Frankly, I *wish* that GM would release the police Caprice with a diesel engine (rather than a gas-guzzling piggie V-8) when it comes out for civilian use in 2014. I’d love a 30+ mpg “land barge” — I drove a Caprice wagon in college before some fool stole it and exported it to Saudi Arabia(*), and it had awesome carrying capacity, got high-mid 20s highway MPG, and handled better than any SUV.
(*) – no joke.[/quote]
I believe you, spdrun. Ask yourself why this happened.
I have another 3 relatives who have enjoyed driving their loudmouthed-blabbering Cadillac Northstars for years. One drives her white one 8 miles thru the mud at least once a month to her “vacation home.” We must keep in mind that gas is usually .80 – $1.00 cheaper per gallon in flyover America than it costs on the coasts. I don’t have ONE SINGLE RELATIVE who has ever cared about gas prices. They are from all walks of life but drive ONLY land barges and full-sized and duelly pickups, some with full back seats. NONE of them will sacrifice comfort and safety for gas mileage.
Their younger Gen X/Gen Y kids (my second cousins) drive more Japanese vehicles but not my aunts, uncles and cousins.
German vehicles are sold in those parts but are not preferred by the masses. It is rare to see a locally tagged one on the street.
I think vehicle preference in the US is culturally-based, depending on region.
