Comments: 1-15, 16-17
One headlight assembly was replaced under warranty due to condensation. No questions asked, they just did it.
One almost imperceptible paint blemish on the front bumper.
My wife has always gotten the new cars in the family (she commutes and I work and live in the same town.) As I reached one of those milestone birthdays, I decided to treat myself to something special. What was I going ot buy? I wanted four doors, reasonable horsepower, some comfort, but not at the expense of handling. I looked at Audi (the A-6, 2.7T) which I rejected as too expensive, Volvo S-60 AWD (basically a front-driver with "when you need it" AWD, Mercedes E430 (way too much money) and the BMW 540I (see Mercedes.) Then I drove and LS V8 Sport.
It took me another 4 months to decide, but I'm very happy with my choice. I bought a 2002 LSE and never looked back. The car is pretty much what I expected; very good, not great power; a firm suspension, but not overly harsh- riding; excellent weight distribution leading to balanced handling; a comfortable and reasonably well-appointed interior with a very good sound system by Alpine and a sporty looking appearance package that continues to draw complements wherever I go.
On the down side, the car gets very poor mileage around town (I'm lucky to see 14.5 MPG.) This is balanced by reasonable highway mileage (22-23 at or above 80 MPH.)
Other complaints are the "smarter than a human" computer that won't allow the transmission to stay in 1st gear at a full stop; the ease with which you can confuse the tranny into selecting the wrong gear and manual shifts that aren't quick or firm enough. I have to shift approx. 300 RPM before redline or the tranny won't shift before the engine hits the REV limiter.
I didn't, but it to drive all year (it's garaged all winter) nor did I care about trunk space or the supposed lack of storage since, if I wanted a pack horse I would have kept my S-10! For such a great highway cruiser though, they could have at least included a change holder.
Overall, I couldn't be happier. I have a car that I actually want to drive whether or not I've got somewhere to go. It wants to be driven hard, is rock-steady at triple-digit speeds and it's more comfortable than anything I've owned before. The car needs further refinement and Lincoln has already begun to address the car's shortcomings (gee, they actually listen to buyers!)
I think it's an excellent example of what can be built right here in the USA and I can't wait to see what this car becomes with another 2 or 3 years of development. Lincoln is definitely on the right track!
Nice review, I myself drive a 2002 LSE and find it to be a sadly overlooked entry into the market. You bring up a lot of the points I wish other people would see.
I own a 02 lse as well and I would agree with the comments made about the car. I would say though that it is a great deal for the money and most definitely has a great feel to the car. The handling is also outstanding on the vehicle.
I've recently purchased a sleek black 2002 LS V-8 with under 36K miles. It has the sports package with chrome 17s and black grille. I drove a 2002 Mercedes E320 for a little over a week before finally going with the LS. I've received an overwhelming number of compliments from admirers from various walks of life... from snobs to good ole boys to homies, eyebrows were raised and head nods have been well received.
The only transgression at this point is the gas mileage. I also had an unfortunate experience with a back driver side passenger. I took my keys out and the automatic seat positioning feature buckled some legs.
I own a '02 ls sport and love it. runs and handles like the a scared deer. I'm a little concerned about the tranny (auto), however. The dealer rebuilt it (under the warranty) at approx. 18k miles. so far OK (35k miles), but tranny should've lasted longer than that! the car is everthing we expected, and a joy to drive.
The original poster who mentioned the computer being smarter then human is actually something that was designed that way to save gas. It starts of in second gear and then if you give 40% more throttle it switches to 1st.../ it's a little annoying, but was changed in the 03+ yrs.
Great car would buy again just needs a little more horsepower and refinement.
I have 50K and have had no problems worth mentioning. And I'm a spirited driver :) kind of hard not to be with a car that handles so well.
I recently purchased an 02 LSE with less than 30k in miles. Never could I have imagined an American car performing the way this car does. I've always considered myself to be too old for some of these toys cars on the market and still too young to be confined to driving the speed limit.. Boy does this car satisfy!! Not to mention the Black on Black body draws attention, right now I'm still too excited to be bothered by the horrible gas mileage.
I bought an 02' LSE about a little over a month ago. The car was leased before I bought it and I got it with about 54K miles. I love the car and couldn't be happier. The sport package makes all the difference. I like the regular LS, but the LSE is a notch above. Handling is great and it is extremely smooth on the highway. I agree with the post about the lack of a coin holder though. I am pleased to see that everybody else loved the car and that there was no serious complaints. I couldn't be happier with it thus far.
I purchased a Certiftied 2002 LS with 10,000 miles. Now have 85,000.
There were a few thing needed to be fixed. 2 coils went bad and a front end part both were cover by warranty.
Have one problem dealer can't find yet, is when I use air conditioner heat comes out right of the cabin.
I am now looking at purchasing at 2007.
I own a 2000 Lincoln LS V8 on 20 inch wheels. I absolutely love my car, as it was my graduation present from high school. But it could use a little more power, but I'm not complaining. I average 26 miles to the gallon on the highway. I get about 22 in the city. All in all it's a nice automobile that's often overlooked.
I own a 2000 Lincoln LS and I love the car. I was just wondering how the previous post gets 22 mpg in the city. I am lucky to get 15 in city. What did he do in order to get that much mileage? I would love to find out and I am sure there are many of us out there who would like to know as well.
The comments so far have been very helpful, Thanks. I hope to find an LSE soon to replace my 04 Tbird with a little more room and all the same excitement of the V8. I agree that the LS was not as appreciated or recognized as it should have been. To the last post, the fuel economy will change if you don't take the time to match the tires circumference to the old tires when you go to the larger wheel. I'm willing to bet that's contributing to the higher fuel economy numbers.
Yeah I have a black Lincoln LSE also and I find it to be a wonderful car, very fun to drive. I really like the turning and the ride of the car. It seams to be a very unique car I have not seen another one yet.
Hello everyone. I own a 01' LS V8 and it is great. I have about 84k on it and its just a fun car to drive. I sometimes have to make sure that I'm not speeding on the highway. It's a smooth ride but when you need it to go, the throttle will respond! It's a car that should never be over looked!
Anyone from a cold climate that has driven the LS in the snow? How does the rear wheel handle? Thanks.
Yep, a nice car, but you can get more power out of that engine, like to the tune of 45-65 hp, very easily on the cheap. The car is great.