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Last Electra convertible was 1970. For 1971-75, if you wanted a big Buick convertible, they still offered the LeSabre or, from 1971-73, the Centurion, which was a mid-level model that replaced the old Wildcat.
The LeSabre/Centurion were similar to the Electra though, just on a 3" shorter wheelbase (124" versus 127") and shorter overall (around 221" versus 226")
Once they started with the 5mph bumpers, I think the LeSabre bulked up to around 226", while the Electra were around 233"...I think they were actually marginally longer than the Cadillac DeVilles!
I think the '71-73 Buicks were really handsome cars. Big, but smooth and cleanly styled, almost sporty for a car that size.
Clever idea!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The '66 is similar. Here is Ann Miller's former '66 Fleetwood Brougham. What a magnificent automobile.
http://www.leftcoastclassics.com/1966-cadillac-fleetwood/
His was a hardtop coupe. As a kid in the back seat, what fascinated me was that it was B-pillarless.
He owned that V8 through both OPEC oil crisis, though, ouch. I think that's why, to this day, I've always tended towards the more efficient cars that do what I need.
1. They pretty much looked to be the same size, height, width...
2. The taillamps on the Cruze look very similar to the Elantra
3. Maybe it was because they were both the came color but it looked as though the back window and surrounding pillars were exactly the same, the entire green house really
4. The Cruze has one big-a nose on it - I couldn't help but think "A-cha-cha-cha-cha" (can't think of the actor's name). It almost looks as though Chevy is following Dodge's theme and sticking the truck / CUV nose on EVERYTHING.
5. Based on the external size of each I asked myself why would I buy the Malibu when the Cruze looks just a big / slightly bigger?
Admittedly I did catch up to the Cruze, got a good look at it from the driver side and it appeared bulkier but smaller interior-wise, so maybe the Malibu is bigger? The driver looked kind of on the heavy-side so maybe theat swayed the picture. But I sat in a Malibu a few times and it didn't seem all the big to me. Maybe the way the packaging is laid out and used.
Overall I was mixed on them. I were in the market for that size of vehicle I not sure if I would consider looking at either but there is definitely shared DNA between them.
But by the why the guy was driving the Cruze I don't think it's long for this world.
Jimmy Durante
The Malibu is one of those cars that's on the low end of the midsized spectrum. According to the EPA, it has 95 cubic feet of interior space and a 16 cubic foot trunk. The Cruze, which is marketed as a compact, has 94 cubic feet of interior space and a 16 cubic foot trunk. For the record the EPA defines a midsized car as a sedan or coupe having between 110-120 cubic feet of combined passenger and trunk space. They use a different standard for wagons, and they might for hatchbacks, as well.
I believe the Cruze has slightly more shoulder room, especially in the back, and a bit more headroom than the Malibu, and sits up a bit higher, where the Malibu has more legroom, and has a somewhat lower seating position. If you have long legs, the Malibu might be the better choice. I've sat in both, and found them both to be decent, but preferred the front legroom of the Malibu, plus the seats seemed a bit bigger and plusher.
These "compacts" are just as big as mid-sizers used to be.
I have a feeling the Malibu would have more leg room, primarily. That size class is approaching "full-size".
Anyway, my mom had a 5th A and when she spun it in the rain after applying the brakes fast (no accident but white-knuckle event), she sold it and got the POS Caddy FWBDE! :lemon:
Regards,
OW
I don't think GM intended it to work out that way! However, the main reason I can do it in the Cruze is because of the way the seatback is shaped. I end up straddling it a bit with my knees. With the Malibu and the way its seat is shaped, I can't do that. And while the Malibu does have that hollowed out area for your knees, it's too low for me, so my knees end up hitting above it. And then with the Impala, I actually have to squeeze in sideways, if the front seat is all the way back!
I'm only 5'8", but I have a lot of legroom in the back of a Malibu. I think one place the Malibu is a bit skimpy on room, is headroom. I have short legs and a long torso, and I don't have too much headroom left over! My Cobalt actually seems to have more headroom--although that might be after three years of my 235 lbs. 'flattening' out the driver's seat some!
http://www.jimellischevrolet.com/new/Chevrolet/2011-Chevrolet-Caprice+Police+Pat- - rol+Vehicle-117d73400a0a00de017e6f05d42381b5.htm
Edit to fix title, Freudian slip? Guess I was hoping it would replace the Impala.
The 'Caprice' name probably won't hurt, as I've read over the years where a lot of cops regret when Chevy gave up the RWD police market.
Geez, the rear end is a dead-ringer for an Impala, isn't it?
Yeah, they did. For years, some departments would rather refurbish '94-96 Caprices, rather than buy new Crown Vics.
FWIW, I don't think the Crown Vic EVER got to the point that it matched the performance of those LT-1 Caprices. And I think the only other police car since then to beat it was the Hemi Charger. I'm sure that new rebadged G-8 would take it on, though!
Wonder if I can declare myself a municipality?
OW - you do know that there was never such a thing as Corinthian leather? They just thought it sounded good with Ricardo Montalban saying it. The actual leather was another New Jersey product.
Really? I thought all the Caprices, Roadmasters, Impala SS, and Fleetwoods were made in Arlington, Texas by that time? So there was still a plant in Jersey cranking them out?
Even stranger , if you are a GM buyer, is why can't you get the G8 in any other division?
GM is several steps behind what we know they are capable of. At least they are adding SS to Camaro. Sure took long enough.
Regards,
OW
What do you all think of the new Malibu bodystyle? Got my Motortrend today, saw it on the cover. I like the front, on the fence with the tail end.
I like it but it's still a very conservative change, IMHO. But I'm not complaining as it's a HUGE improvement over pre-2008 'Bu. Obviously they heard UL guy re: the taillights!
But in terms of market-leading drive-train, it falls short and keeps highlighting that GM is still behind the competition. They should be LEADING instead of worrying that they will undercut sales of Impala and their other divisions. The Regal GS Turbo should be an option NOW. Not in 2013.
Behind as usual, under-delivering to potential customers. Keep trying Akerson.
Regards,
OW
What you see here is a list of the cars most often purchased by senior citizens, and thus, the fact that the Lincoln Town Car, Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS are the top three spots should come as no shock whatsoever. But look at the fourth place listing – the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. That's right, Government Motors' Art & Science cargo-hauler accounted for a whopping 74.2 percent of all senior citizen car sales CTS Sport Wagon sales between 2009 and 2010
How 'bout Porsche at #7? That explains all the Porsches I'm trying to pass with my Cobalt, that have a turn signal on for three miles.
Not really.
How about calling them "Oldfolksaporsche"? That's about as clever as "Snuze" (gee, the best-selling car in the country), and "Rentabu" (the second-best-selling car in the country).
By the time most people are able to afford a Porsche, they are older. Oh yeah, I see PLENTY of 20-somethings in their 911s they bought with the money they made at The Gap or as a management trainee at Staples! Maybe he's of the privileged class where getting a Porsche when you turn 16 is a birthright?
I like it. Best angle is the front, IMHO.
Profile is OK, I'm with uplanderguy in preferring the old profile (a little). The rear deck is so high, I wonder about visibility backing up.
Looks better from the rear angle, though. I like the Camaro-inspired tails, they've grown on me.
Still love the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup interior color scheme. Lots of buttons there, but not as bad as recent Hondas.
Overall a thumbs up. The let the design evolve nicely.
The one part of the article I don't agree with is the complaint about touchscreens. They have to be implemented properly, but anyone with a Tablet PC will tell you they can work wonders.
I wonder if they're rated for mobile duty, though, all those bumps in the road.
Hyundai gives you an iPad as an owner's manual to the Equus. You can even schedule service from it.
Buick, Verano, gussed-up Cruze more power from 4-bangers, Regal reaches the mid-30 price range with 4-banger engines and the LaCrosse gets the 3.6 engine and pricing to the 40k..
Caddy, same face, more money for the CTS, XTS will replace the DTS and STS with 3.6 engine of various HP and still FWD with AWD available..Pricing will be upped to make one feel warm and fuzzy..The old Northstar V-8 dies..
The Italian Chrysler looks like a winner and the Dodge Charger may be a star, but then again it's Chrysler and their screwed up dealer network..IMHO... Fiat doesn't have any money, and Italy is no shining star on the finances...The UAW will probably end up owning the whole ball of wax.. Out of the 53 cars owned, only 3 were Chrysler products, Valiant, 59 Dodge Matador, and 66 Barracuda Hi-PO...Valiant bought for wife, kept 1 year. Matador V-8 bought new, keep 1yr, tranny let go within 3k, traded it in on new 1960 Impala Conv with the 348 cu V-8. keep it for 6 mos..The Dodge Matador was junk and the Cuda survived 90k mi of spirited driving..
I guess Ford will be the company, that 5.0 GT is getting close..
With 34 GM autos over the years, they are not too high on my list now especially with a CEO that pushes for $1.00 federal gas tax.. This "Eco" stuff is getting boring and the 40+ mpgs cars are high-priced funny looking little deathtraps..
Hyundai, Jeep and Chrysler show biggest gains in J.D. Power APEAL report
Like I said, GM is NOT the fastest growing in a lot of significant areas! Hyundai over Buick, GMC, Chevy, Toyota and Honda??? What's up with THAT?? :surprise:
Regards,
OW
Does this chart translate into sales numbers? At the end of the day, that number seems more important.
There's no news there, really.
Excellent question. We'll see if the sales numbers reflect the results.
Here is another: Who's market share is growing fastest? It ain't GM! :surprise:
Regards,
OW
The APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. The 2011 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2011 from more than 73,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2011 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership. The APEAL Study complements the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership
Many miles before GM improves....
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
If it weren't for the FWD thing, I might just have bought an Enclave.
by saying that you are saying companies should not take into account any problems or challenges not created or started by themselves. If someone or something else manifests a problem outside our company, we don't need to do anything about it, because you will bail us out with tax payer money.
Ford seemed to do just fine with problems not created by them, without bailouts galore.
Bad Economy or good! :shades:
Regards,
OW
The median manufacturer is probably 1/4 up from the bottom in sales volume.
Regards,
OW