El Kabong

Alberta voted in the NDP. I keep looking out the window for locust plagues.

What are you talking about? Mediocre chassis engineering is still mediocre chassis engineering, regardless of era. Aside from possibly competing with a previous-gen version at the arrival gate I assure you nobody will seriously compare an S-Class to a Continental. Maybe in 2019 we can have this conversation. But certainly not today. So you are again suggesting that the new Conti is a mediocre chassis, yet you know almost nothing about it, other than the starting point, which is little more than fixed hard-point dimensions beginning with an all new chassis. Why is it that most in this industry already know what defines and contributes to a total system, which is the sum of it's parts and subsystems as well as, and most importantly, who they are all integrated together in that system -- except you? Because concluding 'mediocre' at this point suggests what many of us already know about what is behind your intended remarks. The car appears to have exactly what it needs, and more, to deliver on it's promises of the best Lincoln to date. Good enough anyway to completely steal the spotlight from it's recent auto show cross town rival. Must be a Ford employee...Indeed he is. And that would be a good thing, if he didn't use it to do nothing but spout rose-coloured glasses PR crap about the company. If that comes off as harsh, allow me to show you what I mean right now:I suggested the Continental would have a mediocre chassis compared to, say, an S-Class because it would be using Fusion bits. He then said this would not be the case and took a swipe at the Cadillac CT6. The problem is that my claim can easily be proved correct. Here is a link: http://m.caranddriver.com/news/2017-lincoln-continental-spied-it-really-is-happening-future-cars And here is a direct quote from that link: "The setup will be bolted to a platform that we’re told is an enlarged version of the Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ’s global CD4 architecture. The rather extreme size differential between those smaller sedans and the Continental will place a great deal of the engineers’ focus on chassis stiffness; one potential drawback could be excess weight from additional bracing." ...and there goes his cred.

What are you talking about? Mediocre chassis engineering is still mediocre chassis engineering, regardless of era. Aside from possibly competing with a previous-gen version at the arrival gate I assure you nobody will seriously compare an S-Class to a Continental. Maybe in 2019 we can have this conversation. But certainly not today.

Perhaps I need a better Air Miles card but I don't see a ton of them in Alberta airports. Anyways, my point is this: S-Class limos work for two reasons... Well, three: -if it's German it must be good -if it's a great luxury car to begin with its ability as a limo is a given. The converse is not the case. -thunderous depreciation in the segment. There's a reason Cadillac shied away from calling the XTS a flagship. There's also a reason they're quietly making it go away.

Agreed. But consider the ramifications of that. That's what got us the Town Car as a Lincoln flagship. If they're able to do the Continental as a livery car and do a proper flagship down the road then good. But it's not what they need right now for this car-it must make an impact on the retail segment first, regardless of its underpinnings.

It ain't happening with Fusion bits.

At this price level you're starting to get into truly nitpicking stuff. But as you showed in the G-Class thread, some folks are willing to drink German bathwater. GM has to try that much harder to get the same props.

It's a rehash of the original CTS strategy-throw in a tweener-sized attention getter to show Cadillac can deliver. To be honest, it's roughly the same size as the standard wheelbase versions of the big German/Jag sedans, but those usually don't make it over here. Based on the previews I've read (and I've read a LOT of them), the biggest non-driving quibble has been some of the switchgear could be more brand-specific. The tech behind the driveline and chassis has not been dissed, except for the questions about the aforementioned four-banger. I'll admit to being a bit unconvinced on that one-but time will tell.

I'll just put this out there: if Jeep decided to chase The Cadillac Escalade with a really pimped-out Wrangler with a Hellcat engine, it would be entertaining. But that's about it. The G-Wagen is what it is: rugged, old, and a trap for brand trolls to impale themselves on to the delight of those of us who enjoy sharpening the stakes.

Long time no see old friend. How goes things? It's been a long time... Let's hit the highlights: -sold my Camaro SS -bought a Corvette GS droptop -moved to Alberta -about to get rid of Corvette -grew a beard ...ya. That's about it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again-if you're going to get a Miata then at least wait to see what the Fiat version looks like. I don't believe the new Mustang will be able to match the new Camaro, trim level for trim level. But that done make it a turnip, and that engine is a pretty sweet-sounding device. Finally, a politically-incorrect but necessary question: as a single 21 year-old, how long do you wish to remain single? Because each of these cars, rightly or wrongly, carry baggage on that front. You can be the hoon in the Mustang, or the, uh... sensitive guy in the Miata. Hey, I don't make consensus-but I do report it.

Yes, in much the same way JFK's trip to Dallas was a success except for that twisty section during the limo ride.

If it is spent wisely, Lincoln will be able to hold it's head high again. D6 appears to be the real deal. Here's hoping it comes to fruition.

I'm sorry that my facts trump your PR. No, not really. Besides, if Dearborn truly believed in its approach to the new Continental, then why are they still going forward with an advanced platform designed primarily for (and initially exclusive to) Lincoln? Sounds pretty Caddy-ish to me.

No, I iust pointed out that Lincoln's approach to near-luxury cars is possibly worse than Cadillac's woes in the luxury segment. Don't get sniffy with me because I produced sales numbers to shoot down your speculation. Sheesh

I'm not sure how dragging Cadillac into the discussion accomplished anything. Lincoln competes with Buick, not Cadillac. That became immediately obvious when MT said the Escalade was better than a Range Rover, and Consumer Reports gushed over the Navigator's practicality. That said, I'm glad you brought up the sales thing. I'll grant that the ATS and CTS could be doing better in that regard. However, in the case of both Cadillac and Lincoln the bigger picture must be considered. Cadillac sales are actually about par when you consider sales by platform (the old CTS stood alone, while both the all-new ATS and CTS both use Alpha) while the current Lincoln sedan sales darling uses Fusion bits (and based on Fusion sales drops versus MKZ gains, cannibalizes Fusion sales to boot-the Lincoln is up 3,000 units while the Ford is down 10,000. Oops). The Alpha platform is a fantastic bit of engineering that regularly pits the boots to Bimmers and Benzes. The Fusion platform is... a Fusion platform. And finally, that sweet Alpha platform is about to sell in the six figures thanks to the additional sales the Camaro will bring. In other words, trickle-down engineering is about to give GM some fantastic cars. Ford is about to give us... well, nicer Fusions

KC? Wow, everyone's here!

For those who like the looks it will be fine-it'll do good business in China, which is its primary focus. But the underpinnings scream "Buick fighter." I'll wait for the new RWD platform before I get excited.

It really would be a cool thing to have an LS7 dropped under the hood. As it is, it's more than credible as an M-car beater. And yes, I believe that Benz is the better brand to chase in terms of prestige. If achieved, this would make Cadillac an amazing American mix of the two.

I'm not sure what Mopar was thinking by announcing this. Delaying any new model in a challenging marketplace is not good. The trucks will be fine for now, as will Jeep... and the 200 looks to be making inroads with a fresh platform. But the reality is that the big RWD models need to lose weight and the Hemis need to be upgraded with aluminum blocks and DI. Fiat, on the other hand, not so much. I don't mind it as a small-car brand in NA, but it and Alfa Romeo are taking up way too much thought (and likely cash) in the grand scheme of things. And the brand snobbery with Maserati must stop. Follow GM's lead and let the Maser's sedan platform trickle down to make a great new 300/Challenger/'cuda/whatever.

It's been a very good car for Chevrolet, no doubt about it. Not terribly exciting, but well-built, good-looking, and with good quality materialsfor the segment. The new one looks like it will pick up where this one left off, which is something GM really hasn't had in this segment before.

I am considering shrinking the fleet down to one for the next 10-12 months, actually... my job is going well in a down market for oil, but real estate's taking a hit. It may be time to consolidate and upgrade my dwelling. Casa Kabong, if you will. Or I might run out of brains and get a Z06, who knows

The garage is going to be going through some changes shortly. I'm probably doing some test driving tomorrow. EcoDiesel, here I come?

It is an unfortunate mystery. Thankfully, GM has other ways to ensure that the underpinnings sell well.

FCA's troubles are Debt. Quite frankly I think that the pairing of Chrysler with Fiat only put off another inevitable BK.. third one for the company for all INTENT. People talk trash about what Daimler did with Chrysler, but in reality Sergio is kinda doing the same using it to keep Fiat afloat. The only thing that really is, business wise, good going on at FCA right now is Jeep and Ram.. and Ram only because it is selling well via incentives and old as hell underneath. U can bring up Hellcats all day long, but they are not the stuff that make a company stay around very long. Right now FCA isn't moving on new tech or upgrading vehicles in hopes that it can merge with another "sucker." I say another because GM was that sucker back in 2002 when it allowed them (Fiat) to leave the Empire and take $2Billion with nothing relevant to show for the money spent. At the very least it should have taken Ferrari. But alas.. FCA is essentially made up of companies that would find it almost impossible to survive on their own.. or were on their own and had to be combined to sustain life. Sergio, right now cannot afford what's coming on his own.. hence his reason for wanting to merge with someone else... and if U notice he completely avoided the most obvious choice, PSA, because he knows that they are fundamentally in the EXACT same situation. Both need a larger company selling almost or more than double to survive... leaving only GM, VW, Toyota, Hyundai or a combined Nissan/Renault.. and maybe Ford. VW and Toyota won't touch him. GM won't touch him. GM was the most obvious choice because it would automatically put them both at a level so far above all others that the savings opportunities would be worth it. Combining with Ford would make them on par with what Toyota, GM and VW get from Suppliers.. which isn't enough to pull FCA out the $h!. What is kicking me in the head is with Carlos Ghosn's once great desire to merge with GM.. why is he not talking with.. NO.. moving forward with a merger of Renault/Nissan, FCA, and a pull in of PSA to make the a 14-15 Million a year seller conglomerate. Of course the problem would still remain initially of only one company within bringing home any bacon.. and that one would be French/Japanese, and Ghosn would titty f@#k Sergio daily THIS is the big concern I have with Mopar as a whole. Product-wise they are kicking it, but their finances are pretty precarious. My worst fear is that Sergio uses cash from Ram/Jeep/Chrysler in particular to prop up Fiat in Europe. That would be a disaster.