I found 2 candidates: Both are the same price.
2015 V6 AWD, 35k miles, 1 owner(lease return, not rental) certified pre-owned, so 6 year/100k bumper to bumper warranty. Black on black with hazelnut seats , console inserts and door arm rests. it's an odd 2-tone, as most include the dash when there are 2 colors, but not this one. I really love the interior. It has the THX-II, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, conventional sun roof, lane departure system, and the park assist. I really want black...and this is it.
I was avoiding the V6 due to the cooling pump issues I've read and the transfer case (PTU) but I spoke with a master Ford tech who assured me the cooling pump issues are few and far between and the PTU's are also rare to fail and if they do, they are cheap to replace...then again, I've got 3 years left on the warranty (and 65k miles) so I'll either re-up the warranty when it expires, or trade it in.
The other candidate, which until Wednesday was my first choice. 2016 FWD with 2.0 Eco-boost with only 28k miles! Magnetic Metallic with light tan 2-tone interior(wife lives that color combo) but loves the black exterior more. Also a CPO car with same warranty. No THX-II, no lane departure, but also has sunroof, heated/cooled fronts, heated rears and 2 new tires.
The thing that put me on the fence as far as to which one is: On Wednesday, the Master tech informed me he felt the V6 is a better engine all-around as the 2.0's have oil leak issues and some have cylinder head issues as well. again, the warranty would come in to play here.
Both warranties offer rental car reimbursement should the car need a visit to the dealer.
The Lincoln Certified pre-owned warranty has nice things...rental reimbursement even if it's in for a recall, and of course for warranty repair. I can have repairs done at an independent shop as well, which comes in real handy since I manage an independent shop.
The 2015 is 45 minutes away...the 2016 is 2 1/2 hours away, through SF Bay area traffic then south towards garlic country...a VERY long haul to buy a car for sure.
Last night I installed 2 used seat belts in the Grand Marquis to clear the pre-tensioner air bag chime/light and codes and then gave it a bath. I'm headed to see the 2015 in a couple hours. I dont NEED to buy the car, I have my own financing so I hold all the cards...if they wont play nice on my trade in, I will drive home and probably keep searching. I most likely will NOT make the 2-1/2 hour drive to see the 2.0 FWD one unless my eagerness takes over after seeing the Black one.
Time will tell. I'd really love to have a black MKZ...and rightfully name it: Black Ice MKZ