Robert Hall

I saw Veranos for the 1st time yesterday..drove by the Buick/Cadillac/GMC store and there were two on the lot (white, silver) and one pulling out on the street (black)..looked pretty good at a quick glance...

That's just ignorance.

Not quite..the XTS wheelbase is 0.6 longer than the ES, 1.4 inches shorter than the E class. Wrong. The G8 and 7 series weren't comparable because BMW and Pontiac weren't comparable. BMW and Cadillac are comparable brands, just as Lexus and Cadillac are comparable brands (both premium brands). But the XTS doesn't compare to anything at BMW or Mercedes because of the mainstream FWD platform. The Lincoln MKS, ES, maybe Volvo S80 and Acura RL are the competitors in it's niche. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing them in person. Just got a postcard from the local Caddy store introducing the XTS (shown in black on black).

No...but the ES and XTS are more similar than different. The ES is the only Lexus the XTS is comparable to, since the GS and LS are RWD.

Same formula, though...FWD V6 on a platform shared w/ mainstream models..both have about the same wheelbase, the XTS has longer overhangs.

Happy Birthday, guys..(and Happy Birthday to me..

That is odd they would mention the E-class...the XTS' main competition is the ES and MKS, I would think.

Been over 100 near-continously here for 6-8 weeks... first 100 was over 2 months ago (4/21)..but AZ is in it's own little strange climate. I'm looking forward to October when the highs are back in the 90s.

Saw a sharp dark red G8 GT today.. The Focus SVT reminded me of a buddy in Denver..about 10 years ago, he had an older Grand Cherokee, a '99 Mustang GT convertible, and a bright red Focus SVT. After getting married and having kids, his wife domesticated him and he now has a Prius and Sienna..

Well, some dirty bits like mufflers probably carry over between generations..and remember, these are photos of prototypes..

Cool...

With traction and stability control my SS is like a tank and damn near boring to drive. Seldom is there a momnet of panic even if you try. I have gotten it to 4 wheel drive over the computer but it take a lot of trying. I do miss my Sonoma 2WD. For years I was a drifter before it was popular. Often I looked like Kinser coming off turn 4 at Eldora. I has a Cobalt with no aids and got my son in it. We hit a parking lot and I did a couple spins with the e brake. It is sad he never really knew a car could do that as he was too young to remember the Sonoma. We live in a world where kids will fail to learn car control buy doing donuts in a parking lot like many of us did. I do agree most drivers today have no snow driving skills and sadly kids do not think to take a car, truck or suv to a parking lot and see just what it will do. I do agree with you on the quality of tires and that does make a huge difference in being able to get around in snow. Sadly, to many idiots with no driving skills live in Seattle and with having been hit twice by Idiots, I now use AWD to make sure during Fall, Winter and early spring I can get around without anyone hitting me. It was the same way in Colorado..too many drivers that had no clue how to drive on snow, slush, etc... I like to think that spending my formative driving years (6 winters) slogging around NE Ohio in the winter w/ RWD and 4 snow tires helped me build mad phat winter driving skillz..

I've noticed that, but pretty much anything 4-5 years old that sits outside here has discolored lights due to the evil bright light in the sky 300+ days a year. Yet 14yr old cars in Seattle look brand new even when they sit outside all the time. Guess that cloud cover really works to protect the car! It's like sunscreen..

So much eye candy...loving the racing shots

2 12 yr old cars in my driveway (Grand Cherokee and my sister's DTS), and the two older Mercs in the back driveway. Reliable, paid for cars are nice...but eventually going to have to get something new(er).

I've noticed that, but pretty much anything 4-5 years old that sits outside here has discolored lights due to the evil bright light in the sky 300+ days a year.

How much of that though is lazy people that don't take care of their cars? Faded/oxidized cars are the norm here, as recent as 4-5 years old if left out exposed to the sun..

Anecdotally I have a few friends and colleagues w/ Infinitis, they range from 25-42. It's not just the older crowd that buys 'em... My neighbor has a new Q56 and is about 6'2", so space must not be a problem in that model..

I've long thought the current Yukon would have looked better w/ the Sierra front end. But I do prefer the Tahoe/Suburban front end over the Silverado.

I like the profile and proportions esp. compared to the odd XTS (the MKZ has a longer wheelbase, is wider, and lower, though the Caddy is longer because of its overhangs).. The taillights are ineresting, though I don't like the black surrounding the rear window. Will be interesting to see in person.

2nd gen Lexus SC went there then went away.

Lots to enjoy...loving that boattail Riv pic..great lighting and setting..

A halo sports car would work well w/ their Red Bull F1 branding relationship as well. They have been using Seb V in advertising for the QX and various events..an LF-A competitor would fit well in that context.

They seem a bit invisible in the market...but they do have some interesting models, I guess they are sort of an Acura and Buick competitor line these days..

Looked at that, but it appears there's no longer wheelbase involved, and from the pic I don't see a greatly larger rear compartment. IOW, I think Lincoln mis-appropriated the 'limousine' moniker to a significant degree. Not sure about 1957, but I do recall reading about 2 different rooflines on the '58-60 Continental 4drs...there was a version w/ a vinyl or padded top and more formal rear window..that may be what this in reference to.