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Buick LaCrosse
libertycat
Member Posts: 593
I wish Buick had kept the Century name and tossed the Regal but it's just a name, I guess. I think Century sounds great and Regal sounds boring. I hope the interior is at least as good as Ford's current Taurus interior but the new Grand Prix's wasn't so I have low hopes for a quality interior on the new Regal. I hope the styling looks nice and strays away from the current boring theme. I like the LeSabre's styling, so I wouldn't mind a mini LeSabre that looked at least slightly different.
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By the way, I read in AutoWeek today that there is a battle going on in GM product planning as to whether to drop the LeSabre name. My vote: KEEP IT! The car actually has a good reputation! No, it's not going to excite any performance and handling nuts, but that's not the point. The car is supposed to compete with the Toyota Avalon.
-Andrew L
Yeah, I think Buick has actually taken some steps forward in styling. When you compare the shape of the current LeSabre with the boxy, nondescript model from the late '80s, it's clear which one got the styling effort. I think you'll find few LeSabre fans on Edmunds because it has a kind of bulky, boatlike look to it, whereas most people here like tighter, sportier styling. But hey, I drive a Pontiac Parisienne, so what do I know :-)
-Andrew L
-Andrew L
~alpha
If there is anyone here that owns a 2002 or 03, could you discuss pluses and minuses about the car? Likes/dislikes/comfort/ride/dependability/mechanical troubles/equipment level/would you get a new Regal/etc?
Thank you very much!
I'll briefly share with you that I own a Merc. Sable S.W. purchased new in 2000. Between recalls and repairs done under warranty it was back in the shop an average of every 2 to 3 months, without counting scheduled maintenance. About a week ago it developed a whine-like noise transmitted through the steering wheel. The noise is only heard when the wheel is turned to either side. Was checked by a mechanic and no worn parts were found. Rack and pinion steering were lubricated, and this quieted the whining sound somewhat but didn't make it go away entirely. Car is out of warranty. I'm already considering trading it in for something else and Buick came to mind.
I do realize that this topic belongs to another thread. My intention was not to disrupt or intrude, only to seek info and explain my predicament.
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-nova/chevrolet-- - - - - - - - - - nova-history.shtml
As you can see, they are identical to the present day Buick Regal GS (6.5 and 15.0 seconds). So I consider myself fortunate to own a '98 GS. Brings back that feeling from the old days.
"GM says it will replace the Regal name with LaCrosse in 2005 when it is redesigned and replaced"
That means that it is final. All the rumors of a different name change or a name keep is a lie. The LaCrosse name really doesn't sound so well, but the concept which was shown at the Detroit Auto Show (I saw it at the South Florida intl. auto show) in about 2000 or 2001 looked great. I thought they were starting production of the vehicle.
Motor Trend Magazine had already confirmed it about a year ago in there future vehicles section and said quote
"Most likely to be the Regal replacement"
or something like it. It is final...
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They won't stick with the Regal name, either. LeSabre, Park Avenue, and Century have also been scrapped for their respective replacements.
The LaCrosse will be pretty much the current Grand Prix with Buick trim, I think.
This is a Lutz car through-and-through. There are spy pictures of the "385" interior, but they are a bit old and grainy. It looks nothing like the Grand Prix interior. This is the picture (thanks to "thegriffon" and "PeteGMsales"):
I too love the Regal name, but can see where they are coming from in changing it. Buick has to reinvent itself or face extinction, and if you're a corporate big-wig, what is one easy way to do it if you're rolling out new models...change their names!!! I'm at the age (30's) where I care more about the car than what some focus group decided sounds cool. But, with advertisers worrying so much about attracting ever-younger drivers, we'd all better get used to the classic nameplates being phased out and then reappearing whenever convenient for the mother company (see Pontiac GTO for reasoning behind that stmt).
Car companies, especially GM, have been changing names of models forever. Look at how Buick renamed all their cars in 1959. And the countless names for Buick's forgotten compacts: Special, Apollo, Skyhawk, Somerset.
The less family friendly meaning for 'LaCrosse' is true, but it is also used for loser.
In other words....VERY NICE.......
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And yes, some purists were upset about the 64 GTO, but they were drowned out.
http://www.buick.com/inside/concept/bengal/
An update on the "385" name. Don't be surprised if it's Buick Allure.
Buick did a concept car by that name years ago, and the first thing I thought when I saw it was, "I HATE that name. I HATE IT!" No offense, but please don't send Bob Lutz that suggestion :-)
-Andrew L
On the Buick side, Seen the Ultra From Rendez-vu and the upcoming Century-Regal replacement midsize car.
GM is changing the brand to attract younger buyers on the Buick side. The New Midsize looks very similar to the Lexus GS300 with a Buick Grill. No Details were given and no one was allowed to come close to the car. Because it is a later-year release model. GM also said the centiem concept will have a huge impact on all it's new models. And the Buick LeSabre replacement will be released to compete directly against the Lexus Brand.
(this one)
But it will have a nine speaker Monsoon stereo with two subwoofers.
Stereo-
ETR AM/FM stereo with CD player, includes seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, speed-compensated volume and TheftLock
ETR AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, includes (U88) Sound system feature, 9-speakers, Monsoon, seek-and-scan, digital clock, speed-compensated volume and TheftLock
ETR AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player, includes (U88) Sound system feature, 9-speakers, Monsoon, seek-and-scan, digital clock, speed-compensated volume and TheftLock
Exterior-
Chrome Appearance Package, includes front and rear chrome fascia inserts, bodyside molding chrome inserts and chrome door handles
Rear Parking Assist, Ultrasonic, includes rearview LED light bar and audible warning
Regular production accessory, spoiler, rear (SPO-supplied, dealer-installed)
Wheels-
16" (40.6 cm) steel, with wheel covers
16" (40.6 cm) aluminum, 8-spoke, painted
16" (40.6 cm) aluminum, 8-spoke, Chrome-Tek
17" (43.2 cm) aluminum, 8-spoke, painted, flangeless
17" (43.2 cm) aluminum, 8-spoke, chrome-plated, flangeless
Engines-
3.8L 3800 V6 SFI (200 HP [149.2 kW] @ 5200 rpm, 230 lb.-ft. [310.5 N-m] @ 4000 rpm) CX CXL
3.6L VVT DOHC V6 (240 HP [179 kW] @ 6000 rpm, 233 lb.-ft. [314.6 N-m] @ 3600 rpm) CXS
Interior-
Colours Ebony, Light Steel Gray, Taupe, Taupe and Ebony
CX Front buckets Madison/Broadway Cloth
CXL Front buckets Nuance Sandstone Leather-appointed seats
CXS Front buckets Nuance Sandstone Leather-appointed seats
Exterior Colours-
Sterling Silver Metallic
Cashmere Metallic
Superior Blue Metallic
White
Black
Cardinal Red Metallic
Glacier Blue Metallic
Steelmist Metallic
Dimensions-
Wheelbase 110.50 (2807)
Overall length 198.30 (5037)
Body width 72.40 (1839)
Overall height 57.40 (1458)
Curb weight, lbs. (kg) CX 3516 (1595), CXL 3564 (1617), CXS 3496 (1586)
Seating capacity, max. (front/rear) CX 2(3 optional)/3, CXL 2(3 optional)/3, CXS 2/3
Bench seats. And optional 2+2. Interesting...
What's the deal with the Century? I know the Regal will be dropped when the LaCrosse debuts, but I've read conflicting reports about the Century...some say it will be continued (a la Malibu Classic) while others say it, too, will be dropped immediately when the LaCrosse is launched. Which will it be? I'm asking you because you seem to have some inside info about GM cars ;-)
-Andrew L
This is confirmed information directly from GM.