https://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motora...200322723.html

This came off of my main page on att. It lists the S type as one of the worst used cars because of tranny and engine problems. I had both so I sort of agree

 

I assumed he was going to pinpoint specific models not entire Brands.
He mentions the 4.0 V8 which hasn't been bolted in an S Type for over 10 years, although it did have it's problems.

 

The 4.0 was replaced by the 4.2 in 2002.5- so that's almost 12 years ago. The 'horrible engine reliability' must refer to the timing chain issue- an easy fix.

The transmission was the same Ford unit used on many vehicles- why single out the S-type and Lincoln LS?

 

The single biggest problem with both the LS and the S Type is the sales fell every year after the introduction.
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Bingo. No one wants an LS or an S-Type these days so I don't find it unusual that either of them would show up on someone's "worst car list". Of course, there are probably as many lists as there are car models....

Ours has continued to perform its job quite well with little intervention from me required in years. That's exactly what I want from our vehicles so I'm not complaining....

 

No Ford, GM, or Dodge on the list. It's a propaganda piece. With all the bad press and recalls from major American car manufactures being used as yesterdays news. Look they got a new list now. LOL

I wouldn't put my family in a vehicle from the big 3 ever again. I love them too much.

 

I chuckled at this list being in the used car business for 20+ years. To single out the S cracked me up since I know just as many early XJ8's with that same 4.0 had just as many issues.


Same thing with Range Rovers, all the 06 and newer ones have Jag 4.2's but the pre 06's had the unreliable BMW engine...... hence them being right near the top. Outside of my RR needing a new backup camera its been nothing but normal maintenance ...... so go figure. Guess we could all make a list and skew it however we wanted (as in NO American crap boxes).

 

I'm with Mikey, John and all the rest of you who see this as skewed and anecdotal at best ... and at worst, a sad admission that rather than be creative or productive, some are destined to earn livings by being provocative in denigrating the achievements and enjoyment of others.

As to the substance of the article ... it falls for the rather lame trap of generalizing from the few, or indeed one variant, and applying that to the entire range of models/years/variants. Now that some models are 15yrs old, of course there will be good and bad examples ... indeed, if poorly maintained, some will be terrible. That's what is so satisfying about finding the really good one. In my case, for example, and never marketed in North America, the twin turbo diesel has proven itself not only with enormous torque and power, but also reliable and frugal.

Perhaps I'll think more about this as I cruise silently down the highway, and effortlessly surge to 150kph; the silky glide through sweeping bends ... but then again, maybe I won't. Why ruin the moment?

Cheers,
Ken