Thoughts on this specific Lincoln MKT and Lincoln CPO

As I mentioned in another thread earlier this week, we are considering soon getting my wife a new car (or near new.)  She currently has a 2010 Mazda5 Sport, auto trans w/ 70k miles that we bought new in Feb '11.  It has been great but it getting a little small and to her, a little dated (been there, done that.)  My wife also likes to drive The Sumo Wrestler, the Gen3 Montero that I bought via Salvage auction a few years back, now w/ 215k miles.  

My wife is a good sport of putting up with my affinity for old (and often salvage cars) but she prefers (and deserves) better so I try to keep her in new cars.  She drives very little as a school teacher who only lives 3 miles from the school she teaches at.  Other than this small commute, my wife's car typically serves as our "family travel" car and our "nice car" for going places.  

The car we are looking for will be in that range of full size minivan or minivan disguised as an SUV or maybe even SUV.  

My targets are:

• Chrysler Minivans
• Kia Minivan
• Nissan Armada
• similar vehicle offering 3rd row
• I think I am not a fan of the Traverse twins

She would like new.  That probably keeps us in lower/mid model Chryslers and lower/ mid model Kias.  I am leaning toward lightly used cars such as either former rentals or returned lease cars.  My logic being that with less than 10k miles per year, in the 8 years we will likely keep this car, that would only be a 80k mile addition.  It is a likely assumption that we will not still own this same car past 150k miles.  Maybe not ever 125k miles.   

My target is to spend less than $25k.  The more less, the better.  

So, today I went to the next town over and actually test drove a car that I found online.  This specific 2016 Lincoln MKT.  It has 43k miles and is a Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned asking $25.3k.  Loaded up model.  I realize that the MKT is an acquired taste but I like the look.  I have some reservation to the complexity of the EcoBoost but I find some comfort in the Lincoln CPO warranty which is 6 year/100k mile.  

Lets talk more about Lincoln CPO and please chime in if you know more.  The Lincoln CPO brochure outlines that there is a $100 deductible to all warranty claims but otherwise it seem pretty extensive.  It could be said that it is a better warranty than the Lincoln original warranty.  It is certainly better than the Ford CPO on say a Explorer so please do not recommend an Explorer but I might consider a Flex.  The Ford seems to be 1 year bumper to bumper and then just powertrain after that.  The Lincoln seems to more be bumper to bumper for 6/100  I seem to be finding that well equipped Explorers are no cheaper than the MKT.  From those who have experience, what am I missing on the Lincoln CPO?

This Lincoln went into service March 9 2017 (late for a 2016 model) and now has 43k miles.  That would mean that the CPO would last until March 2023 (or 3 years, 3 months) and 100k miles minus 43k = 57k so 39 months and 57k, whichever comes first.  It is likely that the calender will run out first, for us.  

So, please look over the ad for this specific Lincoln and tell me what you see?  Any flags?  

Please tell me more about CPO?

I know some people here have industry insight.  Does anyone know what this dealership paid for this Lincoln at auction?  Specifically, as shown in this CarFax, bought 11-7-19 at a Pennsylvania auction.

If anyone wants to talk off-board, I can be reached at     jwelsh02...yahoo...  

These threads are a good way for me to keep my thoughts.  

This Lincoln has the 20" rims which are right around $200 plus mounting per tire and then only a 50k mile rating on the Continentals.  Not real happy about that.  This one has good tires on currently but tires become a near $1k proposition with tax and mounting!!!!!  

From the dealership ad, the original window sticker had a price of just a few dollars short of $55k.  That Lincoln depreciation is a real thing!!! 

If the mkt had sliding rear doors, I'd have one.

Yes, the tires are 1k every 50k. But you drove 70k in 8/9 years, so... You probably have some time to save up.

Bumper cover color looks off a bit more than most and no accident reported on carfax.

In reply to Robbie :

And, not just the lack of sliding doors but HUGE non-sliding doors.  I know, I know.    

This same dealership has another 2016 MKT in tan/tan.  This one has the mid row bucket seats and the silver one has the mid row bench.  We have the mid row buckets with the Mazda5.  This then means if you are hauling any cargo, you then have a 4 seat car.  I think I would rather have the mid-bench giving you a 5 seat car when hauling cargo.  

The tan one has only 19" tires and this opens up choices with quality tires being $50 cheaper, each with 65k and 70k tire warranties available.

In reply to NOT A TA :

Yeah.  Thanks for noticing.  Interesting.  

We had the older platform mate, the Taurus X. They're good cars, and even with the non-turbo 3.5 it was quick, the turbo 3.5 is a beast. It has a very usable, practical configuration. My only warning about the center bench is that if you have two baby seats in the second row then you essentially have a two-row vehicle as you have to fold one side or the other of the bench forward to get into the third row so I think you'd have to take the baby seat out to do that. Ours had the buckets in the center which I much preferred, you could squeeze between the baby seats to get to the third row.

Our Taurus X was incredibly reliable. It had 180k or so on it when we sold it, and it was 9 years old. It did have a transmission rebuild around 120k or so but that doesn't seem unreasonable. One rear spring broke on me, and it was a pain in the ass to replace and required one control arm replacement due to a broken bolt. I can't think of any other required repairs we did to it.

When shopping for a replacement the MKT was very high on the list and I loved the power and Lincoln level finishes inside. We ended up opting for a 2016 Caravan to get the power sliding doors and more usable rear passenger / cargo arrangement, and we've loved it but I still fantasize about that engine. And that super sweet interior.

Also worth mentioning...

For CPOs Lincoln offers 2.99% for 5 yr and 3.99% for 6 yr. 

The PenFed offers on used cars are 4.25% for 5 yr and 4.75% for 6 yr

For $20k borrowed for 5 yrs that is about $12 per month and $700 over the life of the loan.  Not earth shattering but notable.  

In reply to dculberson :

Ah, noted on the mid-buckets!  

Seems you're  living the same quandaries I am.  I personally have been pushing hard for the Ol' Grand Caravan but the resistance is from that Ol' part of it all.  

I'm curious to hear how the MKT drives.

Some background... I've owned a Mazda5, and I've got a fair amount of time with an '14-ish Flex, but the (afaik) non-turbo 3.8.  I actually can't stand driving it, because the motor is "ok-ish", the steering moves the wheels, but you get zero feedback, and the ride is 'Cadillac futon'.  That, and the seat is 'about the right height' for getting 90+ year old sleepy-in-law's mother in and out of, means it's perfect for the sleepy-in-laws; but not me.

Also, on the Flex, the power rear lift gate jackscrew cuts into the rear opening enough that a 4x8' sheet won't go in.  I've never had the opportunity to measure a non-power rear gate, but I think it was pretty close other than that mechanism... but I think you sacrifice many of "the good things" (assuming you can find one) to get the manual gate.  And, then again, you've got the F250 for such shenanigans.

But, it would be interesting to hear your feedback/experience on how this platform drives compared to the GC, and some of the Hyundai/Kia offerings.

John Welsh said:

These threads are a good way for me to keep my thoughts.  

This Lincoln has the 20" rims which are right around $200 plus mounting per tire and then only a 50k mile rating on the Continentals.  Not real happy about that.  This one has good tires on currently but tires become a near $1k proposition with tax and mounting!!!!!  

 

From the dealership ad, the original window sticker had a price of just a few dollars short of $55k.  That Lincoln depreciation is a real thing!!! 

Used luxury cars are not about saving money on consumables.

So I'll announce my bias before anything else- I did work on the powertrain of the previous generation of the MKT, and the same engine goes into the Taurus SHO, Flex, and Lincoln MKS.  I'm naturally biased.

Anyway, this will be the second generation of the engine, and there are barely any changes to it from what I worked on.  It's a slightly simpler version of the engine relative to the F150, and I've not heard any problems with the FWD version- can't help with looking more into that until after the holiday, as we are all out until Jan 2- but I know people who worked on that specific powertrain.

To be honest, given the complexity, I am a little surprised that it's been as good as it has been.  Just like I'm still shocked that the similar engine in the F150 quickly outsold the V8- totally never expected that.

Because of the extra power of the engine, the trans is more stout than in the base V6 car- it's a 6F50 instead of a 6F35.  

In the end, IMHO, this is a better engine than the one in the F150.  

edit- in terms of driving, I really could not tell the difference between a Flex and MKT- they are the exact same chassis- just some slight damping changes for the Lincoln.  

In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :

The MKT is the "style choice" of the bunch.  Yes, I realize it has less practicality than say a Grand Caravan.  I get that and personally I wrestle with my personal inkling to choose the function over the fashion.  What does (might) appeal to me on the Lincoln is a "value".  I put in the might because you first have to agree that a Lincoln is worth $55k new (debatable) to see the "value" at sub $25k.  Of course, with this one going into service in 2017 as a 2016 model we know the buyer did not likely pay sticker.  If $45k-ish after incentives, I think we can still say it is 1/2 the money it once was.  I think cars often drop 40% value in the first 3 years so this is a little more than the norm. 

The driving dynamics...   it is Meh....   Yes, it is soft and comfortable, like comfortable is a bad thing.  True this will not be a corner carver.  The intention is to be a replacement for some odd combination of Mazda5 and Montero.  The wife is tired of the "compact car-ness" of the Mazda so loosing some of its "feel of the road" seems to be welcome.  A 200k miles Montero, though a generally good ride for a real SUV, is still a big swaying box.  The MKT seemed to be an improvement for our needs.  The MKTs strength seems like a great place for 4 people to cruise at hyw speeds.  Sure, other choices offer bigger 3rd rows or more cargo hold but the MKT seems like it offers 4 people some nice comfort with heated and cooled seats up font and just heated in the rear. 

I am somewhat surprised that the MKT was first launched as a 2010 model.  

Out of time.  More words later.  

I’ve heard a lot of people talk about they don’t like the look. I think it’s extremely handsome. 

No other input. 

I prefer the looks of the Flex, but I don't dislike the MKT. Especially in black.

When you test drove the MKT, did you have a chance to give it the beans. I've never driven an MKT, but I did drive ann Ecoboost Flex extensively. That engine is very fun in DD duty. And while it isn't has much fun as a Mazda5 in the bends, it starts to shrink around you when you push it.

And while the sliding side doors are fun when the kids are very young and still in car seats, I don't think you should bas your decision on that. If the MKT is like the Flex, the rear doors open wide enough not to be a problem.

If you can live with the gas and tire bill, I don't think you would regret an MKT. 

This time last year i was perusing the local availability of these....only to be reminded of the ingress/egress  of this particular  'ride' .....stepping  up to get in versus plopping down (age ...musculoskeletal related issues).....and therefore the Mazda CX-9 (2012) was the winner. If I were looking for a D/D to get the CTS-V off  the road ....this would be it.