2023 Reserve III w. 17k miles - Buy? Pass?

[tidji74]

Hmmmm.... I was suprised when after the TSB repair I got my car washed.

 

[tidji74]

So I am still confused about the loud exhaust when the car is not-fully warmed up. It is both inside and out.
Do you all experience anything similar?

 

[URDRWHO]

People who think that having simple controls on infotainment screens is wrong should be held accountable—maybe even prosecuted (probably only kidding, but not really sure)!

This morning, I started my drive here in Georgia and realized my seat heater was set to level 3. While squinting against the morning sun, I tried to lower the heat—but the screen was slow. The fancy graphics looked cool but were annoyingly finicky. I spent a good five seconds fiddling with it, and in that moment, I accidentally hit the curb, destroying my fancy Continental CrossContact 245/45-20-99V tire.

To all car manufacturers catering to those of us who value simplicity: bring back the buttons!

Came across this while searching for cabin filter replacement. With a passion, I hate needing a screen to change things. I find it dangerous and adds to future maintenance cost. When the screen goes bad, you loose functions that are important. When an analog knob/button goes bad and all that needs to be fixed is that one button, if it isn't of great importance you can wait. But when the screen goes out you loose a lot of functionality, some important things like maybe heat, cooling, etc. We bought a 2021 because it has some buttons. My wife and I have agreed that we have reached the age and the point of not ever buying a car with everything controlled by the screen. There were cars we liked but they had no knobs, it was all screen. Years ago we bought a Subaru Outback CPO (5,000 miles on it). Bumper to bumper warranty paid for two screen replacements within the first 6 months of owning the car. We weren't charged but we saw the invoice and it was about $1800 each time. So yeah, screens go bad.

Now I'm realizing that my 2021 cabin filter isn't as easy to replace as the 2023. Maybe someone hit the engineers and made them redesign the 2023 because it appears to be easier than the 2021. WTH should I have to get my bones tools out to pull one piece of trim to get to the cabin filter. My 2011 Honda CR-V takes very minimal time to remove the glove box, fit new filter and done. Glove box doesn't even need to be removed, it folds down and there are no screws involved. For what it is worth, some engineer was thinking when it was designed.

If you have ever known a service manager at a dealer, you will also know that the service bays are the life's blood of the dealer. I've never found data for a direct link but I think two things:

1. Manufacturers design for their easy of assembly and to heck with maintenance
2. Manufacturers design with complication for maintenance and creating shop time for dealers service bays

Just bought this car three weeks ago with 26,600 miles on it. It was an off lease car and I am going to assume the lease arrangement was such that all scheduled maintenance was to be completed when due, therefore the cabin filter was replaced at @20,000. No way to know and I'm not into removing all the torx screws, trim, etc. just to find out.

 

[C Krohn]

I replaced the cabin air filter in my Corsair. I agree that you shouldn’t have to remove the glove box to do it, but it wasn’t that bad. It took me about 15 minutes. Also, the old filter wasn’t very dirty; I’ll wait longer to change it the next time.

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[tidji74]

Four-month update: Yes, it has some rattles, weird noises, and occasional quality control issues—plus questionable adhesives and other quirks. But it’s an amazing car: good on gas, with excellent adaptive suspension, a great Revel stereo, and a load of extras. The car has definitely grown on me and now stands on the podium of my top three favorite cars I’ve owned (alongside a 2020 Escape and a 2018 Equinox, both in top trims). It’s my first taste of luxury, and the Corsair has unapologetically claimed the #1 spot.

The car also got a seal of approval by getting a $400 gift/investment: ceramic tint on side and rear windows

 

[jpelli]

Good morning. Happy Wednesday!
I am super-new here. Currently driving a 3yo Explorer w/ only 9k miles (picked it up as "brand new" in July 2024.
As much as I love the vehicle - I hate to say that there is an opportunity for me to downsize/upgrade to a 2023 Reserve III that is already depreciated to $37k (the original MSRP was $61k) It has 17k miles. It was a personal lease.
Question: what should I look carefully at? What should I check 2-3 times before signing the papers?

Pros of downsizing:
- I am single - I don't need 7 seats
- the Explorer is a pre-facelift w/ somewhat dated tech, while the Corsair is more modern, super-well appointed
- the Corsair is clean, serviced, probably well maintained
- is one model-year newer than my Explorer
- has better gas mileage / is more nimble

Cons:
- The Corsair ain't new. Who knows how it was driven?
- There is a noticeable steady vibration - hopefully it's just wheel/tire balance issue
- I noticed how small the trunk is (I use it a lot in my Explorer)
- The Explorer is much more versatile (although rather basic and lacking Lincoln's bells and whistles)


I would like to know what to be aware of before potential switch. Thank you and Corsair On!

Check the vin number, to make sure it's not part of the battery recall!

 

[tidji74]

Check the vin number, to make sure it's not part of the battery recall!

All clear.
I know that the screen TSB was done incorrectly. Still some rattle coming from the area. Plus headliner in front of the pano roof has bad adhesive and it got detached from the fixed structure and rattles when it's under 50 degrees F. Lol.

 

[tidji74]

Drove from MO to NJ last weekend.
Gas mileage:

• 31.3 MPG on premium
• 32.0 MPG on regular
  (speeds ~5 MPH over the limit - anything from 30 to 75 mph)

Conclusions:

• In my case, investing in premium gas is pointless.
• This car is amazing—I can't get enough of driving it!

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Let me know if you want a more formal or more casual tone.

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[MORSNO]

Drove from MO to NJ last weekend.
Gas mileage:

• 31.3 MPG on premium
• 32.0 MPG on regular
  (speeds ~5 MPH over the limit - anything from 30 to 75 mph)

Conclusions:

• In my case, investing in premium gas is pointless.
• This car is amazing—I can't get enough of driving it!

---

Let me know if you want a more formal or more casual tone.

One tank won't tell you much, especially on a freeway road trip, you need to run either regular or premium for a few tanks while the engine adjusts.

 

[tidji74]

One tank won't tell you much, especially on a freeway road trip, you need to run either regular or premium for a few tanks while the engine adjusts.

I understand. But I have no bandwidth for that. One test done. Excitement gone. Not trying again.

 

[tidji74]

Good evening and happy Monday!
Almost 16,000 miles later—during another road trip (this time it is 11 states: MO, IA, NE, SD, ND, MT, WY, ID, UT, CO, and KS) and taking some rest before Yellowstone—I’d like to share a few observations:

Pros:

• This thing is quiet, even at Montana speeds!
• The adaptive suspension is amazing—a real therapy for my back.
• Gas mileage after 5 fill-ups: ~29 mpg.
• The engine and transmission are smooth yet effective.
• The seats are incredible (aside from the squeaks and rattles).
• The Revel sound system is a huge blessing—rich, textured, crisp, and clear. It makes the driving experience so much more pleasant; I never need to crank it above level 7 to hear everything perfectly.

Cons:

• There are rattles and squeaks in the cabin when it’s super hot outside (one strange noise seems to come from behind the dashboard, as if the whole thing were loose and detached from the firewall).
• The rear suspension feels like a cheap torsion beam—the 2020 Escape had a much more composed ride on bumpy, busy roads.

Upgrades:

• The IR-blocking film is a must. The side and rear windows now let the AC work much easier, but I’m seriously considering going borderline illegal and adding a clear tint to the windshield.

 

[tidji74]

10 months and 20k miles later — here’s my next dose of impressions plus some considerations for the future:​

Firs of all: someone who configured the car checked all the options, bells, and whistles - everything - and I appreciate that! I make use of nearly all of it on a daily basis (except maybe the panoramic roof). Highway fuel economy (a consistent 29 mpg on premium) makes it a great little luxury sleeper commuter car with a lot of character. I’d like a larger trunk, but it’s been sufficient so far.

I like the powertrain, the gadgets and gizmos, the stereo, the seats, etc. It works well for both daily commuting and cross-country trips.

However, it does feel like the car’s assembly was half-finished. The rattles are annoying — super annoying.

Would I buy another Corsair (same or different version)? No. I probably need something one to two sizes larger (more driver and trunk space).

What would I buy next if I had to do that today having a $60-70k budget?

• Nautilus Hybrid — good size and refinement, though there seem to be some complaints
• Aviator — great size, engine, and refinement
• Buick Enclave — good size and refinement despite being a mainstream crossover, minus styling
• Lexus RX — reliable but the engines lack refinement; small trunk and awful design (in my opinion); engine reliability still unknown; good resale value
• Acura MDX — solid engine and reliability, minus the looks
• Honda Passport (top version) — a well-rounded package despite being a super mainstream vehicle; even though it's a downgrade from a luxury brand, it’d be a vehicle to keep forever. Fun fact: I drove 4 years ago a 2007 JDM Accord and a 2006 EU Civic diesel (both for months while stationed overseas) - both were beaten up really bad (fenders, door, dents, dings, bends etc.) but otherwise extremely reliable and comfortable vehicles for what they were.

In the meantime, I intend to keep the Corsair until the extended warranty nears expiration (around 70k miles). It’s currently at 36k. I anticipate driving fewer miles in the future, so I’ll likely keep it for another 2–3 years.

And just for fun: Overall rating — 4.5/5 (deducted for trunk size and interior rattles).

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[B_A_H]

The creaks and rattles thing seems to be inconsistent. There are many reviews, especially of the GT, that complain about them. I had a '23 Reserve III and now have a '24 GT and (knock on wood) neither of them rattled.

The rear suspension on the Corsair is actually a lot more sophisticated than the one on the Escape.

Lincoln Corsair Leverages Global Architecture to Differentiate Latest C-Segment Luxury SUV

Putting the scale and flexibility of a new global FWD architecture to work, the Lincoln Corsair arrives tailored for its customer base.

www.mobilityengineeringtech.com

 

[C Krohn]

My 2020 Corsair standard now has 32000 miles on it. I’m impressed by the quiet (no squeaks or rattles) and smooth ride. I’ve been attributing the ride quality to the fact that is has 225/60R18 tires, as opposed to the 245/50R 20 on my MKX, but maybe the rear suspension has something to do with it.

 

[rossn444kc]

My story with lincoln
Back in 2020 bought a used 2016 MKC. Great car loaded, but did not have the extended warranty. At a little over 70000 the rear differential started to make noise when going from reverse to drive. Instead of putting the money into getting it fixed I traded up to a 2020 Corsair standard that had every,package you could add to a corsair standard. This time I bought it certified. I did notice that this 1st model year lincoln skimped on the build. The vehicle didn't seem as solid as the MKC, but I really liked that unit. During the summer while driving 70 in adaptive cruise the power steering unit went and the car went nuts. Had that fixed under warranty. Just 6 weeks ago the rear end differential went same as in the MKC. It took 4 weeks to get the parts and 2 days to have it rebuilt. I was told that it was the mechanics 1st time rebuilding a rear differential.. Well It wasn't repaird right. I started to look at a 2023 corsair standard. I found a great value with the 102a package and the sun roof with 19,370 miles and certified. Lincoln , in my opinion, certainly improved it from the 1st model year. The heads up display,Bluecruise, wider infotainment unit the sound proofing etc. what a great vehicle. And best of all great price Mid $33,000. Love this vehicle.

 

[tidji74]

My 2023 Reserve is in service for a few warranty repairs.
They gave me a courtesy-car: 2022 Reserve w/o options. Wow! What a difference!!!
The '22 one is: quieter, better on gas, has no rattles... Wow.
And the regular seats are so much more comfortable for my body.

PS: I still love my car. Can't wait to pick it up one day.

______________________________

 

[Eculdsay]

So I was able to recover the cost of the tire at a casino lol.

And was able to get two years of BlueCruise for the cost of one-year subscription (promotion info was displayed on my phone application.)

And I still think physical buttons improve safety. The screens are far worse and pose danger in emergency situations when you have to do something looking at a screen instead of using your muscle memory.

Oof, that tire hit hurts, but at least the wheel survived. Good tip on the seat controls too, definitely more intuitive once you know the tap pattern

 

[Eculdsay]

My story with lincoln
Back in 2020 bought a used 2016 MKC. Great car loaded, but did not have the extended warranty. At a little over 70000 the rear differential started to make noise when going from reverse to drive. Instead of putting the money into getting it fixed I traded up to a 2020 Corsair standard that had every,package you could add to a corsair standard. This time I bought it certified. I did notice that this 1st model year lincoln skimped on the build. The vehicle didn't seem as solid as the MKC, but I really liked that unit. During the summer while driving 70 in adaptive cruise the power steering unit went and the car went nuts. Had that fixed under warranty. Just 6 weeks ago the rear end differential went same as in the MKC. It took 4 weeks to get the parts and 2 days to have it rebuilt. I was told that it was the mechanics 1st time rebuilding a rear differential.. Well It wasn't repaird right. I started to look at a 2023 corsair standard. I found a great value with the 102a package and the sun roof with 19,370 miles and certified. Lincoln , in my opinion, certainly improved it from the 1st model year. The heads up display,Bluecruise, wider infotainment unit the sound proofing etc. what a great vehicle. And best of all great price Mid $33,000. Love this vehicle.

That's a good price for a certified model with those features. Glad you finally found a Corsair you really like.