Where have all the big personal-luxury coupes gone?
12-23-17 | 09:05 AM
#16
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I have to at least partially disagree. As you note, its not an exact successor, but, by today's standards, The S-class coupe is probably the closest thing, still on the market, to what the old Cadillac Eldorado, Lincoln Mark series, and the two-door early-80s Chrysler Imperial presented. But man, what a price.....I simply wouldn't spend that much on a car.
It's the same relationship with my Lacrosse. No, it's not exactly like my old Electra....but, again by today's standards, probably the closest thing to it still on the American market with a Buick nameplate, though the CT6 and Continental can compete in other ways.
12-23-17 | 09:13 AM
#17
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I do to some extent....otherwise I probably wouldn't have started the thread. 
First, of course, after the 1970s, for the most part, they were downsized and ceased to be true behemoths. But.....it is true that they lacked the space-efficiency that their sedans and wagon equivalents did, and were built to do little more than simply relax and feed one's ego while floating down the road on ultra-soft underpinnings, in isolation, like a cocoon. The sense of isolation was even more pronounced in the back seat, where you had big massive C-pillars blocking your vision out, with small circular or oval-shaped opera windows at best. In fact, at the time, Volvo used to make hay of that in their TV and magazine ads.
First, of course, after the 1970s, for the most part, they were downsized and ceased to be true behemoths. But.....it is true that they lacked the space-efficiency that their sedans and wagon equivalents did, and were built to do little more than simply relax and feed one's ego while floating down the road on ultra-soft underpinnings, in isolation, like a cocoon. The sense of isolation was even more pronounced in the back seat, where you had big massive C-pillars blocking your vision out, with small circular or oval-shaped opera windows at best. In fact, at the time, Volvo used to make hay of that in their TV and magazine ads.
12-23-17 | 11:55 AM
#21
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Why no more? Because the kids and your parents have to get into the back seat. "Only single men drive 2 door coupes" was famous.
12-23-17 | 12:23 PM
#22
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From: ON/NY
This sums up my thoughts on the old 2 door coupes too. I enjoy seeing them at cruise ins, museums etc. but don't miss them at all (and I'm old enough to have owned, driven and admired them back in the day). My tastes and interests have changed and they are just a somewhat pleasant memory now.
Buyers have indeed moved on. Nobody is missing those body on frame GMC Envoys or Ford Expolwrs from the past. They now have better and more comfortable and easier to live with cross overs. Those behemoths are nothing to the new gen of car buyers
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-23-17 at 12:26 PM.
12-23-17 | 12:34 PM
#23
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
.
12-23-17 | 12:41 PM
#24
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That's why the resale value on the explorer sport trac's are so high. Even ones with over 150,000 miles sell for too much money. There's plenty of people who aren't over it.
12-23-17 | 12:46 PM
#25
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Absolute nonsense. We are talking about new vehicles. Show me high resale for a stock BOF Explorer at 150K from the 00s.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-23-17 at 12:50 PM.
12-23-17 | 12:59 PM
#27
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Really, how is it nonsense? If nobody cared about that type of vehicle, they would be had for next to nothing. Some vehicles are so hated they have no resale like the ford probe. You said nobody gives a rats - about vehicles like the explorer, now that's poppycock. There's other factors that have killed frame on suv's, cars than purely popularity. Small over lap crash protection, fuel economy, ride height, progression doesn't mean nobody still likes that style.
12-23-17 | 01:03 PM
#28
4th Gen BOF Explorer:
113.7 in wheelbase
193.4 in L
73.7 in W
71.9 in H
5th Gen Unibody Explorer:
112.6 in wheelbase
197.1 in L
78.9 in W
70.4 in H
The 'Behemoths' that you are thinking of are the Expedition and the now extinct Excursion.
12-23-17 | 01:07 PM
#29
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Really, how is it nonsense? If nobody cared about that type of vehicle, they would be had for next to nothing. Some vehicles are so hated they have no resale like the ford probe. You said nobody gives a rats - about vehicles like the explorer, now that's poppycock. There's other factors that have killed frame on suv's, cars than purely popularity. Small over lap crash protection, fuel economy, ride height, progression doesn't mean nobody still likes that style.
If these mode size body on frame vehicles were still in demand, Ford would still make them. And despite the extreme competition among cross overs Only Toyota is offering a body on frame design. A 15 year old For Exploer body on frame model is hardly tearing up the used car market. They are worth about $2500 (looked up at KBB). Are we really going to say they are in demand?
12-23-17 | 01:09 PM
#30
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Lol Jill, the BOF Explorers from 1995-2010 were Midsize SUVs, the 2011-current Explorer is now considered a full size crossover.
4th Gen BOF Explorer:
113.7 in wheelbase
193.4 in L
73.7 in W
71.9 in H
5th Gen Unibody Explorer:
112.6 in wheelbase
197.1 in L
78.9 in W
70.4 in H
The 'Behemoths' that you are thinking of are the Expedition and the now extinct Excursion.
4th Gen BOF Explorer:
113.7 in wheelbase
193.4 in L
73.7 in W
71.9 in H
5th Gen Unibody Explorer:
112.6 in wheelbase
197.1 in L
78.9 in W
70.4 in H
The 'Behemoths' that you are thinking of are the Expedition and the now extinct Excursion.
My behemoth comments was meant to refer to the 70s barges. Not the Explorer that is obviously a mode size. I was doing some editing.