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From 96 to 2005 I would hope they could learn how to make something better almost 10 years later.
Altima's interior is revised for 2005.
I had a hunch they would show this vehicle off in LaCrosse WI at some point.
With the nice new engine and much better interior I think one might be able to propose the new Lacrosse being the best from GM as far as cars go.
"Approaching 4000 lbs with AWD, it'll only have 3L and 200hp/200lbs-ft to propel it. Not a good move. Why can't Ford at least add VVT from the Mazda 6 or Jag S/X type?"
Ford doesnt want to increase the 200hp because next year it will introduce the duratec 35, it is kind of like unneeded money spent for just one year. The CVT trans and high gearing tho should make 0-60 times respectable, or at least that is the general consinscous from the media is.
Thankfully, the new Buick LaCrosse appears to have both nice materials and attractive styling. Let's hope this sets the standard for future GM vehicles.
Tahoe interior:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/- VEHICLE/2003/Chevrolet/100094062/024831-E.jpg
Pathfinder Armada interior:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/- VEHICLE/2004/Nissan/100245244/022731-E.jpg
What car are you referring to??
Interesting.
I won't lie, I don't care for many GM interiors as well as many other makes/models. However, I still am not attracted to the new Altimas interior or any other Nissan product to be honest. What's up with the G35? Why does the Murano get real aluminum while the G35s get metalliplastic? Yet Infiniti is supposed to be the premium brand. I do like the FX's interior though. The Murano's would pass if it weren't for those 3 gauge pod thingies. I guess since the Altima's interior has been refreshed, you guys are gonna argue it into the ground.
Tennis claims that this is GM first real effort into the segment which is an utter lie. Everyone who knows how to read should remember that oldsmobile was supposed to be GMs inport fighting brand and their first entry was the Intrigue which was acclaimed by the media and and continuously rated better than any other domestic and the Camry. It only lost to the Accord/Passat which were also new at the time. If Olds were still around, the next Intrigue would probably be a trendier version of the LaCrosse, perhaps with a more trendy interior (read: metalliplastic).
Some you seem to forget that Buick cannot just forget about their current customers. Do you think that the average current Century wants an interior with fake metallicplastic panels all over the place? I think not.
Then I could have found some GM lackey there to ask why there has been only one decent v6 ever in GM's history and they killed the two cars that had it (the Aurora and Introgg). I would ask him why it's 2k5 and just now GM is putting it back in ONE fwd middle class segment car.
All GM interiors look bad and are cheap? Does that apply to the STS, the malibu, the lesabre, the park ave, Grand Prix, rendevous, the GTO, XLR, CTS, the Alero/Intrigue? To the contrary, most of the press praised GM's ergonomics and layouts but trashed their material selection. Once again people are talking about all of GM's models that are at the end of their life cycles while comparing them to the current import competition. Besides those days are over, I saw the cobalt at the auto show and I can assure you its interior is classier than anything else in the segment. It makes the civic's interior look about 10 years old.
football:
This is GM's first decent V6 in history? The 3400, 3500,3800, 3800 SC, 3.2L DOHC, and the 3.5L werent decent engines. This engine is not the same as the same as the 3.5L that was based on the northstar. What are you talking about? This is a completely new 60 degree design. You are so confused. Why are you in this topic? Go talk about Fords and Nissans in topics that are related to those brands. Also, the taurus everyone is comparing the Lacrosse to is not the '96 model, it's the current model which came out in 2000. You of all people should know that. The '96-'99 taurus looks nothing like the lacrosse or anything else. Why do you spend so much of your valuable time talking about a company you hate?
The current altima interior looks cheap and is cheap. The '05 is better but its basically a bunch of satin nikel placed over a cheap interior. I am so sick of fake metal in cars and all the imports are obsessed with it. The new galant interior is a prime example and now the altima has joined up. There is no way in hell the '02-'04 altima's interior was better designed or better feeling than the Grand Prix, Intrigue, Alero, etc and it was not as nice as the '04 malibu that just hit the market. Give me a break. On top of that it has that terrible, cheesy orange back lighting. The lacrosse has a more luxurious interior than the '04 or '05 Altima if you ask me. Not to mention the fact that its better looking on the outside.
Nissan's aren't selling. They're too new. and its not like anyone's going to buy a nissan over a toyota. only few will do that. On the other hand, GM's Impala, which happens to have a much worse interior than the Altima happens to be a better-seller than the Altima. GM will re-invent the interior. Yeah, and the fleet people like it...which they don't like Altimas. The Buick LaCrosse looks nice. What do you want them to do, copy a Nissan's interior, and get into a lawsuit. Go and buy your Nissan, GM haters, but the GM lovers will go back at you, because we like GM. Gm messed up, no doubt about it, but don't complain that you want some Chevrolet Altima riding on the road... no way. GM is GM and Nissan is Nissan.
"Then I could have found some GM lackey there to ask why there has been only one decent v6 ever in GM's history and they killed the two cars that had it (the Aurora and Introgg). I would ask him why it's 2k5 and just now GM is putting it back in ONE fwd middle class segment car. "
What about that 240 hp V-6 engine in the LaCrosse?
What about the 255 hp V-6 in the CTS?
What about the 240 in the Regal?
Huh, what about those engines, what do you want, a 315 hp V-8 engine burning tons of gas...oh no!
The point is, Gm had its bad times, and boy did Nissan have its bad times. Remember the 90s? Remember those dumpster cars Nissan brought you? The 90's Altima, with the cheasy interior. The Maxima, with the weird shaped everything. 'Any car like it:0'-Nissan on the Nissan Maxima during the 90s.
Oh give me a break. Nissan said that because nobody would want to build such an ugly car like that. Nissan & GM both had their bad times (mostly Nissan, though).......anyone remember Datsun. Oh, don't get me started!
Nissan's aren't selling. They're too new. and its not like anyone's going to buy a nissan over a toyota. only few will do that. On the other hand, GM's Impala, which happens to have a much worse interior than the Altima happens to be a better-seller than the Altima. GM will re-invent the interior. Yeah, and the fleet people like it...which they don't like Altimas. The Buick LaCrosse looks nice. What do you want them to do, copy a Nissan's interior, and get into a lawsuit. Go and buy your Nissan, GM haters, but the GM lovers will go back at you, because we like GM. Gm messed up, no doubt about it, but don't complain that you want some Chevrolet Altima riding on the road... no way. GM is GM and Nissan is Nissan.
"Then I could have found some GM lackey there to ask why there has been only one decent v6 ever in GM's history and they killed the two cars that had it (the Aurora and Introgg). I would ask him why it's 2k5 and just now GM is putting it back in ONE fwd middle class segment car. "
What about that 240 hp V-6 engine in the LaCrosse?
What about the 255 hp V-6 in the CTS?
What about the 240 in the Regal?
Huh, what about those engines, what do you want, a 315 hp V-8 engine burning tons of gas...oh no!
The point is, Gm had its bad times, and boy did Nissan have its bad times. Remember the 90s? Remember those dumpster cars Nissan brought you? The 90's Altima, with the cheasy interior. The Maxima, with the weird shaped everything. 'Any car like it:0'-Nissan on the Nissan Maxima during the 90s.
Oh give me a break. Nissan said that because nobody would want to build such an ugly car like that. Nissan & GM both had their bad times (mostly Nissan, though).......anyone remember Datsun. Oh, don't get me started!
Besides, we have a forum here at Edmunds to discuss toasters. I believe it is called the Honda Accord forum!
BUICK LACROSSE!
Football
It never fails. You have not yet once defended any of your points because quite frankly, they are all fabricated. I will ask you once again, what do you even like? I've asked you about five times and you have yet to respond.
I am by no means a Nissan lover/GM hater. I merely used Nissan as an example of an automaker with stylish interiors marred by poor materials. I do not want GM to copy Nissan, but I do want them to produce something stylish and, unlike recent Nissans, well made. The new LaCrosse seems to fit the bill.
wsag26: Nissans are selling well. They have seen sales and profits soar in the past few years. Judging by Altima sales, I'd say there are alot of people buying a Nissan over a Toyota. I know I'd certainly take an Altima over a dull, misshapen, snoozemobile Camry, cheap interior notwithstanding.
To everyone else:
Ahh, I'm not gonna put up this fight anymore. I actually have grown to like the LaCrosse for its interior and 3.6L. Would I buy one? Probably not because Buicks still seem old to me. But for Buick's first real entry into this segment, kudos to them!
But they did anyway, lowering Olds' average age a bunch.
Problem was they alienated their older buyers and sales never got above 90,000.
BZ4: You're right on the Intrigue. I just don't know how successful Buick (and the LaCrosse) will be strattling the fence. Remember, that's what Olds tried to do for a decade before they went "import style." I do agree the LaCrosse is a solid start, however.
- Bret
The Lesabre came out in 1999, the Intrigue came out in 1997, the Alero in 1998. Could that be the reason why their interiors looks a little dated? I dont think their interiors look dated when compared to the camrys and accords of the day. Again, the issue with the Olds cars was really the material quality, not the layout or design.
The rendevous has a nice interior in my opinion and most of the press has agreed. The press has also been favorable in regards to the Rainer's interior which is only slightly different from the other midsize utes.
What happened to football?
1487: The LeSabre, Intrigue, and Alero interiors came out around the same time as Chrysler's LH cars. I think the Intrepid, Concorde, and 300M/LHS interiors have aged better than their GM counterparts. All I can remember about press reaction to the Rendezvous are complaints about illegible gauges. I could be wrong, but I don't think the press reviews were overwhelmingly positive regarding the interior.
Theo: It does look better in black doesn't it? There's still something about Buick's c-pillars I don't like, I just can't figure it out...
1487: I think you're looking at this with rose-colored glasses. The late 90's Olds interiors, while generally praised for being more modern, were knocked for their hard shiny plastic and generic parts bin GM pieces, even in comparison with cars of the time. The Rendezvous has never been felt to have a premium interior and most reviews of the Ranier have faulted GM with not doing as much as they should for the vehicle's cost. Just to make sure, I reread reviews at this site and others for all those models. I understand your defensiveness, but many of us have been reading critique of domestic interiors for years and years and only now are they taking it seriously. Give people a little latitude to say, "I told you so" to the US makers. Lutz, of all people, had a quote in the mid 90's when asked about the newly lavish VW interiors that only car magazine reviewers noticed or cared about that stuff, not consumers. Boy, has he come around 180 degrees. But his willingness to change his mind is one of the things that makes him a great exec...
-Bret
it's a perfect addition for Buick's lineup, the interior is nice and the exterior is bolder than competitors. The exterior chrome adds to the upscale look. OnStar, Rear Parking Assist makes this a solid choice for customers looking for a mid-lux car.
The only thing I don't like it that there is no (so far) OPTIONAL navagation system, which I think it important for competiton. The interior is so nice and needs a nav. system. It would add to the feature list, will GM ADD ONE??
I hope, GM adds a nav. system to Lacrosse.
I think pricing for a CXS model equipped will be around $32,800??
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Of course if Buick keeps up selling this style of car it will be killed off like Olds. You want your customer base to grow up with the brand, not die with it.
Lutz could do a lot worse than pick Lexus as a benchmark.
Stay tuned.
But I digress.
The LaCrosse looks like a good effort to me, and the 240hp engine in the CXS model is appealing. I'm very interested to see a comparo of the Ford 500/Mercury Montego, LaCrosse CXS, the next Avalon XLS, a Maxima SL, Amanti, and finally... a 300 Limited.
My only contentions with your post are with your statements regarding a 5 speed auto - nice to have if they downshift promptly, but several mfrs have had issues engineering a good one- and your comments on the seats- who cares whether or not they LOOK comfortable? As long as they aesthetically LOOK good, and are comfortable, I couldnt care less if they APPEAR flat and unsupportive.
~alpha
Personally, as a 39 yr old father of two, neither of those vehicles would be practical for me, I'd want something bigger & more safety oriented. Unfortunately the pricing of bigger more safety focused sedan is not attractive and that was a factor in my decison to instead purchase an SUV (MDX)...
Despite the intrest in sedan by the automotive press among my peers only single guys drive sedan.
~alpha
First of all, I am NOT a GM-basher, not that any of you accused me of that, not a chance.
My basic problem (and, if it'd help matters any, I do own a TON of GM stock, ouch, so I AM sincere) is that I still resent GM ditching Olds and keeping Buick. I grew up around Olds after Olds after Olds.....
Buick is too close to Caddy. And, mark my words, Saturn will (sooner rather than later) fill the void left by Olds, like it or not.
My other (justified) issue is the age thing. OK, I'm in my mid-40s. According to some (ex) members, I'm the target market. Let's talk biology. Some of my closest friends went through the "mid-life crisis" thing nearly 10 years ago. Some are going through it now. I'm out of it by a year or two.
I'll admit the LC is not that bad. But do I want one? No thanks. Would neighbors of mine (remember, this is retiree central down here, and no, the LeSabre might sell in other parts of the country, but down here, it's Grand "Muckie Mucks", Town Cars and Camrys), who happen to own a '98 Century, want a new LC? Likely not. Too pricey, I'll bet. So what will they do? They LOVE GM products. Buy a Malibu LS sedan. That's my best guess. Either that or a Grand Prix GT1.
Hopefully, you see my sincerity. I'm just not impressed with the LC. In truth, maybe Buick should have cloned a Malibu (to replace the Century) and then let the LC cater to the higher-end folks (NOT in their mid-40s).
Now, was that a fair post, or not?
Yeah, right.
IMHO, the LC is too little, too late.
But, the market will decide, as it always does...
If Saturn slots into the Olds spot, it'll become too generic, rather than distinctive.
By the way, the problem in this board, is not all me (and never was). Just look at Post #373. Unfair, and obnoxious. Yes, Buick has a glorious history. Before the Olds bit started, when Dad was my age, it was a new Buick a year. Then the Cutlass rage hit. So, it became a new Cutlass every 3 or 4 years. Mom never bought into it, and insisted on a new Chrysler Town & Country wagon every 3 or 4 years.
How they afforded it, I'll never know. Both of them are gone too.
I didn't want Olds to go, and I don't want Buick to go, and I don't want Saturn to go. Happy?