I'll try to break it down more plainly. This is what I believe your positions to be. Please tell me where I am wrong. Pick a number, or pick multiple numbers.:
1. The LS sucks because it is not as fast as Pontiac GTO
2. The LS sucks because it is hard to modify
3. The only true measure of speed and performance is in a straight line
4. You can't consider anything to be fast unless it can go 1/4 mile in 12 seconds
5. In instances where people make LSs approach 12 seconds it doesn't count (see number 2)
6. Horsepower is irrelevent unless it happens to prove your point at that moment.
1,3,4,5,6
and my position is, if you would actually read it's plainly obvious these are not my poistions
Now, please show me with third party data and the source where either of my two assertions is incorrect:
1. Fast is subjective (proven by the SR-71 article quote)
2. The Lincoln LS compares well to its intended target (proven by the above numbers)
your ZR-71 comment is mute, as all of you say speed is relative... but you cut the entire aspect of that phrase short
relative to what? because I've gone 10's and trapped 130+MPH down the 1/4 mile once upon a time... so by the rule of relativity in a realm I am a part of shouldn't the LS AND my GTO be slow?
you say speed is relative, well realitive to what end... if a 10 second car is "fast" in the theatre of relativeity to myself and another persons "relative fast" is 14 seconds.... by concept of what is faster bringing out two relatives together makes the 10 second car surpass the 14 second.... so if someone thinks a 14 second car is relatively fast and someone shows up in a 10 second street car what does it make that car? super duper duper duper scooby doo fast? or does it not count because it is beyond that person relative outlook on speed?
no, speed is relative on the account that whoever is faster usually has the upper hand on the conversation... regardless on whaqt people "think" is fast... a faster car is a faster car
I am happy to cede any other point or arugment you believe I have tried to make in this thread. The above two points are the only ones I am supporting, well those and that the LS is faster than a Ford Windstar. I will happily review any other data that contradicts my assertions and adjust my point of view accordingly. I provided to you actual data and direct links to their sources. The data is based on actual track testing numbers from third parties. My two points are not made based on my own experiences. I have driven both my 2000 LS V8 sport and a couple of different 2000 BMW 545i's (one setup for racing and the other a daily driver) but that experience is subjective and therefore not worthy of being held up as evidence. Bottom line; show me some actual data that trumps my data and I will happily retract my two positions.
Motor Trend
2005 BMW 545i
600-ft slalom = 66MPH
200-ft skidpad = 0.87G
Braking, 60-0 mph = 121ft
Braking, 100-0 mph = 340ft
1/4 mile = 13.7 @ 102.1
2005 3.9L Lincoln LS
600-ft slalom = 60.9MPH
200 ft skidpad : 0.78 g
Braking, 60-0 = 128ft
1/4 mile = 15.02 @ 92.8MPH
the numbers are ENTIRELY too one sided to say "well, MAYBE it's a drivers race"... the 5 series will dance circles around the LS and then run away from it like it's a LS1 powered F body in the straights (it traps about the same as one) and then brake earlier than one...
and that's not even the half of it... look at the M45 pulling better numbers, look at the 3.2L Audi sitting at better numbers... look at every other luxury brand having a car in it's class that pulls better numbers.... look at the base model 3.6L V6 CTS pulling better numbers, both in a straight line, braking, and shouldering into a turn
I really don't think you understand just how "mediocre" the LS is at taking turns compared to the other cars in it's class... it's based on an S type chassis... not a lowered and stiffened 944 turbo chassis