First, let's put the sales argument to rest. The first year that the Navy was out Lincoln sales surpassed Cadillac sales for the first time in history. In fact, beginning in the 50's on up Lincoln sales went from a fraction of Cadillac sales to whopping triple digit % gains each decade on up until 1998 when the Nav came out and Lincoln finally beat Cadillac in sales. This may have continued for a couple of years until the Escalade came out, I'm not sure. And you can say what you want about the current situation, but there have been many times in history when Lincoln has beaten Cadillac to the punch. 1937 Zephyr, a wildly popular design. 1940 Continental, one of the most artistic and beautiful designs of all time. The 1956 Continental Mark II, inventing the personal luxury car. And while many buffs drool over the 1959 Eldorado Brougham, I would DIE to own a 1958-1960 Continental Mark. Just google 1958 Continental Mark III, and see what I am talking about. (make mine a convertible!). And those marks had a massive 430 cubic inch 'Mel' engine standard, 375 hp besting Caddy's 'measily' 365 ci at 335 hp. Lincoln hit a masterful design in 1961 with the streamlined suicide door Continental. And the 1970 Continental is the most badass looking luxury car ever, combining Darth Vader looks with sumptuous luxury, decades before the Grand National or Star Wars was conceived. Fast forward to 1990, Lincoln goes against 10 years of downsizing trends and gives us a fully redesigned, and longer lower wider Town Car in fine american tradition. This car won the prestigious Motor Trend COTY award against all odds for its refinement, ride, and overall design. The following year gave us the turbine smooth 4.6 engine. It took Cadillac three more years to catch up with the Fleetwood, and while its Corvette derived engine was more powerful, it wasn't as smooth or nearly as fuel efficient.
And it wasn't until 1996 that the Northstar was standard for the deVille. 1998 brings us the Navigator, the vehicle that finally pushed Lincoln sales ahead of Cadillac, who had to rush the Escalade into production to keep up. 2000, and Lincoln wins another Motor Trend COTY award with the stunning Lincoln LS, a BMW 5 series car at a 3 series price, obliterating the Catera with its wimpy styling and V6 engine. And while the current Town Car hasn't changed much in 17 years, I love the fact that it still bears a connection to the original 1961 Lincoln. Lincoln's problem right now is staid management who is worried about money, instead of out Cadillacing Cadillac like they did throughout the 50's 60's and 70's. The other problem is that perhaps Ford bit off more than they could chew by purchasing Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Volvo. And you can say what you want, but I think it says something for big comfy body on frame american sedans when the 18 year old Grand Marquis is STILL Mercury's best selling model, despite the new Milan and Montego. (the Milan based on the Fusion which was declared the 'most desirable mid-sized car' by JD Power). With all that being said, the new DTS is to DIE for, and I hope Lincoln gets new management that will go back to the old days of beating the pants off of Cadillac. Lincoln was also the first to offer the Lincoln BPS, a heavily fortified sedan with bullet resistant windows (6 inches thick!) and body armour which could resist grenade explosions. Cadillac quickly followed suit. Bottom line - both marquees are great with their ups and downs, and you can be proud no matter which one you drive. The performance is not THAT much worse with a Townie, they are only a second slower to 60 mph despite their 400 pound weight extra. (8.5 vs 7 to 7.5 depending on the tester). And Cadillac is FINALLY debating a long wheelbase DTS to keep up with Lincoln's long wheelbase Town Car L. Big cars are back BABY.