14th Nov 2012, 22:47
If you grew up in the '70s or the '80s, you would know how much better things really were. Even the '90s had some charm and goods to be had. The 21st Century sucks, there's nothing good about it, and I really can't see any means of deliverance (unless you know a way to magically reduce heavy commercialization of everything, which is impossible at this point). Look at the music, entertainment (can you imagine Bieber being cool in the '70s or '80s?), politics, and, of course cars.
Today's luxury cars command no respect and all look the same. The US automakers have no distinct image anymore, it's all about being like the Japanese. And it's not that Americans didn't want the full size cars, it's that they can't afford to drive them like they used to. Whoever said the stuff about the falling standards of living is 100% correct, and that's why the American full size car is now virtually extinct. And no offense, but today's Cadillacs and other luxury cars aren't exactly the paragon of build quality or reliability. They're just cheap thrills for the stupid parents' kids to push to the limits and wreck by hitting a tree.
13th Nov 2012, 18:36
Speaking of things not based in reality, you think a mid-size from the 70s weighs less than a modern car of today?? You are very wrong. A 1976 Buick Regal sedan weighed about 4,100 lbs and a 1976 Ford Gran Torino weighed in at over 4,200 lbs. To compare, a base 2012 Buick LaCrosse and a base 2012 Ford Taurus weigh approximately 3,700 lbs. Yes, the loaded models weigh closer to 4,000 lbs. But just think of all the weight added by all those extra options that the larger 1976 models didn't have available. If they did, then you would have to add another 200-300 lbs. Many of them didn't even have power windows or radios. And to be fair, both of the 2012 models I mentioned are considered "large" cars, and their equals from 1976 both weighed over 5,000 lbs. The majority of modern cars are not much over 3,000 lbs.