well, with a heavy heart....

[JMT03LSV8]

OK, that was a little dramatic.

Began to have issues with the LS this winter. The ongoing battle with an electrical issue and then this winter, even with a new battery and supposedly everything checking out ok, it wouldn't turn over when it got close to 0 degrees outside. Then front and rear suspension parts.

Dealing with the suspension parts wasn't a big issue but the electrical stuff was like chasing your tail it seemed.

So, looking around and found something else.

 

[jjcool00]

Congrats! Nice color, how do you like it so far?

 

[JMT03LSV8]

I like it pretty much so far. Ecoboost with the EcoBoost Appearance Package. I have to admit, even though it has more power and more comfortable, it isn't as quiet as the LS and definitely not as nibble.

 

[JMT03LSV8]

BTW, after I'm done with working out stuff with the dealership, I'll have some parts left over. Not a lot of stuff but things I won't need laying around. I'll post stuff next week some time.

 

[jjcool00]

it isn't as quiet as the LS and definitely not as nibble.

Shocked to hear this? My LS (even stock) was not quiet. Why is the MKS so loud? Also, not as nimble? The Ecoboost puts out way more HP and has a quicker 0-60? Maybe you're seeing the LS through rose-colored glasses.

 

[JMT03LSV8]

Shocked to hear this? My LS (even stock) was not quiet. Why is the MKS so loud? Also, not as nimble? The Ecoboost puts out way more HP and has a quicker 0-60? Maybe you're seeing the LS through rose-colored glasses.

I notice more road noise in the MKS than I did in the LS. The salesman told me he had 2 LS', an '02 and '06, and he thought they were quieter than the MKS. You can tell in the handling that it's a taller, heavier car.

 

[jjcool00]

I notice more road noise in the MKS

Is this because of the tires? Or are you hearing engine/exhaust noise?

 

[JMT03LSV8]

It's more tire noise and I think a little wind noise from the A pillars. Engine wise, while cruising, it's pretty quiet. I'm probably going to put new tires on it this fall and I will probably put the General g-Max tires on it like I had on the LS. right now it has Coopers on it.

 

[Kumba]

You can tell in the handling that it's a taller, heavier car.

When I test drove one back in '09 it felt like a rally car somewhat to me. Which would be a taller car with more suspension travel.

 

[Upstairs Chris]

Is this the one with the 3.5 twin turbo ecoboost?


I was recently issued a Taurus interceptor with the twin turbo ecoboost and that car will run circles around an LS.

 

[JMT03LSV8]

Is this the one with the 3.5 twin turbo ecoboost?


I recently got issued a Taurus interceptor with the twin turbo ecoboost and that car will run circles around an LS.

Yes, it has the 3.5 TT and it definitely has more get-up-and-go than the LS.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I'm probably going to put new tires on it this fall and I will probably put the General g-Max tires on it like I had on the LS.

I couldn't wait for the G-Max's to wear out on my '03LS8. Though grippy, I thought they were VERY loud and they killed the fuel mileage by 1-2mpg. Currently running these and loving them. Nice looking MKS.

 

[JMT03LSV8]

I couldn't wait for the G-Max's to wear out on my '03LS8. Though grippy, I thought they were VERY loud and they killed the fuel mileage by 1-2mpg. Currently running these and loving them. Nice looking MKS.

I didn't notice any noise from them and I had them on for a year or so. They were actually better in the snow that the Uniroyal tiger paws that I bought for winter tires. I just noticed the link to the Hankooks! I had those on my '97 SHO and thought they were noisy. I wonder if it was because of the front wheel drive. That's strange!

 

[joegr]

Shocked to hear this? My LS (even stock) was not quiet. Why is the MKS so loud? Also, not as nimble? The Ecoboost puts out way more HP and has a quicker 0-60? Maybe you're seeing the LS through rose-colored glasses.

The heated/cooled seats are the loudest things in my LSes (except for the radio).

 

[Telco]

It's more tire noise and I think a little wind noise from the A pillars. Engine wise, while cruising, it's pretty quiet. I'm probably going to put new tires on it this fall and I will probably put the General g-Max tires on it like I had on the LS. right now it has Coopers on it.

Cooper makes a decent tire, but they do tend towards noisy. The Continentals I'm running on my LS are pretty quiet and are a good all around tire. The newish Hankook Ventus tires that were on the car when I bought it were very noisy to start and only got worse over time. I actually changed them before they were worn out because of this and normally I run them until they are worn out.

 

[1LoudLS]

Also, not as nimble? The Ecoboost puts out way more HP and has a quicker 0-60? Maybe you're seeing the LS through rose-colored glasses.

not at all,
Ive driven a couple of SHOs and its a totally different feeling, the LS is real tight and has a great balance, it handles extremely well for a car of this size.

the MKS/Tarus is a LOT bigger of a car... its about five and a half inches taller (higher center of gravity) and about 600 LBS heavier. the suspension is nowhere near as tight and the car has a bit more body roll to it, add in the fact that even with the AWD system, the motor and transaxle being mounted directly over the front axle severely affects the balance of the car. plain and simple it is nose heavy. it can not come anywhere near the LS in terms of handling, add that to the part where how much HP or TQ you have doesn't effect how nimble the car is. sure the MKS is faster (trust me, the LS is not even in the same class when talking about acceleration)

 

[1LoudLS]

I was recently issued a Taurus interceptor with the twin turbo ecoboost and that car will run circles around an LS.

well, I wouldn't quite say that... the 3.5TT is definitely a lot faster and quicker in a straight line, the LS really has no chance in keeping up with one on the HWY (trust me, Ive tried...)

but its a lot more work to throw it through some turns... if you were talking about a tight curvy road (like the dragon) or road track without a lot of straightaways. then the benefit of all that extra torque doesn't really matter as you're gonna be pushing the hell out of that car through the turns and with its high amount of understeer, it just can't take turns anywhere near as well and it still gonna have trouble keeping up.


I would say that the MKS can surely leave the LS in its dust, but I believe the LS can still run circles around a MKS...

 

[RigsLS]

You do realize Chris' Interceptor would have a radio in it, try out running that in the LS on the curvies.

 

[1LoudLS]

So, looking around and found something else.

congrats bud, its a fine looking car! definitely got something under the hood that the LS really needs!



I am also very glad with the way you came on here to post about it. the last guy came on here kinda disrespecting the LS talking about how he "upgraded" (not saying it isnt an upgrade in a lot of ways!) and it just went to hell after that. and to be totally honest I'm very surprised this thread hasn't gone much the same way, some of the guys here will hate just to hate, and a lot fo the guys here just cant get behind a non RWD car, which is where I find myself... I really do love the looks of your car, but for how I drive, I just couldn't deal with a FWD platform (even when offered in AWD) but I wont say the car is trash because its not for me. it IS a very nice car, it does ride very comfortable, and it is very well equipped! and as long as it fits your needs and you are happy with it. that is 100% all that matters!

 

[1LoudLS]

You do realize Chris' Interceptor would have a radio in it, try out running that in the LS on the curvies.

thats not A car running circles around another car now is it

 

[RigsLS]

No, it's a gadget to get more interceptors to run circles around any LS whenever need be.

 

[Upstairs Chris]

...it just can't take turns anywhere near as well and it still gonna have trouble keeping up...

The Interceptor package has the SHO suspension and brakes as well as the 3.5TT. It will out corner the LS, I promise. I've taken interstate sweepers are 140 and it exhibits no body roll and no understeer. Not to mention it would be near impossible to even get the LS up to that speed in a turn. When you dive into a corner the AWD kicks in and it sends quite a bit to the back and with the torque vectoring the front end just bites. It lacks that organic rear end squat a nicely balanced RWD car does when you throttle down mid corner but thats really it. However, naming these engines "ECOboost" is comical.

It doesn't please me to say these things but its been a long time and it's also been one of the most accelerated periods of car development. I mean, the Ford Taurus of all vehicles is now AWD, has two turbos, and will get to 60mph in 5 seconds. Times have certainly changed. The only place the LS would best this car is on an autocross track and that is only because it's longer than a MB S-Class, and neither car would look good doing it.


Is what it is.


OP bought a nice ass car.

 

[JMT03LSV8]

The heated/cooled seats are the loudest things in my LSes (except for the radio).

you couldn't be more correct about this! The seats worked great but you could hear them between songs for sure! LOL

 

[JMT03LSV8]

congrats bud, its a fine looking car! definitely got something under the hood that the LS really needs!



I am also very glad with the way you came on here to post about it. the last guy came on here kinda disrespecting the LS talking about how he "upgraded" (not saying it isnt an upgrade in a lot of ways!) and it just went to hell after that. and to be totally honest I'm very surprised this thread hasn't gone much the same way, some of the guys here will hate just to hate, and a lot fo the guys here just cant get behind a non RWD car, which is where I find myself... I really do love the looks of your car, but for how I drive, I just couldn't deal with a FWD platform (even when offered in AWD) but I wont say the car is trash because its not for me. it IS a very nice car, it does ride very comfortable, and it is very well equipped! and as long as it fits your needs and you are happy with it. that is 100% all that matters!

I don't think I could really say anything bad about the LS. Even with the issues I had, I would have kept it and tinkered with it and still bought the MKS. Just a space and fund issue really. MKS an upgrade? In some ways but not all. You get to a point where the age of a car determines how long you keep it. I'm going to miss the handling and the sporty look of the LS. It was by far one of my favorite cars I've owned and that's around 40 or so since I was 16. The MKS is a refined alternative and my plan is keep it about 5 years or so and hope that Lincoln puts out a car like I think we all hope the Continental is supposed to be.

And I'll be honest, as I was getting all my things out of the LS, I was getting this empty feeling in my gut. I know that sounds stupid to a lot of people but the car was really a good car and as I said, probably my favorite car.

 

[jjcool00]

The Interceptor package has the SHO suspension and brakes as well as the 3.5TT. It will out corner the LS, I promise.

Agreed. I test drove a Taurus SHO and it out-handled my LS as well, which is lowered. So I'm not sure what you guys have done to your LS' that makes it out-handle that. Don't get me wrong, I love my LS, but I'm realistic about it.