[Outcast]

QUOTE (Pavlov @ Thursday, Mar 8 2012, 23:41)

Lurch, I like them too. Even though I am older than each one of you (Sebastian, Calle and you), I am really fond of malaise-era cars that are not so malaise (the real malaise is something really unattractive, boring, with weird bodywork, see Mustang foxes, see Caddy Cimarron). It's not about the ride, hell it is not about the size itself (legroom on the backseat of a Caprice 73 Wagon is awful, car is 5.50 meters long), it's about the general feel of the pompous baroque put into square shapes that characterized the US designs of production cars in that time, it is the modern era (1930-1960) consumerism adapted to the difficult times of 70 and 80s. I guess the stuff I was seeing in the TV when I was a kid also impacts on my judgement, we were fed with images of a world that we didn't live in (the america of the 70s and 80s), but that was much more available to us than black and white movies from the 50s or the generational change movies from the 60s. The reasons why we like these cars are not objective, but are lost in an anthropological process our culture was build upon (even though we are talking about Sweden, China, and Poland - hey, hey American dream). As an American, you are more keen looking into the real US automotive heritage (i.e. older cars from the 50s and 60s).

very well said pav

everyone here ridicules my fondness for the DTS, but for me its not about the ride (way too soft which means i have to slow way down when cornering) or space (surprisingly cramped rear seats for a car that size) or even build quality (excessive wind noise at highway speeds), its about the heritage and "Americaness" of the car. I'm sort of like Garfield 2, I absolutely LOVE the US of A (love the country, not the gov't or foreign policy). First thing my friends said when I rolled up in front of their house in my rented DTS was "why are we not surprised?". I've always had a thing for American cars whereas my friends there drive a selection of '06 BMW M3 (manual), '10 Mazda Speed3 (manual), '94 Range Rover. They're more European than I! I'm not stupid, I know the the DTS isn't a great car by any means but it is a car which makes me feel good when I'm behind the wheel, and I think thats all that matters.

[chris]

I want a Caddy CTS-V.

[Lurch]

QUOTE (Pavlov @ Thursday, Mar 8 2012, 10:41)

Lurch, I like them too. Even though I am older than each one of you (Sebastian, Calle and you), I am really fond of malaise-era cars that are not so malaise (the real malaise is something really unattractive, boring, with weird bodywork, see Mustang foxes, see Caddy Cimarron). It's not about the ride, hell it is not about the size itself (legroom on the backseat of a Caprice 73 Wagon is awful, car is 5.50 meters long), it's about the general feel of the pompous baroque put into square shapes that characterized the US designs of production cars in that time, it is the modern era (1930-1960) consumerism adapted to the difficult times of 70 and 80s.  I guess the stuff I was seeing in the TV when I was a kid also impacts on my judgement, we were fed with images of a world that we didn't live in (the america of the 70s and 80s), but that was much more available to us than black and white movies from the 50s or the generational change movies from the 60s. The reasons why we like these cars are not objective, but are lost in an anthropological process our culture was build upon (even though we are talking about Sweden, China, and Poland - hey, hey American dream). As an American, you are more keen looking into the real US automotive heritage (i.e. older cars from the 50s and 60s).

I think a lot of us Americans are bitter on that era because it represents the death of our golden age. No more 21 foot long barges (we cut them down to like 19 feet lol) or 7.0-8.2 liter V8's or any of that just overall massive excess that represents America's golden years from the 50's-70's. Instead, the whole smogged, boxed, downsized, small V8, body-sharing era represents the American auto industry slowing dying and losing to the Japs. The beginning of the end I guess.

This post has been edited by Lurch on Thursday, Mar 15 2012, 17:24

[Pavlov]

As I stated "it is the modern era (1930-1960) consumerism adapted to the difficult times of 70 and 80s". Well, that's why you guys prefer to look into your heritage cars when the gas was cheap, and no crisis ahead etc. We just prefer cars our vision of america was build upon (if I try to simplify).

[cold blooded]

QUOTE (Illousion @ Sunday, Mar 4 2012, 11:57)

Can anyone help me ID this?

i believe that is an International Travelall

[thecommander]

I notice that you were driving a Lincoln. Was it a Towncar, and how did you like it?

[Illousion]

QUOTE (thecommander @ Monday, May 14 2012, 06:27)

I notice that you were driving a Lincoln. Was it a Towncar, and how did you like it?

2009 Town Car. Fantastic vehicle, I liked it very much. Super comfortable.

[Garfield 2]

Any other pictures, Il?

[fatal1ty619]

OP:
You should move to the US. A lot more options here. I would not recommend California, though. The amount of traffic there means it has some of the strictest vehicle regulations of any state (if not the strictest). In Ohio, most cars are legal, as long as they, basically, have working lights, hood, and don't blow smoke. My brother moved to Maryland for the Navy, and, being near D.C., has very strict laws. One rust spot on the wheel well made it unsafe to drive, therefore illegal Should check some different areas for vehicle regulations. Also, insurance here is pretty cheap, and I'm sure gas here is leagues cheaper than in Europe.

This post has been edited by fatal1ty619 on Sunday, May 20 2012, 23:06