If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

I was idly pondering the future of Lincoln's product line today, and I was thinking how cool it'd be if they made a new Luxury Sport Coupe (like I'm sure we've all done), be it the Mark IX or a 2-door LS V8 or whatever. As long as it's a V8 RWD coupe.

While it'd be undeniably cool, the bigger and most important question is can Lincoln turn a profit making one? Cars are finally making a comeback in popularity, but maybe not enough. I'm seeing quite a few '03 LSs out on the road, are they selling well or are they just popular around me?

So I thought I'd ask the question here to Lincoln enthusiasts. Would you buy a new LSC? I mean, if we aren't willing to buy them, then who else would be?

Personally, I'd love to buy one, but I don't think I could for financial reasons. Unless they could keep the price in the mid-30k's (doubtful, considering the cheapest LS V8 is over $40k), I'd have to wait for a used one (which obviously doesn't help Lincoln out any).

But what does everyone else think? Does a new LSC have a snowball's chance in hell? Would you buy one, or want to buy one?

[font color = blue]Tony - St. Louis, MO[/font]
1998 LSC - Toreador Red/Light Graphite
1989 Mustang LX 5.0 - Scarlet Red coupe
[FONT COLOR=RED]>*> [link:www.markviii.org/~tonymueller|Tony's Internet Garage] <*<[/FONT]

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Like you Tony, I would wait until they were cheaper, but I would buy one. Who are the target buyers for these cars? Are they the 30 to 60 year old males that are financially able? I have seen more than a few middle to older aged females driving the Gen. 2 models. So I don't know who the targets are. The next Mark had better be a V8 RWD coupe, or what's the point?

I only have one big complaint about my Mark. After recently taking my first rather long road trip in my '94 Mark, I wished I had more side to side leg room. I am 6'3" and was hoping for a Town Car after about 500 miles into the trip. That lumbar button got a work out for sure. What impressed me about my Mark was the ability to pass rigs on 2-lane roads without fear. The ability to take corners nicely with a great feel on the turns was great in my Mark. Getting 26mpg on the road was nothing to scoff at either. All in all, I was impressed with my Mark after the 2200 mile road trip. It surely is a great driving car.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

For reasons I don't really understand, Imports are having a field day with coupes, but there is but one left in America, the Monte Carlo. Why? I don't know, but BMW; Mercedes; Jaguar; Honda; Nissan; Infinity and others are doing okay with their coupes. Lincoln, Mercury and Ford only offer the Mustang. GM? Monte Carlo. Chrysler has the Dodge Stratus & Chrysler Sebring Coupes, but they are really made by Mitsu at a Mitsu plant. They are Japanese with an American nameplate.
Yes, I'd buy a RWD Lincoln Coupe, but right now I love my Town Car too much to switch. Maybe in 5 years.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Since I've always been partial to coupes and I've had such good luck with Lincolns I would surely buy one if I was in the market.

I just hope that Lincoln, if they do come out with one, does not make the same mistake twice... targeting a younger client but making the car so expensive only the older crowd could afford it.,

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

It would have to be AT LEAST as nice as a Gen 2 for me to consider one in the $40K range. I could deal with the slightly smaller 3.9L V8 like the LS has, AS LONG as the new car weighed less than the Mark VIII. And for $40K, I would expect air suspension. With IRS, a $40K car needs it for load-leveling. I have to grin when I see Mercedes and BMWs going down the road with four people and the rear wheels WAY negative camber because of no load leveling.

I could see a 2 door version based on the LS, only sleeker body style, but not for $40K. My '96 T-Bird was under $20K new, and without air suspension, what would make a new 2 door worth $20K MORE?

John
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

WELCOME TO SANDY'S DREAM SHOPPE


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I would like a Monte Carlo with the Aurora V-8 Northstar engine and IRS and rear wheel drive and 4-wheel fully independant disc brakes with a supercharger on it using today's bodystyle. Lower it 1.5 inches and grant it 18" rims, and tru full dual exhausts with cat back design and mildly custom headers on it and a 3.75:1 gearing.

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http://montesspace2000.20megsfree.com/images/jimdarcy.jpg

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

I'd buy one. They don't make many, if any sport coupes, like the LSC. I'll wait my turn or utnil I turn too Old.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Like the others that have responded - I'd buy one...USED!

If only a "baseload" market for these cars existed. I mean, if they could be produced and sold profitably into fleet service or something like that, the secondary market (used car buyers) would take care of itself.

Where could the Mark replacement be sold in large quantities?

Rental cars? Probably not - most are 4 doors.
Taxis? Nope, same problem.
Police? Too expensive.
Government? Same problem as Police.
Livery? Not enough doors. Plus, Town Car has a lock on that one.
Sales fleets? Probably not - I always needed 4-doors in sales.
Executive cars? Probably not enough executives to jump on a Lincoln offering, with all the other "prestige" autos available.

Where could a $50k coupe be sold in large numbers, if not to the general public?

Answer that question for Ford, and we'll likely see a new LSC.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

>> Where could a $50k coupe be sold in large numbers,

That's the problem! Mercedes and BMW have a world-wide reputation and sales base, so they can sell a $50K coupe.

For Ford/Lincoln to pull this off, they should have a $30K max Ford replacement for the T-Bird, or a $40K MAX replacement for the Mark VIII, but they need to be world-class quality, or they'll just go the way of the Marauder, etc. It's no surprise to me Mercury couldn't sell a big boat with a 4.6L DOHC - who really wanted it? The new Cobra is the closest thing I see to a well designed "almost" world-class sports coupe, but it's really only a practical 2 seater, and not really a very timeless design. The Corvette is probably considered world-class at $50K, but look what that $50K gets you compared to the new $40K 2-seat T-Bird - there's no comparison!

If they expect to sell to more than a limited market, FMC needs to start thinking world-class and not niche market, and give people REAL quality, not just gussied-up passenger cars with leather interiors...

John
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

No... i own enough american garbage

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

In a heartbeat.

It has to fit like the Mark VIII. It has to leave you wanting to drive more. It has to make you push it harder into the turns ahead. It has to leave a smile on your face when you get out. It has to make you want to press harder on the accelerator. It needs to be quiet and docile until called upon to demonstrate its prowess on the road. It needs to pamper you with amenities like you really deserve it. It needs to outlast the competitors and be reasonably affordable(probably $40-45K with very few options and only two model choices). It doesn't have to sell to the masses, after all it was meant to be unique, seeing one on every block would deflate the passion.

Come on Lincoln, I dare you...

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Shrink the LS, restyle it (make it more distinctive), offer it with a V8, at least 300 hp, with a stick. Make it weigh 3000 lb or less, and market it to young people with a price of about 30k, with minimal "luxury" features.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Absolutely, as long as it had the '03 cobra drive train with an optional stick shift. Briefly Considered the '03 LS, but once I saw that the V6 was the only one with a stick, I went out and bought the mark.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Interesting discussion so far. It seems like there are two schools of thought on the kind of coupe we'd like Lincoln to make:
1) Mark IX - big, powerful, luxurious, expensive (probably $45k+) - basically the Mark VIII plus one
2) 2-door LS - (in comparison to #1) smaller, less luxury, more sport, more affordable (starts in low- to mid-$30k) - think 3-series coupe killer
Both V8, both considered "drivers" cars (for a Lincoln at least, more so for #2). #2 would have to come with a manual transmission option (IMO), would be nice on #1 but probably wouldn't sell well in that price category (although the BMW 540i does have a 6-speed option...).

But would #2, with less luxury features, be better badged as a Lincoln, or a Mercury? Remember there was that article a while back about how Lincoln was practically the only luxury nameplate that didn't dilute it's "luxury" brand name with "near luxury" vehicles. I think to be a true Lincoln it'd have to be at least as luxurious as the base LS.

And a Lincoln with an '03 Cobra drivetrain? I'd sell a kidney for one of those

Keep those thoughts coming!

[font color = blue]Tony - St. Louis, MO[/font]
1998 LSC - Toreador Red/Light Graphite
1989 Mustang LX 5.0 - Scarlet Red coupe
[FONT COLOR=RED]>*> [link:www.markviii.org/~tonymueller|Tony's Internet Garage] <*<[/FONT]

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Actually..... I am afraid Lincoln is going in a styling direction I personally cannont stand. I have looked at the concept cars and I do not like the brushed alum which is adorning more and more of the interiors, and I dont like the "retro" look such as the t bird or the harsh looks of the mk9

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

The only thing I really don't like about Lincoln's concepts is the front end styling. I think they tried to make everything look like a Navigator, and that squared-off front end doesn't play well on cars, IMO. I like the look of the MK9 and Continental concepts EXCEPT (and it's a big except) for that "snowplow" front-end, as I've called it before. I think it's butt-ugly.

[font color = blue]Tony - St. Louis, MO[/font]
1998 LSC - Toreador Red/Light Graphite
1989 Mustang LX 5.0 - Scarlet Red coupe
[FONT COLOR=RED]>*> [link:www.markviii.org/~tonymueller|Tony's Internet Garage] <*<[/FONT]

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

I have to grin when I see Mercedes and BMWs going down the road with four people and the rear wheels WAY negative camber because of no load leveling.

Click to expand...

the new mercedes e class has adjustable air suspension with load leveling.

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Nope it would definitely still have to be big, huge and luxurious, thats why I have 2 cars of the mark series, but I want more performance too dammit!

RE: If Lincoln made a new LSC, would you buy one?

Probably not, I doubt I could afford it in the near future. The only reason I was able to get my Mark VIII is because it had depreciated by $32,000.

Even if I was able spend around $40,000 on another car, it would be a Lotus Elise. Sorry Ford.