USA Car Thread

[He Named Thor]

Originally Posted by UD2

I don't think Lincoln, or Ford as a matter of fact, is getting their sedans right. It seem to lack some things that their Japanese and European counter parts, and even GM, is getting.

Comparing Lincoln with other cars in its class, I can't help to feel an inward blandness towards every aspect of the vehicle from the interior all the way around to the external apparences. Even the new Buicks that carry a much lower sticker price come through, for me, with more exclusivity than the Lincolns.

Anyone else agree with me?

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. Could you be more specific?

If it helps, Lincoln's target is Acura.

[nerdly_dood]

Originally Posted by UD2

I don't think Lincoln, or Ford as a matter of fact, is getting their sedans right. It seem to lack some things that their Japanese and European counter parts, and even GM, is getting.

Comparing Lincoln with other cars in its class, I can't help to feel an inward blandness towards every aspect of the vehicle from the interior all the way around to the external apparences. Even the new Buicks that carry a much lower sticker price come through, for me, with more exclusivity than the Lincolns.

Anyone else agree with me?

I don't.

To me, lincoln is a step above Buick. Here's a list of brands, in my perception from low-end to high end.

Anything Chinese: Total crapper
Suzuki: Low end
Chevrolet: Low to mid-range, with boring styling
Ford: Low to mid-range, with really cool styling
Dodge: Low to mid-range, with emphasis on sportitude
VW: Low to mid-range, with growing emphasis on sportitude on later models
Volvo, Honda, Toyota: Midrange
Audi: Slightly higher than midrange
Nissan: 'Bout equal with Audi, with emphasis on cars for men.
Buick, Mercury: Upper mid-range, with a lot of chrome
Merc, BMW, Cadillac: Really classy
Bentley, Rolls-Royce: Uber-luxury

As far as Acura or Lexus goes, the only model I can think of now is the NSX, and we all know that's certainly not a good way to gauge the classiness of the entire brand... although I certainly would love to have one.

Hyundai vehicles are, IMO, the best car for your money.

[UD2]

I guess what I’m asking is it anyone agrees with me on the fact that Lincoln’s are a bit bland in its design for its price range.

The design style for me, is complete different.

Low range cars I find still belong to the Kias and Suzuki and even Mitsubishi (Mits are moving upward though)
Chevys: I find Chevys are setting their targets on Toyota with its newer designs, which are sleek but are also boring (conservative) enough to be acceptable to almost every member of the general mass. Low to mid rage is ok, but closer to mid than low.
Audi: Audi has never, in its history, been a mid range car. I have always placed Audi in the same segment as Mercedes and BMW, although with a slightly lower sticker price. In all respect, I find Audi a much better car than Mercedes in terms of build and ride quality, especially their suspension.
Mercury: We don’t have any Mercurys in Canada anymore but I’ve found, when we still did have them, Mercurys to be in the same class as the Buick. Maybe Oldsmobile back in its day, but never as high as Buick.
Buick: This has always been an upper mid range/lower upper range car, it had some troubles in the 90s but it’s coming back with a huge punch in North America. Buicks are some of the best selling cars in its class in China. Buicks I find are in a segment of its own with VW and Nissan prices with fully non-sporty and classy styling.
Lincolns: I have no words other than marketing failure. I hope their new models run up well against Acura.

[El Mariachi]

Originally Posted by He Named Thor

Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) built up a special F150 pickup for racing in the Baja series. Now, that vehicle will be produced for any consumers looking for some high-speed off-road fun.

From Motor Trend Magazine's review:
"We're doing 100 mph. At half this rate, any regular truck would explosively dismantle as fast, hard, and repeated hits induce massive and comprehensive suspension or tire failure. Our truck simply strides over them, with some turbulence for us in the cabin, but without any gut wrenching, bolt stripping, metal-on-metal indications of imminent disaster."

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html

wow, that thing looks like a beast and fun to drive.

[I-275westcoastfl]

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a great looking car, looks even better in real life! On the SHO it's 365-hp twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 gets the same fuel economy as my current car with only 230hp, thats amazing!







The 2010 Ford Fusion is also a great car, looks better in real life too! Really one of the best mid sized cars on the market in the USA right now.

[He Named Thor]

Originally Posted by UD2

I guess what I’m asking is it anyone agrees with me on the fact that Lincoln’s are a bit bland in its design for its price range.

The design style for me, is complete different.

Low range cars I find still belong to the Kias and Suzuki and even Mitsubishi (Mits are moving upward though)
Chevys: I find Chevys are setting their targets on Toyota with its newer designs, which are sleek but are also boring (conservative) enough to be acceptable to almost every member of the general mass. Low to mid rage is ok, but closer to mid than low.
Audi: Audi has never, in its history, been a mid range car. I have always placed Audi in the same segment as Mercedes and BMW, although with a slightly lower sticker price. In all respect, I find Audi a much better car than Mercedes in terms of build and ride quality, especially their suspension.
Mercury: We don’t have any Mercurys in Canada anymore but I’ve found, when we still did have them, Mercurys to be in the same class as the Buick. Maybe Oldsmobile back in its day, but never as high as Buick.
Buick: This has always been an upper mid range/lower upper range car, it had some troubles in the 90s but it’s coming back with a huge punch in North America. Buicks are some of the best selling cars in its class in China. Buicks I find are in a segment of its own with VW and Nissan prices with fully non-sporty and classy styling.
Lincolns: I have no words other than marketing failure. I hope their new models run up well against Acura.

In that case no, I think that bland is exactly the opposite of their newest vehicles. Take the new MKT for instance.







Many people love it, many hate it, but I doubt any of them would refer to it as bland.

Car and Driver Magazine: "The MKT makes the boldest statement yet about Lincoln’s styling direction, specifically in the huge split-waterfall grille."

Jalopnik.com: "The body has so far been one of the most controversial pieces of the MKT."

Edmunds.com: "Unfortunately, we think its quirky styling and relatively steep price tag compared to other luxury crossovers may limit its appeal."

thecarconnection.com: "The marque hopes to stand out at the crowded show, not only with a striking design but with a surprisingly eco-friendly package"

Motorauthority.com: "It's a big people mover--a minivan minus the sliding side doors--but the MKT looks nothing like today's other crossovers, particularly its own cousin, the Ford Flex. The Flex is all right angles and edges, a square peg in a square hole. The MKT shares the Flex's architecture, seating layout, powertrains and safety cage, but has a more curvilinear appeal. The grille has wings, the shoulders have some kinky ideas about hooking up with the car's D-pillar, and the rear end cants forward and wears taillights and chrome trim like stock tickers."

Need I continue?

Some interior pictures to keep the thread going.








The interior is a little on the bland side, but Lincoln has done "odd" interiors before. They generally are frowned upon, at least in the luxury segment.

[He Named Thor]

Devon Motor Works, a Los Angeles based company, unveiled its first car at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Featuring an all carbon-fibre body, and a massive 8.4litre V10 engine, the GTX has already set an unofficial lap time record at Willow Springs raceway.

[MRS50]

Originally Posted by ()_T

There's a Chinese car thread and a 'Latest Vehicles' thread but its so sloppy, so heres and American Vehicle thread.

2011 Volvo S60







LeftLaneNews - 2011 Volvo S60

2011 Volvo C30






LeftLaneNews - 2011 Volvo C30

The Volvo's have improved over the years

Theres some news from the US saying LAPD might buy Chevy-Badged Holden Commodore police Cars
http://jalopnik.com/5230928/lapd-to-...re-police-cars

[thun]

Indeed a great idea to start an "US car thread" with pics of cars of a Swedish brand!

[He Named Thor]

Originally Posted by thun

Indeed a great idea to start an "US car thread" with pics of cars of a Swedish brand!

Well, they are owned by Ford.

[thun]

Did you consider Chrysler being German during the time they were merged with Daimler (Mercedes)?

[He Named Thor]

Originally Posted by thun

Did you consider Chrysler being German during the time they were merged with Daimler (Mercedes)?

Yes. Chrysler would have never made such stupid decisions on their own.

I don't know why everyone gets so hung up on this. I consider the location of the company who ultimately calls the shots to determine the nationality of the badge on the front.

[He Named Thor]

Dodge's small wagon, the smallest vehicle in Dodge's NA portfolio, gets a slight refresh this year in order to address some of the complaints about it.

[mwg12a]

Dodge caliber looks a bit ugly IMO. I like that Dodge Journey especially in black with a good mugwheel, looks sporty and classy at the same time.

[He Named Thor]

http://www.speedsportlife.com/2009/0...-to-the-death/

It seems like yesterday, but it was long ago, as the song says. One day in the spring of 1982, my father pulled into the driveway behind the wheel of a new Lincoln Town Car Signature Series. His new Lincoln Town Car Signature Series, purchased to commemorate his ascension to the post of Executive Vice President in a small food brokerage. Let the record show that my father was thirty-seven years old, as I am now. If he was confused and occasionally frustrated by life, as I am now, he never showed it; if he struggled with doubts and fear, as I occasionally do, it was never apparent. He was a respected businessman and stalwart, if not particularly cheerful, presence at church each Sunday. Still, I take comfort in the fact that his Town Car was painted a particularly outrageous shade of sky blue, referred to as “Wedgwood” in the manual but immediately characterized by my automotively diffident mother as “Polock Blue”. Not as outrageous as a bright green Audi S5, perhaps, but neither was this the car of a man who shied away from attention.

His choice of a Town Car surprised me. My grandfather — his father — was a confirmed Cadillac man who piloted a stainless-roofed Eldorado Biarritz from home to country club and back every day. Surely a Sedan de Ville (French, amusingly, for “town car”) would have been a better choice? As always, though, Dad had his finger vaguely on the American pulse. The Town Car was “hot” and the de Ville was “cold”, so he chose the former. And how I loved to ride in that blue-velour interior, surrounded by chromed script and plastic wood, serenaded by the “Premium Sound” system complete with door-mounted subwoofers! And though my father would eventually follow that American pulse away from Lincoln, through a series of BMWs, Jags, Lexuses, and Infinitis, I never forgot this: sliding behind the wheel of a big new Lincoln meant that one had “made it”.

Fast-forward to the present day. I am in full attack mode, bearing down on the tail of an E36 BMW through a series of vicious decreasing-radius turns. He’s pushing hard, breaking the tail loose slightly at every exit. I’m holding the gap from braking zone to apex and closing it from there. A pair of utterly silent turbochargers quicken the cultured twin-cam music filtering into an exceptionally quiet cabin. We have all-wheel-drive and make full use of it, clawing the road at full throttle and ripping the scenery back through the windshield. On a wide sweeper, I see the needle swing well past the triple-digit hash mark, the Bimmer’s license plate swells to myopic visibility, and the chase is finally over. We’re on his tail, will not be shaken. My three passengers relax a bit. They are each reclined in a power-ventilated individual chair, surrounded by figured maple and stitched leather, lit by the sun through a panoramic glass roof and soothed by a studio-quality sound system. We’re in a Lincoln. More pertinently, we’re in a Lincoln station wagon.

More at link.

An interesting comparison of the two brand's very different strategies.

Originally Posted by mwg12a

Dodge caliber looks a bit ugly IMO. I like that Dodge Journey especially in black with a good mugwheel, looks sporty and classy at the same time.

It's always been a little odd looking, specifically in the front. I drove one when they first came out; had it not been for the Continously Variable Transmission (CVT) it would've been a very cool little wagon.

[He Named Thor]

The Super Duty series is Ford's line of heavy duty workhorse trucks. They are built on rigid frames, have reliable but ancient suspension setups, and are available with massive gasoline and Diesel engines (6.2Litre V8 gas, 6.7Litre V8 Diesel). If you need a truck to haul, tow, or plow, look no further than the brand new Super Duty line.











It's unfortunate that Ford, for whatever reason, didn't feel the need to include other colors and configurations.

[He Named Thor]

Designed in Europe for their market, the C-Max and Grand C-Max are Ford's lineup of compact MPVs (not including the Mazda 5). Basically, they are meant to be small minivans. This generation will be the first ever to hit our shores, in hopes of competing with Kia's Rondo.

[Shmack]

The 2010 Chevrolet Mailbu aint seem that ugly as 2004 version.



I'd have made another 'ass' though..

[cjav]

back of the car is fugly but i like the interior.

[MRS50]

It turns out the car is the work of a Melbourne company, National Safety Agency, that specialises in innovative technology development for emergency services operations around the world.

The L.A.P.D. Pontiac is a prototype designed to showcase the technology the company has been working on over the past two years for both Australian and international agencies. It will be demonstrated to senior members of the L.A.P.D. on Monday in Sydney after being on display at next week's APOC (Association of Public Safety Communication Officials) conference.

National Safety Agency (NSA) director Des Bahr told the Carsales Network that the Pontiac employs several new features specially designed to improve officer safety, efficiency and reduce cost. The most notable is the police computer screen being molded directly into the dashboard. The company was able to integrate many of the separate technologies used by law enforcement agencies into the single platform.

The potential for both NSA and Holden is huge. It is believed American law enforcement agencies currently have approximately 80,000 Ford Crown Victoria sedans on fleet but the aging car is due to be phased out next year.

Most forces require V8-powered rear-wheel drive sedans and the Dodge Charger has been adopted by some police forces in America, but Bahr believes the Pontiac represents a safer and better-equipped option.

"If we were able to tap into that market the opportunities are huge for any manufacturer," Bahr says.

In addition to the L.A.P.D. Bahr says the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as agencies in the UK and around the world, have shown interest in the prototypes.