Cadillac vs. Lincoln: Is The Rivalry Back?

[MKZ Guide]

Cadillac vs. Lincoln: Is The Rivalry Back?

 

David Kiley / Huffington Post

 

With the debut of the Lincoln MKZ concept and the Cadillac ATS at the North American International Auto Show, I see green sprouts of a rekindled rivalry and competition between the two brands that we haven't really seen since the 1960s.

 

It's been that long since both Caddy and Lincoln both produced attractive, aspirational cars simultaneously and on a consistent basis. And comments from executives lead me to believe a sense of competition between the two brands is already there.

 

When I asked Caddy marketing chief Don Butler about the rear-drive platform underpinning the ATS, he made a point of telling me that it's not shared with any other General Motors vehicles -- a dig at the MKZ, which shares a platform with the Ford Fusion. I pressed Butler to admit that the ATS platform would be shared with other vehicles (as all are these days); it will, but the ATS is the first GM model to get it.

 

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[LincolnPhil]

Cadillac, schmadillac.   Those cars lack anything that appeals  to me.  They claimed they were "The Standard of the Word", but so many of them were just junk.

[Tucker]

Sometimes a good rivalery can make some good products but I am not holding my breath with Cadillac

[srcolson]

"Farley says Lincoln dealers are already masters at customer handling." Uh...what??? My new MKZ is in a dealership bodyshop due to another dealership's mishandling and attempt to cover up paint damage. Two of three Lincoln dealerships, that I've been in, are a complete joke! HOWEVER, one general manager admits to the deficiencies and hopes to fix within six months. Lincoln Customer Relations is also very humble and admits to changes that are needed.

 

Anway...the Cadillac ATS is crap! The above mentioned servicing dealership has my MKZ and they provided a rental car through Enterprise. They gave me a brand new 2014 ATS. I found it gaudy and glossy with sharp exterior lines. I do like the power of the turbocharged engine! This engine, however, broke down during my commute and I had to wait two hours to get a replacment vehicle. Now that's advertising--A new 2014 Cadillac ATS broken down on the shoulder of the freeway. ;) I was provided a 2014 Chevy Impala as the replacement. I've seen a few other new GM products and I do not like any of them. I prefer German cars and Ford is the only American badge that gets my attention. I actually didn't want to start liking FoMoCo cars, but a new 2013 Taurus that I rented at the Atlanta Airport was impressive. I personally wouldn't want the Taurus, but I found it to be a great car that looked nice, handled well, lots of power, and nicely appointed interior. In my subjective opinion, Ford/Lincoln vehicles are thoughtfully designed cars that don't distract with the "bling" of GM cars.

[Rusty Boltz]

I traded a 2004 Cadillac DHS for my MKZ. The Caddy had all the bells and whistles, but it was in the shop all the time (not for the bells and whistles, but for basic mechanical problems). In the end, I decided that I couldn't afford to keep it. Three years and 34,000 miles later, my MKZ has only needed scheduled maintenance.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Rusty Boltz

[robertlane]

"Farley says Lincoln dealers are already masters at customer handling." Uh...what??? My new MKZ is in a dealership bodyshop due to another dealership's mishandling and attempt to cover up paint damage. Two of three Lincoln dealerships, that I've been in, are a complete joke! HOWEVER, one general manager admits to the deficiencies and hopes to fix within six months. Lincoln Customer Relations is also very humble and admits to changes that are needed.

 

Anway...the Cadillac ATS is crap! The above mentioned servicing dealership has my MKZ and they provided a rental car through Enterprise. They gave me a brand new 2014 ATS. I found it gaudy and glossy with sharp exterior lines. I do like the power of the turbocharged engine! This engine, however, broke down during my commute and I had to wait two hours to get a replacment vehicle. Now that's advertising--A new 2014 Cadillac ATS broken down on the shoulder of the freeway. ;) I was provided a 2014 Chevy Impala as the replacement. I've seen a few other new GM products and I do not like any of them. I prefer German cars and Ford is the only American badge that gets my attention. I actually didn't want to start liking FoMoCo cars, but a new 2013 Taurus that I rented at the Atlanta Airport was impressive. I personally wouldn't want the Taurus, but I found it to be a great car that looked nice, handled well, lots of power, and nicely appointed interior. In my subjective opinion, Ford/Lincoln vehicles are thoughtfully designed cars that don't distract with the "bling" of GM cars.

 

Living here in Dearborn, I'd be the first to tell you that Lincoln (Lincoln Mercury) was severely neglected during the 1990s and early 2000s.  It seemed that Ford wanted to grow P.A.G. "Premier Auto Group", which included Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover and Volvo. . .Lincoln wasn't "premier" enough even though is has an awesome history of being such.  Eventually, PAG was spun off and out of all of those brands, Ford maintains a minority ownership in Aston Martin.  The damage done to Lincoln Mercury has taken a long time to recover from and led to Mercury's demise.

 

Indeed, Lincoln is really on the come back as a truly great American brand, but it will take more time as the products are cycled through.  MKZ has absolutely led the transformation.

 

As the for dealership issue, when the brand was called "Lincoln Mercury," they had to repair a lot of mainstream products like the Sable (Taurus), Tracer (Escort), Milan (Fusion), etc.  This really meant that the attention to premier service might have been diluted.  Lincoln dealerships are getting the message that they are no longer offering mainstream types of products and are improving - what a transformation.

 

Welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum and the Lincoln community. :)

 

I traded a 2004 Cadillac DHS for my MKZ. The Caddy had all the bells and whistles, but it was in the shop all the time (not for the bells and whistles, but for basic mechanical problems). In the end, I decided that I couldn't afford to keep it. Three years and 34,000 miles later, my MKZ has only needed scheduled maintenance.

 

That's awesome to read - 34K and no problems!  :thumbsup:

[Rusty Boltz]

Yes, and it had 21k on it when I bought it.

[Rusty Boltz]

I tried to quote the previous post, but couldn't.

 

My MKZ had 20k on it when I bought it. It's at 54k now, with no problems.

 

Apparently, you can't delete a post.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Rusty Boltz

[Max]

I am not a fan of Cadalic

[srcolson]

MKZ is female vs. Cadillac is male? Smooth curves vs. sharp, abrupt edges... :)

[Max]

MKZ is female vs. Cadillac is male? Smooth curves vs. sharp, abrupt edges... :)

 I have know some women with some sharp edges LOL

[srcolson]

LOL

[kam]

Honestly, I think bringing back a V8 RWD will help Lincoln get an adavantage.  Just doubt the EPA will allow for it. 

[alyse]

I agree.  A rear drive is a good start!

[UncleBuck]

Me 3!

[srcolson]

I wonder if younger consumers feel that luxury requires a V8. Also, in routine daily driving, does rear wheel drive give any greater sense of performance. I prefer rear wheel drive in rain, while I prefer front wheel drive in the snow (I'm a fair weather driving Californian, so maybe I shouldn't comment on driving in snow). If I buy another luxury car, I'll most likely buy an Audi with AWD. I couldn't buy the MKZ hybrid with AWD and front wheel drive is quite adequate.

[robertlane]

I can't see anything wrong with a Lincoln MKR with rear wheel drive 5.0L V8.  Maybe that could base it off of a hybrid-Mustang platform?

 

I think Lincoln wants to known for high-tech though.

[W57thNY]

Honestly, I think bringing back a V8 RWD will help Lincoln get an adavantage.  Just doubt the EPA will allow for it. 

V8 Rear Wheel Drive works.  Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, all have it.  Hyundai, and Kia, even have V8 RWD.  I don't see any reason why any other automaker can't.

Edited February 26, 2015 by W57thNY

[W57thNY]

I wonder if younger consumers feel that luxury requires a V8. Also, in routine daily driving, does rear wheel drive give any greater sense of performance. I prefer rear wheel drive in rain, while I prefer front wheel drive in the snow (I'm a fair weather driving Californian, so maybe I shouldn't comment on driving in snow). If I buy another luxury car, I'll most likely buy an Audi with AWD. I couldn't buy the MKZ hybrid with AWD and front wheel drive is quite adequate.

With new turbo 4s putting out 240-280hp, and 250+ lb-ft of torque (available at low RPMs), V8s aren't necessary, though they're still nice as they're smoother, and allow for a higher top end, but then again, the luxury cars us younger buyers are looking for, aren't the same ones our parents were looking for.  A lot of us look for luxury sport sedans, with emphasis on performance, over that wallowy barcolounger-on-wheels feel.  RWD, however, is still a key feature.  It allows for a more balanced car - ideally, you want a 50/50, f/r, weight distribution.  Front wheel drive cars, despite how well they handle, still feel very nose-heavy.  RWD also gives more of a sense of stability - I've never felt a FWD car that's been as stable as a RWD car (even the LS was more sure-footed than the MKZ, despite the years separating them).  AWD, especially if done in the way Audi does it (Longitudinally mounted engine like in a RWD car, with 40/60 f/r torque split) is the way to go, if you feel that you need AWD.

 

Being a Mercedes-Benz owner, I'm more inclined to steer you in that direction, but honestly, get out there, see what options you have in your price range, drive each car - the larger rental car companies now offer Audis, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benzes, as well as a range of other cars that are almost competitors to the German Big 3, rent a few, see what works for you. 

[robertlane]

With new turbo 4s putting out 240-280hp, and 250+ lb-ft of torque (available at low RPMs), V8s aren't necessary, though they're still nice as they're smoother, and allow for a higher top end, but then again, the luxury cars us younger buyers are looking for, aren't the same ones our parents were looking for.  A lot of us look for luxury sport sedans, with emphasis on performance, over that wallowy barcolounger-on-wheels feel.  RWD, however, is still a key feature.  It allows for a more balanced car - ideally, you want a 50/50, f/r, weight distribution.  Front wheel drive cars, despite how well they handle, still feel very nose-heavy.  RWD also gives more of a sense of stability - I've never felt a FWD car that's been as stable as a RWD car (even the LS was more sure-footed than the MKZ, despite the years separating them).  AWD, especially if done in the way Audi does it (Longitudinally mounted engine like in a RWD car, with 40/60 f/r torque split) is the way to go, if you feel that you need AWD.

 

Being a Mercedes-Benz owner, I'm more inclined to steer you in that direction, but honestly, get out there, see what options you have in your price range, drive each car - the larger rental car companies now offer Audis, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benzes, as well as a range of other cars that are almost competitors to the German Big 3, rent a few, see what works for you. 

 

Renting various models or the one that you're really considering is an excellent way to see if it fits for you.

 

Nice to see you here on the MKZ Forum.

[W57thNY]

Renting various models or the one that you're really considering is an excellent way to see if it fits for you.

 

Nice to see you here on the MKZ Forum.

Additional benefits to renting a car you're interested in:

 - You're on your own schedule

 - You get to drive it around as you would your own car, and see how it fits your everyday life

 - Rental cars aren't known for having lived pampered lives.  You might get a car with lower mileage, you might get one with higher mileage, in the event it's the latter, you'll see how well the car has held up after being passed through so many hands, and accumulating more mileage than you'd put on in a year of ownership (at the time, I found the 2012 BMW 328i to be a very solid car at 30k miles, impressed the hell out of me - no squeaks, rattles, etc - stuff that you wouldn't think about in your first year of ownership).

 - It's just plain fun driving various cars.

[Rusty Boltz]

Additional benefits to renting a car you're interested in:

 - You're on your own schedule

 - You get to drive it around as you would your own car, and see how it fits your everyday life

 - Rental cars aren't known for having lived pampered lives.  You might get a car with lower mileage, you might get one with higher mileage, in the event it's the latter, you'll see how well the car has held up after being passed through so many hands, and accumulating more mileage than you'd put on in a year of ownership (at the time, I found the 2012 BMW 328i to be a very solid car at 30k miles, impressed the hell out of me - no squeaks, rattles, etc - stuff that you wouldn't think about in your first year of ownership).

 - It's just plain fun driving various cars.

 

Agreed! I rent from National because they let you choose any car.

[W57thNY]

 

Additional benefits to renting a car you're interested in:

 - You're on your own schedule

 - You get to drive it around as you would your own car, and see how it fits your everyday life

 - Rental cars aren't known for having lived pampered lives.  You might get a car with lower mileage, you might get one with higher mileage, in the event it's the latter, you'll see how well the car has held up after being passed through so many hands, and accumulating more mileage than you'd put on in a year of ownership (at the time, I found the 2012 BMW 328i to be a very solid car at 30k miles, impressed the hell out of me - no squeaks, rattles, etc - stuff that you wouldn't think about in your first year of ownership).

 - It's just plain fun driving various cars.

 

Agreed! I rent from National because they let you choose any car.

 

Been watching the Patrick Warburton commercials, I see.

[Rusty Boltz]

Been watching the Patrick Warburton commercials, I see.

 

Who???

 

I really do rent from National. The last car I rented was a Camaro convertible; previous to that a Mercedes C250.

[W57thNY]

Who???

 

I really do rent from National. The last car I rented was a Camaro convertible; previous to that a Mercedes C250.

Patrick Warburton has been doing the most recent National Car Rental ads. 

 

National is great though, it's nice to be able to get in,and out quickly.  Their fleet is also getting better.  Camaros are fun, but the C250s that they have are so minimally equipped - I actually have a well equipped C250, and compared to the ones ordered by National, are night, and day.