ctrcbob

IMHO, "Zephyr" is a much better name than anything they can come up with. It was stupid when they changed the name from Zephyr (2006's) to MKZ (2007+).

Sold in this country as a Nash (Metropolitan) however it was really an Austin Metropolitan. "Gee dad, it's a Nash"!

I bought a 2017 Continental four months ago. Traded a 2013 Mercedes E350, which is not a quality car.

1. Take it to a FORD Dealer. I took my present MKZ and my previous MKZ to my local Ford dealer. EVEN FOR WARRENTY WORK, on my previous 07 MKZ (AWD) for various problems.. My local Ford dealer was always happy to do warranty work. In the past, I also would take my two 98 and my 02 Continental's to my Ford dealer. One of my 98 Contentals had various problems, one of which was big, and Ford dealers (while I was on the road) always fixed the problems. My present MKZ and the two other previous Continental's get serviced either by my local Ford dealer, or a Lincoln dealer that is quite a distance from me. 2. As for dealer service departments, I always service my Avalon at the Toyota dealer in Leesburg Florida (not in Orlando where I bought it) as their service department and their Service Manager is the BEST. I wish the Leesburg Lincoln dealer service department was as good, however they are crooks. (I have a separate previous post on how the Leesburg Florida Lincoln Service Department screwed us when they took advantage of my wife when she had a flat tire). Again, I either use my local Ford dealer or the Lincoln dealer that is 25 miles from me. Both treat mr good. 3. Checking the photos of the (soon to be perhaps) Continental. Generally, I like it, however the grated grill and headlights have got yo go. Also, get rid of those wheels and put on something that looks like quality. As it is, the Continental looks like a Genesis or Equus. I may get one, but then again, I may get a Mercedes. Don't know. (My wife loves her 2011 MKZ but our Avalon is the better car- don't know which I'd trade).

I forgot to mention in my previous post. You purchased the MKZ with the retractable roof? If so, we know you will not use that roof in the Phoenix summer. You may use it once in a while in the winter. I test drove one with that roof but did not care for the rear view with the roof fully open. If and when I buy, it will be with the normal "moonroof". BTW, I saw a TV ad from a Lincoln Dealer on one of the "beach cities" east of Orlando, stating that they sell MKZs for $6500 off sticker. Did not say if it was only for 2013s or both 2013 and 2014s. Thinking about it.

Ditto. At night, the "Running lights - Parking lights" go all the way across the back of the car. When you put your brakes on, only the corners get brighter. That is why they are called Brake Lights.

If I remember correctly, Sanderson is on Bell Road. On one trip to Phoenix with one of my Continentals, I had a strange noise whenever I would turn the steering wheel to the right. Took it to Sanderson and the tech immediately saw that it was the right side outer tie-rod giving problems. Changed it out and did an alignment. No more problems. (Sure, they tried to get me to change all four [outer and inner left and right] tie-rod ends, but I did what I always do when a shop wants to sell me something that I don't want, telling them "no, as I'm selling the car in a few weeks"). Also, if I remember correctly, Sanderson Lincoln is on "Automobile Row" on Bell Road and they also sold Volvo from the same location.

I'm sitting in my Toyota waiting room while having my Avalon Limited serviced.. Talking with a customer who just came in with the exact same tire problem we had.. A large bolt or nail in his tire.. Service Manager came over and told him that the new tire, installed, will be $143. Only changing one as there is no need to change two.. In my case, Plaza Lincoln "insisted" that two tires were needed otherwise it would screw up the differential (even though it was a rear that was needed and the car is a FWD) getting my wife all worried and flustered. It should have only cost me between $150 to $180. Thieves! I just finished congratulating the Service Manager at Phillips Toyota on not "screwing" his customer and telling him the story about Plaza Lincoln just down the street,, If/when my wife decides she wants to trade for a new MKZ, it will be at Central Florida Lincoln (who went out of their way to make me happy at my last service) or Parks Lincoln.. (She likes my Avalon Limited and the Lexus ES350 also).

Took my MKZ to Central Florida Lincoln for service (oil and filter changer) a couple weeks ago. Treated me right. Best of all, they did not try to sell me anything I did not want or need. While there, I got to talking with the Internet Sales Manager. The type of guy that when I'm ready, I will buy from him. Plaza lost my business, both present and future.

My former 2007 MKZ with AWD was great in the snow.. (Yes, even though I normally live in Florida, I had it in deep snow in Western New York, in snow and ice in Roswell and West Texas and believe it or not, in a big snowstorm, December 2008, between Jackson Ms and Hattiesburg MS.) Although it was great in the snow, the AWD "PTU" was always leaking, and after they could not fix it, even under warranty, I got rid of it. My present 2011 MKZ FWD has not yet seen snow. (Previous Continentals FWD also were great in snow).

Stopped off at my local Ford Dealer yesterday only because I had one of those "worthless" mailers saying "match the numbers and you win". I knew I would not get anything other than a "scratch off" ticket. (I thought the scratch off would be for Lotto, but WRONG, it's from the ticket promoter). Well back to the point. Their Service Department was dead. Techs only servicing a couple cars. As for the Sales Department, yes, there were a VERY few customers there, but only because of the mail in promotion. Salespeople were standing outside like a bunch of vultures. Well, while there, t thought I'd ask about the Fusion Hybrid Energi. This is the plug in hybrid. Not that I wanted to buy, I just wanted to look and to see how it switches from plug in battery power to hybrid battery and what the 120v (and 240v) plugs look like. I may as well have been talking Greek. The salesperson did not have a clue. (Dealer in Apopka has a few and next time I'm in the area, I will stop there just to see how the Hybrid Energi differs vice the regular Hybrid).

When I was on Roswell NM last month, Roswell Ford and Roswell Lincoln were still together in the same building. While in Pensacola FL, the Lincoln Dealer was stand alone, across from the Ford Dealer. Up in Rochester NY where I often go, Cortese Lincoln is right next door from Cortese Ford. Completely separate buildings. I know of other Ford/Lincoln dealerships both in Western New York and in Florida that had to drop Lincoln. IMHO, it's a shame as it gives me less dealer choice.

Went to the largest (only) Lincoln Dealer in Orlando on Colonial Drive, for my oil and filter change today. This is my wife's car and only 3500 miles since the last oil change exactly one year ago. Here is what surprised me. Very few, if any, customers at the dealership. Only saw one other guy in for service and only one woman shopping for a car. I figured that on Black Friday, there would be long lines waiting for service and a lot of people looking to buy. (See below) When I left there, I decided to visit a friend who is a technician at the Hyundai Dealership, just a mile away on Colonial. What a surprise. The sales area was packed and the Service Department was also loaded with customers having their cars serviced. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Ford/Lincoln is making a mistake removing Lincoln from former Ford/Lincoln dealerships. Now there are too few Lincoln dealers. With the five Lincoln's I've owned, (two 1998 Continentals, a 2002 Continental, a 2007 MKZ and our present 2011 MKZ) I always had a choice of many dealers, but not anymore.

I'm going to get the oil changed in my 2011 either friday or early next week. Not yet sure where I will get it changed. If I get it changed at Central Florida Lincoln, about 25 miles from me, I will look over the MKZ's he has in stock, both 2013 and 2014's. Will see what they have to offer on a deal. If I get it changed at my local Ford dealer, about 2 miles from me, I know they will want to get me into a Fusion, however the Titanium is a 2 liter ecoboost, and not offered in a V6. Also the gas milage of the 2.0 ecoboost highway (and city) is no different than my 2013 Avalon V6. Also, I noticed that some Ford dealers in the area, (not my closest one) has "plug-in hybrids" in stock. I've never seen a plug-in hybrid. Very high cost but I'm just wondering if the engine cuts in a charges the battery, the same as a regular hybrid once the charge is depleted from charging at home. I may ask, just for the heck of it. I would much rather have the V6.

Old shipmate owns an Alien Shop. I see you are from Fort Worth. I love driving from Denton (or Bridgeport) on US-380 all the way into Roswell. I always go this way when I have the time.

The dealer in Longwood (formerly Longwood Lincoln) is now Parks Lincoln. I won't buy from Parks as their "Manager" "Joe K" tried to pull a fast one on me and I will not buy from them as long as he is employed there. I told him, pointing to my forehead, "it don't say stupid up here"! Central Florida Lincoln is on Hwy-50, Colonial Blvd.

Just returned from one month out in NM and AZ. Here are my observations. 1. Heading West to Roswell, I never saw a 2013 (or 2014) MKZ on the road. None. Nada. Saw none on the road to Phoenix. None. 2. Heading East, back to Florida, I saw ONE. Only one on the road. 3. The Ford/Lincoln dealer in Roswell NM, two blocks from my Roswell address, did not have any, that I could see from my car. He may have had one or two inside the showroom, but none sitting in his lot. 4. Passed by a couple combo Ford/Lincoln dealers in smaller towns in Texas, but did not notice their MKZ's. 5. Stayed overnight in Pensacola FL, on Pensacola Blvd, where there is a Stand Alone Lincoln Dealer. He did have some MKZ's sitting out front, HOWEVER, most of the cars in his lot were other brands (used cars). I guess he has to do something to sell cars, to stay in business. 6. I now see that Lincoln (and Ford) are now getting their 2014's in and they are advertising their 2013's very heavy, comparing them to the Lexus. 7. In my area of Central Florida, I believe that Ford/Lincoln is making a mistake separating the two dealerships. Now, Lincoln Dealers are fewer than "Hens Teeth" and they are NOT dealing because they have no Lincoln competition. I will find out more in three or four weeks, as I have to take my 2011 in for service, and while there (Central Florida Lincoln) I'll see what kind of a deal they will give me on a 2013 or 2014 MKZ. (3.7 V6, not the 2.0 EcoBoost or the Hybrid). I've been with Ford products since 1993, and no matter where I purchased them, there has always been a Ford Dealership (to service my Fords) or a Lincoln Dealership (to service my six [yes SIX] Lincoln's) nearby for my servicing.

Prior to the 2013's (2006-2012) the battery is under the hood, and it gets HOT under there. Heat kills these batteries.

Will find out what Roswell (NM) Ford/Lincoln is doing once I get out there in a couple weeks from now..

Cortese Ford and Cortese Lincoln, side by side, Rochester NY

That 43.4 mpg sounds great. Although my wife LOVES her 2011 MKZ, that will not stop me from looking at a 2014 MKZ. Don't mean I'll buy but just looking. I will NOT buy one with the 4 cylinder 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Would only buy the 3.7 V6 except I would consider the hybrid. (Yes I know the hybrid has 4 cylinder engine used when not on battery power). What I don't understand is that my MKZ (3.5 V6, 6 speed transmission) gets 2-3 less mpg around town and 5-6 less mpg on a trip, highway, vice my Avalon (3.5 V-6, 6 speed transmission). I drive them both (when my wife lets me) the same way on the same local roads and the same highways on our longer trips. Just don't understand it.

Here it is, September. This past week, I saw two 2013 MKZ's. Parked next to a LOADED one with the 2.0 EcoBoost turbo engine and compared it to my Avalon. Yes, I test drove one, before I got my Avalon, but because a newer MKZ would be for my wife, she looked it over and guess what? She does NOT like it. She does not like the rear end treatment and says the front looks like it is wearing a mustach (sp). I don't mind either of these designs, but the car would be for her.. I would insist on the 3.7 liter V6 though.. We both don't like the "push button gear selector". When I drive, I like to keep my hand on the shift knob and with the 2013 MKZ, I have nowhere to rest my hand. My wife just loves her 2011, and as it stands right now, she does not want to trade.. BTW, two or three of the 2013 MKZ's I've seen in the past two or three weeks, have that (dumb) sliding roof. You can identify the car because the roof is black, plus the radio antenna is a short stubby (read that as ugly) thing on the rear fender. None of them had the top in the open position. Probably because (as I've read) it cuts into your rear view. Ok, the important thing is that my wife LOVES her 2011 and she would probably trade me before she would trade it..

I must be getting old as a friend told me to use silicone (sp) spray.. Worked like a charm.. Don't know why I had not thought of it before.. Well they do say that the mind is the second thing to go <grin>.

The rubber seal on the front of my MKZ Moonroof is starting to "chatter" when I open it to tilt. The rubber rubs and grips so good, that when it tilts, it chatters. Any ideas what I can use to lube the rubber?