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Cars are getting better looking

Discussion in 'General Automotive Talk' started by Andrew B., Apr 6, 2016.

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  1. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    I was checking the 2017 Lincoln Continental and MKZ. Both look better. Especially the grilles. One of the developers said he doesn't want them to look like German cars. I agree. They should look a little British (read Bentely) while still looking American (which they do). But I must say, the 2017 LaCrosse looks better than these. And now that I'm used to the new Charger, I think it looks good. And Mustang looks better. But I guess right now my fav in looks is the Jaguar XE.

    For awhile cars were starting to remind me of anime auto styling. No more.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 6, 2016
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  2. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I would have to agree with you. I like the look of the two new Lincoln's. The Continental seems to be getting mixed reviews from the press. I guess they debuted the MKZ front end first and they thought it should have been the other way around and so on. You can't make everyone happy. I really like it in the blue because it shows the body line over the rear fenders. That seems to get lost in the photos with the white paint. I hope this helps bring the brand back.

    Here is a thread on the Continental. http://gearheadcentral.com/index.ph...-official-photos-and-info.16436/#.VwV7MkeYEWc

    I haven't looked at the new LaCrosse much till you mentioned it. I really like what they did with it. I would like to see it in person. I would like to drive it and compare the ride to the 90's and late 2000's that I have drove.

    Here is a thread on the 2017 LaCrosse http://gearheadcentral.com/index.ph...-official-photos-and-info.15901/#.VwWTIUeYEWc

    Looking at these cars really makes me miss the Oldsmobile brand.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 6, 2016
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  3. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    Hmmm. I saw the other threads and should probably have posted to them, considering that I have more I can say about those cars.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 6, 2016
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  4. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    Oh I have no problem with you starting a new thread talking about them all. I just posted the threads so that people can see pictures and get more info on them.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 6, 2016
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  5. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    Here is a video on the 2017 Jaguar XE



    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 6, 2016
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  6. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    It seems like things are getting really interesting. Seems like some manufactures are taking more chances and making more stylish cars. You also have the full electrics coming out. The Bolt EV and the Tesla Model 3.

    Seeing the improvements from the American brands you posted makes it even better. It is nice to see them make an honest effort to compete.

    James
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
    Flexin, Apr 6, 2016
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  7. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    Awhile back I was researching smooth-riding quiet cars, so of course the LaCrosse is an obvious one to consider. And even though this is supposed to be a practical decision (in my case), the looks were so off-putting I doubt I could have bought it. The 2017 changed that. Same with the Lincolns.

    By the way, I mentioned that I like the looks of the Jaguar XE the best. I should add the best-looking car that I could conceivable buy. I think the Bentley Continental looks better, but I will never see that kind of money.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 7, 2016
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  8. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    It is hard to see the practical side if you don't like the look of a vehicle. Well some can. I can't. If I don't like it, I will not enjoy it. For the price of vehicles today and the cost of upkeep, I want to enjoy it.

    The Bentley Continental is a beautiful car.

    Another beautiful car is the Aston Martin Vanquish. If I came into a lot of money it would be one car I would need to test drive. It would be competing for a spot in my driveway.



    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 7, 2016
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  9. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    During the previous decade I routinely visited the Aston Martin Vanquish at the Aston Martin site. I thought it's looks were amazing, and I'd read about it wondering if I might actually like to drive one. Now looking at the updated version, I think they did a good job updating it. It still has a very strong intimidating look, although a bit more refined now, so it looks tad less threatening. But still looks great. I wish they offered it in British Racing Green.

    I'll be interested to see how the Lincolns line up against the Buicks. I notice the MZK and LaCrosse have similar base prices.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 8, 2016
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  10. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    For me I think it would have to be the Cobalt Blue, Onxy Black or Jet Black, Stratus White. I know what you mean about the Vanquish. I kinda feel the same but still have that love for it. The car has stuck in my mind since day one. I have a lot of work to do to get one of those in my driveway.

    That is an interesting match up. It would be fun to look them over side by side and then test drive them both.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 9, 2016
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  11. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    I just looked at photos of the previous Vanquish versus the current. The previous looks dated. So I guess I'd get the new one if I were buying. I wish they had retained a little more of the old grille shape. Although, maybe the Ford Fusion has ruined its specialness.

    I think the Vanquish is the perfect Bond car. Odd thing, though, the Bond producers didn't always use the latest model (at the time) and even had him drive a BMW in one of them. I've sort of lost track of this, though.

    Regarding the Lincoln Continental, it looks like I'm not the only one who sees a similarity to Bentley
     
    Andrew B., Apr 9, 2016
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  12. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I was trying to find some good photos of older ones but didn't find them right away and had to go back to my video editing.

    No I need to search the changes in the grills.

    I read some of a message chat with different editors on the Lincoln. There was a lot of mixed feelings. I believe the Bentley was mentioned a few times. I could somewhat see it but it wasn't till I was looking good at pictures of them and the Aston that I noticed the humps on the rear fenders. I liked it on the Lincoln and then noticed it on the Bentley. So it does look like they at least "borrowed" some design cues from the Bentley.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 9, 2016
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  13. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    The profiles are very close. Here's a link that shows this. When I follow the roof line backward and down the back to the underside, they look the same. The rear pillar is the same. The amount of difference reminds me of when I used to go the auto show and Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac were all selling the same car, except with a different front and rear bolted on, at least as far as the body went.

    Anyway, this is not the first time I've seen this level of similarity from two different companies. And I'm not going to dump on Lincoln. It's just interesting to see.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 10, 2016
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  14. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    It is really close but not a copy in my mind. I think you could take silhouette of both cars and most would be able to pick out the Bentley. I think the there is enough of a difference. Also, even if they were copies, they are worlds apart. The level of craftsmanship in a Bentley would be well above what would be offered in the Lincoln. And the price would reflect that.

    In the article you found (nice find btw) it says they are in the same market. I have to disagree with that. I feel that there would be less than a handful of people with Bentley type of money that would stop and buy the Lincoln because it looks the same. They have two different buyers in my opinion. And that is nothing against the Lincoln. It looks like a great car. A luxury car closer to my price range. They are both out of my price range but the Lincoln isn't too far off. The Bentley price would be a large chunk of the cost of my next house.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 11, 2016
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  15. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    Flexin, Apr 14, 2016
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  16. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    I just noticed your follow-up post. Yes, that price is surprisingly low. Much lower than Cadillac. Sort of hard to compare, though, because Cadillac no longer directly competes with Lincoln. Cadillac is no longer a plush-riding car (from what I've read).
     
    Andrew B., Jun 18, 2016
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  17. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I think you could be right about the ride. I haven't drove a Cadillac in just over 10 years. That would still be a bit on the "plush" side. They moved there focus toward a younger crowd so I think they did firm up the ride. I like to drive one to confirm it though.

    James
     
    Flexin, Jun 19, 2016
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  18. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    I have to admit I would be hesitant to get a Lincoln because of its image. It is not uncommon for luxury sedans to bring out hostile feelings in others. Just like sometimes people in some places thought I was putting on airs for wearing a sports jacket, even though it cost much less than their cool leather jacket. Not to mention that I was always wearing jeans and a work shirt of some kind with it. So I would not be surprised to hear that a larger percent of Lincolns get keyed compared to Volkswagon. What's interesting though is luxury GT cars don't have the same effect. Usually they bring on admiration. I guess if you are perceived as rich with a sedan, and assumed to be a snob. But with a GT car you are cool.

    A friend of mine told me that decades ago Buicks were sometimes referred to as "doctor's cars" because so many doctors bought them instead of Cadillacs. They were afraid that Cadillacs would make them appear too rich and only in it for the money.
     
    Andrew B., Jun 25, 2016
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  19. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I wouldn't have a problem driving a Lincoln or Cadillac. When I had my detail shop I had a chance to drive some different vehicles. The biggest reaction came from the Hummers. Driving the H2 was an experance. You would get some that would look at it with excitement. They were happy to see it. Then many others were not impressed to say the least. Some seemed to have a hate on for it. The wide range of reactions made me really want one.

    I find that you can always find someone to complain. If everyone loves something it is too plain. I would rather own the vehicle I want, rather than the one that pleases people. I work hard for my money, I should be the one to decide how to spend t.

    James
     
    Flexin, Jun 26, 2016
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  20. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    I can understand the response to the Hummers. It is quite a polarizing vehicle. Remember the first ones that hit the streets, back when the look was more military. I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger driving one with the top. He was smoking a big cigar and looking very pleased.

    Anyway, other people not liking a car would not keep me from buying one. But if it spilled into disdain toward me I would avoid it. I've had too many bad experiences with snobbery and reverse snobbery. And at my age and state of health, I just avoid it.
     
    Andrew B., Jun 26, 2016
    #20
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