Well I know this is biased, but that's ok. As many of you know I have been looking at getting a 00 or newer Maxima SE. I am also considering a Lincoln LS V-8 model as they are a very nice car as well. They are both in my price range, so what do you guys think. I should also probally break this down into 00-01 vs. 02-03 vs. LS Also if you guys come across any loaded out SE's or LS's for that matter please let me know I am getting very frustrated in my search.

Thanks

 

If you find one an 03 se six speed would be the way i would go but as far as that goes with the lincolns price range you could probably get an 04 max nicely equipped not to mention brand new
WHEELMAN

 

I am talking used my max price is $14k and a 00-01 LS with good miles can be had around here for that. They come loaded. As for the Maxima that leaves me looking at an 00-01 as well although a nice 02 6spd is for sale on here right now, just no options on it really. I know everyone hates these type post but it really helps me out, as it took me a while to be able to be in this position. Thanks

 

While the V8 Lincoln puts out 280 horses, it also weighs about 500 pounds more than the 255 hp max. Plus I didn't see an option for a manual tranny on the lincoln. My money would go to the max from a performance perspective.

 

i'd take a V8 Lincoln LS over any 2k-2k1 Maxima.....if in the same price range

 

Yes, I'm biased but, you could not give me a Lincoln. I'd always put my money on the Max. Just my preference.

 

I look at a few Lincoln Ls before I even thought about a Max I did not like the interior felt rental car cheesy + its a F.ound O.n R.oad D.ead Max will be more reliable economical and handle much better.

 

oh, most of the posters here ***** about resale value of Maxima's, your poor Lincoln is even worse!! Nice older person's car imo, depends on what you want. THe Lincolns ride will be softer, the auto will be easier to drive. The Max will give you a sporty ride, the 6 speed is as fun as it gets, and reliability will be better than the Lincoln, again imo. Dont forget a little better resale (look at older Caddy's and LIncolns before you badger me). Either way, nice cars!

 

Both are great vehicles and you have a tough decision. The ride in the Lincoln is 2nd to none. It's a fantastic vehicle and they last a lifetime. You have to decide on what's more important to you, luxury or sporty. The Lincoln is far from sporty.

 

Again I am talking about the LS which shares the same componets as the Jaguar S-type. Not even close to the continental or town car. This is as close to BMW, Lexus, etc. for the money as it gets. And the resale for the LS isn't any worse or better then a Maxima from what I can see. Probally better due to the fact that they have a 4 year 50,000 waranty after 50k though they drop. Biggest difference I am looking at is v-8 and rear wheel drive. I think the LS is a great looker as well and owners on epinions.com have nothing but good things to say, same with the Maxima. I would love to have a 6sp 3.5, but I want leather and I don't know if I can get one in my price range. Any help on locating one would be great.

Thanks again

 

Hay man don't be doggin on FORDs I have an 97' expedition XLT with 208k miles with original trans and engine so don't tell me fords arn't realiable

 

Depends on what years you are looking at for both cars! 00-01 max. is 222hp and a 00-02? LS is 252hp, new ones are 280hp and 02-03 max 255hp. Max. is definately lighter obviously, front wheel drive compared to rear wheel drive of Lincoln. It just so happens I've got knowledge on both vehicles. My mom had a 00 LS and I have a 02 max. In the fast catagory, max is slightly faster, depending on what years you are comparing. However, in regards to handling, LS will eat our max's any day of the week. The car handles like it's on rails. This car is in a different class than the max, it is compared to BMW's, ect. How ever, Lincoln has been known for electrical issues on some of there other s such as the continental. I'm not sure if it holds true on the LS.

 

Mmm... 0% Financing for 60 months on new Lincoln LS V8

 

if you're looking for luxury content the lincoln is probably the way to go, and it's fast too. People use fast as an big issue to buy a car,but we all know 80% or greater of this board haven't even tested the limits of their max, to include myself so don't let speed be a determining factor for youe decision to purchase. Good luck

 

I am lucky enough to have owned both these vehicles. Had a 2000 LS V-8 Sport package and LOVED it. It was fairly quick and had great acceleration on the highway; an all around great performer. Plus I think it is an A+ on the style scale. Keep in mind, you don't buy that car to dragrace. My LS had about 50k miles and I began to worry about the quality. They rate pretty poorly on reliability and are expensive to have fixed.

The Max is awesome too, but in a different way. It feels much lighter and quicker accelerating, however the lightness shows when it doesn't soak up bumps like the LS. As a matter of fact my suspension feels pretty freakin harsh to be a GLE. If I didn't put 30k a year on a car (if reliability wasn't an issue) I'd take the Lincoln all day. BTW, the Lincoln got worse mileage by about 5 - 6 mpg (mix of highway/city).

 

do a search on consumer reports, Ford reliability sucks, sucks, sucks. Talk to people tha own an older Lincoln. Everything breaks. I dont hear nissan owners complaining about it. Just my experience.

 

I too considered the LS when I bought my 01 SE in September but I figured in the long run I would be better off with the max. This car is on a lot in Jasper, AL. Beautiful in my opinion.

 

If your Max price is 14k you will be looking at 00's and some 01's not 02/03 Maxima, I would choose the Max over the LS. Maintenance on that Lincoln is going to be biatch and expensive and it is no where near as reliable plus the Max especially in SE looks more sporty!

 

Same thing for me!!
The LS is a great car and performer, but it wasn't available with a stick !! It's got to be for me!! too bad

 

NISSAN
I owned a ford and was not happy. Nissan is proven to have higher reliabality. If you really want luxury, get an infinity or acura. Plus Ford has a lower resale value, but hey its your money not mine!!!

 

my personal consumer report is my F-150 has taken me from 14 years or age to 22, 80,000miles, and has 150,000 on it and all I have done is change an alt. beyond normal maintence. My family has run alot of ford pickups, grandma still drives an 89 sable she got new. Not major problems, as good as japaneese, no but not as horible as people make it sound. I will agree the town cars and continentals suck, but the LS isn't close and it seems to me people are leaning towards the LS as the nicer car, but worried about reliability in the long run. I don't know what to do. If I could find a decent one of either model around here I am pretty neutral at this point. Just can't find anything. Thanks for the input keep it coming.

 

American cars are disgusting. Sorry if I offend anyone, but I hate any and all domestics with a burning passion. I even spit on the Viper.

 

DEF get the maxima......it also depends what kind of driving you do....and what your age group is...if you're into the softy suspensions, the luxuries, the fuel guzzling, the im about to be retired type, or if you're just simply in traffic jams and need something to totally isolate you from the environment, then get the lincoln. If you want a real nice sport sedan (needs a few improvements to be truly sport), then get the maxima.

if I were to do it all over again i would have gotten a 6speed.

 

...you mean compared to those hot CANADIAN cars? And since you live in canada, American cars are not "domestics" to you, they are "imports"....

Why, exactly, are American cars "disgusting?" I'm sure everyone here would trade their maxima for a Viper or even a Vette if they could....

 

I restled with this conundrum myself.

What it came down to is the same car you are comparing...the V8 Lincoln LS. While the Lincoln gives you V8 and rear wheel drive, it does not offer a manual transmission (only V6 comes with maual). If you were comparing the LS to the 2000 or 2001 Max, I'd tell you to get the Lincoln. Better performance, better ride and the only compromise is the transmission.

Comparing the LS to 2002 or 2003 Max gets a bit more complicated. You can get almost the same performance (albeit FWD) with a 6 speed manual (if you can find it).

One thing to consider is that the 2000 and 2001 LS had several problems with the automatic transmission. Most of them geared around the way the transmission shifts, which was later changed by lincoln but not in the form of TSB or Recall.

Go Nissan, you won't regret it plus the reliability is a spot better.

 

I sure wouldn't trade my maxima....for a viper or vette.....maybe an M5..

and we call american cars domestics up here anyways.

 

Not tryin to dis Canada...I love it up in BC!
But seriously - are any cars made in canada (like do they make Renault and Peugeut in Quebec?)

So you're seriously saying if someone came up to you and said "I will trade you my new Corvette (or Viper) for your Maxima" you would say "no?"

Not likely, eh?

 

Last time I checked, the reliability for 2000-01 LS's are not that great. In 2002, ford made about 500 changes to the car and I dont know how well it is from that standpoint. No doubt the LS is a great performer, but don't believe the commercial about it wasting a bmw 5 series as it was a v8 loaded LS versus a 525.

 

i'd say yes, sell this viper, and get another maxima; this time 6-speed. Or I'll get an M5.

and chrysler makes some of their cars in ontario.

EDIT: just realized this...happy 1000!

 

how about you sell me your car and we all win????

 

Actually,it stants for First On Race Day.

I do agree, though that the Max is much more reliable and will last longer than a domestic car, even a Ford product (arguably the best in quality the USA has to offer). I've had Ford and Nissan product for more than 20 years, and the Nissans generally will accumulate upwards of 200,000 miles before needing any major work.

Now if you want some REAL junk, visit any GM dealership.

 

Nissan cars are good, but their service will eventually drive you insane with their utter stupidity. You might get lucky and find a dealer that has an OK service department, but in all honesty, they are few and far between. American cars as a whole are not quite as good (although some are starting to catch up...Chrysler's new 300 and the Dodge Magnum...and the new '05 Mustang GT), but they do tend to make up for it in the service department. In all honesty, it's a tradeoff. you get a better initial car with Nissan, with minor to major problems standard, and not much support from the service department. American cars, you get a slightly inferior car with the initial purchase, but it is backed up (unless you do something blatantly stupid...no dearler will cover that) by a service department that actually gives a ****. American cars offer much better rebates and incentives as well...

 

HAHAHAHA Exactly

 

Sounds like you are looking for a attractive car with leather interior I am a big fan of the Lincoln LS I like the drive and handling of the car. I was looking into trading My 2002 Maxima for a 2003 LS V8 sprt. Believe it or not there was no difference what so ever in the cars handling wise the ride was the same and my car has 18" wheels. I did like the heating and cooling seats and the THX sound system was unbelievable. However you are looking for a 14K car.
If you can find a 2002 V8 sprt or Lux for the price go for it but if not the V6 is just as nice in my opinion. The only grips I had about the 2000-02 LS that I drove and sat in was the interior quality they do not hold up as well as my Maxima with 41K miles on it at that time.

Some of the things you need to pay attention to when looking at a used LS is the headlights tend to get condesation inside of them.
the seat cushions have a tendancy to start seperating from seat mounts.
The transmission transmission transmission every one that I drove Had a lazy transmission.

 

Well I've driven my parent's LS V6 and can say that it is a nice car. Would I trade an equally loaded Maxima for it......NO!!! But, I do think its the best car Lincoln ever produced. It def has a Euro feel to it but, you never really forget that its domestic.

Good luck.

 

Nissan Maxima SE

 

Depends it you want more lux or more sport.......max is both......LS is lux