All I want in this world is a brand-new version of this to drive to work every day.
Closest thing I can think of is... ES350 Ultra Luxury. Which doesn't have a tenth of the style, nor does it scream "I'm in control of my own life" like a Bonnie coupe. The RC coupe is old now and it doesn't have all the nice stuff.
Nor would an ES350 have quite as plush of a ride nor pot-hole-ability in terms of the wheel/tier durability.
The LX Challenger is *this* close, just needed to be rejigged from all the maximum-aggro stuff to an ultra-plush variant with swanky interior, ideally with more trunk room and some more greenhouse tacked on.
Again, my issue is that a non-trivial element of bad-road robustness is totally missing. Detroit used to acknowledge the decrepit state of inner city roads the owner might reasonably expect to use his luxo-coupe on.
It’s really unfortunate that you’re pretty much forced into an SUV if you want a reasonably compliant ride now. The remaining luxury sedans all have needlessly taut suspensions and ultra low profile tires.
Does anybody even care anymore? The typical family car now is a crossover that rides like ass, has rattles emanating from the open cargo area, and has punishing tire noise. Nobody seems to be bothered, or else someone would start making the damn thing things less miserable to be in.
Better yet, put some modern midwit auto scribes in one, and watch them start waxing on about how brilliant the "Corvette-inspired" fiberglass monoleaf suspension is.
My brother's shop loaner is a '98 Camry LE V6 that absolutely shames most new cars in terms of smoothness when driven down his 1/4mi gravel driveway. And in addition to the ride, the general quality and simplicity of the interior and all touchpoints, the insanely smooth shifting 4spd auto and engine just puts you in a more relaxed state of mind. I kind of want it as a daily driver.
That's true, I have an old Volvo S60 with 16" wheels and a good bit of sidewall, and it rides nicer than anything else I've owned so far. Unfortunately the transmission failed spectacularly and I'm still waiting on the rebuild.
Part of the reason I am now among the many who choose to "haul air" back and forth to work is that a full-size truck is about the only option to fill this void. If you prioritize a smooth ride, comfortable AND quiet interior, ample power, and presence on the road the SLT/Lariat/Laramie? trims on up trucks are about all that offer it.
I just took my SLuT on a trip through rural Central NC and Central Upstate SC yesterday to have an onsite meeting at a customer. This is a trip that I took many times in my previous Accord and it was bearable but not great on the poorly maintained tar and chip farm roads. I might as well have been driving over a wet dish sponge in my truck. Taking calls via Bluetooth on those roads in the Accord (which was a quiet car, except for its 19" wheels on rough pavement) was an exercise in yelling at the poor person on the other end so they could hear you over the tire roar. My truck required no volume change over the same roads while on the phone. I don't think anything under 80k drives as comfortable as a half ton pickup, and that is a shame because a lot of people would buy this car if it was made today and they actually took one for a test drive.
$8200 is probably a good deal for this. It looks pretty original and not too worn out. You're going to want that air condition to work in Spokane but get it west of Cascades you'd only really need it a few days per year.
Should there be a FP meeting near Fallingwater or Morgantown that you come down for make sure to leave time to swing through Steubenville, maybe dine at https://maps.app.goo.gl/zPw8x6nPcSUrVkbF6 . Every Dino fan should make the pilgrimage.
This is a nicely preserved survivor. I've always liked the pillow top comfort of those GM seats.
Too bad the motivation on these cars was the nadir of malaise. From Wiki: "For 1977 and 1978, the standard engine in Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower (101 kW), while optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option."
And at 135k miles I'd re-motor before the rings let go. LS Swap, Bilsteins, all-wheel disk brake upgrade, and maybe some other suspension tweaks and you'd have a competent cruiser that could keep up with modern highway rollers.
Do those velour seats hold up to wear better than modern Alcantara-type pseudo-suede? I had a 1st gen IS300 with the Alcantara centers and they looked rough after 160k miles, not only were they pilling like a worn out sweater, they were unevenly discolored.
Love this thing. The front grill looks fussy with the overall design imo, but it's a great snapshot of design in the era it comes from. Just looking at that car, I can smell it. Super sweet find!
A Tri-Seven weather a Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, or Chevy is generally not a bad call for an antique car. As this was the first and best round of downsizing done by the General. As well as the motors and transmission were carry over from the 1976 and before Nimitz class of GM full size cars…
Every dammed nice GM of that era becomes an instant hard-pass if wagon wheels are included, because the poor car probably also has been ripped to shreds to install a sound system that would demolish a skyscraper from eight blocks away, not to mention that the driver’s seat will be permanently reclined 45-degrees! 🙄
All I want in this world is a brand-new version of this to drive to work every day.
Closest thing I can think of is... ES350 Ultra Luxury. Which doesn't have a tenth of the style, nor does it scream "I'm in control of my own life" like a Bonnie coupe. The RC coupe is old now and it doesn't have all the nice stuff.
I always forget the ES exists. Probably since the premium brands put zero effort into marketing sedans anymore.
We used to be so spoiled for choice on mature, upscale cars. Now that’s all gone, replaced by a bunch of children’s toys.
Nor would an ES350 have quite as plush of a ride nor pot-hole-ability in terms of the wheel/tier durability.
The LX Challenger is *this* close, just needed to be rejigged from all the maximum-aggro stuff to an ultra-plush variant with swanky interior, ideally with more trunk room and some more greenhouse tacked on.
300C Platinum with 16" wheels and a 392!
I always thought of the Audi A5 as the modern personal luxury coupe, but the interior is so gloomy compared to the Bonneville.
Again, my issue is that a non-trivial element of bad-road robustness is totally missing. Detroit used to acknowledge the decrepit state of inner city roads the owner might reasonably expect to use his luxo-coupe on.
It’s really unfortunate that you’re pretty much forced into an SUV if you want a reasonably compliant ride now. The remaining luxury sedans all have needlessly taut suspensions and ultra low profile tires.
Does anybody even care anymore? The typical family car now is a crossover that rides like ass, has rattles emanating from the open cargo area, and has punishing tire noise. Nobody seems to be bothered, or else someone would start making the damn thing things less miserable to be in.
Idea for a TV show: put modern crossover owners in, say, a base Lumina, tell them it's a European luxury car, and watch them GUSH at the road manners.
Better yet, put some modern midwit auto scribes in one, and watch them start waxing on about how brilliant the "Corvette-inspired" fiberglass monoleaf suspension is.
My brother's shop loaner is a '98 Camry LE V6 that absolutely shames most new cars in terms of smoothness when driven down his 1/4mi gravel driveway. And in addition to the ride, the general quality and simplicity of the interior and all touchpoints, the insanely smooth shifting 4spd auto and engine just puts you in a more relaxed state of mind. I kind of want it as a daily driver.
Yes, but do you have
Command
Seating
Position(tm)
?
Because whores want that.
That's true, I have an old Volvo S60 with 16" wheels and a good bit of sidewall, and it rides nicer than anything else I've owned so far. Unfortunately the transmission failed spectacularly and I'm still waiting on the rebuild.
Part of the reason I am now among the many who choose to "haul air" back and forth to work is that a full-size truck is about the only option to fill this void. If you prioritize a smooth ride, comfortable AND quiet interior, ample power, and presence on the road the SLT/Lariat/Laramie? trims on up trucks are about all that offer it.
I just took my SLuT on a trip through rural Central NC and Central Upstate SC yesterday to have an onsite meeting at a customer. This is a trip that I took many times in my previous Accord and it was bearable but not great on the poorly maintained tar and chip farm roads. I might as well have been driving over a wet dish sponge in my truck. Taking calls via Bluetooth on those roads in the Accord (which was a quiet car, except for its 19" wheels on rough pavement) was an exercise in yelling at the poor person on the other end so they could hear you over the tire roar. My truck required no volume change over the same roads while on the phone. I don't think anything under 80k drives as comfortable as a half ton pickup, and that is a shame because a lot of people would buy this car if it was made today and they actually took one for a test drive.
$8200 is probably a good deal for this. It looks pretty original and not too worn out. You're going to want that air condition to work in Spokane but get it west of Cascades you'd only really need it a few days per year.
Spokane doesn’t have any supper clubs and you would want AC for more than a couple of days a year even in western Washington.
i had no interest in the car whatsoever until i saw the included dean martin cd
now i want it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_776fo3XHc
Should there be a FP meeting near Fallingwater or Morgantown that you come down for make sure to leave time to swing through Steubenville, maybe dine at https://maps.app.goo.gl/zPw8x6nPcSUrVkbF6 . Every Dino fan should make the pilgrimage.
You got it, thanks for the recommendation
Not sure if that's fucked up or totally awesome. If I'm pushed, I'll pick awesome.
Man, if only I had a barn.
This is a nicely preserved survivor. I've always liked the pillow top comfort of those GM seats.
Too bad the motivation on these cars was the nadir of malaise. From Wiki: "For 1977 and 1978, the standard engine in Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower (101 kW), while optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option."
And at 135k miles I'd re-motor before the rings let go. LS Swap, Bilsteins, all-wheel disk brake upgrade, and maybe some other suspension tweaks and you'd have a competent cruiser that could keep up with modern highway rollers.
Love the colour combination here
i hated these growing up but boy do i love them now. i hold you responsible. thank you for these reviews.
I now have a new favorite car seat…or should I say chair given the cushion and upholstery
Do those velour seats hold up to wear better than modern Alcantara-type pseudo-suede? I had a 1st gen IS300 with the Alcantara centers and they looked rough after 160k miles, not only were they pilling like a worn out sweater, they were unevenly discolored.
Love this thing. The front grill looks fussy with the overall design imo, but it's a great snapshot of design in the era it comes from. Just looking at that car, I can smell it. Super sweet find!
A Tri-Seven weather a Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, or Chevy is generally not a bad call for an antique car. As this was the first and best round of downsizing done by the General. As well as the motors and transmission were carry over from the 1976 and before Nimitz class of GM full size cars…
Nice example TK! Last time I saw one in person, it was ridin’ spinners
God help us!
Every dammed nice GM of that era becomes an instant hard-pass if wagon wheels are included, because the poor car probably also has been ripped to shreds to install a sound system that would demolish a skyscraper from eight blocks away, not to mention that the driver’s seat will be permanently reclined 45-degrees! 🙄