Regardless of technology, year, make, model, what is your favorite luxury car . . .
10-17-23, 04:28 PM
#76
Lexus Fanatic
Getting back to the original OP question............favorite luxury car regardless of year/technology/make/model:
In general, I'd have to say almost any large American luxury-sedan from the mid/late 60s through about 1970, though I have to admit that the carburetors and breaker-point ignitions of the period were a PITA. That was before the days of electronic fuel-injection and electronic ignitions/engine-controls. My personal favorite, and the one with the smoothest powertrain, was the Buick Electra 225....although the Lincoln Continental was probably the best-riding, just like a magic carpet. The big Chryslers had bulletproof engines and handled the best with the torsion-bar/leaf suspension, but had spotty assembly-quality, more road/drivetrain noise, and cheaper interiors.
In general, I'd have to say almost any large American luxury-sedan from the mid/late 60s through about 1970, though I have to admit that the carburetors and breaker-point ignitions of the period were a PITA. That was before the days of electronic fuel-injection and electronic ignitions/engine-controls. My personal favorite, and the one with the smoothest powertrain, was the Buick Electra 225....although the Lincoln Continental was probably the best-riding, just like a magic carpet. The big Chryslers had bulletproof engines and handled the best with the torsion-bar/leaf suspension, but had spotty assembly-quality, more road/drivetrain noise, and cheaper interiors.
10-17-23, 06:17 PM
#79
Lexus Champion
Holy thread resurrection.
10-17-23, 06:54 PM
#80
Lexus Fanatic
An STS is a higher caliber car than an ES. Even though it’s old you’re going to be disappointed in some aspects of the ES. It would be best compared with a GS, if the GS still existed…
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
10-17-23, 07:30 PM
#81
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[QUOTE=mmarshall;11597380] Getting back to the original OP question............favorite luxury car regardless of year/technology/make/model:
Sorry I got so carried away in my post. I should have stopped after noting the 2000 Cadillac STS. Oops. Thank you for the gentle reminder... :-)
Sorry I got so carried away in my post. I should have stopped after noting the 2000 Cadillac STS. Oops. Thank you for the gentle reminder... :-)
10-17-23, 07:42 PM
#82
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An STS is a higher caliber car than an ES. Even though it’s old you’re going to be disappointed in some aspects of the ES. It would be best compared with a GS, if the GS still existed…
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
Thank you for the warning about possible future disappointments. I think I fall into the 'old dogs and new tricks' category.
10-17-23, 07:45 PM
#83
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by STS2000
Sorry I got so carried away in my post. I should have stopped after noting the 2000 Cadillac STS. Oops. Thank you for the gentle reminder... :-)
No problem
......... opinions run far and wide on an issue like this. I brought up the big '60s American dinosaurs because, unlike many others here, I had the good fortune to not only grow up with them (and the 60s American muscle-cars) but drive and own some of them.
10-17-23, 10:46 PM
#84
Lead Lap
10-18-23, 12:01 AM
#85
Lexus Champion
An STS is a higher caliber car than an ES. Even though it’s old you’re going to be disappointed in some aspects of the ES. It would be best compared with a GS, if the GS still existed…
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
Surprised you haven’t had any issues with the Northstar in your STS. They have such huge problems with head gasket failures and the job to replace them is so expensive most have been scrapped and totaled.
When I drove it with no prior experience with one I thought to myself "wow, this is kind of like a GS or 525i"
10-18-23, 12:03 AM
#86
Lexus Champion
10-18-23, 05:31 AM
#87
Lexus Champion
I am THRILLED to have found this forum topic. My favorite car is the one I still drive, the 2000 Cadillac STS. I bought it new in Dec 2000 and it currently has less than 51,000 miles. We have decided it might be time to get a new car and the Lexus ES350 UL has been highly recommended. We finally went to the, poorly lighted, showroom to have a look. They had very little inventory and nothing in the model and trim that we wanted. They also did not have the interior color we desire on any model so we could at least see if it is something we would want. Fortunately, they had the Palomino color and I was immediately able to dismiss that color as a possibility. When I sat in the car, I felt claustrophobic; it seems so small and dark. The experience was a huge disappointment. But, when I am, eventually, able to sit in the trim model I wish to purchase, maybe I will be happy with it. It has certainly received excellent reviews and is seems to have an excellent maintenance record.
We have driven rental cars over the years so we are familiar with the improvements along the way. But, my STS has so many luxurious features that are not offered in the ES350 UL. Of course, the 350 UL has some features not available in my current car. At an auto show a few years ago, I commented to the salesman that the Lexus did not seem particularly luxurious and I was told that people don't want luxury anymore and prefer the sportier feel of a car. I have considered looking at other cars... Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. Probably, I could still get the luxury that I currently have in my STS but for a price I am not willing to pay. The sticker price of our 2000 STS was $53k. That's a lot for 23 years ago.
It is a silly thing, but what irks me the most in the Lexus UL is that the seat belts are black and the dashboard is black, same as in most cars of this time, I suppose. It is hard for me to accept that as my STS interior is all cream and the dash is a taupe color. It is bright and spacious.
My friends and family are sick of hearing me say how much I love my (current) car, but it's true. Nothing I can afford equals the features in my current car. We have decided to keep driving it at least for next year. If Lexus discontinues the V6, we will likely purchase the Lexus before that happens. Thank you all for letting me "vent."
We have driven rental cars over the years so we are familiar with the improvements along the way. But, my STS has so many luxurious features that are not offered in the ES350 UL. Of course, the 350 UL has some features not available in my current car. At an auto show a few years ago, I commented to the salesman that the Lexus did not seem particularly luxurious and I was told that people don't want luxury anymore and prefer the sportier feel of a car. I have considered looking at other cars... Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. Probably, I could still get the luxury that I currently have in my STS but for a price I am not willing to pay. The sticker price of our 2000 STS was $53k. That's a lot for 23 years ago.
It is a silly thing, but what irks me the most in the Lexus UL is that the seat belts are black and the dashboard is black, same as in most cars of this time, I suppose. It is hard for me to accept that as my STS interior is all cream and the dash is a taupe color. It is bright and spacious.
My friends and family are sick of hearing me say how much I love my (current) car, but it's true. Nothing I can afford equals the features in my current car. We have decided to keep driving it at least for next year. If Lexus discontinues the V6, we will likely purchase the Lexus before that happens. Thank you all for letting me "vent."
10-18-23, 06:42 AM
#88
Lexus Fanatic
That STS cost about $50,000 in 2000, only about $9,000-10,000 less than a loaded LS400 while a loaded ES cost about $35,000.
Not his 2000, his 2000 was the prior generation that was still FWD. I believe in 03 the STS went RWD.
10-18-23, 07:21 AM
#89
Lead Lap
It is, but it was built to a higher standard than an ES and has more sophisticated suspension and much more isolation materials etc. Back in the 90s both Lincoln and Cadillac and Acura were making FWD cars that were much higher end than an ES.
That STS cost about $50,000 in 2000, only about $9,000-10,000 less than a loaded LS400 while a loaded ES cost about $35,000.
That STS cost about $50,000 in 2000, only about $9,000-10,000 less than a loaded LS400 while a loaded ES cost about $35,000.
but i'm happy to change my views if it actually does feel like a more solid, higher caliber of car in terms of handing characteristics, high speed stability, etc...
10-18-23, 07:49 AM
#90
Super Moderator
Yes, the G platform underpinned the LeSabre, Park Avenue, Bonneville, and Aurora, in addition to the Cadillac Deville and Seville models.