Better Beaters - Building Cars and Daily Drivers

  Why do I find myself attracted to these little Lincoln SUVs?

Asking price is 10,999.00
Model year 2015.

Maybe because they're so darn pretty. This is a color combination that I find really appealing.

And there is something, to owning a Lincoln. These are neat little "jewel box" type cars. Plush and luxurious but they are much more compact and easy to drive and park. They also get pretty good fuel mileage, making them great for around town use.

I got to closely inspect and test drive an MKC  last Summer. I was quite pleased by my encounter. However I decided that I would only buy one if I could could find it in a nicer color combination.

I like the split wing grille design.

This example is white pearl metallic with white leather seats and white and black interior panels. 

Tidy.

I had seen this particular car on CL and thought the color combo was quite pleasing. It certainly caught my interest. The car is located in Concord, a bit far for a casual drive by, but I knew that my Wife would have business in Livermore soon, and it wasn't that far to drive out to Concord to check it out in person. 

The turbo four provides plenty of power,
with the promise of good fuel economy.

The MKC and MKZ share very similar dashboard designs.
I've made peace with the push button transmission controls.

This color combination really reminds me of the 1950's. But in a good way.

Not a lot of room, but still better than a Mustang!

The attraction for me is that this is a pretty small vehicle, especially compared to my Navigator and Flex. I like that it's the smallest Lincoln SUV. It couldn't replace my Nav, but I have other vehicles that can handle bigger loads. I haven't had a car that got "good" mileage in quite a while. 

Plenty of room for Costco runs and weekend getaways.

It is rated at just under 30 mpg. on the highway. I was checking out a Honda Accord coupe with a four cylinder that is rated at 25 city, 35 highway. You have to stick to four cylinders to get over that 30 mpg. barrier. 

These little SUVs seem to be holding their value compared to their MKZ sedan siblings. We all know that SUVs are the hotter set up. The same money will buy a three or four year newer MKZ. Truthfully, I like them both, but I'd probably go for the little SUV.

Note the hidden C pillar and the straight belt line trim,
integrated side window trims.

These models have been supplanted by the newer Corsair, which shares the new Continental style face. The roof line is pretty similar, but the greenhouse is a bit different. The Corsair looks a lot like a miniature Aviator. That is a pretty good look in my eyes. Pricing is still pretty high on the used Corsairs.

This particular car looked real good in the photos, but it was a bit rougher in person. As I've mentioned before, when you're dealing with later model cars, it's easy to wait and look around some more, and you'll find something equally desirable or even better.

This is the first MKC that I've seen with the panoramic sunroof.

I started searching on CL in LA, and found a similar MKC in Palm Desert, near Palm Springs. It was the same price and had a few more miles, slightly over 100K. But this one has a panoramic sunroof and built in navigation. I really enjoy a sunroof and the car has to have navigation. 

With late model cars there's no real reason to hurry, I'm sure that there will be more cars that I'll like, and  will be showing up.

 Am I really looking for another car? 

I wrote this earlier this year, before I sold my Riviera and Navigator. Since then I added a motorcycle to my fleet. I really liked the Navigator, but it always seemed to be a bit much for everyday running around. Unfortunately, it also wouldn't fit in my garage. I would like to have the option of parking my hobby cars in the garage, while I'm driving one of the others. I don't want to take up any parking spots at the curb than I have to.

I also have come to the realization that what I want out of a car is comfort and quietness. Back when I was younger I drove older luxury cars, like Cadillacs and Lincolns. I kind of miss those cars, though the big '50's and '60's models are long gone and they aren't coming back, at least for me. I found that the Navigator was a pretty good replacement. 

Cadillac, and especially Lincoln, have made luxury SUVs in three different sizes. I'll bet that I can find something that I like, and will be practical as a daily driver.