Is the American 'personal luxury' niche dead?

[audiman08]

Do you think full-size personal luxury coupes like the Eldorado, Riviera, Toronado, Cordoba, or intermediates like the Regal, Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix, etc. will ever have a comeback (in one form or another)? Aside from those of the defunct Olds and Pontiac divisions, of course. It seems like the Europeans recognize a market for full-size coupes (Merc. CL, Audi A5, etc.), although some of these are probably better described as GTs. Of course the Cadillac CTS-V would fit this category, but it's a little pricey for "personal luxury."

Riviera concept:

[oldE]

I seriously hope not.

Otherwise, what would the pimps and small time drug dealers drive 10 - 15 years down the road?

Les

[The Gaijin]

Good question.

I have always liked the line on the most recent 2 door Lincoln. Was it the Mark VIII??

The last one was made a few years ago..

[porsche4life]

Cadillac now makes the CTS and CTS-V in a coupe... A rather sexy coupe at that.....

[TechnoViking]

Having a big Cadillac, Buik, etc. used to be a status symbol. That status symbol has been replaced by by luxury SUVs form some and the Prius for others.

[techweenie]

I agree that the SUV has taken that niche, to some extent. But the Camaro and Challenger are big -- they weigh around 2 tons, so they have also encroached on the luxury market segment.

[pwd72s]

I also hope not. But the coming CAFE standards, if allowed to stand, could be the end...

[strupgolf]

You're right, the CAFE standards will do in any BIG car for the future. How the SUV's will stand up will be a crapshoot.