Ok great. I think we should get back to the Continental, what you think?

 

Fine with me. I'm certainly looking forward to a Continental full-review. Like some other posters here (and unlike some others) I think it has more potential than the CT6, even though some have criticized its Taurus-derived layout. I haven't seen the interior or its materials close-up yet, but the images seem to show a better-done interior than the CT6. Also, although seats can vary quite a bit from model to model (look at the Crap-Ola seats in the Buick Envision, for example, and the nice seats in other Buick models), if the front seats in this year's MKZ freshening are any clue, the Continental's seats are going to be better-padded and more comfortable than the CT6's.......I find seat comfort an important issue. As far as ride comfort goes, though, I have no idea yet.......we'll have to wait and see.

In fact, I wish they would have let you test-drive the one you saw a few days ago....would have been nice to get a early report from someone at CL. Did you even ask?

 

Well the driving's going to be the tasting, but the problem with press reviews for a vehicle like this is, they'll trot out the Black Label and that's not an accurate indicator of what the average Lincoln buyer might like to spend. So if there is an accurate review of a mid-level car it could be very useful in terms of finding out the flavor of this car.

I know that we "car geeks" criticize on the basis of which end is doing the driving and where the engine is pointing but if you and LexsCTJill are correct then this car's consumer demographic doesn't care about that. But what does become a concern is when you price your mid-level and top-level Continental into the territory of the big premo brands. That's where the trouble is, because suddenly you have more drivetrain options and you are into "brand snob" territory.

 

I've seen the Black Label, Reserve, and Conceirge models, and I agree....unless you specifically want the unusual interior trim-patterns and/or the extra customer perks that go along with it, paying that much extra for them is a waste of money.


When I get a chance, I'll probably choose a mid or low-line version myself to review. Word from Lincoln is that we'll see them in the U.S. within a month or so....maybe in a few weeks.

I am very confident that the average Continental buyer will not be like the average BMW-phile, who dreads even the thought of a FWD product. Not only that, but I'm equally confident that a fair number of Continental buyers will be trading in RWD Town Cars.....after frowning on the impressive MKS. The car will (likely) also attract some first-time Lincoln buyers. But I won't say any more than that for now, because I have not actually seen the car close-up or driven it......just relied on images, press-reports, and the material/videos that Lincoln has sent me in the mail. From what Jill has told us, she has seen it close-up, but not inside or a test-drive.

 

I will look forward to it and see what you think. And if I was a shopper for this car, I would in fact look at Consumer Reports' review too (cue the usually CR-bashing "boo" sign for the audience). JD Power IQS reports will be key as well although loyalists won't necessarily care. But the main thing will be to drive a lower or mid-level car to see if it lives up to the Conti, name.

Yeah to a certain extent this is true, but it's going to once again cement American luxury brands as "old people's" cars and that's a problem. Because, frankly that's a declining market. And we still have the Lexus LS hanging around too. Not to mention how spoiled, we Lexus owners are these days with dedicated rwd platforms and V8's etc.

The German trio have certainly gone after the youth market for this reason even if it means compromising their products to appease price-conscious, yet affluent young consumers.

 

Oh, I definitely rely on Consumer Reports for some things....chief among them, vehicle reliability, where they probably have the best database in the business for that, outclassing even J.D. Power. I also read their reviews (I have a subscription), although, ultimately, for reviews, I'm the type of guy that generally likes to see for myself.



Two things, though. First, though it's true that the WWII generation is steadily dying off (the generation that gave Caddy and Lincoln their best former success), others, just a little younger, are waiting to take their place....and not all of them are going to want to put up with the outrageous parts and service/repair prices at German luxury car dealerships. Many of us Baby-Boomers, for instance (the next generation down from the 80+ WWII crowd, today generally in our 50s and 60s) are the ones that, today, are driving the Lexus ES, Buick LaCrosse, Lincoln MKZ, Cadillac CTS, Toyota Avalon, and similar luxury/upmarket sedans that used to be referred to as "Grandpa" cars. Second, when Generation X gets to be our age, they generally aren't going to want sports-sedans and sport cars, either....they will probably also want Grandpa cars, because they will BE grandparents. And, as for the Millenials and younger, they don't seem to be interested in cars, period. They grew up riding around in Minivans and spending most of their time yakking and texting on cell-phones. So, for all these reasons, and more (including the fact that it is people at or near retirement age, not young people, that typically have the most money to spend on new vehicles), IMO it is unproductive for automakers to spend the time and efforts they do going after youth, when people a lot older then them are the ones that really spend the money.

 

Love the new continental. Great car all around.

 

I was going to reply to this because of all the wrong included in this statement, but I just honestly don't have the energy.

Keep reviewing cars and leave the business planning and marketing to people who have an understanding of that lets just put it that way

 

Lol. Harsh but...

 

I'm older than most here, BUT there is a valid reason that you don't see any car makers adopt a strategy of "let's go after that older and aging market!".

 

Whoa! You have to slowdown and really re-think this. Automakers will not survive if they do not attract new buyers that are younger. Advertising works better on younger people especially teens. Research has actually shown that younger individuals who are from the millennial generation are not interested in owning expensive luxury cars, they would prefer to lease them as they can then thus afford them.

This is incorrect and actually the complete opposite. Older folks do not need as much convincing from marketing. There are a number of people on here that have had multiple Toyota or Lexus vehicles, most of these buyers are set in their ways. These buyers are less influenced.

Just watch the advertising that is out there, the big money is spent on the lower tiered cars that promote a specific lifestyle, this is the hardest segment to compete in. Luxury cars also promote a specific lifestyle too, its less about the car and more about the brand+lifestyle hoping to create some sort of connection (best is usually an emotional one). Those older folks with the most money are important as well, but eventually they will die off or stop buying cars at some point.

 

I call it like I see it LOL

 

The fact is that older people usually (but not always) have more disposable income...they have been saving and earning higher salaries for decades. That is not simply my opinion...that is an economic fact.



With the trend more and more towards automation and self-driving cars, older people will be "driving" and buying cars longer and longer.....until they can no long physically get in and out of one.

 

Well, of course, the oldest of them (the WWII generation) is dying off. But the Baby Boomers (which I'm part of) are generally taking their place now.

 

I don't mind if people disagree with me, as long as they keep it civil......like I do. That's why we have this forum....to discuss auto-issues.

Well, if Cadillac and Lincoln product specialists had known in the past what they were doing, their companies probably wouldn't have gotten into such a mess. Fortunately, despite past mistakes, there's light at the end of the tunnel for both of them today....though Lincoln clearly needs to improve their dealership-chain.