# What is the 'official' old people car now? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2005, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477 "2005-09-26T11:29:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/21 "2005-09-26T16:36:45Z")
Another vote here for the Buick LeSabre. I was stuck with one of these bovine automobiles on a business trip, and not only are they the prime selectant of the Modern Maturity set, they also force you to drive like an old person. Despite the 3.8l engine, they can’t accelerate any faster than a Yugo, and any attempt to take a corner at normal driving speeds results in screeching, shimmying, and shuddering, as if you are poking a dugong with a cattle prod. They bench-pillow also force you to assume “Old Lady Driving Position” with your face three inches from the steering wheel. I think that, instead of an ashtray, they should come with a Metamucil dispenser. I have a rule about Buicks on the highway–don’t follow one. Whatever you do, get around, in front of, or away from any Buick. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/22 "2005-09-26T17:56:48Z")
Yep, Buicks are definitely the OPCs around here. You see a strong showing in Crown Vics and then Towncars etc for the wealthier ones. You also see old Shadows/Sundances and newer Focuses for the ones on a real budget. But hands down, it’s Buick. Generally in either dark green or (nowadays) gold. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/23 "2005-09-26T18:08:08Z")
First thing I thought of was the Crown Vic. My business partner (aged 44) owned one for years, though, and loved it. We always gave her a hard time about her fuddy car. She just traded it in for a Honda CRV. My dad and mom (70 and 65) own a PT Cruiser – which, IMO, has a subset of geezers who are fans. Maybe it’s the retro thing. My dad also has a Ford F250. Such trucks, IMO, attract the younger geezers – gotta have something to haul the travel trailer with, don’tcha know. Dad also has a '32 Plymouth he’s restoring – so the car itself that is a geezer, owned by a slightly younger geezer. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/24 "2005-09-26T18:25:39Z")
GenMot’s own demographics say that the average Buick owner is over 55. That may or may not change, now that Tiger Woods is their spokesgolfer. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/25 "2005-09-26T21:41:14Z")
hmm, aside from the ubiquitous Caddy and Crown Vic/Marquis, i tend to view the Taurus/Sable twins as “old people cars” i also tend to view all ford vehicles (well, aside from the re-imagined Mustang) as crapboxes, based on my experience with ford products (extremely high failure rate) i _want_ to like the new 'Stang, but i still can’t get past the ford=crap association ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/26 "2005-09-27T00:42:42Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > GenMot’s own demographics say that the average Buick owner is over 55. That may or may not change, now that Tiger Woods is their spokesgolfer. That’s been their plan, but I think the OPC rep of the Buick surpases even the strength that is Tiger Woods. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/27 "2005-09-27T00:47:12Z")
Of course, the LaCrosse might take over since it replaced both the LaSabre and the Century. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/28 "2005-09-27T00:48:17Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Of course, the LaCrosse might take over since it replaced both the LaSabre and the Century. Make that the Regal and Century. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/29 "2005-09-27T00:50:01Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Make that the Regal and Century. [Cite](http://www.thecarconnection.com/Shoppers/Buyers_Guides/2006_Buyers_Guide/2006_Buick.S1168.A9305.html) ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/30 "2005-09-27T00:55:06Z")
In my neck of the woods the blue hairs are all in Towncars, Crown Vics and Cadillacs. A small minority drive old, beat-up pickup trucks. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/31 "2005-09-27T01:22:59Z")
You don’t see too many Buicks around here. Like I said, Caddies, Chryslers, and Lincolns are are the vehicles of choice for the elderly in these parts. Especially the Lincoln Towncar. Aside from seniors, pretty much the only people who drive Lincolns are Ford executives, chauffers (driving stretched limos) and hearse drivers. About Buick, frankly I’ve thought for a while that GM could get rid of the Buick nameplate and most people would never notice. If it really is a geezermobile, then in a few years I fully expect to see it share Oldsmobile’s fate. But those new Caddies are pretty sharp. If I ever become rich (yeah, right) I might well get one of the newer Cadillacs. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/32 "2005-09-27T01:27:55Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > If I ever become rich (yeah, right) I might well get one of the newer Cadillacs. Only if it’s [this one](http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/cadillac_sixteen.asp). ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/33 "2005-09-27T04:50:07Z")
I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but around here the new Mini Cooper is the car of choice by people over 55. Every Mini I see has some gray haired old dude/lady driving it. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/34 "2005-09-27T04:53:43Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > You don’t see too many Buicks around here. Like I said, Caddies, Chryslers, and Lincolns are are the vehicles of choice for the elderly in these parts. Especially the Lincoln Towncar. Aside from seniors, pretty much the only people who drive Lincolns are Ford executives, chauffers (driving stretched limos) and hearse drivers. > > About Buick, frankly I’ve thought for a while that GM could get rid of the Buick nameplate and most people would never notice. If it really is a geezermobile, then in a few years I fully expect to see it share Oldsmobile’s fate. But those new Caddies are pretty sharp. If I ever become rich (yeah, right) I might well get one of the newer Cadillacs. Interesting. I posted above that Buicks are the main OPC here. I live in metro Detroit, east-side. How far west of Detroit are you? ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/35 "2005-09-27T05:05:05Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Only if it’s [this one](http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/cadillac_sixteen.asp). Are they actually going to produce that Cad16? I remember reading an article about it last summer and being absolutely fascinated. It looks like the Batmobile. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/36 "2005-09-27T05:14:29Z")
Every blue hair coming up here from Maryland right after check day is piloting a Buick or a Mercury Grand Marquis. Although the Merc is a virtual double for the Crown Vic, they must offer senior discounts on those cars. Gotta love the AAA sticker (crooked) and the speed of 10 below the posted limit. ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/37 "2005-09-27T05:56:17Z")
Aside from Buick and Caddys, Ford Taurus. Not reliable, but built like a tank so it’ll survive anything up to falling off a cliff. Very high on those safety ratings (if you ignore crashes from mechanical failure). I agree, Ford = crap. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/38 "2005-09-27T11:15:25Z")
> [@Hung Mung](#): > > Are they actually going to produce that Cad16? I remember reading an article about it last summer and being absolutely fascinated. It looks like the Batmobile. It doesn’t look like it. The marketing guys say it’s just a “styling exercise”. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/39 "2005-09-27T11:23:34Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Interesting. I posted above that Buicks are the main OPC here. I live in metro Detroit, east-side. How far west of Detroit are you? Farmington Hills. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477/40 "2005-09-27T14:46:15Z")
My mom drives a Buick LeSabre. And she’s 38. :eek: Maybe she’s trying to fit in with all the old people in our neighborhood. Our neighborhood is mostly old people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-official-old-people-car-now/323477.md?page=3)