So we got a shiny new Lincoln MKZ

Comments

1. 
   loooool jeep!

2. 
   its not listed in the buying guide?

3. Author
   Think of it as a Ford Mondeo with the Ford Five Hundred engine. Because that’s what it is underneath!

   I’ll add the MKZ when you get a job, cibling.

4. 
   Hey Mashfique, I was wondering if you would be doing any write ups on the Seat Leon FR/Cupra and the Peugeot 207 RC. Both seem to be good entertaining hot hatches(the Pug being more moderate than hot) to drive and share quite an amount of mechanical bits with the Golf GTi and Mini Cooper S respectively. It’s a shame these cars aren’t given a second look here(mentality of the vast majority of people wanting only Japanese cars even if some models sold here are utter crap- certain Toyotas being a case in point) in the UAE. People who actually buy,use and later sell these cars don’t end up getting much in terms of resale thanks to so-called ‘market’ practrices which is quite a shame. These cars actually hold good residual value in other parts of the world.

   Also, would you recommend buying any of these cars as they seem quite interesting and far cheaper to purchase and own than the cars they share their tech with.

5. 
   oof Ray i love the seat leon. a bit pricey compared to peugeot but you get what you pay for, and it’s fast!

6. 
   The Leon’s a lovely car and fun to drive(was very close to purchasing one myself), but how many do u actually see on the road? The same goes for Subaru. They make some amazing cars, but no one seems to give them preference. Surprisingly though, they sell in good numbers in Oman. Atleast the Omanis know a good car when they see one. You have to blame the local Subaru dealer(Al Khoory) in part for not marketing/promoting the cars as much as some of the other dealers

7. 
   now drivearabia depends on me n my job? i am in control 😈 i’ll stop asking abt it whn u get a job mashling 😆

8. Author
   Ray, if you read my earlier post about me looking for a used “hot hatch,” you’ll realise that I was ready to buy one of those Euro cars. But you have to do intensive research to figure out what could go wrong with them, so that you are prepared. Also, low resale means great used deals, but finding specific cars is extremely hard work since few bought them new originally.

   https://www.drivearabia.com/news/2008/01/13/so-i-was-looking-for-a-cheap-hot-hatch/

9. 
   Thanks Mashfique. I did read your post regarding the used ‘hot hatches’ and it was quite useful and a good read. I agree that intensive research is required, especially in regards to the reliability of European cars in this climate, as it’s important to determine whether they(when bought brand new) will last atleast a minimum of 2 to 3 years. I hope in time you will be able to provide reports on the new Cupra/FR & RC as I am thinking of going in for a manual hatch(do not want to lose touch of using a manual transmission & ease of use in the city, i.e. parking) 6 to 8 months down the line. Low resale does mean great used deals but put yourself in the shoes of the guy selling his car…not a ‘great deal’.
   Hows the BMW by the way? Did u manage to sort out some of the niggles?

10. Author
    Haven’t started work on the BMW yet. But since I know exactly what issues to expect and what parts to replace, as well as the repair procedures, I can get a number of problems (including gearbox issues) sorted out cheaper than the cost of a dealership oil change. The plan is to order parts from USA, since the dealer here is pathetic with spare parts, in both pricing and availability.

11. 
    Hey Mashh..when r v gettin to see the reviews of the new Mondeo?? sorta eager u C 🙂

    And guyzz..i jus bought a brand new Hyundai Accent 1.6 (Manual) as my second car (first one is a Mondeo, 2006 model; explains y i’m so eager abt the new Mondeo’s review 🙂 )…And i must say tat i seriously underestimated the car!!..Too plastic-ky interiors, central door locks & power windows alongwid an electric power steering, a 1.6 CVVT engine and a manual gear stick is what it comprises of 😆 …but what surprised me was itz instantaneous throttle response and gr8 power at low & mid rev ranges..din cross 3.5 K revs since itz brand new! n nevr expected tat frm a Hyundai!…will do a full review on it after it crosses 1000 kms; and ofcorz, only if Mash permits 🙄 😆

12. 
    Congrats! on the new car Vivek. But tell me, why did you go in for a manual…is it because of the sheer pleasure one gets driving a manual transmittion? 😀 It’s sad that people in this region still haven’t warmed up to Hyundai and Kia, for that matter, despite both companies making big leaps in quality and engineering…the buying public here can be so narrow minded and this in turn also governs the second hand ‘market’. I’ve heard good reviews of the Mondeo…Mashfique we would really like to read your review on this one.

13. 
    Iam just waiting to drive the car…looks fair enough from this distance.

    would give my review

14. 
    heyy Ray.thnx buddy..i alwayz love driving manual, despite yea, the sheer pleasure of continual gear shifts in dubai traffic 😆 😆 ..but nywayz i’m used to it..my very first car (Chevy Barina) was a manual one and had driven it a lot thru various road conditions b4 sellin it ‘n’ shiftin to my second car (my Mondeo), whch is an auto..been driving the Mondeo around for sometime now and all tis while i was missing a manual car; so thot y not get a “cheap-to-buy ‘n’ maintain” compact car wid a manual tranny and keep it as a second car!..nywayz, ever since the Hyundai came in, Mondeo has been put to nap 😀

    yea..wot u said is absolutely right Ray..most ppl in tis region are still very much stuck to the “Japanese” lot!! Yea, the japanese are too good whn it comes 2 reliability, quality, maintenance & comfort..but thn public does not understand that Japanese are not the only ones these days..Frankly speaking, I had a totally different impression abt the Accent b4 i bought one for myself..but trust me guyz, I’ve fallen in love with it now…sure it does not hav tat “high quality” feel when u climb into itz cabin..but the ride isn’t bad at all!! itz smoother ‘n’ quieter than itz expensive sub-compact rivals..the 1.6 engine is responsive ‘n’ fast enuf..it does hav basic power options and includes a driver’s airbag among itz safety list..at a price tag of 36,500 AED, i do feel tat itz a good deal!! my next option was a Yaris 1.5 M/T; but the price tag for it was 45K, which was way beyond my budget..

    my frnds’ n relatives had warned me abt the Mondeo when i was gon’ buy one..’n’ i proved ’em wrong!..now again, they warned abt the Accent..’n’ i’m sure tat the Accent wont let me down 🙂

15. 
    So mash..when is Mondeo review comin in??

16. 
    Hey Vivek. My first car was a ’05 Peugeot 307 XSi manual(brand new) 😎 . I had it specially ordered in red, a colour that is not available in this market(only maroonish red available here)…enjoyed driving it to the max(even in traffic) but had to sell it ’cause it started developing electrical problems just as I was about to complete 2 years of ownership. I now drive a red fully loaded 2.3ltr ’07 Mazda6(brand new -got a good deal on the Mazda body kit and parking sensors). This car is cheaper than the competition in terms of purchase, has good build quality, drives and handles well, puts a smile on my face everyday but I still miss driving a manual. I have now laid my sights on the Seat Leon FR/Cupra and the Peugeot 207 RC. Both cars are loaded with kit, have manual transmissions and from what i’ve heard/read are exhilarating to drive. I’m hoping Mashfique will provide reports on these cars in the coming days or months(praying/wishful thinking).
    As for the Japs, they have learnt to make reliable cars with amazing build quality through a period of time and by learning from their mistakes. The Koreans have only just started…remember they entered the automobile race quite late. The Azera and now the Genesis Sedan/Coupe have proved that you can buy an amazing Hyundai for far less money and still give the Japs and the Europeans something to think about 🙂 .

17. 
    boring car it is

18. 
    cruise control didnt work? 😆

19. 
    Which car is boring diego?

    If you knew anything about cars cb, you’d realise that the Peugeot 307 didn’t come with cruise control 😛

20. 
    heyy Rayy…Mazda 6 2.3 is one of my favs man..i love it for itz handling part; shares itz chassis wid the Mondeo, but i feel better takin corners at higher limits in mazda 6 than the mondeo, probably coz the mondeo exhibits more body roll than mazda i felt; itz cornering limits are still better tan the japs tho!

    thre is one thing buddy..ppl who love driving and who has driven manual for a long time, after switchin to autos, feel tat somethin is missing; driving is incomplete widout a manual tranny 🙂 ..i too missed driving a manual; and in tis part of the country, manual cars are hardly available for rent…but thn, my mondeo was too good to be sold, so kept it and took a smaller manual as a second car 🙂

    yea..japs do make cars tat are gr8 in reliability and quality..Koreans have joined the race only recently, but they are catchin up really quick!!…and the Europeans really need to focus on the “2-3 years down the line” reliability issues wid most of their cars, no matter wot brand they come from! Nywayz, I never had ny problem wid my Mondeo so far, inspite of really harsh driving and driving conditions 🙂 ..80K on the clock in less than 2 yrs time, imagine the rest 😆 ..

21. 
    Ray you fool i was replying to my friend diego not you. 😆

22. 
    you guys Mash friend is Diego!!!

23. 
    Diego is actually the PR guy for drivearabia who also “test drives” the cars 😆

24. 
    Im quite aware that Diego is Mashfique’s friend and the PR guy for DriveArabia.
    cb, next time please be a little specific when your posting your comments, as it wasn’t very clear who you were replying to 😛

25. 
    well next time check the post above mine to see who im replying to 😛 if im replying to some earlier post i wud say so or quote it

26. 
    hehe.. okie.. i do my little rviewing of carws.. and these ford cars do try their level best to reduce costs. sheesh.. ford 500 and lincoln MKZ were better of the ford cars.. but overall i would say..all the best ford

27. 
    the brand image also matters i feel…fords were always considered borin!!! i guess the new mondeo is their reply to tat!!