What Nautilus needs to compete with RX snd XT5

[MKXMark]

Something a lot of folks don’t realize is that once a dealer owns a franchise it’s theirs to do with as they please and there is not much Ford or any other mfr can do about it thanks to state franchise laws. Ford can’t force a dealer to open a separate dedicated Lincoln building, although they’ve made it clear that’s the goal and a recommended architecture and dealership experience similar to what you find at Lexus. But they can’t force dealers to comply and they can’t build it themselves. The most they can do is offer financial assistance.

 

I’ve often said Ford would have been better off killing Lincoln and opening a new luxury brand with a new franchise agreement requiring separate buildings, etc.

 

Dealers always told me that their satisfaction survey results affect their vehicle allocation. As log as I've been going to FLM dealers the salesperson shows me the survey and asks for top ratings on every question. Fortunately with my last purchases I've been happy to give them.

 

Previously I looked at a Buick and the salesman didn't even know how to get it out of park. Went to a Chrysler dealer and the attitude was "meh". I know the sales experience has nothing to do with the actual product but I just can't bring myself to spend money with these people.

[walkabout]

I do know that I once gave a fairly negative review on the survey and the dealer called me to apologize and begged me to be more positive on the next evaluation.

 

All brands have good and bad dealers. Lincoln is the first brand I've EVER dealt with that has way more minuses than negatives.

 

The MKX is a nice vehicle though. I still think that a little more interior polish and better customer support, and Lincoln is off to the races.

 

Honestly, the engine is nearly perfect.

[waltcmusic]

The MKX is a nice vehicle though. I still think that a little more interior polish and better customer support, and Lincoln is off to the races.

 

There was a huge noticeable difference when I test drove both Reserve and Black Label trims. In Reserve, I feel like I'm driving a cheap car with too many plastics all over. But in Black Label, the new car smell is entirely different and stronger coming from Venetian leather seats and leather dashboard, instead of rubber-smell in Reserve, and the Alcantara headliner keeps me more cozy and fun to look at.

Edited May 22, 2018 by waltcmusic

[Gurgeh]

There was a huge noticeable difference when I test drove both Reserve and Black Label trims. In Reserve, I feel like I'm driving a cheap car with too many plastics all over. But in Black Label, the new car smell is entirely different and stronger coming from Venetian leather seats and leather dashboard, instead of rubber-smell in Reserve, and the Alcantara headliner keeps me more cozy and fun to look at.

This, and the dealer network problem (that can't easily be fixed), are the car's main problems as earlier noted. Look, I plan to buy the 2019, but one shouldn't have to pay the BL premium just to get the kind of interior touches that should come with a luxury vehicle well in excess of $50,000.

[waltcmusic]

Edited July 9, 2018 by waltcmusic

[Dumby]

In answer to the original question but making it generic to what does Nautilus need to do to compete with other luxury brands (or get better ratings), I have gleaned some of the criticisms from some of the car review sites.

Need LED headlights - done

Need 8 speed transmission - done  This may cut down on the poor gas mileage comparison to the peers.  Like others, MPG is not a major consideration for me but another mile or so per gallon won't hurt.  Often overlooked is the requirement some competitors have that you must use premium versus the fact that Lincoln says regular is okay.

Not really mentioned as a problem by reviewers but done - even more sound deadening and acoustical rear windows - MKX was already listed as quiet.

Need better tech - 12.3 digital instrument cluster - done.   It could be great, if like Audi, you can choose what to display with an option for Google maps. I would like to see the navigation screen in a better viewing position but that won't happen with the refresh.  If navigation can be shown in the instrument cluster or shown with HUD then the low position really does not matter. 

Reviewers mostly did not like the gull wing grill which is a personal like/dislike but, for the reviewer's sake, - done

Need HUD - still waiting for Fredluke to confirm/deny.  I realize it isn't important to everyone but most other luxury brands offer it, so to compete, Lincoln needs to offer it.

The greatest items that seem to hold Lincoln back in the reviews are the amount of vinyl or plastic in the cabin.  None of it offends me but seems to be held in great disdain by reviewers.  Black Label solves the problem but with other brands you don't have to pay such a premium for a nice interior.

Reliability seems to hold the brand ratings back but in reading this forum, I am seeing very few problems with 17s or 18s.  

Resale value is a problem but perhaps with the success of the Navigator and hopefully, the future Aviator, maybe all Lincolns will benefit.  It seems that Lincoln is cutting back on rental fleets to help in this area as the following link explains: 

 

 https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116231_lincoln-taking-steps-to-protect-resale-value

 

Reviewers also seem to dislike the braking(erratic pedal) and the steering (little feel).  The brakes seem relatively easy to fix while steering feel is probably just preference.

While the Lincoln has so many positives, some of the reviewers just can't get over the fact that the MKX/Nautilus is just an expensive Edge and that the Edge is a better  value for the money.  If Lincoln can continue to differentiate the two, maybe the Nautilus ratings will go up.

Edited May 26, 2018 by Dumby

[Cosmos36]

Good sleuthing, Dumby. Re: the sensitive braking, check TSB #SSM-45857 for MKX built prior to 3/23/16. Also, note https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lincoln/MKX/2016/tsbs. Change the MY in the URL to other years if interested in 2017-2018.

 

As Lincoln builds on the CD6 platform and continues differentiation with the Edge, perhaps the media's "gussied-up Edge" description for the MKX will diminish. I don't consider my MKX to even remotely be an overpriced Edge.

Edited May 26, 2018 by Cosmos36

[mkx-wanders]

As Lincoln builds on the M6 platform and continues differentiation with the Edge, perhaps the media's "gussied-up Edge" description for the MKX will diminish. I don't consider my MKX to even remotely be an overpriced Edge.

 

Indeed...I think the 2nd Gen MKX has popped that bubble.  I can see the 1st Gen (2007-2015 w/ 2011 refresh) getting 'doinked' with the 'gussied-up Edge', but where is that critic hate for the Lexus RX being a 'gussied-up Highlander'? ;-)

[akirby]

Ford could literally change every component and build a Nautilus that is second to none and most so-called journalists would still have to point out that it’s a gussied up Edge.

 

Strange that they never call the Lexus RX a gussied up Camry.

[walkabout]

Btw, I don't agree about the screen size. Nearly all of the cars with larger infotainment screens use the floating kind of design because it's hard to have a conventional dash that has room for the screen - unless you want to do away with most buttons (like Volvo and Tesla).

 

Most of the floating screen designs are not touchscreen because it's too far a reach.

 

If rather have an in dash design that is touchscreen. Willing to live with a smaller screen to accomplish that.

[thisguy159]

Btw, I don't agree about the screen size. Nearly all of the cars with larger infotainment screens use the floating kind of design because it's hard to have a conventional dash that has room for the screen - unless you want to do away with most buttons (like Volvo and Tesla).

 

Most of the floating screen designs are not touchscreen because it's too far a reach.

 

If rather have an in dash design that is touchscreen. Willing to live with a smaller screen to accomplish that.

I agree in the floating screen as far as design Germans mostly stated that and I feel that became a trend more so then design need. There doesn't need to be a conpromise. ;

[akirby]

Isn't the new Navigator a floating design and a touchscreen?

[walkabout]

I don't know. Never been in one.

 

The BMW iDrive had moved to a touchscreen and floats too. Those designs can exist but they inevitably mean a long reach to the screen.

 

Personally, I find the touchscreen optimal for some tasks (like inputing addresses) but less useful for other tasks (like scrolling through presets or album lists)

[mightyjj]

Someone mentioned that the Lincoln Dealer should be separate from the Fords.  My Lincoln dealer only sells Lincolns--  He sells Fords in his used car inventory, but only sells new Lincolns.  A great dealer as well.  I've always been pleased with them.   If a dealer wants to be a Black Label dealer, it requires a great deal of money to get started in selling Black Label vehicles- Separate waiting and showrooms, etc.  So you have to be in a market that could support that investment.

[walkabout]

My dealer was a black label dealer.  The dealer was alright, although the service and support afterward has been meh.

[MKXMark]

Add optional 3rd row seat in Lincoln Nautilus. I think Lincoln Aviator is too big with 3rd row.

 

I wonder if this account has the same IP as Walt's.

[walkabout]

I understand his point.The Explorer is a bit large for us urban folk.

 

Beyond the practical issues related to cramming a third row there is an image issue.

 

Also, on most of the vehicles or there with an optional this route, you're often forced into having that back seat of you want the fly optioned vehicle

.

The Edge/MKX/Nautilus has a different mission than the Explorer/Aviator.

[waltcmusic]

Edited July 9, 2018 by waltcmusic

[thisguy159]

Cough...bullshit...cough

[akirby]

I wonder if this account has the same IP as Walt's.

Of course it does. I’m taking care of it.

[waltcmusic]

Of course it does. I’m taking care of it.

 

Not related, it wasn't me. I'm done here, farewell... Worst moderator ever. Period. Please close my account.

 

Someone hijacked my account...

Edited July 8, 2018 by waltcmusic

[Gurgeh]

These continued posts bring to mind this wonderful clip from the Pirates of Penzsnce.

 

The relevance doesn't appear until near the end

[akirby]

Not related, it wasn't me. I'm done here, farewell... Worst moderator ever. Period. Please close my account.

 

Someone hijacked my account...

They also hijacked your internet connection and your IP address and somehow magically found this website and topic.

 

 

We’re done with this foolishness.

[Cosmos36]

It's very gratuitous of Walt to volunteer the relinquishment of his account, but he knows that all he has to do to is register under another name using a new/different computer, e.g. belonging to a relative with a different IP, and continue his 'participation' here. However, he has left a 'signature persona' on this forum that will be recognizable over time.

 

I've seen this occur repeatedly on several other forums over many years.

[walkabout]

Honestly,I've been on many car forums over the years, and this is easily the most friendly. Maybe  that's because Lincoln owners tend to be a somewhat older group than BMW or Acura owners, but all of the posters here are informed and polite car people.  No complaints from me.  We've had two disgruntled types who were down on the MKX and Walt, but otherwise, everybody has been great.

 

I don't buy vehicles based on who else owns them, but if I did, I'd be a Lincoln guy for life.