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Buick LaCrosse
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Mercury is NOT EVEN marketed at ALL in Canada....
Kind of dumb in my eye as Ford builds the Monterey vans here and then exports them all out.
Drove a base model. Quite a nice car, overall. Solid platform, very quiet, good drivetrain, decent suspension. The back seat offers too little legroom in my opinion but not awful.
Shortcomings are all Marketing's fault. MSRP is not reasonable forcing buyers to negotiate. Base content is marginal and option list is long and pricey. Drivetrain warranty is unacceptable (3yr/36K). All the good stuff is confined to the highest priced model.
The 2005 Avalon will prove a tough competitor for the CXS. As they are currently marketed the CX and CXL don't offer enough to get folks out of their Accords and Camrys.
I think the CX/CXL models compete very well with the camry and accord. It is just the right size. I like the front fold/flip seat and comfortable armrest. The remote start has been great. I linked the onstar phone to my verizon family plan. The steering wheel controls are nice. The ABS and traction control are fine for the recent snowfalls here in the northeast. Overall a VERY comfortable quiet car. I have the dark grey with the aluminium wheels.
It looks and drives great. I'm glad I have the 3.8 engine. I plan on putting 25,000 miles a year on the car. A proven engine is a plus to me. High tech or not.
So far it has enough power, but the gas mileage is only 23 mpg. I'm hoping it gets better. I like the heavy feel of the car, it handles well though. I wanted the buick soft ride and comfort. The interior is very well done. It is tasteful and solid.
I paid $23,500 for a well equipped CX model. With features you can't get from other brands. I think this model is fantastic for the price.
I'm 34 and like the tradiontal american highway car. I guess thirty somethings use the SUV now.
I wouldn't wan't anyone to sit in the middle of my front split bench seat though. But it makes a great storage bin and armrest.
First, this is not a car for short people, and it has nothing to do with seat height. The problem is that the driver's seat cushion is very deep front to back. As a result, the front edge of the seat cushion was directly beneath the fold of my knees. And the front edge of the seat cushion was stiff and was pressing into my legs without mercy.
The seatback is also quite stiff and bulbous and pressed into my lower back uncomfortably. I'm not talking about the lumbar area in the seatback, which is adjustable, but the area just above it, which is not.
The gas pedal and left footrest are too vertical. The gas pedal is also considerably farther away than the brake pedal, so when the brake pedal is the right distance from you, the gas pedal will be a stretch. The spring on the gas pedal is also heavy.
Maybe because of the spring, or because of the final drive ratio in the transmission, the car just doesn't seem to want to stay at highway speed. I was trying to maintain 75 or 80 MPH, and the car just seemed to be fighting me. I haven't felt this sort of resistance since driving some 4 cylinder cars with 3-speed automatics years ago. Also, there was a noticeable lag between punching the pedal and downshifting at highway speeds -- but not as bad as in the Lexus ES330. Overall, I think a long drive in this car could be very fatiguing.
On the positive side, the fit and finish are very good, the controls are easily deciphered and reachable and the car is fairly quiet (but certainly not silent).
The next candidate will be an Avalon.
As to the Lexus/Regal comparison [2 years ago!], I stand by my findings. A 'jewel box' to look at, for sure, but the ES330 I drove fell short of the Regal, nonetheless.
Suggestion to Buick - sell loaded LaCrosses at substantial discount until such time as people are willing to acknowledge their quality and then you can try to get Lexus money for them.
I can't imagine the 3800 not having enough (more than enough) power to keep that car at 80. It keeps my heavier LeSabre at 80 easily!!! and it weighs 300 pounds more approx.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I've taken extended test drives in a number of cars now and haven't experienced what felt like engine braking in anything else, at least not in recent years. The LaCrosse model I tested was a CXS, which has a 3.6L engine, not the 3800. And again, maybe it was just the stiff spring under the accelerator. With a heavy spring, a car will slow down noticeably as soon as the driver's foot is removed.
As for dispencer1's suggestion about cruise control: I've had cars with it for a long time now but never could get used to the feeling of not being in control of the car. I almost never use it and doubt that will change. Besides, the highways around here (southeastern PA) are too crowded for there to be much chance to use it.
For those thinking about a Lacrosse, we absolutely love the car. We only have around 600 miles on it, but it has been superb.
i do think loaded LaCrosses will sell at substantial discounts - just don't think the market place will ever acknowledge the lacrosse as an impact car. more like a yawn.
though cars such as the malibu, G6 and lacrosse are much improved over their replacements, i feel they're still falling behind the competition. and it's not just from japan but from ford and chrysler/dodge too.
then there's the new passat coming out this fall. there's a car that hits the lacrosse's price range. i just don't see the lacrosse having many conquest sales.
the corvette and the cadillac line are doing very well and it looks like saturn has some very interesting models coming out. i liked the aura anyway.
Please let us know about the miles-per-gallon that you are getting. Consumer Reports magazine stated that they did not get very good mpg from their tested CXL. I know that LeSabres with the same engine are getting 30-32 on the highway. Again, please let us know how the car is doing as the miles add up. Also, have you noticed the rapid deceleration when you let up on the accelerator at highway speeds?
Please advise dealer name and location that gave $5500 off MSRP.
As for the ES330 comparos, well in top form the Lacrosse is right there in terms of price but I think GM is aiming to sell a lot more of the CX and CXL models with the 3800.
My Malibu and Avalanche do.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
and the Lexus is a loaded Camry...
But who cares ! Drive what you like !
I'll bet the Lacrosse had RDS, but GM literature does not always have it listed. It was no listed on our Montana info, but it has it.
Regarding equipment on the base CX, how bout ABS, side curtain airbags, steering wheel audio controls, alloy wheels and a split folding rear seat? The CX isnt necessarily missing a lot, its more the price point that poses an issue- add the items just mentioned (except for chest protection side airbags and steering wheel audio control), and the tally is $25,115. Thats without moonroof, leather, Driver Information Center...none of the fancy stuff.
Finally, Consumer Reports achieved 30MPG on the 3.8L LaCrosse they tested, and 18 overall.
~alpha
GM sticker prices are way out of wack. They even just lowered sticker prices on some of their SUVs - Trailblazer....
I really like the LaCrosse, but think the Avalon may be better - I have not driven one yet. On paper it looks like like the Avalon wins.
Looking at the 2 cars, the LaCrosse clearly wins over the Avalon. Avalon is a bigger car though.
~alpha
you guys (and gals) just kill me. the avalon is not my type of tea but it looks like toyota really has a winner here.
GM had some dismal sales numbers last month - and this with the G6, LaCrosse and Cobalt coming onto the market. they're all high volume cars too.
it looks like GM has its work cut out for them to just maintain the sales with these new models they had with the Grand AM, Century, Regal and Cavalier.
i'm sure it's the consumer's fault for not knowing any better though.
~alpha
The April 2004 Consumer Reports said the the 2004 Regal was the most reliable family sedan in the world. Why GM Marketing did not jump all over this is beyond me. The LaCrosse is built in the same plant in Canada where the Regal was built, and I expect excellent reliability. The GM 3800 engine has had none of the sludge problems that the Lexus/Toyota engines have had. I recommend that people drive both the ES330 and the LaCrosse, and make their own decision.
I have not driven the new Avalon, so I do not know if the transmission is any better.
These cars are NOT in the same class in term of price or size. Why my post amuses you so is unknown.
I saw one today in our neighborhood. Looks like an Altima on steroids. Shows Camry heritage.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
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twenty-seven to thirty-four thousand dollars. Can't get buy with anything here. Just like home!
Note the hyphens for all my critics, grin...
Isn't that about the price range for the LaCrosse? Lucerne?
Has anyone compared the room inside with Camry? It looked like only the hiproom was improved. That would come from the bloated, whale-like door shape.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,