Buying (not leasing) a brand new Aviator - opinions on reliability needed.

[Kribnutz]

Hello folks.

New to this forum and new to Lincoln altogether. For reference, my current vehicles are a VW CC and a Mini Cooper S Clubman.

My MCS lease is due in 2 months and I am seriously considering buying an Aviator. I nearly did on 03/31 but with the current Covid19 situation, decided to wait things a bit longer.

I am buying cos I plan to keep this vehicle for at least 10 yrs, hopefully more. But several things give me pause. Let me list them below:

- first gen vehicle
- first gen vehicle with known quality issues big enough to make headlines last year. I researched but haven't read any update as to whether these issues are still ongoing in 2020 of if they have been fixed..
- my preferred combo (2nd row bench seat + illumination + convenience pkg) is rare to begin with. But more importantly, how likely are these things to go haywire in my combo- specifically the soft close doors, pixel LEDs, HUD etc)?

I understand that my questions are like asking you to look into a crystal ball. But I am hoping some of you have more historical experience with the Lincoln brand (dealers) and FoMoCo reliability in general - cos I have none.

My one experience with a S.Fla dealership was worse than that of a KIA dealer as well. I asked for an OTD price and they just wouldn't give me one!! Atrocious really. Guess they are used to lease buyers that they rather do leases than sell - cos it really felt like they didnt want to sell me a car at all.

So many tiny concerns that become more valid since I am buying long term.

Thanks all for reading this!

 

[eylarson]

Only 700 miles on our October built, February delivered Black Label. No problems, one "recall" to update the Phone as a Key. While it was in, had the locking lug nuts installed that got missed in the pre-delivery check. Car sold to us all via internet by a DC area dealer. They located color as seat combo (rear buckets/console) in Long Island and had the car trucked down. All panels aligned, paint excellent, no orange peal or drips. Tires even had the correct air pressure. We never went to the dealership, but saw and drove car at DC Auto Show. Three dealers competed for our business in two rounds of bids. We did get the extended warranty in anticipation of first year glitches. Previous car was a new purchase 2008 MKX. The only non-wear&tear repair was an alternator replacement at 96,000. In the wear&tear category, one brake pad and rotor replacement, tires, battery, wiper blades. Our grand-daughter has the car now now. No rust, original exhaust, leather interior shows no wear at 100,000 plus miles.

 

[Kribnutz]

Only 700 miles on our October built, February delivered Black Label. No problems, one "recall" to update the Phone as a Key. While it was in, had the locking lug nuts installed that got missed in the pre-delivery check. Car sold to us all via internet by a DC area dealer. They located color as seat combo (rear buckets/console) in Long Island and had the car trucked down. All panels aligned, paint excellent, no orange peal or drips. Tires even had the correct air pressure. We never went to the dealership, but saw and drove car at DC Auto Show. Three dealers competed for our business in two rounds of bids. We did get the extended warranty in anticipation of first year glitches. Previous car was a new purchase 2008 MKX. The only non-wear&tear repair was an alternator replacement at 96,000. In the wear&tear category, one brake pad and rotor replacement, tires, battery, wiper blades. Our grand-daughter has the car now now. No rust, original exhaust, leather interior shows no wear at 100,000 plus miles.

That is some seriously good reliability on the MKX. My point of reference is my 2011 VW CC so maybe that's why.

But thank you for this - was waiting for some sort of info to either convince me or dissuade me from the purchase.

1. May I ask how much did the extended warranty cost you and its terms?

2. Did the dealer take care of shipping the car to you as well? I am in a similar boat in that the precise combo I am looking for - is 1000+ miles away in Texas. And they said I have to take care of shipping myself.

Thanks once again for the info. Hopefully more folks chime in.

 

[eylarson]

That is some seriously good reliability on the MKX. My point of reference is my 2011 VW CC so maybe that's why.

But thank you for this - was waiting for some sort of info to either convince me or dissuade me from the purchase.

1. May I ask how much did the extended warranty cost you and its terms?

2. Did the dealer take care of shipping the car to you as well? I am in a similar boat in that the precise combo I am looking for - is 1000+ miles away in Texas. And they said I have to take care of shipping myself.

Thanks once again for the info. Hopefully more folks chime in.

Dealer delivered car to our driveway after they arranged shipment from NY. Signed paperwork on kitchen counter after lengthy, but appropriate systems explanation. Warranty is for three additional years past 4 year and 70,000 total miles. We bought the Lincoln protection plan @$1,100

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[Kribnutz]

Dealer delivered car to our driveway after they arranged shipment from NY. Signed paperwork on kitchen counter after lengthy, but appropriate systems explanation. Warranty is for three additional years past 4 year and 70,000 total miles. We bought the Lincoln protection plan @$1,100

Nice! Wld love a dealership experience like that after what I experienced here in S. Fla..

But I am buying a Reserve so am presuming those kinda ship and sign at your door is likely reserved for Black Label buyers.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Enjoy the ride!

 

[RENOPETE]

Nice! Wld love a dealership experience like that after what I experienced here in S. Fla..

But I am buying a Reserve so am presuming those kinda ship and sign at your door is likely reserved for Black Label buyers.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Enjoy the ride!

This is my first post on the Lincoln Forum. I am retired, living in Nevada and have not bought an American car (other than a Tesla Model S in 2015) since 1979. After the Tesla lease expired I leased a Volvo S90. My wife says it’s time for an SUV as the grandkids are getting older. I researched the hell out of all SUVS and believe I have settled on the Aviator. I like all the features of the Black Label—question I have is Grand Touring or non-hybrid? I’ve read conflicting reports, usually that added weight cancels out the increased HP and torque. I lease my car as I always wants a new one in 3 years. All the YouTube reviews of the Aviator I’ve seen are quite favorable.

 

[GT500]

Nice! Wld love a dealership experience like that after what I experienced here in S. Fla..

But I am buying a Reserve so am presuming those kinda ship and sign at your door is likely reserved for Black Label buyers.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Enjoy the ride!

Not reserved for Black Label folks based on our experience with a West Palm Beach Lincoln dealer. Went to dealer once to see/drive Aviator Reserve II in person and had our desired unit transferred from another dealer. Did all the paperwork online but physically signed a few papers at our house. Car was delivered to our garage where the rep explained the systems and set up our phones, and our two trade vehicles were driven away. The only way this could have been easier is if they brought the test drive experience to our door, something I believe they would have done if we had asked. Awesomely pleasant experience that I think will not change regardless of Covid.

 

[GT500]

This is my first post on the Lincoln Forum. I am retired, living in Nevada and have not bought an American car (other than a Tesla Model S in 2015) since 1979. After the Tesla lease expired I leased a Volvo S90. My wife says it’s time for an SUV as the grandkids are getting older. I researched the hell out of all SUVS and believe I have settled on the Aviator. I like all the features of the Black Label—question I have is Grand Touring or non-hybrid? I’ve read conflicting reports, usually that added weight cancels out the increased HP and torque. I lease my car as I always wants a new one in 3 years. All the YouTube reviews of the Aviator I’ve seen are quite favorable.

Based on what I've read about the hybrid, it's just a power adder to get the vehicle moving. Coming from your Tesla, I suspect you will be extremely disappointed with the Grand Touring. Can't beat the instant 100% torque that an EV provides. Have you looked into Volvo's hybrid?

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[RENOPETE]

Based on what I've read about the hybrid, it's just a power adder to get the vehicle moving. Coming from your Tesla, I suspect you will be extremely disappointed with the Grand Touring. Can't beat the instant 100% torque that an EV provides. Have you looked into Volvo's hybrid?

I have looked into the XC90 Recharge. It’s just too similar to what I’ve been driving for three years. Not happy that Lincoln rated last in the Consumer Reports reliability survey released today. I do believe those ratings are a look back at three year old vehicles however.

 

[wheeling]

Tesla flunks Consumer Reports' 2020 reliability survey, Mazda takes first win

CR will no longer recommend Musk & Friends' Model S due to touchscreen and suspension woes. The only Tesla the organization now recommends is the Model 3.

www.cnet.com

Yes, Lincoln did pretty badly.

 

[engnrng]

This is my first post on the Lincoln Forum. I am retired, living in Nevada and have not bought an American car (other than a Tesla Model S in 2015) since 1979. After the Tesla lease expired I leased a Volvo S90. My wife says it’s time for an SUV as the grandkids are getting older. I researched the hell out of all SUVS and believe I have settled on the Aviator. I like all the features of the Black Label—question I have is Grand Touring or non-hybrid? I’ve read conflicting reports, usually that added weight cancels out the increased HP and torque. I lease my car as I always wants a new one in 3 years. All the YouTube reviews of the Aviator I’ve seen are quite favorable.

@RENOPETE, what did you end up doing? I had a Ford CMax Energi, PHEV. Over 30,000 miles/3 years, I averaged over 100 mpg, since I was able to frequently travel 20+ miles all electric after plugging in at home. Sounds like some of the reports you read were written out of speculation and ignorance rather than actual experience.

 

[rjabend]

I have not seen good reports on the Aviator GT efficiency and it seems to be behind the pack design wise. I just picked up a 2021 Aviator Black Label and there are signs of quality problems; door panel edge not fully popped into the door and a very minor paint flaw at the rear hatch bottom edge. All issues so far have been very minor and I have found the performance, particularly the ADAS to be the best of the best:

Superior Driver Assistance

I have found the Aviator cruise control technology to be well ahead of the pack. It can read speed signs and automatically set speeds with a driver selected +/- tolerance. Many other vehicles read speed signs and automatically set the vehicle speed exactly to the speed limit. Since, on those...

lincolnforums.com

An interesting current quality input I received is:

Lincoln Quality Assurance

I have been told by a Lincoln expert that the initial Aviator rollout was plagued with quality issues. As a result there was a major management shakeup at the manufacturing facility. He indicated that vehicles produced after mid-2020 are much improved. I just got my Aviator and have only...

lincolnforums.com

The mileage is surprisingly good:

Excellent Mileage

Impressive mileage at a constant 51 mph. This mileage is over a 12 mile run at a constant speed, but I am still impressed. I believe the 10 speed transmission and careful breakin help considerably.

lincolnforums.com

Overall, I am finding the Aviator Black Label superior to several European vehicles I have recently owned. The Aviator is the most relaxing vehicle I have ever driven.

While my experience has been very good overall, there are horror stories being reported:

New Aviator Reserve w/25 miles and 1/2 dozen problems

So, we took delivery of a beautiful Aviator Reserve yesterday afternoon after months of waiting for it to be built to the specs we chose in December. Unfortunately, the next few hours were less than special... Upon walkthrough at delivery, I found that the automatic folding seat in 2nd row on...

lincolnforums.com

I will also say that dealer and Lincoln support have been well above average at this point but Lincoln Concierge support can be spotty and somewhat unreliable depending on the agent. Overall, I am finding my Lincoln purchase considerably better than my European vehicle experience where, at times, the manufacturer has blatantly refused to address design problems and defects. I haven't bought American for many years, but I am certainly glad I did this time . . . . . . . . . . . so far!

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