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Buick LaCrosse
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Comments
one excerpt-
"Lutz claims: This is the first car that is truly representative of what we want [Buick] to be again." To prove it, he provided a Lexus ES 330 for comparison. The Lacrosse CXS is notably quicker than the ES330 and about as quiet in terms of wind and road noise, but there's more engine noise in the Buick, and its ride is busier. Of course, the fact that any comparison can be drawn at all between a $23,500 to $29,000 Buick and the $32,000 to $39,000 Lexus is promising. Long live the czar!"
~alpha
Looks reasonable. 1997-2000 Regal GS used to make 0-60 in 6.5 if switched to the performance shift mode; starting from 2001 GM deleted the mode and the numbers dropped to about 7.2 sec. LaCrosse CXS will have much higher final gear ratio than Regal GS.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_- id=1596
~alpha
and
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosconsumer/0410/21/g03-308794.htm
Anywhay I would really like to ask people that are intrerested in this car, no to compare it to a 330. If you do, you will get the latter. The 330 has real wood, a navigation system, and Xenon lights. Also I have seen many around so I know its popular. The Lascrosse looks strange, I have yet to see it in person from from the photos it looks like an old-folks car. I hope you like that (it is probably intended for old folks, though).
The main thing is the interrior. The wood does not look convincing (i agree with Car and driver on this one) and it just seems underwhelming in general. A nav system looks like its missing from the dash aswell. And would the car look tons better if even the fake wood, was on the steering wheel too?
I really like the way the Park Avenue looks. I know the wood is fake, but the way they used it was perfect.
The engine and transmission shouldn't give you any problems though. GM is suually bulletproof in those areas (some 80's caddilac's not included lol).
I guess my real question is, what do you like about the car?
As for styling, I think the Lacrosse has a clean elegant classy appearance that is much more appealing to me then the ES330. At 25 years old, I hardly think I'm an old person either. I think the Lacrosse fills a nice void left by the Diamante and Millenia by offering an executive grade luxury car at a reasonable price.
The LaCrosse's rates should be based on the old Regal, which are very economical indeed. Just one factor to look at when considering a car purchase...but one that many do not.
But, well you can't say your at least a little disappointed by the lack of features for this car? I wonder, does it have stability control?
I'm not saying Xenon should be standard, but make both nav and xenon an option, you could attract more customers to the Buick name. Insurance would probably vary on differently equipped models.
So no one knows how those portholes work, eh?
Even though the Lexus is more expensive to purchase, the superior resale value reduces the cost to own. I would hope that eventually the LaCrosse resale value will be superior to the Regal, but it may take some time.
As for features, I'm not disappointed because I think the LaCrosse offers the features that are important to me. By the way, the CXS model does offer StabiliTrak.
Overall, it was just o.k. I think the overall build quality - in and out - is much better than the Regal GS. But there's really nothing striking about the car (versus the Regal GS, which, at least for the first few model years of its last incarnation, looked 'stealth' and 'young'.
But the car didn't get my me excited. Buick defnitely isn't going for a younger demographic like they (arguably) were targeting with the Regal GS. In fact, I spotted a couple senior citizens just positively *gushing* over the car. but the younger audience just wasn't into it.
-jbm
Lets put styling aside, shall we, for a moment?
The ES330 plus VSC, heated and ventilated seats, 6 CD changer, 17 inch alloys, Wood Steering Wheel and Trim, Power Rear Sunshade, Power Adj Pedals, Trunk Mat, Wheel Locks and Cargo Net:
MSRP including freight: $35,419
The LaCrosse CXS plus Stabilitrak, Power Passenger Seat, Heated Front Seats, Upgraded Sound System, Side Curtain Airbags, Power Sunroof, Chrome Appearance Pkg, Trunk Liner, and Carpet Savers
MSRP including freight: $32,840.
(I didnt add Nav or Adaptive suspension to the Lexus or Digital Radio to the LaCrosse to try and keep things even).
Considering that the Lexus has a longer warranty, better side impact protection, higher scoring dealer network, and resale value that will likely be about 20% higher as a percentage of MSRP than the LaCrosse's after 4 years, $2500 doesnt seem like too much of a premium.
~alpha
I would imagine that if you really wanted you could open the exhaust pretty easily to get some more power.
I love to find out the average buyer age of each, once the LaCrosse has been out a while.
My biggest caveat with the LaCrosse? The interior can't hold a candle to that of the Lexus.
And someone mentioned the Lexus' "worse MPGs"? The Lexus is rated at 20/29. The LaCrosse is rated WORSE with the 3.6L engine, at 19/28. (check the stats before making claims... always a safer practice)
Hey, Im not the one who started the ES330 comparison... wasnt that Lutz?
Dont get me wrong, I think the LaCrosse is a fine car. My point is that GM has priced it out of contention, IMO-- and chosen its competition not so wisely.
~alpha
There was a time when Malibu Maxxs were selling for 18-19k even though they stickered for 26k. I doubt the LaCrosse will be as heavily discounted, but if I can get a CXL for around 23k, I think thats a darn good bargain.
http://www.hyundai-motor.com/common/html/showroom/e_catalog/nfs01- - - /sonata.html
~alpha
My next car will most likely be an 05 or 06 Malibu Maxx. I was very impressed with that car's build quality and how nicely it drove, not to mention the huge amount of gizmos, limo stretch out room, and relative rarity. But I may look into the LaCrosse. It reminds me of a more modern version of my 03 Diamante.
Basically, you're saying that you expect the Sonata to be a better car, but since it makes you think Mainstream, and reminds you of the Accord, you wouldnt buy it.
Hey different strokes for different folks.
And I agree... the Malibu Maxx is impressive, and a great value. But not so much the interior styling with its spades of monotone.
Too bad you dont live in my area, Ingtonge, theres a dealership that has two brand new unsold 2002 Diamantes, before they mangled the front end. Both have less than 200 miles on the clock, I believe. Huge discounts, as they just keep sitting there, like most of Mitsus offerings. But thats kind of what happens when a vehicle hasnt changed since its intro as a 1997 model...
~alpha
As for my description of the LaCrosse as an executive class entry-lux car, maybe some more explanation is required. The "executive" class term was coined in the mid-90s for entry level luxury cars for aspiring new business men. Those cars included the Millenia, Diamante, 3.2TL, ES300, Catera etc. They are a step up from regular family sedans but not as luxurious as the true luxo cars like the 5 series, e class etc. The Accord/Camry/Altima/Sonata don't fit in this class and are considered mainstream family sedans. The LaCrosse wouldn't fit in the mainstream category and Buicks have always been gussied up Chevys so I think calling the LaCrosse an executive class car is justifiable.
Whether the Sonata will truly be a better car, I don't really know. But it is a mainstream family sedan and those bland style cars just don't interest me. Just like the Malibu sedan isn't on my list, only the Maxx.
That said, simply because a sedan is a mainstream sedan doesnt mean it is necessarily bland. The newly redesigned Camry SE/SE V6 looks great to me, as does the Altima in all trim lines, as well as the Mazda 6.
~alpha
W-bodies span Chevrolet to Buick. The difference between Century and base Impala, or between Regal LS and Impala LS, is more like as between different trims than different models. The main difference is Buick W-bodies of the same generation were available 3 years earlier.
My wife and I have 2000 Regal GS and we like it very much. However, we are doing all maintenance and repairs at Chevrolet dealer, avoiding like a plague the Buick dealership where we bought the car.
I also got sticker shock -over $30K, including charging $650 for ABS. I would think ABS would be standard on any Buick. Guess not.
My wife drove a CXS on Saturday. She wants a CXL. The salesman told her he had a CXL in stock, so we took a ride to the dealer. The salesman said he made a mistake. They are supposed to have a CXL in this week.
I did not drive the car, but my wife thought it was too hard a ride for her. She currently drives a 98 Regal LS, and she says she can feel every bump in the CXS. I think the interior is an improvement over the Regal.
I guess they wanted a stripped base though.
Anyway, this silver CXL was cleaned up and looked pretty sharp. Had a black leather interior. I liked the exterior design, though it is certainly evolutionary, not revolutionary, and that's probably just fine with many Buick customers. I certainly like it much better than the Regal it replaces.
The inside is definitely a step up from any other GM midsize car. The doors are very well damped like a european luxury car and the car seemed very quiet with the doors closed, like a tomb.
A sea of fake wood inside, chrome outside: handles on CX and even more chrome on CXS. Reminds me Russian cars of my childhood: late 50-ths, early 60-ths. Except a real wood was used then. Feels very dated.
BTW, the protruding handles were banned later: they are not safe for pedestrians, many accidents happened, especially in big cities.
My wife is only 43 and she does not remember the old cars. She compares LaCrosse with 1996 Ford Taurus for the general round shape.
We decided to buy a 2004 Buick Regal instead. Very few are left over, and we had to buy it in NY City.
Thanks.