trinacriabob

Right on...that's exactly right about the Riv/Toro relationship...they were also a price notch below the Eldorado. With respect to the Cutlass Supreme, it put an elegant, well-constructed, reasonably priced mid-sized coupe into middle-class America's driveway. (In fact, some more affluent people drove them because they were such a good all-around car). The Cutlass Supreme outsold the Monte Carlo because the styling was so clean, lacking the overly sculpted fenders of the Chevrolet. Another funny tidbit: I was once looking at a Buick brochure where the Regal was described as something of a "pocket Riviera." I thought that was so damn funny. I wish I remember which model year that brochure applied to. Using the same logic, the Cutlass Supreme would then be a "pocket Toronado." I eagerly await the return of a GM personal luxury coupe at a reasonable price point.

But if a person will never get within 100 yards of that nice ass (as in a one-night stand), why increase the tip? When I'm being toyed with along these lines (happens every now and then), I automatically drop the tip into the 10% to 15% zone, assuming the food was good and the service (prompt/correct components) was acceptable. It's to send out the message that the manipulation doesn't work and the tip is based on the "professionalism" and the GENUINE courtesy that is being extended. In defense of people who wait on tables, some obviously really enjoy their jobs and working with the public, so they get at least 15% for how REAL they are, regardless of age, gender, nationality, etc.

Yes. Now that this has been mentioned, sure. Riviera has always "fit" as a convertible. Still, if I was to buy a Riv, it would be the hardtop coupe. I've come to miss the Riviera, thinking it would always be with us.

horn-rimmed glasses

fashionistas

Amazing...it looks like it must have cleared a marketing research hurdle...or they figured out that the Quebecois have a great "joie de vivre"/sense of humor.

Bradenton

Yes, the dust needs to settle. Depending on the timing a Riv coupe could come onto the scene, I could see myself in the market for one. A Riviera coupe needs to make jaws drop. North America needs a personal luxury coupe that will, like the first Riviera and the Cutlass Supreme, win the car-buying public's heart.

Fusion over Malibu...agreed Taurus over current Impala...without a doubt DTS over MKS...disagree there...the full-size Cadillac's styling is so clean, especially in the quarter views and, in a lighter metallic color like silver or ice blue, is a beautiful car

Ok, Moltie, we are now going to do a plane spotting thread monthly...just kidding! I know there are some airplane aficionados on here... (I, too, have flown on the 777 and was not impressed...actually, it's like an unloved stepchild, with many people resenting the fact that it has replaced the 747 for numerous carriers, such as Alitalia...I actually prefer the largest 767, the stretch 400 series, with individual monitors to a 777, because the 2-3-2 seating config. is very user-friendly)

True. The poll was too global in that regard. I put out the question because I am amazed at how far Ford has come along. Five or more years ago, the words Ford and Chrysler drew a blank stare from me...and that was about it. But then, you're right, when you get into a GM car, it still feels like the GM cars we've come to be loyal to over the years. I did a 600 mile road trip with my (2008) LaCrosse over Labor Day and felt fortunate to be driving a GM car.

bolts

Wow, they're not scheduled for passenger service into Columbus. Do any of the big freight companies operate out of there? (They will typically have some '47s for some critical cargo/freight routes). Yes, indeed, they are so damn photogenic!

goofy (well, some kids can be...)

messy

bloated

British...complicated...expensive. Not me at all.

pleated

Ok, I was thinking a lot about this over this Labor Day weekend. While driving out of town, I stopped at a Ford dealership along I-5 to get a brochure. Interestingly enough, a salesman who had been a mechanic in dealership service departments since 1995 approached me. I explained I was NOT from the area and I was curious to see a new Taurus up close and get a brochure on both the Taurus and the Fusion. He was very courteous and understood I was on vacation, so he did not push at all. In fact, we talked for quite a while about car mechanics - the transition from cast iron to aluminum, the 3800, the Ford Duratech, electronic throttle control, variable valve timing and the intake issues on the Series II 3800 GM V6. Ford has it all over GM in the mid-size segment right now. I would own a Taurus or a Fusion/Milan over a LaCrosse/Allure or Malibu at this point in time, if I was in the market. The Taurus is so damn distinctive...it doesn't copy ANYONE. (I will say, however, that I do not like the seating position in it since I don't like a console that is raised so high, especially since I'm about 5'10"...the car made me feel small once I got inside). The Fusion/Milan look great from every angle and make sense for so many people. I once rented a Milan and liked virtually everything about it. While coming back to town on Tuesday AM, a new slate metallic blue Taurus pulled up in front of baggage claim/passenger pick-up. Quite a few people were looking at it with interest. That's a good sign...the "new" Cutlass Supreme got the same "hmmmm" when they reskinned it and picked up the rectangular lamps and waterfall grille in 1976. Kudos to Ford. Gotta give credit where credit is due!

Oh, heck yeah, if the bill is small...$4 or $5, then I leave a buck, making it at least 20%.

wild trout

massage

Wikipedia (ok...she lived to be 92!)

Flagship big sedan named Invicta to replace the Park Avenue and larger than the current LaCrosse - unique spirited name, which could handle being "resurrected" after such a time gap - with the intense competition in the $35K to $40K range, it would have to be perfect and there is no margin for error Riviera (no apologies) - niche coupe - I don't believe for one minute that the market doesn't have room for a personal luxury car, at times when more and more people live alone and are living longer - if they could pull off a premium coupe in the $25K to $32K range that's a show-stopper and NOT UGLY like the CTS coupe or gangsta like the last-gen Monte Carlo, people will buy it LaCrosse (Allure in Canada) - an entry is, and always will be, needed in this crowded segment, though I don't like the new version of this car Regal - Epsilon II based and similar in size, and price point, to the Malibu, etc. I would not be heartbroken if the Regal name went away. While they've been great dependable cars since the day they were born, the name has a "frump" factor to it. The names Century, Skylark and Skyhawk are even worse in this regard. However, back to the line-up, currently Buick does not have a true entry-level price point vehicle Three platforms (or one version, stretched and shrunken, with suspension modifications), but many shared production components....the Invicta and Riviera could definitely be on the same platform...

omelette