Pics of the LS

[MinisterofDOOM]

I finally got a chance to snap some pics of the LS. I feel kind of dirty saying I drive an LS. It could also imply that I drive a Lexus. Ugh...I need a shower.

Pics of the Lincoln:



The body has a kind of cool line as the beltline transitions into the decklid. Much sharper than you'd see on most cars. I'm impressed with a lot of the sharp, complex shapes on the bodywork of this car, actually.

A better look (still inadequate) at the beautiful pearl white paint:

Interior pics now.Lincoln added tons of door pockets for 2003 in response to complaints about lack of storage inside. Even the rear doors have stuffpockets.

Steering wheel is fully retracted for easy exit. Note the two speakers on the trans tunnel.

Electric park brake button, AdvanceTrac button, and the brilliantly fantastic sliding arm rest. (Slid all the way back, it'll move forward about half its length, hanging over the rearmost cupholder.)

The rear seats are significantly higher than the front seats to provide a view of more than just the backs of the headrests. Rear headroom is still awesome. Driver seat is all the way back, explaining lack of legroom on that side.

The Fordguar 3.9 liter V8. There's a modern plastic Maserati/LSx looking intake manifold under the cover, but nothing exciting. Look how cramped that engine bay is. Battery is off to the side of the spare tire well in the trunk.

[numbnuts240]

[dasoupdude]

Lookin' good

[93coupe]

It looks super clean. When is the exhaust going on?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Ugg, Ford put their stupid headlight switch in that, too?

[MinisterofDOOM]

When I have money again, and when I've done more research on which sounds best.

I'm liking how the Bassani system other LS owners are running sounds:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na_XBnjDTXk(The reason he peels out in the garage is that the LS electronic throttle limits revs to 3k in park or neutral for some reason.)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=fvwp

But I've also heard some clips (particularly flowmasters) that sound HORRIBLE. The car actually sounds pretty good stock, so I'm only going to upgrade if I KNOW it's really an upgrade.

[93coupe]

Ugg, Ford put their stupid headlight switch in that, too?

That was one of the things I didn't like about my parent's Sables.

MoD, the car is missing something. I can't put my finger on it...

[Bubba1]

When I have money again, and when I've done more research on which sounds best.

I'm liking how the Bassani system other LS owners are running sounds:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na_XBnjDTXk(The reason he peels out in the garage is that the LS electronic throttle limits revs to 3k in park or neutral for some reason.)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=fvwp

But I've also heard some clips (particularly flowmasters) that sound HORRIBLE. The car actually sounds pretty good stock, so I'm only going to upgrade if I KNOW it's really an upgrade.

I have flowmasters on my truck. Very noisy, very raw sounding. I'd suggest sticking with something quiet. Nice ride.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Always liked these. Good hoice

[93coupe]

Oh, I know what it is. A clutch pedal. Duh.

[MinisterofDOOM]

And a ZF 6 speed manual to go with it.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Very clean car. I'm sure it's a great cruiser.

The interior would look awesome with a nice stereo deck or a screen. The radio is REALLY plain.

Other than that, VERY nice car. You're a baller now.

[car nut]

Ugg, Ford put their stupid headlight switch in that, too?

Mercedes has the same switch.

I like

[MinisterofDOOM]

Thanks everyone. I like this car more every time I drive it.

Very clean car. I'm sure it's a great cruiser.

A great cruiser that can keep up in the curves, too. It's a match for the E39 handling-wise. That's a benchmark I can live with.

[naladude911]

Looks pretty good. Does it have an aftermarket aluminum dash kit?

[Ace2cool]

I've always hated the American/European vehicles' headlight switches. I'm really liking the car overall though, MoD!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, I definitely prefer the Japanese column-stalk style headlight and wiper controls. Still, with the automatic headlights, I never actually have to touch the headlight knob unless I want to pull it to turn on the fog lights.

Looks pretty good. Does it have an aftermarket aluminum dash kit?

No, the aluminum dash is stock.Wood was an option. I prefer the aluminum as it leaves the shift knob and steering wheel entirely leather-wrapped. With the wood option the steering wheel is half wood, half leather and wood wheels suck when it's cold.

[Rex]

I like. I looked at these myself and seriously considered getting one.

Does it feel noticeably slower than the Q? Though probably nimbler.

[Dittoz7]

Are The Headlights Really Cloudy Or Is That Just The Pictures.

[Jesda]

The silver trim looks much better than I expected and goes well with the gray and beige. I like cars like this where the C-pillar sits on top of the rear deck like a fancy hat.

The headlight switch isnt an issue anyway since you just leave it in automatic mode.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yes, I really love the formal C-pillar. I didn't notice it until I'd been driving the car for a couple of days, but it's one of my favorite parts of the car now.

I like. I looked at these myself and seriously considered getting one.

Does it feel noticeably slower than the Q? Though probably nimbler.

It is noticeably slower than the Q, but not as much as I expected. It's pretty quick and the 5 speed does a good job of making up for the power difference. It's almost always in a good gear. I can't just roast the tires on the spot any time, but it'll get the hell out of the way when you need it to.

The handling is just a lot different than the Q. The Q could be pretty nimble if you used the throttle to steer. But the LS definitely has an on-rails feel, even with the sub-par Hankook all-seasons it is currently wearing. There's NO body roll. It goes where you point it without drama. You don't NEED to steer with the throttle in the LS.

I need to get a TSB done for the steering column and the handling will really wake up for me. There's a problem with the column bearings not lubricating properly. Dealer just needs to add a friction modifier and bounce the steering back and forth on a lift for 15 minutes to get rid of the stiffness.

[hannibal]

Nice and clean!

Whats the big deal with a dash mounted headlight switch??

Lexus sued Ford to prevent them from naming the car LS6 and LS8. Said it was too close to LS430. What a load of crap...

[MinisterofDOOM]

Are The Headlights Really Cloudy Or Is That Just The Pictures.

It's dust. The headlights are crystal clear but covered in dust.

[AZhitman]

Surprised no one has said it, but if you don't get rid of that front plate and frame, I'm going to come to Utah and hit you in the back of the head.

p.s. Nice choice. Good-looking LS.

[Jesda]

With the wood option the steering wheel is half wood, half leather and wood wheels suck when it's cold.

I -hate- wood steering wheels. It tends to slip out of your hands, plus temperature sensitivity.

[Looneybomber]

Whats the big deal with a dash mounted headlight switch??

I actually pefer it on the dash like my Explorer is. Less clutter on and around my steering wheel. I really hate 30 function stalk/knob/button combo's where an accidental slip of the pinky while backing out of a parking stall turns off the lights, takes you out of overdriver, squirts washer fluid, and kicks the wipers on high.

What I dislike is the cruise mounted on the dash like my s2000 had. There were already buttons on my steering wheel to accl/decl, why can't you add one more to turn the cruise on/off?

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I never really appreciated these cars until after they stopped making them. It's a pity Lincoln doesn't have a RWD car in their lineup today.

I wouldn't mind using one for a daily.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Surprised no one has said it, but if you don't get rid of that front plate and frame, I'm going to come to Utah and hit you in the back of the head. That said, the particular Ford dealer on the plate and frame is staffed by a bunch of cool people, at least in parts and service. Much better than the Ford dealer I used to take my Ranger to when it would have electrical problems (how the @#$% does a car with no A/C, power nothing, and NO options have electrical problems?!?!!? Ask Ford.).

p.s. Nice choice. Good-looking LS.

Both are definitely going in the garbage as soon as my real plates arrive. It drives me nuts when people leave their dealer frames on even with their permanent plates.

What I dislike is the cruise mounted on the dash like my s2000 had. There were already buttons on my steering wheel to accl/decl, why can't you add one more to turn the cruise on/off?

Yeah, I friggin' hate that. That's how older Nissans (My Q and Maxima) are. On/Off is on the dash, but everything else is on the wheel. Extremely stupid. Even more stupidly, the actual on-off indicator light is also on the dash rather than on the IP next to the active cruise indicator. Newer Nissan have moved all the buttons on the wheel but they are MORONICALLY not lighted.The LS has all the cruise buttons on the left side of the wheel. The LS's cruise control is impressive, too. Even on hilly terrain it rarely varies by even 1mph. Much better than the crappy cruise I've had on my 80s and 90s cars. I'm sure the electronic throttle helps a lot.

My dad's Maxima does two things better with the steering wheel than my LS, though. First, it has a heated steering wheel. Why the LS doesn't have one when the Max does is beyond me.Second, his radio controls allow you to switch discs (in dash changer) by holding the track skip buttons. On the LS I have to take my hand off the wheel to switch discs. Holding the track button just cycles through all the tracks which is stupid.

[Dattebayo]

The car is only weak, as far as I can tell, in the rear styling. Being a Lincoln, I would be afraid the car would look too much like a geezermobile, but I can see it doesn't have that problem at all.

It really appears to be a police car without all the boatishness and over-sized bumpers, etc...

[PapaSmurf2k3]

That is a LOT of plastic... what is under the front plastic center section (like, above the radiator support)... metal? If so, I wonder what it looks like under there.

I like that C-pillar design. Reminds me a lot of my S13 coupe's.