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Buick LaCrosse
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Comments
As for the looks, I see some Taurus, some Jag and some Buick in it. It's ok, not spectacular. The inside of the car is much better than yurakm suggests though.
I did like the interior of La Crosse on pictures. After seeing it in reality on dealer lot (through window), I was disappointed by the plastic "wood". So much that I did not want even to test drive it.
This is not an abstract discussion for me. I am replacing my 98 Malibu currently. My wife and I expect to drive the new car the next 10 years or so, and we do not like to be unhappy with the car every day for so long.
We decided instead to buy an ex-demo 2004 Regal. Already signed all preliminary papers, and will receive it next week, November 30, 2004.
The 3.6L VVT engine is very nice. Punch the gas and the car scoots to 90 real quick. The car is very quite on the highway.
In comparison, I drove the Pontiac G6 with a 3.5L on the exact same route. The G6 has much higher road noise and the engine never has the power it needs. The Buick CXS brakes and steering were much better, although with more body lean.
The main selling points of the Buick LaCrosse CXS are the 3.6L engine and the hushness of the cabin.
Figuring in a $2k cash back and invoice - $25k, not a bad deal. However, if the Ford 500 could get an engine like the 3.6L VVT, then the 500 would be my first choice.
However, a used Cadillac CTS with the 3.6 might be a good compromise.
The LaCrosse is the only Buick sedan I would buy. IMO, the 3.8L is just too old and not worth consideration.
But, thats with no options, correct? The MSRP on the CXS is $29K.... I'd definitely add Stabilitrak and Side Curtain airbags.
~alpha
Currently there is a $1k cashback. I really think in 6 months this will be $2k. This car is over priced by at least $2k. I may be speculating, but if there is $1k out of the gate, then $2k is going to happen.
I would never pay $30k for this car, $26k maybe.
If I had to pay $30k, I would get the new 2006 Avalon when dealers start dickering in late 2005.
Thanks.
It seems to me that GM built incentives into the pricing of this vehicle- compared to similar competitors, I agree that it seems at least $2000 overpriced. Sure, they will probably offset added incentive spending by increases at MSRP, but I dont think that by the time an additional $1000 rebate rolls around (to $2000 total), that the MSRP will be up $1000.
GM started this whole thing, and now it seems they cant get out of the trap. Its a shame. Take a look at cars like Toyota's Camry. Now in its 4th model year, and nationwide, incentives range from $500 to $1000 cash OR low but not zero % financing options. And Honda's Accord only offers incentives at MY end, in its 3rd year.
Very interesting piece on incentives, by Jed Connelly, Nissan's Senior VP of Sales and Marketing
“Much Ado About Nothing Down – The Hidden Costs of Incentive Marketing”
http://www.nissannews.com
(Sorry, I cant post a direct link- to view the article, click on Corporate>Speeches>2004 Speeches>2004 California Auto Show Keynote Address [Oct. 27, 04])
~alpha
The LaCrosse could never be an executive's car with that small of a back seat. At least in a Camry you can put 2 adults in the back seat.
I would need to drive one as I am always suspect of Buick "handling" but if it's similar to my Intrigue I could see buying one to replace it in a couple of years.
Had considered and tested Honda Accord V6, Toyota Camry, Volvo S40 and S60. Allure met and exceeded all comers. Being made in GM Oshawa plant also a plus as it is second best plant inworld for quality of build. Also had great dealer support in Toronto with 2 test drives, both without sales rep on board and second drive lasting over an hour. Even had totop up the tank!
Allure looks great(more like a Jag than anything else), rides great, handles great, and easy to park with excellent viz fore, aft,and to sides. Interior is indeed extremely quiet, seats are comfortable and secure in hi G turns and fit and finish is super - indeed Lexus level all round. Being quite tall, the telescoping steering wheel is much welcomed.
Is there a drawback? Only one is the mandatory OnStar in the base price - but that was more than offset by a very fair discount off MSRP - about 9%. What with a RIM Blackberry at hand and CMA Plus membership, I doubt OnStar will get much use, if any.
Can't wait to turn in my '98 Buick Regal a week from now. I expect within a year the LaCrosse/Allure will rank ahead of Accord and Camry in Edmond's user ratings. One last hope is that GM doesn't destroy resale value on this Buick by discounting it to fleet sales and car rental companies in the USA. Like Lexus, Buick will need to learn how to protect and preserve resale value of this most comparable car. Bob Lutz, are you listening?
If so, how good did it sound?
I also hope GM does not dump this car into fleets. My GP resale has been hurt by this I'm sure. I think GM should give the rental companies and fleets Malibu Classics and Impalas.
Couldn't GM find a better name for the car? Lacrosse sounds too French.
;-)
Congrats coopergerry! I used to work not far from there back in the early 90's (Eglinton and Laird). I had my car serviced there once or twice.
Let us know how you like the car.
I am thinking of buying one(I have $3000 Gm points) but dread the rigmorale of bargaining.It's a shame that Costco does not sell cars in Canada like in the US.
You pay a little and get the invoice cost and go from there. At least you know where a dealer can go.
http://www.buick.com/lacrosse/features/
go to the Wheels section, and click on links to pop-up pictures. According to the pictures, the chrome wheels have the same shape as non-chrome ones of the same size.
The engine and suspension are excellent. The interior is OK but not especially noteworthy. The level of quietness and serenity which I was expecting to be extremely high after reading and hearing all the ballyhoo about it was not especially good. Disappointing. Did not sound as quiet as the Lexus ES 330. As for the Concert Sound III system for which GM wants another C$1,030, this was absolutely the WORST sound system I have ever heard in a car. The radio reception was terrible, the sound quality from the speakers was abysmal: tinny highs, muddy mid-ranges and shallow lows, very poor musicality. Typical Delphi paper cone crap speakers, just plain junk. Buick ought to be ashamed to put such a low-end system in this car, after having had the excellent Monsoon system in the previous Regal GS and in view of competition such as the profoundly excellent ELS 5.1 surround sound system which comes standard on the similarly priced Acura TL.
Despite the fanfare, I would have to conclude that GM is still not serious about producing world class automobiles in this sector (with the exception of the new Malibu). While the driving dynamics of the LaCrosse are commendable, vault-like quietness is absent and the sound system is expecially disappointing. If you are an audiophile and you buy this car, plan on replacing the speakers with good quality after-market ones. The poor radio reception is more difficult to correct. Of course, the OnStar system was present in all its glory, augering out another monthly fee for GM if you are sufficiently absent-minded as to forget your cell phone. By all means, allocate the resources to the intrusive and obligatory OnStar while giving potential buyers a crap sound system.
Here's the interior noise in db:
Avalon 66.4
LaCrosse 65.9
300 67.6
500 69.6
I don't know but have the same question. The local Buick dealer doesn't know (or at least he won't say). Please e-mail me at"mickbonw3@charter.net" when you find out. I was thinking of replacing just the speakers with Boston Acoustics. That should be all that's necessary.
It could be a problem with your car (or ears?)... I dunno, I am not a Buick or GM fan, but that just doesn't make sense.
This car's frontend looks like a Jaguar with a Dodge Neon backend...and for a $30K car, why doesn't it was a lockable fuel door...sheesh, $12K Daewoos have these standard. Nobody siphons gas or pour sugar into the tank anymore?
By the way, it's "priggly," not "ziggly."