Lincoln has given it a try with its new 2000 LS model. And it's a logical U.S. automaker to develop such a car because it beat Ferrari and other tough competitors in the grueling Mexican Road Races of the1950s. (Alas, most luxury car buyers didn't care and still flocked to archrival Cadillac.)

Reasonable Prices While the reasonably priced $30,915-$34,690 LS represents a solid attempt by Ford Motor Company to offer an import-fighting luxury/sports sedan, the LS falls a bit short. That's partly because Lincoln is still trying to please traditional (spell 55-plus) Lincoln buyers with the LS—besides the younger crowd that goes after European sedans from automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi—not to mention Japanese road-burners like the Lexus GS 300.

Shares Parts With Jaguar For instance, although the LS shares a rear-wheel-drive platform with Ford Motor Company's Jaguar S-Type, it looks bland with awkwardly heavy front styling. It'll appeal to an older crowd but will leave many under-40 buyers stone cold.

“Wow” Styling Needed In contrast, the Jaguar S-Type has styling pizzazz that turns heads of car buyers of any age. Lincoln has a stodgy image, and needs LS “wow” styling that will motivate younger drivers to at least stop and take a test drive on their way to a BMW showroom.

Looks aside, Lincoln deserves a shiny gold star for offering the LS V6 model with a slick 5-speed manual transmission, when most U.S. and foreign rivals—including the S-Type—are offered only with automatics. It's the first manual offered by Lincoln since the automaker's 1951 Cosmopolitan model.

Weak V6 Too bad the manual is hooked to a 3.0-liter 210-horsepower V6 that requires lots of revs to deliver decent performance. The V6 is plenty sophisticated, with dual overhead camshafts and such, but has 30 less horsepower and lower torque than the S-Type version. More punch is needed.

Also, the manual works with a light but long-throw clutch that makes it a pain to shift gears in traffic. And don't plan on quick 65-75 mph passing with the V6/manual combo unless you drop all the way down to third gear.

Whatever. I wouldn't recommend the V6 with the automatic, either, because it's just too weak for the car, which isn't light at approximately 3,600 pounds.

Strong V8 Saving the day for the LS is the car's 3.9-liter 252-horsepower V8. While it has less power than the Jaguar version, the V8 provides the LS with strong acceleration.

Happily, this engine works with a responsive 5-speed automatic transmission that can be had with an optional SelectShift feature that allows it to be shifted like a clutchless manual for driving on twisting or mountain roads.

Lincoln figures most LS buyers will opt for the V8 and that only a small percentage will order the manual transmission. At least it's there if stick-shift lovers want it.

Well Equipped All LS models are well equipped, with items including air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette, cruise control, anti-lock disc brakes, remote keyless entry, and power windows and door locks.

The LS with the V6 and automatic has a $30,915 base price. The V6 costs $31,715 with the manual, but comes with equipment including a sport suspension and higher-performance tires—but not the traction control system standard for the automatic-transmission LS models.

The top dog $34,690 LS V8 adds items such as dual front power seats and an automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Offered for LS automatic-transmission models is a $1,000 Sport Package that contains the sport suspension and wider 17-inch (instead of 16-inch) wheels found on the LS V6/manual model—along with the SelectShift automatic transmission.

Key Stability Option A key option—especially since this is a rear-wheel-drive car—is the $725 AdvanceTrac system available for automatic transmission models. It does a good job of improving stability during extreme driving conditions.

Crisp Handling and Supple Ride The standard LS all-independent suspension provides crisp handling and a smooth, supple ride, while the sport suspension may cause the ride to be too firm for some LS buyers despite the rather long wheelbase.

The LS V8 is especially easy to drive fast, if road conditions permit. Even the brake pedal has a nice, progressive feel.

The LS is no BMW, but its rear-drive setup gives it a balanced feel you don't get with most front-drive autos.

Roomy Cockpit There is plenty of room for four, big 6-foot occupants in the wood-and-leather interior, which has a subdued luxury appearance and is church-quiet except for noticeable wind noise above 65 mph.

Supportive front seats hold you securely in place during spirited driving and the impressively large back-seat area contains a supportive seat that provides above-average comfort— except for a hard center section.

Nearly all controls work nicely and are conveniently located, but power mirror controls are buried behind the steering wheel. The ignition switch is easily seen on the dashboard and front cupholders have a nice design. But there are surprisingly few storage areas. Outside rearview mirrors are big enough to allow good visibility, and their size doesn't let them be whacked in tight parking situations.

It's easy to get in and out up front, but rather narrow rear-door openings can knock sunglasses off your face if you're not careful when exiting. And rear windows don't roll all the way down.

The long trunk is pretty large with a low opening, but is rather shallow and has a lid with old-fashioned hinges. Where are the hydraulic struts?

Solid Construction The LS feels solidly constructed; it's always nice to hear doors close with a solid thunk. Even the windshield washers deliver a powerful spray.

The LS is generally a success. But it could have been better if Lincoln had decided to write off older customers and made it harder-edged.