Smoothest Riding Car? (fuel, mileage, buying, RWD)

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Fleet

The TC is several hundred pounds heavier than the Crown Vic. I don't know if that would make that much of a difference, though.

Yeah - that's gotta be a big part of it. I was truly amazed the first time I rode in it as it is a whole different feel that screams luxury.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

Yeah - that's gotta be a big part of it. I was truly amazed the first time I rode in it as it is a whole different feel that screams luxury.

I should rent a 2005-2011 TC just to compare it with my '95. One of my friends rented a TC a few years ago; don't know the exact year of the car, probably about 2007 or 2008, and he said it was a great freeway-driving car (he drove it from West Hills in the San Fernando Valley up to Bakersfield).

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Fleet

I should rent a 2005-2011 TC just to compare it with my '95. One of my friends rented a TC a few years ago; don't know the exact year of the car, probably about 2007 or 2008, and he said it was a great freeway-driving car (he drove it from West Hills in the San Fernando Valley up to Bakersfield).

That would be an interesting comparison. Crown Vics went to rack and pinion steering in 2003, I believe, so I'm sure Town Cars did as well. And, from the reports I've read, it ruined the stable tracking quality. I'll bet your '95 would be far superior.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

That would be an interesting comparison. Crown Vics went to rack and pinion steering in 2003, I believe, so I'm sure Town Cars did as well. And, from the reports I've read, it ruined the stable tracking quality. I'll bet your '95 would be far superior.

Could be. My '95 does track very well.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Fleet

Could be. My '95 does track very well.

Did a little searching and confirmed that, yes, the Town Car's steering was ruined at the same time.

2003 Lincoln Town Car - Road Test & First Look - Motor Trend

Rack and pinion steering is known for wandering back and forth all over the road - what a stupid idea. But, of course, those of us who came of age drooling over the great 60s classics have learned to expect less and less.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

Did a little searching and confirmed that, yes, the Town Car's steering was ruined at the same time.

2003 Lincoln Town Car - Road Test & First Look - Motor Trend

Rack and pinion steering is known for wandering back and forth all over the road - what a stupid idea. But, of course, those of us who came of age drooling over the great 60s classics have learned to expect less and less.

I was disappointed, too, when I heard that the TC was going to rack & pinion... that is for European cars, not U.S. luxury cars!

[415_s2k]

Originally Posted by Fleet

I was disappointed, too, when I heard that the TC was going to rack & pinion... that is for European cars, not U.S. luxury cars!

Guess they're just trying to keep up with the joneses!

The LS430 uses a rack and pinion and it definitely leans more towards the American Barca-lounger yacht in terms of cruising smoothness, but especially with the air suspension, gets taut when you hit the twisties.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Fleet

I was disappointed, too, when I heard that the TC was going to rack & pinion... that is for European cars, not U.S. luxury cars!

Precisely. European cars and Ford Pintos.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by 415_s2k

Guess they're just trying to keep up with the joneses!

Sometimes, it is not for the best.

The LS430 uses a rack and pinion and it definitely leans more towards the American Barca-lounger yacht in terms of cruising smoothness, but especially with the air suspension, gets taut when you hit the twisties.

An LS430 may lean more towards cruising smoothness but it won't have the boulevard ride that '70s (and older) Cadillacs and Lincolns were famous for. Nor the soft and plush seats.

[Icy Tea]

The Chevy Impala made it into the Top Ten for softest ride. I rented a 2010 for 2 weeks and it was quiet with plush seats.
The only fault I had with it is the floor mounted shifter. Put it on the steering column and give me more leg room.