3rd Jul 2017, 22:05
They're some truth to what are you saying, but IMO, although the 70s wasn't the greatest time for luxury American cars as far as quality goes, and sure many are just "rebadges", they still reign supreme in driving comfort, and that is all that really mattered to people back then, and even now.
Sometimes old tech or the way things were built is actually better than the new stuff. The old full-framed luxury cars of the 70s rode extremely well, had massive interior space, and tons of trunk room. No modern luxury car today can compare to the size and comfort of the older Cadillacs, and Lincolns and in this case Buick. The reason American cars didn't change much from the 50s-70s is because they didn't have to. Things were fine the way they were, and big frame cars worked perfectly without issues until the gas crisis hit. That is when everything changed, and the downsizing era began for the worse. Sure a 70s Mercedes might have felt more solid, or had better interior materials, but the thing rode like crap over potholes and crumbling streets. You couldn't fit 6 adults, let alone 5 if you had to, unlike a full-size American luxury car, which never had this problem.
Believe me, I like to drive modern day cars for everyday purposes, they are quick, agile, get great gas mileage, and are reliable, but as far as comfort goes, they still can't compare to the serene ride of the luxury cars from the 70s. Their unit-body structure simply cannot block out road noise, or isolate passengers as well like a heavy frame car can. It's technically hard to do from an engineering standpoint as the body isn't strong enough compared to a separate frame to absorb harsh road impacts. They also need extra sound deadening materials to help quiet the car, which adds weight and adds extra cost to the car. Going over a large bump or pothole transmits a lot more energy, and vibrations into the cabin vs a full-frame car. Every unit-body car I've driven doesn't ride as nice as my older full-size Lincolns and Cadillacs do; it's technically impossible unless the manufacturer adds additional sub-frames, and heavy bracing to help damp NVH.
Modern day luxury rides also have shorter wheelbases and less wheel travel compared to back then, and this makes the cars ride choppy and bumpy.
4th Jul 2017, 00:23
So let me get this straight. A Buick ,Lincoln, Cadillac with an "ancient" drivetrain is not considered a luxury car because of what's under the hood? So what. The engines were reliable all along; thanks to CAFE & government standards they lost HP and performance.
Speaking of FWD, I can remember in 1985-1986 when GM full-size cars such as the LeSabre/Electra Delta 88/98 and Bonneville were all switched over to FWD. These were reliable cars, but many were disappointed about the radical change. Thus the Caprice, Fleetwood hung around in RWD form a lot longer than expected.
As for seeing older cars around, I would say that you have it backwards. I live in the deep South and see many more GM and Fords as opposed to imports.
3rd Jul 2017, 18:51
We were discussing newer luxury cars. Late 60s and up, as with the review. My parents even had a loaded V8 LeSabre with air. I drove it to high school, and although not my favorite Buick, it was nice. I was mainly talking about new loaded Cadillacs and Lincolns that we owned new. Not Tacoma, Volt and mid 50s Mercury that I would be surprised if it even had a V8, few power options or even air. Having owned Mercedes, the ride was not as nice as a late 80s, fully loaded Town Car. That we owned new and it rode like a dream.