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Why This Business Insider Video About Limos Has More Red Flags Than a Matador Convention


Hating on Limos Right Out of the Gate


This video about limos throws up more red flags than a matador convention. Right from the start, the narrator’s calling limos “icky” and “gaudy,” like they’ve already decided limos are the tackiest ride since the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. That’s some loaded language right there, setting a tone that feels more like a roast than a report. It makes you wonder if the goal is unbiased reporting or a limo takedown.



But here’s the thing: limos have a steady fanbase, and they’re far from obsolete. Just ask Isaiah Bradford in Odessa, Texas. He says his four limos are always in demand, that his business is alive and well. For him, it’s all about having the right vehicles and knowing his audience, a market that still sees the value in the VIP experience.


The Fear Factor: Highlighting Tragedy Without Context


Then, to keep the anti-limo party going, the video drops a couple of tragic limo accident stories, like the California fire in 2013 and the New York crash in 2018. Terrible events? Absolutely. But if your only evidence that limos are a bad idea is a few worst-case scenarios, that’s like saying we should all cancel air travel because of turbulence. They skip over the progress the industry has made in safety standards and don’t mention that regulations were tightened to prevent these incidents. Nope, just a sprinkle of fear-mongering to keep you clutching your Uber app.



Deanna Ballard from Santa Fe, New Mexico, didn’t hold back in her reaction. She thought it was “the least positive report I’ve ever seen,” questioning why Business Insider seems so focused on criticizing the modern limo industry. Deanna’s perspective? Limos are evolving, and it’s not as bleak as the video wants you to think.


The Assumption Game: Quiet Luxury is Apparently Universal Now




Then there’s the kicker: the narrator’s breezy “We don’t want them anymore” line. Oh, so we’re all apparently in agreement that limos have gone the way of flip phones and fanny packs? Who decided that? The video throws out “quiet luxury is trending” like it’s a universal truth. Sure, subtlety is in style, but it’s a stretch to say all limo fans are lining up to swap their stretch limo for an Escalade.




The reality is a bit more complicated. Some still see limos as the ultimate VIP vibe, like Barry-Sweaty’s son and his friends, who had the best birthday ever in a limo to the trampoline park. For kids and adults alike, limos still bring a level of excitement and status that’s hard to replace. Clearly, plenty of people still think limos are cool, even if Business Insider missed the memo.


Ignoring the Actual Reasons Limos Are Still Around



What really grinds my gears is how they skip over why limos are still a thing. Instead, they sum up the industry’s evolution with, “Well, Uber’s here now, so who needs a limo?” That’s like saying, “Hey, we’ve got coffee now, so who needs champagne?” Different rides for different needs, my friend. Ride-sharing might handle quick trips to the airport, but limos are still the go-to for big nights out, weddings, proms, and events where a dozen friends want to arrive in style.

And Terri Vilardi from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, sees it too. She jokingly suggested, “Uber or Lyft must’ve sponsored this video.” She’s not alone in feeling that the video treats limos like outdated relics, instead of recognizing the niche they still fill. And it’s true: in the right markets, limos remain a go-to for people who want a little extra sparkle in their ride.


The Comment Section Roast: Vocal Fry and Limo Nostalgia Unite



And don’t even get me started on the comment section. If this video accomplished one thing, it’s bringing together a support group for people who loathe vocal fry. Viewers are practically begging for a new narrator. One commenter even said they’d rather get their ears “deep-fried” than listen to another second.


But the comments don’t stop there. They’re filled with viewers who feel that SUVs, Suburbans, and party buses may have claimed the “new limo” title, but there’s a loyal crowd still rooting for the classic stretch. From ’90s Cadillacs to memories of prom rides, people are clearly nostalgic for the limo’s heyday. Some see the rise of black SUVs and Sprinter vans as a trend, but others are betting that limos aren’t going out that easy.


Conclusion: If This Video Were a Person…


So, yeah, if this video were a person, it would definitely have an agenda—and probably be rocking a T-shirt that says, “Limos Suck.” It’s got a case of overkill that doesn’t just dismiss limos; it takes a baseball bat to them and leaves them for dead. But here’s the thing: as long as there’s a kid flipping out over his birthday limo ride, and business owners like Isaiah, Deanna, and Terri are keeping their fleets busy, limos aren’t going anywhere.



So, if you’re ever feeling like a VIP—or just need a backseat big enough for your ego—give the old limo a call. Because it’s not going out without a fight, and it just might be cooler than you think.



Parallel Lines
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