Posted on 05/12/2014 9:47:14 AM PDT by mkleesma
With most consumers favoring smaller foreign cars and the US auto industry seemingly headed for the toilet, there is still one demographic that Detroit has a solid hold on… Retirees. Buyers over 65 are the last hope for the good old American car. In some dealerships, upwards of 85 percent of all Buick buyers are 55 and older. That’s an ominous sign for the future of American autos.
The over-65ers look at brands like Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac as status symbols. Those brands have what advertisers call the “Mind Share” in that demographic. Retirees remember a time when the only people driving those cars were celebrities and other high profile members of society; now they want in to that high-profile group of Cadillac drivers. Plus, older folks like familiarity, they know these brands, they've heard them their whole life.
Check out the list of the top ten cars most popular with retirees:
(Excerpt) Read more at ridelust.com ...
ping
My retirement car is a 1965 Buick Skylark with a 2007 Escalade motor and 6L80 transmission. 470rwhp.
A neighbor kid got one just like mine. He put an exhaust on it and wider tires. The tires ruin the point of the car. I WANT it slippery for drifting. And around here there is ample opportunity.
And the funny thing is, mine is a six speed and his is auto. Shoot, just writing this I’m aching to get off work and fly home through 62 miles of two lane twisties...
I’ll stick with my Toyota Highlander
We are in our 70s and we are on our 5th Subaru Forester. Nothing tops the Forester for reliability, fun, safety, and economy in our opinion.
“I’m not gonna lug that with me. Send it!”
No retired person in their right mind would get any of these as they could not get home. Right now there is a foot of snow on the dirt road that has not been repaired been repaired since before the flood 8 months ago.
Subaru. Made in Indiana, traded my 2000 model with 250,000 miles on it in for a 2014 which got over 34mpg on my latest trip. Lots of cargo space, terrific traction in snow, great clearance for snow drifts, goes everywhere in comfort. Between the two of us, this is the 5th Subaru we have owned. Very reliable cars.
My 70+ year old parents both drive Volvos that are over 20 years old. 20 years of New England weather too. Solid vehicles.
Maybe in Michigan but not in California. I live in a 5,000 home 55 years and over community in a part of CA full of retirees. People are driving smaller cars. For SUVs, the Lexus RX is No. 1 by far. The Nissan Altima is the most popular mid-sized car. When one gets to the full sized cars, Mercedes and BMW prevail. Yes, there are a fair number of Cadillacs driven by people in their 70s and 80s. As for the rest of those vehicles in this report, their sightings are rare.
I’m 65 and will never give up my 1998 Durango.
If I ever get some spare time I’d like to get a ‘90’s Lincoln Mark VIII and drop in a Ford crate Coyote with a 5 speed manual.
That would be a cool Qcar and shake up a lot of the dang whippersnappers!
My parents would never own a Japanese or German car. When we bought a honda accord took two years before mom would ride in it
Dad never did. He was in wwII
When I see a Cadillac, I prepare to pass. 90% of the time it’s an old fart with nothing to do and nowhere to go, wandering around blocking traffic.
1965 Chrysler 300 L
Land Yacht Supreme
Friend had a white one in high school. It was called “The Whale”.
Sweet! But a two seater won’t do for us. Two dogs, grandkids, stuff.
Love my Sedan DeVille. Front wheel drive, good power, comfy seats, all the toys, and I get 28 miles to the gallon on the highway, and average 21.8 overall.
Toss in the Sirrius/XM radio, playing the 50’s, 60’s, or the Patriot channel, and I’m set.
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