So what is new in the 07 Zeph?

[GorgeZeph]

I have been reading a lot of thoughts about the 07 Zeph (MKZ?)

I was wondering what the changes were??? I've heard about the 3.5L and AWD. Some sources are talking about a new grill, but that doesn't really make since. If so, what changes are they planning? Can we get a mole in Lincoln to send us some pics of the new breed??? I pulled this from another site, so I'm not sure of its authenticity..... The only change I can see is some more chrome trim. But I wonder what happened to the hood ornament!!!!

[pro-five-oh]

Changes I know of:

1. Its called the MKZ
2. New front bumper, mostly new foglights
3. New rear bumper, sticks out less
4. 3.5L V6 standard (I think the 3.0 is only for the Ford and Mercs now)
5. AWD (probably an option)

All in all a nice buncha changes for the second year, though the alphanumeric name doesn't work for me.

[AZLincolnMercury]

IMO, for the price I think the zephyr has one of the most attractive interiors….. and 14 speaker THX surround sound doesn’t hurt either. Funny that a 29k Lincoln has real wood and a 50k town car doesn’t….let alone the difference in quality/fit and finish….In a few years when they depreciate I will certainly be looking to purchase one.

On Edmunds I normally see “low grade interiors pieces/fit and finish” (mostly GM products) but the zephyr is the first vehicle I have seen where they praised its interior quality.
“Pros Unique exterior style, premium interior furnishings, quiet highway ride, capable handling, tight construction. Cons Horsepower and acceleration below class average, no stability control available, similar Mercury Milan costs less.”
"The seats are wonderful, the interior is spacious, and the fit and finish is exemplary."

Sure its FWD…which doesn’t bother me since its not a full-size, it's built in Mexico.... not crazy bout that, and the back is funky but overall it’s a very respectable vehicle.


heres a link btw for the 07
http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1378&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=93

[pro-five-oh]

I still find too many interior parts to be hard and brittle compared to its Japanese competitors. And that annoys the heck outta me.

BUT...I recently saw a Zephyr with aftermarket wood trim. It matched the factory trim AND covered up most/all the hard plastic on the dash and doors. Granted the kit had too many parts but 80% of it looked fantastic on the car.

[Vitas]

I still find too many interior parts to be hard and brittle compared to its Japanese competitors. And that annoys the heck outta me.

O geez, what are you complaining about now???

[pro-five-oh]

The same stuff I'm always complaining about. But the aftermarket wood kit pretty much fixes that.

[Vitas]

The same stuff I'm always complaining about. But the aftermarket wood kit pretty much fixes that.

There is already after market support?

What does that tell you? Can you feel the love? http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[pro-five-oh]

Those woodgrain vendors have to work quick, every car sold after introduction is a possible lost sale for dealer add-ons. There's probably a lot more than we know, since there is a lot of stuff out there for the Mazda 6 that could very well work on the Zephyr.

I donno if I'm gonna feel the love until Lincoln tells their bean counters to go pound sand and spend more money making their cars better. This goes for all of them, except the Navigator which is built pretty much like a Lincoln should be. I'm not talking making them gold plated, but as good as the trappings inside a Lexus ES/GS/RX that my friends keep on buying and I keep on having to agree with them...because America offers nothing as high quality as a Lexus these days. (deep breath!) I am frankly tired of the looks I get when I say I'm a Lincoln enthusiast...the looks change after a ride in my Mark VIII, but that still doesn't help them sell any NEW cars. :rolleyes:

I know Lincoln is on rough times right now but they should have waited until 2007 for this car since that's when it would get AWD and a competitive V6. Hmm, I managed to relate my anger back into the scope of this thread!

[Vitas]

I donno if I'm gonna feel the love until Lincoln tells their bean counters to go pound sand and spend more money making their cars better.

Hello? Hello, Hello?

We have just recently had people join the board who tell us how much they love their new Zephyr. I have seen on cardomain people put up sites for the Zephyrs that have not even been delivered to them, they are that excited about their new car.

So, who are you, joe professor? -g-

[AZLincolnMercury]

I guess it’s all a matter of opinion. I personally don’t like the design of the Lexus interiors…just having soft materials doesn’t do it for me. Then again, I am biased.... I have never wanted to purchase a Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, or similar and I never will…I like the simplicity and class of American luxury and none of those cars will ever be American.

[pro-five-oh]

I personally don’t like the design of the Lexus interiors…just having soft materials doesn’t do it for me.

Agreed. But we are a minority, and people aren't helping pay Detroit's bills like they used to. :)

[Nick]

I'd scrape off the MKX name and slap on a Zephyr badge just as quickly as I would remove the LR3 designation from my Discovery.

[GorgeZeph]

I still find too many interior parts to be hard and brittle compared to its Japanese competitors. And that annoys the heck outta me.

BUT...I recently saw a Zephyr with aftermarket wood trim. It matched the factory trim AND covered up most/all the hard plastic on the dash and doors. Granted the kit had too many parts but 80% of it looked fantastic on the car.

I'd like to see the aftermarket wood. It is difficult to find figured maple. I found some locally, but that is rare. Please let me know where you found them.....

On the hard parts, you could always have an upholsterer cover them with leather. I might go this route some day....

[pro-five-oh]

I'd like to see the aftermarket wood. It is difficult to find figured maple. I found some locally, but that is rare. Please let me know where you found them...

Your Lincoln dealer probably has a local vendor that installs their aftermarket woodgrain, DVDs and other junk that they pimp out Navis with. Odds are this is the kit for you:

http://www.wooddash.com/item/LINCOLN_Dash_Kits_ZEPHYR_2006_2

Or this one:

http://www.bitrim.com/wd641.htm

If it looks anything like the Ebony kit I saw in person, I can vouch for how nice it looks. The aftermarket Ebony looked perfect with the Lincoln stuff (except for the small bits on some parts of the dash that shouldn't be installed) and it really impressed me. The woodgrain that covers the passenger side airbag (they actually get away with that now?) has "ZEPHYR" laser cut into the wood and shows the plastic color under it. It was pretty trick.

[zephyrized]

IMO, for the price I think the zephyr has one of the most attractive interiors….. and 14 speaker THX surround sound doesn’t hurt either. Funny that a 29k Lincoln has real wood and a 50k town car doesn’t….let alone the difference in quality/fit and finish….In a few years when they depreciate I will certainly be looking to purchase one.

On Edmunds I normally see “low grade interiors pieces/fit and finish” (mostly GM products) but the zephyr is the first vehicle I have seen where they praised its interior quality.
“Pros Unique exterior style, premium interior furnishings, quiet highway ride, capable handling, tight construction. Cons Horsepower and acceleration below class average, no stability control available, similar Mercury Milan costs less.”
"The seats are wonderful, the interior is spacious, and the fit and finish is exemplary."

Sure its FWD…which doesn’t bother me since its not a full-size, it's built in Mexico.... not crazy bout that, and the back is funky but overall it’s a very respectable vehicle.


heres a link btw for the 07
http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1378&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=93

Well said... I agree 100%

[Philip]

Well happy day, we finally have legitimate owners defending their Zephyrs as rabidly as people on here were dogging them two months ago... LOL... Anyone who reads these things and remembers names knows I think it is a great car. And a very important step for Dearborn!