supposed
to look like some kind of carbon fiber pattern. I don't
hate it, but I don't love it either and I ave considered getting a wood dash kit to cover it up. Actually other models of the LS (Luxury V6 and an Ultimate V8 model)
offer a very nice wood trim package.

4) The exterior door mirrors do not fold in. I was used
to having folding mirrors on previous cars and this has
taken some getting used to.

As nice as this car is, I think Ford missed a real
opportunity to market this car to more upscale buyers.

I have heard that the 2006 Lincoln LS will be the last
of the line. The new Lincoln Zephyr will fill the midsize
vehicle role.