Friend considering an MKZ and asked me for car advice....Need some help please

[kevings]

Hi Fellas,

 

I signed up on this forum, so I could chat with a few of you guys.  One of my very good friends is about to purchase a new vehicle and asked me for some advice.  I have never owned a lincoln, but I really want to give him meaningful and accurate advice, so here I am: )

 

I will say though, that at first glance, the MKZ in my opinion has a sexy design and looks like alot of car for the money.

 

Aside from the comment I just made, I'm not to familiar with the MKZ. I did some research last night, to try and gauge how competitive it is with the other choices in the 40-50k range, but I'd like to see what kind of feedback you might be able to share with me.  

 

Here's the criteria hes working with:

-He's got about a 55 mile commute round trip, so he likes the gas mileage of the hybrid model

-He's looking to purchase not lease

-Looking to spend between 40-50k, financed.  He's got tier 1 credit, so lincon's 0 %apr is attractive to him.

 

So here are my questions for you guys:

 

1) what year,model ( hybrid or regular ) do you have and how long have you had it?

 

2) hows performance of the hybrid vs regular ?

 

3) Are you happy / unhappy, what do you like best and least about the vehicle.

 

4) What other vehicles did you consider in this segment and why did you ultimately go with the MKZ. As an fyi...he's also considering the lexus es350 and a Ford model, which is suppose to be very similar to the MKZ but cost less ( the Fusion Hybrid, I think)

 

5) For those of you who have had competing vehicles in this segment.  How does the tech in the MKZ compare if he gets the navigation/tech package?

 

6) Hows reliability been so far?

 

7) And finally, would you buy it again?  

 

8) I heard about a "date night" promotion, where you can take the car over night.  Anyone know if that's still going on in CA ( orange county ) ?

 

Thx again, for any advice I can get from all of you.  My friend values my opinion/advice, so I take giving it as something serious.  Personally, I'm driving a 2015 lexus gs350 F-Sport, so I just went through all of this ( researching a new vehicle).  Now though, I need to get back to my friend with some expert level advice and ultimately, I hope to just point him to this thread.  

 

Thanks from CA!

 

[Max]

I own a 2012 hybrid and I love it have had not problems. My wife also loves it and wants to buy one for her self. The do the date night we did it I can see if I still have the card for the number for you. But you should be able to call them and set it up

[KenZ]

So here are my questions for you guys:

 

1) what year,model ( hybrid or regular ) do you have and how long have you had it?

2013 MKZ Hybrid.  Took delivery new - May 2013

 

2) hows performance of the hybrid vs regular ?

Engine-wise.  It is quite peppy, although I have learned to drive differently with a hybrid.  There is a driving coach function that lets you know when you are accelerating, braking or cruising outside the optimum parameters.  I used that extensively for the first 6 months until some bad old habits were broken.  Getting up to speed on on-ramps is not a problem, extra speed at passing is not a problem.  Big caveat here - my expectations of speed, passing, etc have been tempered with the extra MPG you get by driving conservatively.  My lifetime MPG is running around 42 MPG.   Local driving (up to 50 mph, stoplights occasionally) is typically 45-50 MPG, high speed driving (65+ MPH interstate) is typically 38-40 MPG.  Driving like a madman, constantly speeding up/down, lane changing, etc (how I used to drive) kills the mpg.   

 

3) Are you happy / unhappy, what do you like best and least about the vehicle.

Exceedingly happy.  Over the moon happy.  Best - I love driving a small luxury car, smooth ride, amazingly quiet and getting great MPG.  Cooled seats, all the technology at a reasonable price, panoramic roof.  Worst - fingerprints on the touchscreen.  I love the touchscreen over the silly knobs and joysticks I have had on other cars - but I hate the fingerprints.  It's a silly worst, but I have trouble thinking of something I don't like. 

 

4) What other vehicles did you consider in this segment and why did you ultimately go with the MKZ. As an fyi...he's also considering the lexus es350 and a Ford model, which is suppose to be very similar to the MKZ but cost less ( the Fusion Hybrid, I think)

I looked at the Lexus and Audi equivalents at the time (March-April 2013), plus the Ford Fusion. Ultimately went with the MKZ because the fully loaded version with all the available options/technology was roughly $10K less than the competitors. The Ford/Lincoln business model of not pricing the Hybrid model higher - worked for me.

 

5) For those of you who have had competing vehicles in this segment.  How does the tech in the MKZ compare if he gets the navigation/tech package?

I went with full blown, every piece of technology that was available.  It is hard to compare since it changes rapidly over the years.  It is by far better than the navigation system in the 2010 Acura I traded in or 2011 Jeep I also had.  Voice recognition has gotten much better.       

 

6) Hows reliability been so far?

The only real issue I had so far was a flat tire and Lincoln roadside assistance came and got me.  There had been one recall for updating the technology. When I bought the car, the max speed on electric was around 62 MPH, a tech upgrade changed that to around 85 MPH (I think, I typically don't go that fast).  There was also a recall for a problem of being able to put it in Park while still slow speed moving.  Other than that, nothing major. 

 

7) And finally, would you buy it again?

Absolutely, without a doubt, in a second.  I had such a good experience with the Lincoln dealership that when looking for a small SUV (trading in the 2011 Jeep), I bought a 2015 MKC in June.  The technology is pretty much identical to the MKZ and I really liked it.  I don't have to learn a new nav system or what all the buttons do!  It is the first time I have ever had two of the same brand in the garage.  I have never been terribly loyal to one brand, I sort of buy what is interesting to me.  Keeping two cars in the garage since 2005, I have had 2005 Jeep, 2005 Chrysler, 2007 Jeep, 2010 Acura, 2011 Jeep, 2013 Lincoln, 2015 Lincoln.

 

8) I heard about a "date night" promotion, where you can take the car over night.  Anyone know if that's still going on in CA ( orange county ) ?

Date Night is running, but it is at the discretion of the dealership.  There are 5 Lincoln dealerships within 30 miles of me (North Suburbs of Atlanta) and only 2 were offering date night.   You should probably call around to the dealerships.  Be specific that you are talking about the MKZ, some are not offering date night only on the MKC now.   

[NV Rick]

1) what year,model ( hybrid or regular ) do you have and how long have you had it?

2014 hybrid. Purchased July 2014.

 

2) hows performance of the hybrid vs regular ?

Unknown. Never drove a regular version.

 

3) Are you happy / unhappy, what do you like best and least about the vehicle.

Oh yeah! I like the overall fuel efficiency. Around home I get anywhere from upper 30's to mid 50's. I live in a valley so when I go to Vegas, I have to climb through a pass with an elevation difference of about 2500 feet. My mpg are usually upper 30's to lower 40's during those trips. (The elevation around home is about 2700ft so I don't get the mpg I would expect if living in Florida.) What I like least is the noise when climbing a steep grade. Others have confirmed this is normal, including one contributer who has driven the same road (NV 160) through Mountain Springs pass.

 

4) What other vehicles did you consider in this segment and why did you ultimately go with the MKZ. As an fyi...he's also considering the lexus es350 and a Ford model, which is suppose to be very similar to the MKZ but cost less ( the Fusion Hybrid, I think)

None, although I did take a quick look at the Fusion, but wanted the upgraded features of the MKZ-h.

 

5) For those of you who have had competing vehicles in this segment.  How does the tech in the MKZ compare if he gets the navigation/tech package?

N/A although I really like the improvements made over the 2011 MKS I had before this. The auto headlights stay on longer when slowing. They now stay on until around twenty mph as opposed to the 33 mph with the MKS. The auto lamps also seem to respond more quickly when approaching/passing other traffic. Also really appreciate Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and Blind Spot warning (BLISS). Neither of which I had on the MKS.

 

 

6) Hows reliability been so far?

Very good. Has started every time, lol.

 

7) And finally, would you buy it again?  

Yes.

 

8) I heard about a "date night" promotion, where you can take the car over night.  Anyone know if that's still going on in CA ( orange county ) ?

N/A

Edited December 14, 2014 by NV Rick

[scttrich]

Mine is a 2014 MKZ Hybrid. It was the top equipment group which I think was called Reserve.

 

Decent performance compared to a non-hybrid. But I do not drive aggressively since comfort and fuel economy are my goals.

 

I am very happy with this car as it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. The things that I do not like about the vehicle are not even worth mentioning or have already been addressed in the 2015 model revisions. For example I did not like how the folding side mirrors were not powered but they have since rectified that in the newer model year. That aside I wish the power window buttons were set about ¼ of an inch further back as I tend to hit the buttons to open the rear windows when I meant to open the front ones. This is hardly a complaint just an observation.

 

I did not look at any other vehicle in this segment. I had previously owned, a VW and several Cadillacs and Lincolns. I fell in love with this car the day it came out. I knew that there was nothing out there that even came close to the MKZ. Many other luxury cars are simply overrated while the Lincoln unfortunately is usually overlooked. I did not want to drive a Mercedes or BMW like everyone else as I wanted something unique and special.

 

As far as technology I do not have the extra technology package but the equipment group I bought came with the GPS, backup camera, Bliss and most other bells and whistles. I simply love it all and think that they did a wonderful job with everything. If I had to do it again I would have spent the extra money and gone for the technology package but I can tell you that even without it this vehicle is very technologically advanced.

 

Reliability has been 100%

 

I would definitely buy it again. In many years from now perhaps my next one will have the technology package and the panoramic roof (I have the regular moon roof and am very happy but the panoramic roof looks amazing)

 

Tell your friend to talk to his local dealer about the date night promotion. He should definitely look into this vehicle.

[robertlane]

Some great feedback and testimonials for you to take it ;)

[kevings]

Gentlemen,

 

I want to thank you all for the feedback.  I have pointed my friend towards this thread and I'm sure he appreciates the info.  

 

I talked with him tonight and it looks like he's narrowing down the decision the lexus es350 vs the Lincoln.  My thoughts are that the Lexus may prove more reliable in the long run ( though the Lincoln looks highly reliable too ) and that the Lexus will likely have stronger resale value ( though this isnt to important since he keeps his vehicles 10 years+ ).  On the other hand the Lincoln comes well equipped for the $, and I think the design is much sexier, and is much more unique than the lexus es350, which in Orange County CA are fairly common.  

 

Just for the heck of it / in case anyone here is interested in what he chooses, I'll come back and let you all know.  

 

In the meantime, if any other owners want to contribute feedback please feel free.

 

And thx again fellas.

 

ps - robertlane....that's a hell of a car collection you have there....from luxury to performance....all bases are covered: )

[AZ MKZ h]

Good inquiry on the MKZ for your friend and really good input from MKZ owners.  To save time typing, I have to echo all the above pros and cons on the MKZ.  I bought my 2014 MKZ hybrid in late July and just hit 4000 miles.  Totally loving the car and comments from onlookers.

 

I got a full package of trinkets and trash that just make this car fun.  I'm like KenZ about the fingerprints on the touchscreen...but that's about all.  One thing to get accustom to is the missing gear shift; the push buttons were part of the draw to this car, but OLD habits of reaching for the gear shift took a while to break.

 

My MKZ has the panoramic roof and that is just so damn great now that the Arizona weather lets me open it these days.  I saw the car at the 2013 Car Show and just had to have one.  After looking at other hybrids, the MKZ offered so much for the money and "it doesn't look like every other car".

 

While in for some service (window replacement) I took the time for the Free Training Class and learned so many new features of the car.  If current owners haven't taken the class...it's worth the time...and free coffee.

[hermans]

While in for some service (window replacement) I took the time for the Free Training Class and learned so many new features of the car.  If current owners haven't taken the class...it's worth the time...and free coffee.

 

My dealer also had OJ and donuts.