Top Ten Cars to Watch Out for while Riding

[DaveDragon]

Top Ten Cars to Watch Out for while Riding (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2008/12/top-ten-cars-to-watch-out-for-while.html)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YEW26cjh_-M/STUdshctQ-I/AAAAAAAAJo4/WYBRAxxlQ5U/elderlymandriving500_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YEW26cjh_-M/STUdsTGMmGI/AAAAAAAAJo0/au0mPQDqGFE/s1600-h/elderlymandriving500%5B6%5D.jpg)
Check out the list of the top ten cars most popular with retirees. The models are ranked based on the percentage of buyers age 65 or older, using market research data from J.D. Power and Associates

”OK”, [I says to myself with Tongue planted firmly In-Cheek], I know it’s a silly premise but Target Recognition is a skill to be honed!

Living & Riding in FlatLand; One is in a “Target Rich” environment most of the year. The rest of the year the Snow Birds flock here to make it a nice Target Soup.

Well anyway, here are the Top Ten Terrestrial Transport Targets To Tergiversate Tout de suite! (aw, that was bad, sorry)


10. Ford Taurus
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/08taurus_011.jpg

9. Lincoln MKZ
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/mkz1-lg.jpg

8. Cadillac STS
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2009-cadillac-sts-04.jpg

7. Toyota Avalon
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/avalon.jpg

6. Mercury Sable
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/sable1-lg.jpg

5. Buick LaCrosse
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/lacrosse.jpg

4. Buick Lucerne
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2008-buick-lucerne-cxl-5.jpg

3. Mercury Grand Marquis
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2008grandmarquis2.jpg

2. Cadillac DTS
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/dts.jpg

1. Lincoln Town Car
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2008lincolntown-car.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YEW26cjh_-M/STUdtImyjBI/AAAAAAAAJpA/Q-ugtSlMboc/tn_cow-tongue_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YEW26cjh_-M/STUdsxOjzeI/AAAAAAAAJo8/HveSiC75N5A/s1600-h/tn_cow-tongue%5B4%5D.jpg) Source (http://www.ridelust.com/top-ten-favorite-cars-of-retirees-aka-top-ten-cars-to-avoid-on-the-road/), well then again.


LATER

[grifscoots]

What? No pickemups?

I agree with the list, but #11 should be the big, dually pick up that's set up for pulling one of those monstrous, 5th wheel houses on wheels. Around here, they can be just as deadly.... light, or pulling.

[eljeffe]

I had my Navigator in for a number of services that I had been avoiding, and had the pleasure of driving a Lincoln MKZ for 3 days. I have to say that I was very impressed.

I found the MKZ to be superior to the Acura TL (Lincoln's primary competition in that category) in ride, handling, and options. And given the incentives Ford has with the Employee Pricing Plus, the unit I was driving (AWD w/ Ultimate Package), the price was very compelling. The most loaded versions are leaving the lot at just a hair over $27K.

Oh, and the Ford Sync package (voice activated system to control a variety of thing) was amazing. I spent 20 minutes with the service manager learning the system. Once we paired my iPhone to the car, I no longer even needed to touch or see the iPhone (it was tucked away in its little holder inside the console). My contact list, visual voice mail, and music all were available via voice commands. My hands never left the wheel, and eyes never left the road. Everything from dialing a number or calling a contact in my phonebook, bringing up a song by title, artist, playlist, album, etc., was all by voice control. Pretty amazing technology, especially coming from Microsoft - http://www.syncmyride.com/

When I returned the vehicle, there was no big effort to hard sell me on it. They did ask that I fill out a survey, but it wasn't required, and I spent 20 minutes talking to the dealership manager about business and such. From a Lincoln point of view, things are slower, but not much compared to other brands. He said MKZs and MKSs fly off the lot faster than he can keep them in stock. Navigators are selling as well now as they were 2 years ago. Amazingly, Town Cars still appeal to people, but the number declines year after year (as does production). The only dark spot for this particular dealer is the MKX (Lincoln's verison of the Ford Edge). He said he can't give them away. And given how ugly they are, I can understand.

Ruth is looking or a new car, so we've been driving a lot of different cars lately. After driving a number of vehicles, I do thing Ruth is looking at either the 1 or 3 series convertibles from BMW or the new Audi A5 convertible. She wants a hard-top convertible that's peppy and is not another SLK. She doesn't want a 4-door or coupe because she said that will make her feel old, so I guess she's getting the BMW or Audi in the spring. I actually thought the VW Eos was the best of all the hardtop convertibles but the Saturn Sky and Ford Mustang GT were my favorites -- don't get me wrong, the BMW M3 convertible was SWEET, but at $65K, it wasn't that sweet.

[bikebum]

In Alabama the number one automobile to watch out for is any buick, especially white, and more so if it has a handicap tag.

[pickerbiker]

I had my Navigator in for a number of services that I had been avoiding, and had the pleasure of driving a Lincoln MKZ for 3 days. I have to say that I was very impressed.

I found the MKZ to be superior to the Acura TL (Lincoln's primary competition in that category) in ride, handling, and options. And given the incentives Ford has with the Employee Pricing Plus, the unit I was driving (AWD w/ Ultimate Package), the price was very compelling. The most loaded versions are leaving the lot at just a hair over $27K.

Oh, and the Ford Sync package (voice activated system to control a variety of thing) was amazing. I spent 20 minutes with the service manager learning the system. Once we paired my iPhone to the car, I no longer even needed to touch or see the iPhone (it was tucked away in its little holder inside the console). My contact list, visual voice mail, and music all were available via voice commands. My hands never left the wheel, and eyes never left the road. Everything from dialing a number or calling a contact in my phonebook, bringing up a song by title, artist, playlist, album, etc., was all by voice control. Pretty amazing technology, especially coming from Microsoft - http://www.syncmyride.com/

When I returned the vehicle, there was no big effort to hard sell me on it. They did ask that I fill out a survey, but it wasn't required, and I spent 20 minutes talking to the dealership manager about business and such. From a Lincoln point of view, things are slower, but not much compared to other brands. He said MKZs and MKSs fly off the lot faster than he can keep them in stock. Navigators are selling as well now as they were 2 years ago. Amazingly, Town Cars still appeal to people, but the number declines year after year (as does production). The only dark spot for this particular dealer is the MKX (Lincoln's verison of the Ford Edge). He said he can't give them away. And given how ugly they are, I can understand.

Ruth is looking or a new car, so we've been driving a lot of different cars lately. After driving a number of vehicles, I do thing Ruth is looking at either the 1 or 3 series convertibles from BMW or the new Audi A5 convertible. She wants a hard-top convertible that's peppy and is not another SLK. She doesn't want a 4-door or coupe because she said that will make her feel old, so I guess she's getting the BMW or Audi in the spring. I actually thought the VW Eos was the best of all the hardtop convertibles but the Saturn Sky and Ford Mustang GT were my favorites -- don't get me wrong, the BMW M3 convertible was SWEET, but at $65K, it wasn't that sweet.

I have SYNC in my F150 pickup. It's so cool that I get in the truck with the phone in my pocket, it automatically syncs with the system in the truck and I can answer/make calls without ever taking the phone out of my pocket. A very well designed system.

[Allred]

What? No pickemups?

I agree with the list, but #11 should be the big, dually pick up that's set up for pulling one of those monstrous, 5th wheel houses on wheels. Around here, they can be just as deadly.... light, or pulling.


Hey Griff, here in "Yooo-tar", it's those Sherman Tank pick-em-ups, especially the lifted, power chipped "I can go anywhere" 4 x 4 diesel double cabs that are the #1 threats to watch for, dually's or not. And It isn't the oldies, it's the young "I'm gonna live forever and talk or text on my cell phone while driving to the next job" construction workers that I tremble before. :mad:

Seems many of those neanderthals think a yellow light means "speed-up"!

I could say more, but.....probably better to get over the rant, and just ride as if I am invisible to all other traffic.

[scottydawg]

I have always found Volvo drivers to be the most dangerous to motorcycles however I am seeing more Prius drivers trying to take the top spot.

[nocanpickem]

Pickup trucks and SUV's. These things are so big they can't turn or stop. Moreover they remove any sense of road conditions from the driver. Therefore they speed and drive like they are in a sports car. In Wisconsin they even think that they won't slip on ice and snow.

Give them a wide beareth.

Karl

[larrykay]

Ruth is looking or a new car, so we've been driving a lot of different cars lately. After driving a number of vehicles, I do thing Ruth is looking at either the 1 or 3 series convertibles from BMW or the new Audi A5 convertible. She wants a hard-top convertible that's peppy and is not another SLK. She doesn't want a 4-door or coupe because she said that will make her feel old, so I guess she's getting the BMW or Audi in the spring. I actually thought the VW Eos was the best of all the hardtop convertibles but the Saturn Sky and Ford Mustang GT were my favorites -- don't get me wrong, the BMW M3 convertible was SWEET, but at $65K, it wasn't that sweet.


The new A5 covertible probably will not come into the country until late 2009 or early 2010. The curent A4 convertible will remain for one additional season even though the new A4 sedan is really on the A5 platform. And, the new A5 coverible may be tagged as an A4. I got this from the general manager of my Audi dealer ( largest in the USA) who is my buddy. He used to be the manager of BMW bikes in Westchester several years ago.
My current cars are a 2008 A6 and a 2004A4 convertiblew in red. I am waiting for the new convertible on the larger platform. I have dibs on one of the first cars to arrive in the USA. The convertible is my 4 wheeled bike when I am not on the bike ..My wife will not ride pillion but co-pilot in the car. We do many of the same twisties and roads in the car....

[RonKMiller]

I would like to add another 10:

ANY mini van, but especially Chryslers.
Any large 4 door white car, but especially Mercury Marquis.
Landscaping vehicles pulling trailers.
Any vehicle with especially large tires and or wheels.
Any vehicle with a "fart can" exhaust.
An older Mitsubishi Eclipse.
An older Nissan Sentra.
Any vehicle driving 10 mph slower than traffic flow - in the left lane.
Any vehicle where the driver is looking under, instead of over, the steering wheel.
Any vehicle with the driver wearing a turban.

[DanDiver]

They ALL scare me, especially anyone with with a cell phone. In the morning they are asleep and in the evening yakking on the cell phone. Young girls with cell phones driving trucks seem to be the worst, as I head down to Arcadia in the morning, pick up truck capital........... and then Naples home of the old folks.....

[mikey]

In the D.C. metro area, ANYTHING with Diplomat tags, Cab Drivers, and anything made by Saturn. I cannot tell you how many times I've been with the family and a Saturn has cut me off or riding my bumper on the Beltway in the left lane while im doing 75 trying to get over to let them by.....

[pickerbiker]

In the Pacific Northwest, it's the granola munching tree huggers in their Subaru's going 55 mph in the HOV lane. Get behind one of them and you'll most certainly get crushed from the traffic behind you.

[Wolfgang]

Most mornings on my way to work I pass an OLD white Ford Explorer driven slowly by a person wearing a Burka. (similar to the attached picture) I have slowed down to take a closer look but can not see the eyes. Is that legal?

[BecketMa]

My pick is anything built upon a "truck" frame, those nice square nosed, gas black-holes, tank like, vehicles that smash entire bodies instead of destroying your legs while you get thrown over the car body.

Nothin like driving a tank to insure that if you crash into someone, they die and you don't.

Bob

[jayjacobson]

Pickup trucks and SUV's. These things are so big they can't turn or stop. Moreover they remove any sense of road conditions from the driver. Therefore they speed and drive like they are in a sports car. In Wisconsin they even think that they won't slip on ice and snow.

Give them a wide beareth.

Karl
Spot on Karl! It's time for a ban on these dangerous "assault" vehicles! :mad:

[spokane1200lt]

I think the most dangerous car is any of them. It is the knuckle head behind the wheel that is on the phone, reading the paper or putting on make up on the way to work.

Keep an eye on all of them.

thats my two cents.

:rotf: