Caddy Z or Y? Maybe! So Should Cadillac and Lincoln Rethink its Monikers?

[Laconian]

I dislike alphanumerics, especially since the numbers on German cars have no relationship to displacement - they serve no purpose except to distinguish trim levels and/or mislead in general.

[Atomic]

I dislike alphanumerics, especially since the numbers on German cars have no relationship to displacement - they serve no purpose except to distinguish trim levels and/or mislead in general.

Very disappointed in Mercedes-Benz method -- especially.

[Rupert]

Those names are all stupid.  They're just names.  None of them are cool.  Fleetwood?  Sixty Special?  Brougham?

Now if you said something like Corsair or Monza or Dasher, you'd have a good point.  But Cadillac names sucked. 

Corsair Monza!

[93JC]

Corvair Monza

[MX793]

Corvair Monza

Corvair Monza Spyder

[Rupert]

Corvair Monza

Oh goddammit.

Still a good name.

[cawimmer430]

Those names are all stupid.  They're just names.  None of them are cool.  Fleetwood?  Sixty Special?  Brougham?

Now if you said something like Corsair or Monza or Dasher, you'd have a good point.  But Cadillac names sucked. 

I disagree.

The classic names Cadillac had gave the cars and brand an elevated and classy (luxury) image. A Cadillac DeVille sounded exotic and special as did an Eldorado Biarritz or a Sixty Special. Those names had class and character. I can't stand the new stuff. Escalade (sounds like a driveby shooting), CTS, ATS, XLR, BLS, DTS, STS? Those don't tell me anything about the car. The same is true for Lincoln. MKS, MKZ, MKK, MK...whatever...means nothing.

Corsair, Monza and Dasher sound improper (and cheap) for a luxury brand.

[cawimmer430]

I dislike alphanumerics, especially since the numbers on German cars have no relationship to displacement.

Hey! German math is different than American/International math. Our math is more complex and confusing for no real reason other than that it is German math! 

[Atomic]

I disagree.

The classic names Cadillac had gave the cars and brand an elevated and classy (luxury) image. A Cadillac DeVille sounded exotic and special as did an Eldorado Biarritz or a Sixty Special. Those names had class and character. I can't stand the new stuff. Escalade (sounds like a driveby shooting), CTS, ATS, XLR, BLS, DTS, STS? Those don't tell me anything about the car. The same is true for Lincoln. MKS, MKZ, MKK, MK...whatever...means nothing.

Corsair, Monza and Dasher sound improper (and cheap) for a luxury brand.

While in production, the two door Cadillac DeVille was called Coupe DeVille and obviously, Sedan DeVille for the sedan variant. The Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible was one of the most beautiful vehicles in American automobile history. Great names indeed, but too late to go back when attempting to do battle with its German and Asian contenders?

[Soup DeVille]

While in production, the two door Cadillac DeVille was called Coupe DeVille and obviously, Sedan DeVille for the sedan variant. The Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible was one of the most beautiful vehicles in American automobile history. Great names indeed, but too late to go back when attempting to do battle with its German and Asian contenders?

Or, an easy way to differentiate your brand?


I can see either case being made.

[Atomic]

Or, an easy way to differentiate your brand?

I can see either case being made.

Same here, Soup.

If taking names from the past, they should have started with the XTS since it's probably the most recent new Caddy released that could easily been looked at as traditional -- but seeming far superior to every large Cadillac introduced since the 1980s.

[cawimmer430]

While in production, the two door Cadillac DeVille was called Coupe DeVille and obviously, Sedan DeVille for the sedan variant. The Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible was one of the most beautiful vehicles in American automobile history. Great names indeed, but too late to go back when attempting to do battle with its German and Asian contenders?

Can you imagine a "Wagon DeVille"? OMG!   

[Atomic]

Can you imagine a "Wagon DeVille"? OMG!   

It's call a hearse 

[cawimmer430]

It's call a hearse 

And it's spacious, comfortable and practical. What more do you need?

[Soup DeVille]

And it's spacious, comfortable and practical. What more do you need?

Fewer Poltergeists?

[Atomic]

Fewer Poltergeists?

It creeps me out seeing old hearses being used as personal cars or for funky small business use vehicles, yet I find these vehicles kind of intriguing. Yet I wouldn't be caught dead in one 

[Soup DeVille]

It creeps me out seeing old hearses being used as personal cars or for funky small business use vehicles, yet I find these vehicles kind of intriguing. Yet I wouldn't be caught dead in one  

I belong to a cadillac club, and there are more than a few hearse owners in it (as well as one true Cadillac station wagon owner). I have to admit, the cars themself are kind of intriquing as many of them are largely handbuilt.


But, they still creep me out.

Also, if the rear doors have no inside door handles. On some of the older ones, there would be a very real possibility of getting trapped in one.

[Vinsanity]

Wimmer should totally get an old hearse as his business vehicle

[Atomic]

Wimmer should totally get an old hearse as his business vehicle

Vinsanity, You are so bad, you are good! Sorry, Wimmer, our American Luxury Barge Fan Club President 

[Raza]

I disagree.

The classic names Cadillac had gave the cars and brand an elevated and classy (luxury) image. A Cadillac DeVille sounded exotic and special as did an Eldorado Biarritz or a Sixty Special. Those names had class and character. I can't stand the new stuff. Escalade (sounds like a driveby shooting), CTS, ATS, XLR, BLS, DTS, STS? Those don't tell me anything about the car. The same is true for Lincoln. MKS, MKZ, MKK, MK...whatever...means nothing.

Corsair, Monza and Dasher sound improper (and cheap) for a luxury brand.

How does Biarritz tell me anything about the car?  Or Sixty Special?  Other than that they think it's special.  You're letting how you see the cars get in the way of their names. 

[Soup DeVille]

How does Biarritz tell me anything about the car?  Or Sixty Special?  Other than that they think it's special.  You're letting how you see the cars get in the way of their names. 

What do any of the alphanumerics tell you? Nothing at all, unless you already know what they mean.

A guy who knows nothing about BMWs will be given no insight by the numbers 750iL.

[Raza]

What do any of the alphanumerics tell you? Nothing at all, unless you already know what they mean.

A guy who knows nothing about BMWs will be given no insight by the numbers 750iL.

In relation to the other vehicles, they will know.  Look at how MX explained it in an earlier post. 

When I was younger, for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was supposed to be the top of the line, the Seville or Deville.  They looked fairly similar, were of similar size, with similar engines, and were similarly priced.  I had to look them up to know which was the top of the line.  Now, at this point, I think it's the Deville. Sort of.  It could have been the Seville. 

[Madman]

I can't stand the new stuff. Escalade (sounds like a driveby shooting)

Coincidentally, most drive-by shootings are performed from the open windows of Cadillac Escalades!  

[Eye of the Tiger]

In relation to the other vehicles, they will know.  Look at how MX explained it in an earlier post. 

When I was younger, for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was supposed to be the top of the line, the Seville or Deville.  They looked fairly similar, were of similar size, with similar engines, and were similarly priced.  I had to look them up to know which was the top of the line.  Now, at this point, I think it's the Deville. Sort of.  It could have been the Seville. 

The Seville has always been the turd bucket.

[Soup DeVille]

In relation to the other vehicles, they will know.  Look at how MX explained it in an earlier post. 

When I was younger, for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was supposed to be the top of the line, the Seville or Deville.  They looked fairly similar, were of similar size, with similar engines, and were similarly priced.  I had to look them up to know which was the top of the line.  Now, at this point, I think it's the Deville. Sort of.  It could have been the Seville. 

You want to know something funny?

Cadillac didn't know either. When the Seville was introduced, it was supposed to be the smaller, more affordable option: but it ended up being the most expensive once fully equipped.

Anyways, if all a guy knows about BMWs is that the number 7 is larger than the number 5, why should I give a shit about his opinion?

[Vinsanity]

Vinsanity, You are so bad, you are good! Sorry, Wimmer, our American Luxury Barge Fan Club President 

The bad part is that I could have seriously suggested that to him.

[Rupert]

It's call a hearse 

Oh-ho!

[cawimmer430]

Wimmer should totally get an old hearse as his business vehicle

That's actually not a bad idea. Spacious and comfortable. 



^And available as an economical E220 CDI to!^ 

[cawimmer430]

Coincidentally, most drive-by shootings are performed from the open windows of Cadillac Escalades! 

[Atomic]

Coincidentally, most drive-by shootings are performed from the open windows of Cadillac Escalades! 

What about those large black Caddy sedans of yore notorious to the mob  ?