Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Reviewing earlier long-term updates for our 2000 Lincoln LS, Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed found that editors were fond of comparing the car to the products of German auto manufacturers. As he began his time in this domestic sport sedan, he vowed to judge the LS on its own terms, not in relation to the competition. After all, there may still be some people who stubbornly insist on driving an American-made car and would not think of looking overseas.

"Patriotic feelings run deep," Phil mused in the logbook. "Even a-politicos like me want American-mades to succeed. And there is something about Lincoln — its sensitivity to styling and its rich history — that sets it apart. Bottom line, I wanted to like this car."

Before going any further, a disclaimer is necessary. Phil had the keys to the Lincoln for only a week. But in that time, he practically lived in it. He took his wife and two sons on a 600-mile jaunt up the California coast along one of the world's most stunning drives: Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. The steep mountain roads, the twisting curves and the sudden obstructions in the road all tested the Lincoln's capabilities.

Phil's first impression was that the weight of three adults and a child, along with their luggage, was more noticeable than he expected. The suspension felt overloaded and some of the handling characteristics were lost. "This wasn't a problem on the highway," he wrote, "but over rougher terrain, with tight corners, there wasn't the same feeling of surefootedness. I felt it might bottom-out in a few cases."

The overloaded sensation was reduced when the luggage was removed. So perhaps the load distribution had something to do with it. And later in the trip, the car carried four adults and a child. This wouldn't have been possible (without extreme discomfort) in a car even a shade smaller, such as an Accord or a Camry. So the Lincoln scored some points in the size category. After all, not many cars can boast both a roomy interior and an entertaining driving experience.

Phil encountered a problem this month related to the glove box-mounted CD changer. It has been mentioned in past updates that the changer has been rattling annoyingly. Napkins were stuffed in an adjoining compartment to stop the noise. The napkins worked effectively, but the CD player began skipping frequently during the beginning of the journey. Then it conked out all together, leaving Phil and his family music-less while in remote areas. Upon returning, the Lincoln was taken in for service. The CD changer was removed and sent to the factory for repair.

Phil also noted that when the driver-side door was shut, it didn't have the conclusive thunk heard in other cars (remember, we're not mentioning competitors' names this time — especially those in Germany). Instead, the Lincoln's door closed with a bit of a rattle, as if something were loose — but not loose enough to get fixed. Yes, it's a small point, but it is one of those things that reduces the joy of ownership. After all, the closing door is just a prelude to turning the key and blasting off into traffic. A car buff wants to enjoy all those subtle pleasures.

So much for the bad news. The LS made many good impressions on Phil. First of all, he admits that he's a fan of the car's styling. It is classy enough for a night out on the town, yet sporty enough for a weekend's sprint through the mountains. It feels solid and handles like a champ. And you can't beat the growl of the 252-horsepower 3.9-liter V8. There's still plenty of punch on the low end, and it cruises easily at higher speeds. In the past, drivers have noted that the transmission shifted harshly. But there was none of that this time around. Phil reports that it downshifted seamlessly and delivered plenty of power when needed.

The onboard computer system struck Phil as being especially handy, particularly the feature that displays how many more miles remain before the gas tank is empty. He wrote in his notes that, at one point, he was entering a remote section of the drive and was considering stopping for gas. He passed a sign that read "Next Gas 109 miles." He wrote, "A glance at the dash showed me I had 135 miles remaining until empty — and I relaxed."

Reading past updates, Phil saw that the SOS button was faulted for being positioned too close to the overhead light switches and had prompted an unneeded visit from the local law enforcement. After taking the long trip in the Lincoln with his two boys, he is proud to say that, although they were curious about the SOS button, they were restrained enough not to push it and instigate a police chase on the California freeways. This despite the fact that his 11-year-old, Tony, is a big fan of reality-based police shows.

So what was the overall impact of the Lincoln on Phil? Holding his patriotic streak at bay for a moment he noted: "The LS is a nice alternative for anyone sick of the Teutonic invasion but who still wants a rewarding driving experience. The only problem is, you may have to overlook a few rattles, glitches and bumps in the process."

Current Odometer: 34,260
Best Fuel Economy: 23.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 16.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 17.1 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: $28.42 for oil change
Problems: CD changer malfunctioning