2006 Lincoln Zephyr from North America - Comments

Coming from a family that has owned German, Japanese and domestic vehicles, I'd have to say that the verdict on the Zephyr/MKZ has been in for us for some time. No German or Japanese car has EVER held up for us as well as a Ford. The new Zephyr/MKZ is, as has been pointed pointed out, a Ford Fusion with an extra 7 grand tacked on, just like lexus is a Toyota with 10 to 30 grand tacked on, and an Acura is a Honda with 10 to 30 grand tacked on. With Toyoyta's MASSIVE problems (look on Camry, Highlander, Corolla and Tundra sites) and Honda's never ending transmission woes, I can't fathom rushing out to buy one of them just so I can get to be on intimate terms with the service manager. The Zephyr/MKZ line is probably the best-handling, smoothest, and most reliable vehicle anywhere within 10 grand of its price range. It's projected reliability tops both Honda and Toyota (not to mention the always unreliable Nissans). Our family has driven Lincolns since our first Town Car in 1984. Not one of them has ever had a single repair...EVER. The 1984 was sold to another relative, and as far as I know is STILL being driven.

"After mom kept hitting stuff with her gigantic Lincoln Town Car, the family decided to take it away from her and make her get a smaller car. Having driven the Zephyr/MKZ I was adamant that she get one, but she ended up getting a fully loaded Volvo S-60 instead. I just drove her Volvo and WOW!! What a DISAPPOINTMENT!!! The interior is EXTREMELY cramped (the console actually rubs against my leg while driving), the ride is very harsh, and the power brakes were entirely too touchy. I was very upset that she did not get the extremely roomy and great handling Zephyr/MKZ. Although reliability is not a concern (she drives less than 5000 miles a year and trades every three years), the Lincoln is rated as far more reliable than the Volvo. My wife's comment after mom was out of earshot was "Your 6-year-old Pontiac Grand Am (which we bought as a 3rd car to haul our dog in) rides MUCH BETTER than mom's new Volvo!!"

You do know that Ford owns Volvos also right? I suggest waiting another 2 or 3 years to buy this car as its blue book will be very low and its value will drop significantly (like most lincolns).

As far as the poster who said that no Japanese or German cars are better built then Fords all I have to say is; what are you smoking? Seriously that was one of the funniest things I have ever heard in my life. I owned a Ford before and that car along with the service were complete crap.

After having one Ford that went well over 300,000 miles with NO repairs other than hoses and a muffler, plus having a company that routinely gets 300,000 miles out of 4-cylinder Ranger XL pickups, I fail to see any problem with Ford owners reporting incredible reliability. My family did own a Toyota (a Celica GT) in the 90's, and it was not a bad car. It was not, however, any more reliable than any of our Fords and cost much more for routine servicing.

While Ford continues to get rave reviews from owners of the fantastic Zephyr/MKZ (easily the best car in the world within $10,000 of its price range) Toyota is SCALING BACK production, according to a top TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE, because of QUALITY CONTROL AND RELIABILITY PROBLEMS, Honda owners are joining the "transmission of the month" club, and Nissan is struggling back from the brink of bankruptcy because of the diastrously unreliable Titan and Armada. I'll stick with PROVEN RELIABILITY. None of our Lincolns has ever had a problem.

Wow, that remark about "clueless" college kids was offensive. Also, the Camry and Accord are not for "poor" people as they do cost a good bit more than other comparably equipped cars when new. They do offer very good reliability as everyone I have ever known who has owned one loved them. I have countless friends with Accords who have driven them to Hell and back without problems. Getting back to the Lincoln: The Zephyr/MKZ looks to be a good car that will most likely enjoy the same success as the excellent Cadillac CTS. Ford and GM are finally making the high-quality cars they need to compete with other makes; and, before someone responds with a story about a Taurus or Blazer that fell apart, I am not talking about what they were building five years ago. All they need now is for people to recognize the improvements and continue to push for more. And yes, I still believe that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are some of the best, but even the best have their low points. Happy Motoring All!!

I placed my own review out on this site on March 6th regarding your original review. I am having the same problem with my car and I only had it for 10 months now. I really like the car, but for 6 months this noise has been an absolute nuisance!! I've had a part replaced on my exhaust pipe based on the 1st Technical Service Bulletin. Based on the 2nd TSB, they fixed something "around" the windshield wiper motor. I found this site because I did a search on the internet for "Zephyr engine problems". I was shocked that there are so many people with the exact same problem that I have. The dealership is having a Field Service Engineer look at my car and I would recommend that anyone with this problem do the same and not be fooled with those exhaust and windshield wiper motor TSB's. I read someone's review that they had to take their car back 14 times. That is ridiculous and unacceptable. Wish me luck!!

You cannot go around comparing the MKZ to the Camry as they are not in the same class group. You should be comparing the MKZ to the Lexus IS which will blow the MKZ out of the water. There is a reason why the MKZ is low priced, as the old saying goes "You get what you pay for".

The MKZ is not much more than the Camry once you spec it out. The MKZ is more car for the money. The car is targeted at Lexus, BMW, Cadillac and other lux brands, but because of the price you have to put it in with Accord and Camry. Even with that said it still runs on regular gas while the other need premium. That alone saves a lot of mullah!!

Looking for some help? Have an '06 Lincoln Zephyr, and the trans seems to make loud knocking sounds when stepping on gas, on the highway or quick pull outs. The car only has 22000 miles on it. I spoke to a Lincoln tech who said the trans light would come on if there is a trans problem. Any similar problems?

Trans knocking on acceleration. Sounds like a transmission mount or torque arm.

"Even with that said it still runs on regular gas while the other need premium. That alone saves a lot of mullah!!"

I am going a little off topic here. You can raise engine efficiency by increasing the compression ratio. A higher compression ratio requires higher octane fuel to prevent pre-ignition. In Europe i.e. even many of the very small cars have high compression ratio engines and require premium fuel -- because the better fuel mileage save a bundle of mullah!!

Is the Lincoln Zephyr expensive to fix... like alternator? Brakes? Lights?

My 03 Cadillac cost an arm and a leg for anything to be done, and looking for a similar car, but not as expensive to fix. Is it true Lincoln is also very expensive to fix?

Next time your Caddy needs fixing take it to you usual shop (dealer?) and get a free estimate. Then take it to an independent shop and get a free estimate. Then go online and check the spare part prices with those from Auto Zone, O'Reilly or others.

You can probably keep your Caddy and save a lot of money with the independent shop. That shop may actually give you a break on some parts prices once he sees the quotes by the parts stores.

If you have a Lincoln, do the same, if you have a Honda do the same, if you have a Lamborghini I wish you good luck.

I purchased my used Lincoln Zepher after getting tired of my big Caddy 2000 Deville. Loved the ride, but could no longer afford the gasoline & the often monthly repair bills. The Zepher is totally different. It rides smooth for such a small car. And I've only had it a few months. I had one repair. The steering fluid was leaking. The warranty covered it. What I like most is that I feel like I am helping to keep America working. I know that some foreign cars are made right here. But for some reason, I just feel a little better. Hell my television, DVD blue ray etc... is all foreign made so they get enough money from me. So not my car. I will try to buy American whenever possible.