Overview & Reviews
When the Lincoln LS was first introduced, it was heralded as the domestic answer to the premium midsize sedans from Europe's luxury brands. At the time, the rear-drive LS had the look and the technology to compete with Europe's best in a way few American cars could. Early reviews pegged it as a 10 in terms of fun to drive, and some described it as a car that offered the roominess of a BMW 5 Series at the price of a 3 Series.
The LS had the option of a V6 or V8 and, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive configuration and well-tuned suspension, was reasonably entertaining on a back road. But as good as the LS seemed initially, the car became less appealing over the years as the ranks of newer, more competent and more luxurious entry-luxury sedans grew. With sales slowing, Lincoln discontinued the LS after the 2006 model year.
Though lacking a little in terms of prestige and refinement, the Lincoln LS is still a respectable choice for a used luxury sedan with sporting tendencies. Its pricing is lower than many competing models, and maintenance costs should also be slightly lower than those of some European cars, but don't expect the LS to be as trouble-free as its competitors from Japan.
Most Recent Lincoln LS
A midsize entry-luxury sedan, the Lincoln LS was produced for the 2000-'06 model years. Originally, the LS was available in just two trim levels differentiated by the engine equipped. The Lincoln LS V8 came with a 252-horsepower, 3.9-liter engine that moved the sedan from zero to 60 in 7.5 seconds. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard.
The less expensive choice was the LS V6. Its 3.0-liter engine provided just 210 hp but slightly better fuel economy. For this engine, Lincoln initially offered either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.
Standard features for both cars included dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, alloy wheels, foglights and ABS. However, a few upscale items, such as a navigation system, weren't initially offered.
At the time, we found that V8 versions of the Lincoln LS delivered smooth and acceptable acceleration. The ride was comfortable and compliant, and the LS was at its best when being used as a touring sedan rather than an all-out sport sedan. Notably, it was roomy enough to provide comfortable quarters for four adults. The interior materials were lacking in terms of quality, though, and storage space was minimal in the cabin.
Early models had automatic transmission problems, so it might be wise to avoid them on the used market. Even when that issue was addressed by Lincoln, shifts from the automatic were not exactly smooth and many customers still complained. For this reason, we'd advise any prospective LS buyer to do a thorough test-drive before making a purchase.
For 2003, Lincoln did its first major update on its midsize luxury sedan. Output for the V8 was raised to 280 hp, and the V6 added 12 hp for a total of 222. The five-speed manual that was available with the V6 was dropped due to lack of consumer interest.
Other changes that year included retuned steering (resulting in better feel), a retuned suspension (resulting in a slightly softer ride) and improved interior materials and storage. New features were also added, such as a navigation system, side curtain airbags and a THX sound system. To make the most of your used-car dollar, we suggest looking at 2003 or newer LS models.
A few other changes occurred before the Lincoln LS was discontinued. Satellite radio was added as a dealer-installed option for 2004, and Lincoln made additional improvements to the automatic transmission to improve shift quality. For the final year, the V6 version was dropped from the LS lineup.
User Reviews:
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Lincoln LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
By Mrs C - August 7 - 10:00 amI have throughly enjoyed driving this car for the past year... I was looking at the Mercedes and the BMW when I decided to get the LS.. It is such a comfortable cruising car and around town it performs so well. It handles like a charm. Just all around awesome car for the money. I WILL buy another one!
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power at the drop of a hat - 2003 Lincoln LS
By HEB - August 3 - 10:00 amnice riding car with just the right amount of class. sound system is fitting for this car.I had a 2001 and now i love the 2003 even more.
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Works for both short wife & tall husband - 2003 Lincoln LS
By Kirk - August 3 - 10:00 amWeve had the car for a couple months now and its so much fun to drive. Our son drives a 97 Mustang GT manual and this LS could probably beat it in every driving category. The LS has "balance" that the GT just doesnt have. The real-wheel drive together with independent rear suspension really make a difference. Under "severe" conditions I always feel confident in the LS; where in the GT there are many times that I have to "back-off". Lincoln has done a good job in making the suspension, brakes, & wheels very light so that the car absorbs these bumps without transferring the force into the steering wheel or drivers seat.
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Fast and fun - 2004 Lincoln LS
By carol kramer - July 21 - 2:00 amv6 power,Its to much fun with gas pedal floored all the time.
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Love my LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
By marcviii - July 15 - 2:00 amThis is definetly a fun car to drive. It has excellent on damand power and has the suspension to be able to utilize the power safely. This car is definetly sure footed. It has an excellent sound system - am/fm/6 disc CD Changer built into the instrument panel. This is not the THX System combined with a navagation system. It is powered by a 180 watt amplifier and a 90 watt sub-woofer. This sound is dispersed through a total of 13 speakers. Great tunes here!
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First time owner of a Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln LS
By Rodney Smith - July 15 - 2:00 amI just received my new Lincoln in February and have not really taken it to the max. But so far with trips to Maryland and Washington DC the car performed very well. The only problem that I have encounted is the price of the 93 octane gas that is required to operate the vehicle. And with gas prices going up this might be a problem for many consumers and myself.
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LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
By notapplicable - July 15 - 2:00 amOutstanding car. I rent Lexus, BMWs etc. The LS is far superior. No probelms--perfect car...
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Taken for a Ride - 2001 Lincoln LS
By madman - July 15 - 2:00 amPurchased this car new with the V-8 sports package and it turned into a nightmare. Car became very difficult to start after it was driven and shutdown for 2 hrs. Took car in for warranty repair 11 times w/out success. Ford had engineers and executive office involved, and no repair worked. Took them to arbitration to get a refund on the vehicle because they said they could not repair the car, and would not replace it.Other problems included a noisy air conditioner, a defective chrome wheel, seat backs that fell off, and random system fail alarms.
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Beware - 2005 Lincoln LS
By 2005ls2 - July 12 - 7:33 amI purchased my 2005ls in 2006 with 20,000 miles on it. Now has 60,000. Nice body style but... Buyer beware! I have had a lot of trouble with this car and its in the shop again today. Always a problem with coils, the engine and other things. Reliability is very poor. I believe there should be recalls for these problems. Can any one help?
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Cautious Optimism - 2000 Lincoln LS
By -H- - June 25 - 4:00 amSome of the reviews I have read are very scary. I have been somewhat fortunate so far, but have had some of the more common malfunctions mentioned in other reviews. The car had 70k miles on it when purchased. It now has 105k on it. It is a rear wheel drive car and does handle terribly in the snow. I have had 1 window malfunction, the air condition did blow out hot and cold air at the same time, and the ball joints caused the steering to shake. These repairs totaled around $750, and that is it so far. None of the malfunctions caused the car to break down, but were recommended repairs. Around 25 mi per gallon. If that is all that happens I will be very happy with this ride.
