- sedan 87,849
- 6,986 overpriced
- Springfield, IL
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- autoshopper.com
2004 lincoln ls review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. In styling, style and performance, the ls is fashioned in the image of a european sports sedan. The ls is aimed squarely at the import competition, and in a broad sense it covers the mark. One indication of that is that it uses rear-wheel drive, the first mark of a sports sedan, like those from mercedes and bmw. last year, the lincoln ls benefited from major revisions, involving more than 500 new or redesigned parts. As a result, the ls feels more refined and more comfortable. Its v8 and v6 engines are more powerful and more sophisticated, benefiting from the addition of variable valve timing. The interior was improved substantially and now features an attractive platinum-colored center panel that has a look and feel of quality. Comfort and convenience were enhanced with power-adjustable pedals, increased center console space and an electronic parking brake. the biggest benefit was in the area of suspension tuning and a reinforced chassis, which improved handling and ride quality. The ls feels firmer, sportier, more european than before. the 2004 lincoln ls is further improved. The five-speed automatic transmission has been upgraded for smoother shifting and engagement. Additional chassis improvements reduce noise, vibration and harshness in the cabin. And satellite radio is now available. even the least expensive ls comes very well equipped. In the midsize sport-luxury market, few sedans can compete with the ls on the benefit-per-dollar scale. lineupthe lincoln ls comes with a choice of two engines, a 232-horsepower 3. 0-liter v6 or a 280-horsepower 3. 9-liter v8. All models come standard with a five-speed automatic. three trim levels are available with either engine, each building on the prior in terms of standard equipment. The v6 luxury model 32,120) comes with 16-inch wheels and tires, all-speed traction control, power-adjustable pedals, leather seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way for the front passenger, an in-dash cd player, black lacquer interior trim and dual-zone climate control. The appearance trim level 35,890) adds more features, including auto-dimming mirrors, built-in universal remote buttons and three-position seat memory that links the outside mirrors, pedal and steering wheel positions. The v6 premium 36,520) includes a power moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, a high-watt sound system with an in-dash cd changer, burled walnut interior accents and heated and cooled seats. options for the ls v6 include lincoln's advancetrac electronic stability control system 775), which can help manage skids by sensing wheel slip and applying the brake at the appropriate wheel. It's an attractive option because the ls v8 retails for less than some competitors with six-cylinder engines. All v8 models feature an automatic transmission with a manual shift control and a firmer suspension for a sportier driving experience. The ls v8 sport 39,720) gets more aggressive 17-inch wheels, heated side mirrors and aluminum interior accents. The v8 lse 43,115) features a more aggressive exterior package, including chrome wheels, spoiler, unique front and rear fascias and fog lamps. Front-passenger dual-stage frontal and side-impact airbags are standard. The safety/parking option adds curtain-style head-protection airbags for outboard passengers front and rear, a good idea. walkaroundwith its long wheelbase, short overhangs and chunky rear end, the lincoln ls presents a classy profile. Its angular lines share little with the rest of the lincoln family, apart from the badges and waterfall grille. the ls underwent some significant exterior styling changes for 2003. The grille, front fascia, exterior mirrors, rear deck lid, tail lamps, license plate trim and wheels were all redesigned, resulting in a cleaner overall look. The difference is most obvious from the rear, where smooth lamps replaced rippled taillight lenses. It looks clean, aggressive, classy. interiorthe lincoln ls interior is understated, in the european fashion. The feeling is cozy, almost cockpit-style, and there are no gaudy trim pieces. The leather seats, nonetheless, feel cushy in the lincoln tradition. They're comfortable, but not as supportive as the seats found in a mercedes-benz or bmw. The driver and front passenger seats offer power adjustments with three-way memory for the driver on most models. The power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and exterior mirrors are tied to the memory buttons, and when the ignition is switched off the driver's seat automatically moves back, which makes getting in and out easier. the interior trim is high quality and everything fits together nice and tight. A canopy shields the instruments. On premium and ultimate models, real burled walnut trim brightens the doors and the area around the controls, giving the cabin a warm, rich ambience. The platinum-colored center panel is a high-quality piece. Stereo and climate controls are clustered in a large center stack that's easily accessible for either driver or passenger. The climate system is easy to operate. The seats feature seat heaters for those cold winter mornings and fans for hot, sultry summer afternoons. The headlamp switch, for example, can be turned to the right to turn on parking lights or headlights, or it can be turned to the left to the auto setting, which automatically turns the lights on or off, depending on available light. The ls features a power electronic parking brake, similar to that of the bmw 7 series. Both front power windows feature auto-up/down. Two power points are provided along with a great pair of rubber-lined cup holders. The sliding center armrest moves back and forth, adjusting for the position of the driver's seat. The remote key fob will open all windows for quick ventilation on hot days. The driver can easily program functions; for example, the auto-locking feature can be turned off. the navigation system worked well, better than many others, and we found it easier to use than the mercedes system. Sirius satellite radio is now available for the ls. The rear seats are firm and dished, yet raised slightly for a better forward view. Rear-seat headroom is among the best in class. Legroom is adequate for most adults, as long as the front seats aren't pushed too far back, but hip room is a little lacking. cargo space can be expanded by a feature rare in the luxury class: a 60/40 split folding seat, which is very convenient for carrying long items. The suspension is tuned more like a mercedes than a lincoln. In many situations, it feels as good as a european sedan. this sedan performs well when driven aggressively. Control of noise, vibration and harshness has improved steadily since the ls was introduced, creating a smooth, quiet environment inside. the v8 engine works great and we prefer it. The increased power improved this lincoln's credentials as a sports sedan. With 280 horsepower and 286 pounds-feet of torque on tap, the ls v8 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in the low 6-second range. A decade ago that was hot-rod performance and it's still very quick. Its relatively small displacement compared to other v8s in the class pays dividends. CD Changer✔ Climate Control✔ Power Windows✔ CD Player✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Navigation System✔ Leather Seats✔ Chrome Wheels
6,986 Springfield, ILSpringfield, IL at autoshopper.com