16th Sep 2015, 23:53

Buyer tastes change, and so does what we consider prestigious. My grandparents started driving Lincoln Town Cars in their early 50s. They had always driven full-sized, rear wheel drive cars. Now they are in their mid-70s and have driven Honda mini-vans for over a decade. They like them for the ease of entry and roominess. You can't buy a car today with the room of a late 80s Town Car. My family of 4 used to go on vacations with them in their '89 Lincoln; today we couldn't do that in a modern car. The mini-vans certainly aren't prestigious, but then few would consider a Town Car so either, although I think most would still associate a newer one with someone (older) who has money.

Things are SO much different today. I am only 30, so I wasn't driving back in the good 'ole days, but I sure wish I was. I will admit the modern cars do have some advantages like handling, reliability, technology, and economy. But they will never match the classics for roominess/comfort, styling, presence, value for your money, cheap to service, and just plain taking pride in your car and loving to drive it everyday. That is pretty rare with the appliances we drive today.

17th Sep 2015, 10:34

I once owned a Cadillac limousine with a bar in the back. The champagne comment is more suited than watered down beer. Or wine.

The ongoing handling comment is also irrelevant. Having owned other large luxury sedans, it's ideally suited as a straight line car. Even driving in a city is not typically a big issue. Just parking concerns.

Taking a long trip on interstates are where they really shine. It does not have to be limousine. Set it on cruise, adjust the power seats and turn the air down to ice cold.

As far as Buicks, I do have a comment. My favorite road trip in a Buick was in a friend's brand new boat tail Riviera. I believe it was a 1973. Although not mine, it was a really nice car. On our trip we ran well above the national speed limit. Smooth and very comfortable.

Driving experience in brand new cars also affects comments on ride quality vs finding well worn, decades old examples. The technology of the day was indeed advanced. I had one with the Twilight Sentinel that automatically dimmed the headlights with cars approaching. Or a scan factory radio long before it was commonplace. Technology today may be seen outdated or improved upon years from now. I do like multiple ride and handling modes decided by the driver today. And lots of amenities. If you plan on keeping a car a long while, it makes sense to order them. You only live once.

17th Sep 2015, 15:43

I happen to own BOTH a classic 50s Merc AND a Chevy Volt. Two totally different cars. The Mercury has that all-so-common floating, lunging ride. Go over a pothole; well you'll be feeling that in the form of a gentle springy bounce about 50 feet after you've run over it. In other words, what I feel and experience from the ride is totally removed from the realities of the road I'm driving it on. Go around a corner and it leans WAY over to one side, then lazily leans back to level long after the curve has been passed. The springs are HUGE in this car. The seats are literally like mattresses, because they are built the exact same way with a bunch of springs inside.

Don't get me wrong: there's nuttin' like riding around on what amounts to the family couch down the freeway. But it's also wrong to proclaim that's what today's consumer wants.

Someone mentioned the following:

"The difference with a luxury car buyer is they don't care just about gas mileage or costing peanuts. I never even checked my mileage or care. It's luxury not economy, both buying one new and buying fuel."

That I assume was made in regards to my Volt. If so, let me list out some of the many features it came with. It has heated and cooled power leather covered seats, a backup camera, a Bose, Bluetooth-enabled sound system, automatic headlights, Onstar, power and heated mirrors, a key fob that will both unlock the car and the electrical charge door, 3 driving modes, tire pressure sensors, solid aluminum rims, low profile tires, front and rear parking sensors, an electric parking brake, and of course and all importantly - a big battery that enables me to not only drive to work at a comfortable freeway speed like any other day, but do so in total silence, a TON of instant torque, and on top of it all - basically little to no gas.

My friends, that is luxury in every definition of the word. And so I rest my case that not only can one drive a luxurious car with all the trimmins', but even do so very economically. Why else do you think that BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Tesla, Cadillac, Ford and so on ALL either already have or are working on luxury sedans and sports cars with either all-EV or partial plugin EV capabilities? It's because that is the future; luxury tends to be the front runner segment for all things technologically advanced, and in turn that will trickle down to the rest of the segments as well.

17th Sep 2015, 20:58

A Volt is a small compact. Look it up under luxury cars. Where is it? There isn't any way, shape or form it's comparable. Having gadgets isn't the same as being large full size, with a cavernous trunk and room for 5 or 6 adults.

Are we still running a 60 year old original suspension and aged steering on the Mercury? Is it comparable to an all powered Buick in the 70s. Does the Mercury have air? My LeSabre was only a few years old. Rode well, started and drove new. I could bling out most any car; it doesn't mean it's a luxury car with good ride and road manners. I could order a loaded Civic; is that a large luxury car? Hardly.

18th Sep 2015, 09:12

Maybe our Lincoln Town Car is a subcompact. Maybe add some curb feelers on a Volt to find each end of the car due to its expansive length. We bought our full size luxury car to fit 4 large adults with luggage. In a Volt, where are they supposed to sit on long weekend trips? Maybe time to move to the correct review on very small electric cars. The technology and full size ride quality greatly improved by the mid 70s vs the 50s cars. Especially a 70s steering box. Even lower profile even if the long wheelbase is similar. Either way, a Volt isn't a large, luxury family car.

18th Sep 2015, 19:05

I give up. This conversation is more or less a pointless endeavor, and reminds me of people sitting around wistfully talking about how much better everything was in the good ole' days, and no amount of reasonable discussion will change that opinion. Want to call a 70s Buick a "Luxury car?" Go for it, but don't be disappointed if others scratch their heads.