30th Nov 2012, 12:49

If anyone wants to find a community where big, floaty cars are popular, hit your local demo derby pits.

30th Nov 2012, 15:24

Just because things change, that doesn't necessarily make it better. Times are changing in every way, but definitely not for the better.

And again, people don't want to buy the big cars because Ford and GM didn't pump any money into making them actually competitive and cutting edge. Their styling became more bulbous, and they lacked new, more advanced features that other foreign brands were introducing. There was no incentive to buy a new full-sized car, when you could buy a used one for tens of thousands less, and still wind up with the exact same product.

Not to mention, a massive recession isn't making things any better for most buyers of all cars.

It's rumored that Ford and Lincoln are preparing a new full-sized, rear wheel drive successor to the Town Car, but at the moment we have no details on how that's going to play out. I only hope that it's the full-size car we've all been waiting for since 1998. Ford and Lincoln have a chance to finally get things right, so I hope they don't blow this one.

30th Nov 2012, 15:33

Yeah, and a Toyota fan somewhere around here was talking about being able to work on these modern cars at home. Yeah right! "Oh buy a computer diagnostics scanner and memorize the codes", if only it was that simple. You also have to buy a whole bunch of other specialized equipment and a whole shop load of other crap to even attempt to work on a new car.

Hell, you'd probably have to go to and graduate automotive classes at a tech school, and receive training from a brand dealership or whatever before you can even begin to work on newer vehicles. Newer cars aren't made to be worked on at home; they're built and designed so that they have to taken to the dealership for servicing whenever something goes wrong.

30th Nov 2012, 15:41

I agree with the Florida comment. There are amazing cars because of the nice weather and the 70 mph freeways. Maybe we hit different bars and dining spots than you do. Not everyone wants to drive a slug and pay 15.00 to valet park!

30th Nov 2012, 16:22

Some might prefer crappy little FWD four cylinder trash, but as for me, at 24 I'll take a Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Town Car, Caprice, Delta 88, Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, Lincoln Continental, Imperial LeBaron etc. Everyone else can go around in their fat unproportioned junk, while I'm happily cruising in my long lean luxury liner.

30th Nov 2012, 18:41

8:54 well said! Why is it that people think that everyone needs to share their opinion and ignore hard facts that disprove their theories?

30th Nov 2012, 19:05

Drive through Beverly Hills and ask the same question. Rolls Royce, Bentleys, limos with the floaty rides that are the choice with those that can well afford them. I suspect people drive what their financial means allow. If you are financially secure, meaning you invested wisely and are fully debt free, it's a different transportation scenario. Splurge if you wish; you earned it. Drive a great car to some charity events and relax.

30th Nov 2012, 20:26

Let's be honest. Virtually no one buys a new car because they HAVE to. It is always a case of wanting something new, or having an inflated ego that requires outward displays of status.

Older American cars will last virtually forever. My family loves cars, and we currently own a 58-year-old Pontiac, a 44-year-old Dodge Charger and a 42-year-old Dodge Challenger R/T. Repairs and upkeep on them are a tenth of what they are on our newer cars. The most sensible and economical vehicles to own are 40-plus year old American cars. The few repairs required cost pennies, and don't require computer-certified dealer service techs that charge you $100 an hour labor. Even considering the horrible gas mileage of older cars (about 4 to 12 miles per gallon), you still come out way ahead financially.

I also love the attention older cars get. No one pays the slightest attention to a new ugly gray Lexus. Everyone notices a hot pink 59 Cadillac.

1st Dec 2012, 00:21

"A tune-up on my last V-8 Mustang cost me over $1000."

Wow... Which year/engine?

1st Dec 2012, 05:05

What I find offensive is 11:37's domestic comments. It has a lot of condescending comments about what others choose to drive. Good ole boys may buy a Tacoma and hunt in the woods. And it gets tiring reading about the wealthiest area in the country, so people must buy a Prius to fit in.

Also, most people have a deep affinity for what they drive. You may not agree with it, but it is true.

There are some amazing cars being produced today. Incredible technology and advances. Many people are being pinched heavily with fuel costs, and are going to buy small fuel efficient cars. But many want to upgrade and buy a really nice luxury vehicle, and do not have to be good ole boys. I recommend the new Cadillacs. The review is on Lincoln, and I like their SUV. But driving a new Cadillac sedan with the performance equipment is not going to have a floaty, lozenge ride. It will leave you in the dust.

1st Dec 2012, 06:51

I know seriously, why people even bother to come on this board if they're just going to hate on big American classics is beyond me. We are all on here because we obviously like the big Lincolns from the 70's and cherish them, so some of the people that like trashing these particular Lincolns should just stay out of our conversations, period. The automotive industry is so heavily regulated that it can't do whatever it wants, like in years past. Better fuel economy, and making sure that the automakers keep up with current and future government standards and rules, is where the force behind building smaller and smaller cars is coming from. We didn't have all these midget cars back 10 or 20 years ago roaming around on our roadways when gas was cheaper, but because MPG standards have to increase over time with the fear of higher fuel cost, adding to the fact that emission standards have also gotten stricter, automakers know that they can't just keep building mid to full size cars and be able to survive anymore.

Ultimately, the fear of gas prices going up, is why the majority of drivers are driving smaller cars these days. Imagine if a gallon of gas was $1.25 a gallon right now, does anyone believe all those tiny fuel sipping cars would sell as well? I don't. Personally, I think Americans would go back to their old ways of buying the bigger vehicles, since they know they could afford to drive them with gas being so cheap.

It sucks how if you want a bigger full size sedan today, you have to look at the European and Asian luxury brands. Years ago, this was never the case, you could get a cheap 70's Chevy Impala or a Ford LTD that could easily fit 6 or more people, with a massive trunk that could accommodate the entire family on a budget. This isn't the case anymore. Mid size is the only thing available for consumers, and that is very unfortunate. At least back in the 90's when GM was building the full size Impala and Roadmaster, you could get something close to how cars were in the 60's and 70's in terms of interior room and comfort.

I mean look how well the Chrysler 300 is selling? It's not huge by any means, but at least it stands out, and doesn't look like 99.9% of the short jelly bean on wheels vehicles on the road today.

I love the old Lincolns from the past. Sure, they might be old mannish in many ways, but boy do they have presence when pulling up somewhere. I wouldn't drive my classic Lincoln everyday for the simple fact that gas prices are still too high where I live, and knowing how horrible the MPG in my 78 Continental is, I'd be broke in 2 weeks of driving to work every day. Now if this was 1990, I definitely be driving the 78 as my daily driver, because I know how solid these cars are. They will last, and were built to last straight from the factory. Plus if something did break, the parts are super cheap and easy to replace. Yeah, the maintenance would suck, and the car would need to be looked after more often, unlike new cars, but who cares, I work on my own cars anyways, and whatever I can't do, a shop will be able to handle it for a much lower cost than if I bought a brand new 2013 MKS.

Knowing that these Lincolns intimidate and frighten people is awesome! You should see the crazy faces I get when driving this beast, the reactions are all from, "OMG that thing is so gross"... To "Holy crap that thing is going to crush me!!" To "Wow that thing is a big and beautiful, cool car!" Ha ha. It sort of makes you feel like you are the only person around that owns the roadways, since no modern car today can match the old 70's Lincolns on its exterior size alone. You do get the respect, and people will get out of your way from the thought of you possibly crushing their cars in half LOL.

Ahhhh... what a feeling!