what does everyone think about the LS ? post manufacturing end

[ShortCircutLS]

I haven seen this question. I searched on here and google so I hope its not a repost. Do you think here in 20 years well look at the LS like most look at an old school Camaro, Charger or Pontiac ? Or do you think it'll fade away.
I like* to think that some day people will see the LS and say " I remember that car. Sure was nice in its day .... And so on.
What does everyone think about the LS sence they quit manufacturing them ?

 

[Andrizzle]

I would like to think differently, but it will fade away in my opinion.


Most non Lincoln enthusiasts don't know what an LS is off hand without really thinking about it, having it described, or seeing one.

When I was shopping for a car, people were asking me what I was looking for, and everytime I said Lincoln LS - they laughed and wondered why a young guy like me would want an old grandpa car. Then of course I had to explain there are more Lincolns than just TownCars or Marks.

 

[diskfunktional]

^ Exactly. When I switched from the 4cyl world to a real mans car all my friends hated it. Until I explained everything the LS is about and the extreme amount of thought put into engineering it. As over-engineered as it may be though, its still a badass Lincoln. And thats cool in my book and always will be. I'd like to think the general car enthusiast could always appreciate the LS for what its worth.

 

[LS4me]

IMHO, as long as there are groups like LvC and LLSOC the LS will join the Edsel as an orphan car that will be seen at car shows and once in a while on the street. One of my favorite aspects of the LS is even after 11 years the design still looks new.

 

[jahman12]

I cannot imagine it fading away. There are still enthusiasts for other cars like Capri's, Sunbeam Tigers etc. When you consider the LS sharing chassis and engine components with Jaguar and the Thunderbird, it wont be long before the LS name is brought up. Especially if Lincoln does away with rear wheel drive.

 

[Kumba]

Just the fact that the first gen's were the only manual tranny Lincoln's since the 1950's will make them memorable to some degree. Combined with the fact that even 10 years later they are still a damn good looking design will keep them around I think. They just have a nice bold clean look to them that you don't get with newer cars. I think their style will carry them well for another 5-10 years. After that is when I think you'll see them going the way of the old muscle cars or 90's bimmers. Collected by a few and kept for a more enthusiast segment.

Plus, I am not impressed much with much of the styling of the new cars. They all kind of look too much alike. That sweeped rounded no hard corners or bold lines look.

 

[ShortCircutLS]

Just the fact that the first gen's were the only manual tranny Lincoln's since the 1950's will make them memorable to some degree.
Plus, I am not impressed much with much of the styling of the new cars. They all kind of look too much alike. That sweeped rounded no hard corners or bold lines look.

I agree ! With both. When I looked at cars there wasn't much in my price range that I could see myself driving and enjoying.

 

[Kumba]

I agree ! With both. When I looked at cars there wasn't much in my price range that I could see myself driving and enjoying.

To be honest, the current and last gen mustangs realllllly looked good to me. Only problem I have is I'd just blend into the crowd if I had one. There'd be more bolt-ons then anything else, but no one would really remember one mustang from another unless you did something radical with it.

Guess that will eventually bite me in the ass on the LS as it slowly turns into more and more custom fab work. But ohh well, I always did like building things that people can't just buy. Plus I like sleepers

I like the looks of the Jag XKR, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Charger. But the first one isn't worth the money to me, and the last two have the same issues as the Mustang. And that's before I say I don't care for Chevy or Dodge (my own bias).

I keep telling myself my next step will be a Ford GT. I got a little work to do before I can get one of those though. But that is definitely a milestone

 

[xford]

I think it will fade away. Only 240,000 sold, no racing pedigree, no tie to anyone famous or special time in history, and effectively a bastard Jaguar.

On a bigger scale if Ford is not careful the Lincoln Brand will soon fade away like Mercury. Ford is at a critical juncture with Lincoln as the brands market share and "consideration for purchase" among the affluent they are marketing to is almost gone. Most Lincoln dealerships are now merging into Ford stores which I think will make the brands recovery even more daunting. They need new product and a Halo car in the worst way.

The good news is that since the LS has "flown under the radar" we get to enjoy a car that listed for over $40k for around $10k. I love telling people after they ride in my car what I got it for...and that story I will tell 20 yrs from now.

 

[jolinc01]

Just the fact that the first gen's were the only manual tranny Lincoln's since the 1950's will make them memorable to some degree. Combined with the fact that even 10 years later they are still a damn good looking design will keep them around I think.They just have a nice bold clean look to them that you don't get with newer cars. I think their style will carry them well for another 5-10 years. After that is when I think you'll see them going the way of the old muscle cars or 90's bimmers. Collected by a few and kept for a more enthusiast segment. Plus, I am not impressed much with much of the styling of the new cars. They all kind of look too much alike. That sweeped rounded no hard corners or bold lines look.

I agree. I think the LS might be like some of the 50's cars that you never heard of, but still look awesome and have great lines. I'll be holding onto mine for a good while. Mostly because they aren't worth anything to trade in or sell outright.

 

[Alax7]

Maybe it wont get the same status as old school camaros or mustangs have, but I bet when people see one they will still say,wow nice car.I'm glad I was able to get a piece of it just in case it does become a classic one day. The LS just looks so good, it's body is very well proportioned unlike the current and future of cars. It is sleek, elegant, can be sporty, just a great looker.

 

[ShortCircutLS]

I hate to say it (actually I don't )but ... I hate mustangs. I can hear people calling me a dumb ass now ! I don't like the looks of any except the old Shelby. They don't handle the road for crap and Sooo many people have them and most think theirs is a gift to the world. Any time someone brings up their "Stang". I just think keep it to yourself. Nobody cares. But I can appreciate their ride of choice. So I keep my mouth shut. To each his own.

 

[Calabrio]

Compared to "old school" muscle cars, the LS will fade away.

At most, it was considered a good effort by Ford in their domestic evolution to improve quality and driving dynamics. But, even in it's heyday, the car was under the radar.

And because of that, it will never be viewed by the broad public as like an "old school" muscle car or an forgotten gem that was under appreciated.

Will there be a club for it, isolated little groups of aficionados?
Of course, just like there are clubs for the Ford Grenada now.

 

[Krakabeast]

This thread, and the truth, is depressing.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I see it being almost identical to the Mark VII. There will be those that look back on it fondly, and a lot of folks who do not know what it is...and most likely a dedicated message board where us weirdos can keep them running.

 

[chocolat1701]

Till this day they are people that come up to me and don't know that its a Lincoln and yes it will fade away the only way it can stay alive or have people remember them is if Lincoln came out with another rwd car and called it "Lincoln ls" but with their new naming scheme that's highly unlikely. Just like the Cts alot of people are getting the first generation Cts because if the name recognition of the current ones. He same goes for escalades, this was a good BMW fighter it really was but it just competed and never went beyond the BMW just think about a few more ponies under the hood would of made the car more of a better choice for most buyers especially since at the same time the 300c had the hemi and the rt8 for the same price of our v8. Lincoln needs to learn how to build brand recognition again. The ls is doing very well in the used car department they have been selling like hot cakes so if they would of had a true replacement and called it "ls" we must admit that most of use would of upgraded to the new one. Toyota did this with the Camry and Lexus brand. The first Camry and Lexus looks really ugly but they kept improving model after model and they established loyalty not to the brand but to the actual car that's why the best selling Toyota is a Camry and most are return owners and the most sold Lexus os their entry model es300 and they are also returned customers. I really tried he mks they lend it to me for my b'day cuz they wanted me to trade my ls but I realized that j was driving a better looking,roomier,more technologically advanced TOWN CAR. you almost got me Ford until I drove it and realized I was missing the big grin I first had when driving my LS....... DAMN I MISS THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

 

[ShortCircutLS]

This thread, and the truth, is depressing.

Can you elaborate ? I think its kind of interesting to see what others think about the LS and if they think it will die like the Ford Probe (no comparison) or if it will just fade away to most and be a gem to others like those who own a granada !

 

[mastan]

There are a couple of factors working in this cars favor that might make it a classic. One, is the V8 RWD platform. Two, it's just a beautiful car that with the exception of the rear end, hasn't dated one bit. It's still a beautiful car. It was also a fairly short model run and contrary to what others have reported, I don't see too many of them. And, they're cheap. People can afford to buy them as their first car and take good care of them and in 20 years look back at that car with affection and try to find another to relive their youth. That alone will raise this cars value. For instance, my first car was a 68 Charger with the 440 six pack. I loved that car, but in retrospect it was a complete POS. At one point every system that held fluid leaked. I paid $800 for it in 74. Now, you can't touch one for under 20K.

 

[LeaSr77]

It's funny how this thread was started because I pondered this myself a few times. I can say I'm going to keep my LS in my fleet as long as I'm living. I love my car. Like others have said, the looks are there and with converting to a 2nd gen front end makes it even newer looking. There will come a time were I will sit mine down and drive it every now and then after I get it the way I want it. I have a beater car now that I had before I bought the LS. I can care less what the public think, but when I pull it out of the garage, it will be a different story when people say "Dam that's a nice car". I've gotten that so many times after I first bought the car and put my first set of rims on it.

 

[ShortCircutLS]

It's funny how this thread was started because I pondered this myself a few times. I can say I'm going to keep my LS in my fleet as long as I'm living. I love my car. Like others have said, the looks are there and with converting to a 2nd gen front end makes it even newer looking. There will come a time were I will sit mine down and drive it every now and then after I get it the way I want it. I have a beater car now that I had before I bought the LS. I can care less what the public think, but when I pull it out of the garage, it will be a different story when people say "Dam that's a nice car". I've gotten that so many times after I first bought the car and put my first set of rims on it.

EXACTLY ! I knew I wasn't alone when I tell everyone ,"I'm keeping this car forever. It'll sit in my garage untill I die. It will look just like my moms 89' Z28 IROC (last year they made Z28)". It sits in the drive and looks mean . But I'm enjoying the difference in opinions from other members ! Its odd that the LS was so low key. I like it when people look at my car and say THAT'S?! A Lincoln !! I Love it !

 

[Krakabeast]

Can you elaborate ? I think its kind of interesting to see what others think about the LS and if they think it will die like the Ford Probe (no comparison) or if it will just fade away to most and be a gem to others like those who own a granada !

Well...

Most non Lincoln enthusiasts don't know what an LS is off hand without really thinking about it, having it described, or seeing one.

I think it will fade away. Only 240,000 sold, no racing pedigree, no tie to anyone famous or special time in history, and effectively a bastard Jaguar.

At most, it was considered a good effort by Ford in their domestic evolution to improve quality and driving dynamics. But, even in it's heyday, the car was under the radar.

I would love for the LS to gain some popularity, so I could consider it an underrated gem. IMO the LS is just unnoticed and unappreciated today. And, when I say unnoticed, I mean it doesn't sit in the back of other car owners' minds the way a CTS, Mustang, Camaro, Camry, Corvette do. If that makes any sense.

And I'm gonna put it out there that whenever I get the opportunity to speak with someone driving an LS, they tell me they love it. Only one person I spoke to hated their LS because it was a company car, and he claimed it was always being repaired.

If only Ford and Jaguar knew better, they'd bring it back with a modern interior, slightly different exterior, and a bigger/reliable supercharged engine. Even if Jaguar brought it back alone as a Jag LS. Asking too much? Maybe.

 

[LS4me]

Comparing the LS to high volume models is ludicrous. The LS was never meant to be a Camry killer. It was meant to compete with the 5-Series (not the high volume 3). Lincoln did a killer job; it was the dealers that had the largest hand in the demise of the LS.

The CTS still doesn't have a V8. That is, except for the "V".

 

[djwhy60]

It's funny how this thread was started because I pondered this myself a few times. I can say I'm going to keep my LS in my fleet as long as I'm living. I love my car. Like others have said, the looks are there and with converting to a 2nd gen front end makes it even newer looking. There will come a time were I will sit mine down and drive it every now and then after I get it the way I want it. I have a beater car now that I had before I bought the LS. I can care less what the public think, but when I pull it out of the garage, it will be a different story when people say "Dam that's a nice car". I've gotten that so many times after I first bought the car and put my first set of rims on it.

I knew of the LS way before I bought mine. Wished I had the $$$$ to get one but for a second car just was too much. This one jumped at me at a time when I could pay cash for it. Yes, it needs some elbow grease still...but I love driving it! My wife (it is really her car) keeps complaining because of all the stuff I want to do to it. She says she doesn't want a hot rod! I told her she could drive the POS Escort in the garage!

The only down side I have seen with this baby is a very limited aftermarket for ANY performance parts. I am looking to buy another long block and rebuild the whole thing bottom to top with any and all upgraded materials I can find. Just to say I did. Was looking at all the alum under her and wondered if anyone has tried polishing it all....

 

[Kumba]

The only down side I have seen with this baby is a very limited aftermarket for ANY performance parts. I am looking to buy another long block and rebuild the whole thing bottom to top with any and all upgraded materials I can find.

My whole thing is to research other OEM parts and see what I can swap out. I spend hours doing that, but it's fun when it pays off. That 12.6" brake upgrade probably had around 20 hours or so in checking and cross checking and visual checks etc etc. Fabrication is only a last resort, but this LS will need a few things fabbed up I'm sure. What i'm currently working on is a 1-piece OE driveshaft replacement, but I need to get a flange-flange measurement before that happens

Since I now got my (air conditioned!!!) garage, I'm looking for a 2005-2006 3.9 + SST Tranny to rebuild and keep for a rainy day. Plus I want the engine to use as a mock-up for a SC build.

I just find the car fun to drive and somewhat simple in it's over-engineering. It's not the best handling car I've ever been in, but it is a long shot from the worse

 

[LS4me]

What i'm currently working on is a 1-piece OE driveshaft replacement, but I need to get a flange-flange measurement before that happens

Don't do it. There is a reason the LS (and other performance cars) use a 2-piece drive shaft. Research why the LS uses a 2-piece vs. a "normal" single shaft.