Another hypothetical question.....

[JerriLampon]

If Buick can build and market their Cascada, why can't Ford do a variation for the Thunderbird?
http://www.buick.com/convertible/cas...nvertible.html

Hypothetical answers are valid, too.

[Welker]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

I wonder how successful Buick will be. Their convertible from Germany is about as ugly as any car I have seen. Remember the old Roadmaster convertible? Once, just after WW2, 1948, I went to our town swimming pool and saw a new, bright yellow Roadmaster convertible and a beautiful blond girl, at least ten years older than I, standing beside it. I am still waiting for the auto industry to build something that beautiful for the current lovely ladies, at least 60 years younger than I, to stand beside.

[JerriLampon]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Once, just after WW2, 1948, I went to our town swimming pool and saw a new, bright yellow Roadmaster convertible and a beautiful blond girl, at least ten years older than I, standing beside it. I am still waiting for the auto industry to build something that beautiful for the current lovely ladies, at least 60 years younger than I, to stand beside.

I think this is the one. 'Not sure where the blonde is, however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24HzIXMvMvA

[jerrym3]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Buick is a very popular brand with the Chinese. Chinese buyers probably have no idea what a Thunderbird was/is.

My dad had a 48 Buick Super convert, maroon, gigantic straight eight, 3 sp column shift. (Ate gas like a pig.) His best friend had the same car in yellow. Quite a pair.

The buddy with the Buick also had a very low mileage 57 DeSoto, 2 dr, yellow/white. I almost bought it off a used car lot in the late 70's, but I decided to restore my Galaxie instead, mainly because it was a convert.

[seagull]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Beauty of course is in the eye of the beholder, I find the Cascada to be a handsome automobile. The Cascada was never expected to be a high volume seller, more of a niche car and something to bring people in the door. 60% of Cascada buyers are new to GM buyers and in that regards it has been a success beyond expectations. There are new colors and content coming for 2017 which is needed as color selection was sparse. A special edition red with blacked out trim will be available as well. Interior quality and attention to detail is excellent. The Cascada is very comfortable for four with excellent cargo capacity as well. I have no doubt one will be in my garage eventually. I have long thought Ford needed a more premiere convertible than the Mustang, people with money buy Mustangs for their kids but want something more upscale for themselves. A 4 seat Thunderbird retractable hardtop would be the perfect answer to Ford having nothing in the premium convertible market.

[11TH GEN]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Not exactly sure what you mean by "upscale". I can tell you that a loaded Mustang GT has as many interior options, if not more, than my wife's 16 SRX or my 17 ATS.

[carntz]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

[QUOTE=JerriLampon;626922]If Buick can build and market their Cascada, why can't Ford do a variation for the Thunderbird?
http://www.buick.com/convertible/cas...nvertible.html
Hypothetical answers are valid, too.[

I think it absolutely amazing that Buick can build a convertible that looks to be able to accept Chrysler Sebring sheet metal.

Oh what a thrill it must be to drive with a 4 cylinder engine.

If this is what GM thinks is an upscale/ luxury convertible then Ford made the right decision not to introduce anything like it.


The fact is that a Mustang GT convertible is only a few thousand more. so to be true to the Standard of up scale convertibles( at least in the Cascada's case. Ford already has an up scale convertible though IMHO much better

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Anybody can buy a Buick people with money look to Benz, BMW, Bentley and so on.
Whats this car go for 35K not a lot of money. For that kind of money I'd be looking for
a used BMW.

[merlot4]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

[QUOTE=carntz;626940]

Oh what a thrill it must be to drive with a 4 cylinder engine.

Some 4 cylinders are no slouches, I wouldn't mind being thrilled with these:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...our-cylinders/

[007Cruiser]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

The car looks better in person but I'm done with anything from the General.

[seagull]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Anybody can buy a Buick people with money look to Benz, BMW, Bentley and so on.
Whats this car go for 35K not a lot of money. For that kind of money I'd be looking for
a used BMW.

Like it or not, Buick is marketed and widely accepted as a Premium brand, it would be officially considered "Entry Level" Premium. Buick is also doing very well in that category and sales will attest to that as well as the breakdown of buyers being attracted from other brands in that field.
Now, we were talking about a hypothetical Thunderbird which would more than likely also play in the entry level Premium category as does the Cascada. Pricing of the Cascada Premium out it firmly in line with the likes of it's competitors the BMW 230i and Audi A3 convertibles. The beauty of this category and Buick's entry into that market is it is not heavy with contenders thus making an excellent place for GM to jump in. The next Cascada on the new platform promises to be even a more formidable competitor in it's class.
Now, a little background, I pay the bills working in the auto industry on the consumer side of things working with all brands from Fiat to Rolls Royce. I work directly with the consumer so I hear every day of the week what floats their boats and what they are looking for. It is sometimes amazing what the consumer really wants in particular vehicles. Someone mentioned a 4 cyl in a negative manor. Staying with the entry premium convertible market, surprisingly buyers are not looking for lighting performance, they are looking for solid adequate performance with style, and attention to details in the interiors. Also, ease of top operation etc comes into play. These usually are the upwardly mobile professionals buying these. I will say the Cascada has captured the professional female buyer market for some reason. I agree the Mustang has all the cues to be a premium car, and in many cases is more expensive than the entry level Premium convertibles, BUT, Ford has done such a good job over the years of carving out just what the Mustang is, that it is totally ignored in the Premium entry level market as it is seen as a go fast muscle car for gear heads or old men wanting to relive their youth. Cadillac has been toying with another convertible for a while, if it comes it will more than likely be based on the ATS coupe which would put it in the high end of the entry Premium market and if a V model is added then well into the upper market. The ultra premium convertible market is locked up and a very dangerous market for Cadillac, Lincoln or other premium brands to venture into without a truly remarkable entry. Ford/Lincoln, not even having a premium offering in a coupe has little to no chance at marketing a convertible. Unfortunately for bean counters, there is nothing built by ford that could easily become a Thunderbird Coupe or convertible even though something like that would be a good fit for Ford/Lincoln. GM/Buick may not have hit a home run with the Cascada, but they stuck their foot in the door in that market in a very solid way.
A couple pictures of the new Red special edition

[007Cruiser]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

For clarification, the Cascada is built in Poland by Opel and rebadged under different names for various world markets.

[Guest]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

For clarification, the Cascada is built in Poland by Opel and rebadged under different names for various world markets.

And it appears they're built in a 'negative manor' for buyers not interested in 'lighting performance.' They must be in the dark.

[seagull]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

For clarification, the Cascada is built in Poland by Opel and rebadged under different names for various world markets.

That is correct, they are built in Poland, and let's not forget who owns and runs Opel, GM and Buick and Opel have had a relationship since the 60's. Many of the new Buick products are being developed directly in conjunction with Opel. Possibly GM should have waited for the new platform and restyled version but I think getting into the market with a solid well known reliable platform/car has worked out for them.
The Regal of course is an Opel/Buick venture and the new Regal and Regal wagon coming out from Buick & Opel promises to be class defining.

[jerrym3]

Re: Another hypothetical question.....

Thunderbird name isn't coming back. Times have changed. Time marches on.

But, I am surprised that Buick lived on while Pontiac and Oldsmobile passed away. Maybe GM took a look at the future market and determined that the Chinese market wouldn't know, or care, about the cars that we loved as kids and young drivers.

That's another reason why the TBird will not be resurrected. The Chinese buyer doesn't share our connection with the name and the history.

When I was a kid, we didn't even consider a Buick. That was our dad's brand, unless dad had the money for a used Cadillac. We liked the Olds and the Pontiac (and Chevy). Very few guys had Fords or Mercs. MoPars became popular when the 413 and 426 hemis became performance options.

Now, Buick is a name brand.