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I hate what Cadillac and Lincoln have done.  These downsized and overpriced cars aren't what I want from an American luxury car.  They lack the style and comfort of the older ones, such as from late 1970's through late 1980's.  The current Cadillacs look like Toyota Corolla for god sakes!  And what's with the horrible 3 letter names both companies are using?  Awful.  Aren't there any car people around anymore who want big American sedans with a column shifter and front bench seat and with distinctive styling and REAL names?  If I wanted a BMW, I'd buy one.

Guess I'll just enjoy my 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis with its fantastic legroom.  I'm not an old geezer either and miss the traditional American cars.  
Long live American V-8, rearwheel drive, front bench seats, column shifter beauties!

I'm not sure there are that many people left that want a giant American sedan with a bench seat and a column shifter. I love old American cars but I'm not sure I want modern cars to feel like a Grand Marquis. Obviously, you disagree.  

I can see where you're coming from... Rather than capitalizing on an "American" style, it seems like Lincoln and Cadillac are both just trying to emulate Japanese and German engineering these days - even down to the nomenclature for the vehicle names.

Although I think the day of the large sedan is over, I would definitely like to see something that's well-made and ORIGINAL from GM and Ford.  I must say though - I think the 2008/9 CTS is a sharp car.  

Cadillac has done the best job of design and overall appearance but lets face it, when you analyze the situation the V8s are still Chevy in most people's minds throughout the US and the World. they need to continue developement on the North Star or some suitable replacement.
Lincoln has a pretty good design in the MKS but the tail lights look like a Suzuki or Hyundai. A blunder that needs fixing ASAP. Their decision to use only V6 engines is assinine to the inth degree. You don't go to a gun fight with a knife, even if the knife is really a sword. You'll get your butt killed.
Instead of trying to bring US auto think into the 21rst century we need to change our thinking to incorporate that which will bring success and to hell with portholes on Buicks and fins on Caddy's etc. The retro fad has left the building in my opinion.
While America fiddles the foreigners have set fire to the city and we are unable to defend ourselves because we can't get rid of stupid, out dated institutions like the UAW and it's self centered, egotisitcal perspectives and rulings.  

Honestly, I think the best job of a new, big American sedan in recent memory is the Chrysler 300. Distinctive styling, available V-8 power, and lots of room. Ironically enough, it was done with German parts & engineering.

On paper, the Pontiac G8 had the right idea, but the styling was still too bland. Not ugly, just bland. Granted, it's a totally different animal than the Grand Marquis or Crown Vic, but the coolest-looking big American sedan, in my opinion is a Dodge Charger SRT8, all-black.    That thing just oozes bad-@$$ness.    

There is nothing classy about the new Lincolns or Cadillacs.  Compare the little crap compared to say a 1978 Lincoln Towncar.  Now that older car speaks luxury and class, not the BMW wannabes.  
Long live American V-8, rearwheel drive, front bench seats, column shifter beauties!

I agree with you completely. I have a 2003 GM and a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII. Although I have to say my GM is the LSE model, so it has a floor shifter and bucket seats. Lincoln needs makes to make another V-8 continental and a Mark 9. The MKZ does nothing for me; I kinda like the MKS, but would rather have a Town Car.  

I've never been a Lincoln or Caddy fan.  At least Cadillac seems to be going in the right direction now.  Even if the new XTS I just read about doesn't interest me at all.  
Austin Cooper

If you've never been a Lincoln or Caddy fan you probably would think Cadillac is going in the right direction. There are still some of us more interested in comfort and luxury instead of performance and all the latest electronic crap.  

I will agree with you on most models.  There is one giant exception that has to be made though - Escalade.  That truck is it... bottom line.  The QX56 cowers at the sight of it, and it's other competitors - well it's an insult to call them competitors because it implies they are in the same class.  

Long live the king of gas guzzling arrogance on wheels.  

No offense, but how old are you?  I think Cadillac has finally started building cars I'd consider buying.  They handle better, look better and are built better.  I drove a 2010 Lincoln Town Car a couple of years ago, and it handled like a boat.  Lincoln needs to just die.  They're nothing but overpriced and ugly Fords.  

I'm 55 and wish Lincoln would come out with a Mark 9 or a real Continental. I have no desire for an MKZ or MKS. I actually like Town Cars (I have a Mercury Grand Marquis) and like cars that handle like boats (although I have a Mark VIII too which does handle well). If Lincoln stays on its current path I wouldn't be too sad to see it die - I would just buy a 2011 Town Car. Big comfortable cars are great for long trips! I will concede that Cadillac does a great job, and the new XTS is appealing to me.  

I agree that the new Cadillac XTS is a good looking car.  The late Town Car was a great limo, and I've actually been in a few on South Beach for birthdays and anniversaries (kind of cliche down here), but I don't like driving them.  

If you're looking for a replacement for the Grand Marquis, Chrysler's 300 is a decent alternative.  It's big and fast, but handles a bit better than the 20+ year old platform in the old Fords.  

As for the Mark VIII handling well, I'm not sure what you're comparing it to.  It certainly would never compete with the German luxury cars, and maybe that's why it failed in the marketplace.  It did have some cool touches- loved the flourescent taillights!- but I actually thought the Mark VII was a better car in a lot of ways.  

What I'd like to see Lincoln do is go with rwd V8 cars, like Cadillac.  They also need to distance themselves from Ford, like Cadillac has done after years of badge engineering.  Lincoln needs its own engines (a la Northstar), and they really need some new stylists.  

As for comfort on road trips, bench seats can create fatigue when compared to most buckets.  Buckets have lumbar support and even some have massage, heat and cooling.  They are infinitely more adjustable as well.  

As a family guy on a teacher's budget, all those luxo-cruisers are out of my league for a daily driver.  I have a 2010 Mazda6 with a 4-banger.  It has as much horsepower as a 90s Town Car, but with less weight, better handling, great steering feel and better fuel economy.  It also has a huge trunk.  I do wish I had opted for leather and the BOSE audio and navigation, but at least I have Bluetooth, something I'd never do without.  

I did take it on a 4200 mile roadtrip in the summer of 2011, and I was the sole driver (my wife hates to drive).  We drove from Miami to western Ohio to NYC to DC to Savannah, and back to Miami, and it was a comfortable roadtrip.  Last week, I drove a bit over an hour to Palm Beach in my Ranger pickup with split bucket/bench seats, and couldn't imagine a long trip in those seats.  

I would like to see a Mark IX though.  Long hood, big yet efficient V8 power, adjustable sport suspension and it should look nothing like a lesser Ford.  Make mine black on black, and no silly tire hump on the back.  

Well you sound  like and old ass geezer. Who would want to drive in bench seats,dash shifter ..  

A lot of those electronics ARE about luxury!  Bluetooth- I wouldn't be without it.  All I have to do is tell the car to call someone, and it does, and I don't even have to take my eyes or hands away from the wheel.  If I don't like what's on the radio, I listen to Pandora through my iPhone, again using Bluetooth technology.  

My car also has blindspot monitoring, so it's a bit safer changing lanes.  I can also push a button on the mirror to open the garage.  If my tire is low on air, the car tells me so.  If I want to charge my phone, I simply plug it in.  If my wife wants to use the laptop, she also has an outlet.  

Fact is, my $26,000 2010 Mazda has a lot of the luxury and convenience touches that many 5 or 6 year old Benzes and Bimmers don't have.