Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
link title
Some of these Buick puns can get very Special and be Super interesting in how some people will reach for the Sky (on a) Lark and have a mind like a (Sky)hawk to come up with a pun that will last for a Century. The Regal truth is that we're just back from the Riviera and I have work to do on the Estate since I am the Road(s)master here, I have mowing to do and can't Electra(fy) anyone with more puns. I'll have a Rendevouz with bad karma for these bad puns already and I'm out of Buick names.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
(ducking and running now)
Actually, they get rid of TOO many models. Cavalier, Chevette, Aztek, Monte Carlo, Firebird, etc.
The problem is GM needs cars they DON'T get rid of, they just update. They get rid of names but keep the same cars in different sheet metal. They should update and improve the car rather than create new names. Names are dumped because the name has no or negative value to the consumer.
If only Hyundai would relocate its US HQ to Santa Fe, or perhaps Tucson ...
1. Maxima
2. G6
3. Malibu
and a transferable warranty longer than anyone
3. Malibu
That's a good result for the Malibu.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I've never factored warranty coverage in how I chose a vehicle and I never will. If I like the vehicle and I'm worried about reliability, I'll just buy a longer warranty. I wouldn't buy a G6 if it had a million mile bumper to bumper warranty.
For a while, VWs had a 2/24 warranty and that was enough to strike them off my list without even visiting a dealer.
The New GM could make a splash by extending the drivetrain warranty like Hyundai did.
I can see making that choice as they were essentially the same vehicle, but I'd bet you probably paid more for the Nissan, than the Mercury.
I used to own a 2000 VW Jetta TDI that had the 2/24 warranty. That covered routine maintenance too, like oil changes etc. While I obviously used the maintenance plan, it never received any warranty work or cost me anything out of warranty.
Maybe, but I doubt it. They were pretty proud of their Lincoln logo attached to the showroom I think. But it's too long ago to remember though. That's when I found Edmunds and I shopped everything from a MPV, Windstar, Siennas to Odysseys. First time I discovered and used the Blast Fax method. So price loomed large. I used the Plymouth warranty on 3 blown head gaskets (otherwise it was a great van for us).
Now VW touts their 12 year rust warranty which has won them some fans in New England.
Of course, if you're at the dealer all the time, even a great warranty won't make you feel much better about the brand.
I'll give kudo's to the CTS all day long. I really like it. That said, I don't see how it's a better car than a 3 series based on objective terms outside of getting a bigger car for less money (even though I can't sit in the back seat of a CTS w/o my head touching the roof). I can see a case made either way. If you prefer performance, a 335 will best a CTS is almost every category. GM's 3.6 just doesn't have the powerband to match the 335's 3.0-twin-turbo. I'm not talking CTS-V vs M5. Plus, you can get a diesel 335 soon if you want performance and fuel economy.
Now the STS is completely outclassed by a 5 series. Outside of styling, size and price, I don't know what a STS has over a 5 series. The Northstar isn't in the same universe as BMW's v8 in terms of power delivery, so outside of being a diehard GM fan and/or not being able to afford a 5 series, I don't know why one would want an STS other than being able to get it cheap.
Nah, the LaCrosse is still a midsize W-body. Actually, in the case of both the LaCrosse and Lucerne, Buick tried to, in the words of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, kill two possums with one rock. The LaCrosse filled in for both the Century and Regal, while the Lucerne took over for both the LeSabre and Park Avenue.
In both cases though, I think the cars did move upscale a bit. For example, the cheapest LaCrosse is still a nicer car than the cheapest Century was, while the nicest LaCrosse seems more upscale than the old Regal GS. With the Lucerne though, I think it's more of a mixed bag. I definitely think the base Lucerne is nicer than the old LeSabre was, but somehow the old Park Ave just seemed to have more presence, more of a prestige factor I guess, than the top Lucerne does. Now the Lucerne gets bonus points for offering a V-8 engine, but then the Park Ave offered a supercharged V-6, so that might be a bit of a tossup.
And I think that's probably why the STS really isn't selling. FWIW, on the rare occasion that I see one, I usually mistake it for a CTS. Even though it's a bigger car, at a quick glance, I really don't notice it. I have noticed that I can barely fit in the back seat of an STS, while I don't even try with the CTS, so that's about the only difference for me. Most people don't buy cars like this for a big back seat, though. If they want a comfy, roomy car, they're going to get a DTS.
Me too, but since my neighbor has an STS and I see it everyday, I can more easily tell the difference now.
Regards,
OW
But knock yourself out defending the marquee!
Regards,
OW
No doubt about that. The only good thing about the Century was they seemed to be extremely reliable. That's about the only good thing I can say about it. Guess Century was a good name in the end, because that's how old it seemed.
What really gets me about the 3-Series is why anybody would pay $30K+ for a teeny car that's smaller than a Corolla? For the same price or less, I can get a real car like a Buick Lucerne CXL or a Mercury Grand Marquis LS Ultimate
Correct. Olds did the same thing with the 88 and 98.
Regal sales were in the 'tur-let', and Centuries sold to the oldest drivers. Dealers were pushing them as 'Buicks at Chevy prices'. But that dilutes the image.
The 2010 LaX was needed 2 years ago, instead of the Aura. but at least it's weeks away.
But the Cobalt name has now been a waste of time, since it only will last one generation.
Also, Lutz's idea of 'G#' names for Pontiac belly-flopped, such that brand is dead. Good thing he didn't kill Malibu!!
In reality, as most of you already know, here's the info on Olds model designations, credit to Wikipedia:
In the 1930s through the 1990s, Oldsmobile used a two digit model designation. As originally implemented, the first digit signified the body size while the second represents the number of cylinders. Body sizes were 6, 7, 8, and 9, and 6- and 8-cylinder engines were offered. Thus, Oldsmobiles were named 66 through 98.
LaCrosse replaced Century/Regal W bodies. The Lucerne replaced the H-bodied leSabre and Park Avenue. But the Lucerne has a wide delta between the lower-priced end with lower content and suspension and the upper end with Cadillac content and suspension; the low end was to attract LeSabre owners and the high end, Park Avenue owners.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My aunt is a loyal Buick buyer for 25 years and loves her '08 Lucerne, and doesn't care about the name changes. Only time she didnt get a Buick was before the Lucerne she had an '04 Grand Prix, since 'it had more pizz-azz' than same year Buicks.
Why I drive 335i? Because I drive it, it is not an appliance like Corolla or Buick where I moves inside from point A to point B.
I've never driven a 3-series BMW, but I have ridden in a few. For small cars, I actually find them to be pretty roomy up front, provided you put the seat all the way back. And IMO, they ride very well, considering they're tuned for handling and performance.
Never got less than 22 MPG, braking, handling, steering feel, balance, emergency maneuverability, fit/finish, customer service are all top class.
It costs more than a Buick/GM for 1,000 real good reasons. The cars you mentioned are dinosaurs. The 3-series is pricey but there is not one car made by a U.S. manufacturer that comes close to the performance for the dollar in it's class. Period.
The 1-series amplifies that fact.
If you need the room, fine. Like I said, to each his own. You'd be surprised if you spend some time in a 3'er.
Besides, there are many reasons we have bankrupt auto companies and BMW and Mercedes are holding their own and Hyundai is gaining market share. Could be these are the cars of the future for a lot of folks.
Not including yourself, of course.
Regards,
OW
390hp V8 RWD sleeper. This car is like classic American muscle and looks seriously badass IMO. I would drive one of these before any Buick, Lincoln, DTS, STS or large car in general. I like smaller, more nimble cars myself so don't curse me too much for my suggestion
Edit: sorry, only 340hp...
Well, I could mention the car everybody else does - the Cadillac CTS. The CTS-V exceeds what the 3-Series can do. However, neither the CTS or 3-Series is really the kind of car I'm seeking . I prefer and own a Cadillac DTS.
The smart money used to be on the IS300 - which was *this* close to a base 3 series, but with a much nicer interior. The RX-8, which technically is a 4 door 2+2 sedan despite the weird suicide rear doors, also is a good budget sports sedan.
I think BMW exists because all of the rich middle-aged people who fancied themselves to be pro drivers when they were young finally have a chance to get a decent car. It's sort-of-a-sports car. But that's fine, really. If you gave most 40-50 year old men a 911 Turbo or similar, they'd wrap it around a tree. For what it is, a BMW does a great job catering to this segment.
OTOH, if you want to just get from point A to B... yes, the 3 series is a small and rather poor choice for the money. For those people, a Buick or Camry is just fine.
Overall, the D3 quality is increasing at a faster rate than it's competitors for the '08 to '09 model years. That is according to JD Powers. So they are growing the lead in some cases, and closing the gap in others.
I can absolutely confirm that. Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz said they were extremely underwhelmed by all other midsized models, particularly when they found out they could buy 2 G6s for the price of one.
That does cover most G6 owners, right? :shades:
Pontiac, R.I.P. At one time, you were the best division of the middle class in the U.S. :sick:
Regards,
OW
Some ex-cop just managed to kill himself, his passenger, and some poor slob in a minivan when he rented a Lamborghini and tried to open it up somewhere in southwest Philly.
That's why BMW's a-little-bit-of-sports-car approach works so well. Enough to get a feel for it but it still is sane enough to live through it with your less than racing driver reflexes.
BTW, my Dad's cardiologist managed to wrap his Ferrari around a pole on the L.I.E. about a year ago....
Regards,
OW
1st visit: Pass, but provide free loaner rental vehicle
2nd visit: $50 Rebate, free vehicle
3rd visit: $100 Rebate, free vehicle
4th visit: $200 rebate, free luxury rental vehicle
5th visit: $400 rebate, free sports car rental
6th visit $800 rebate, Rolls Royce Phantom
and so on and so forth. If GM implements the plan above, I could see paying the CTS' overpriced pricing with a good bargain.
Oh, Circlew rented a G6 once? Really? I didn't know that. I want to hear all about the experience! :P
As far as rentals go, I don't have much experience under my belt, but I've had three GM cars. A 1992 Grand Am, a 1999 Alero, and a 2001 Malibu. Grand Am sucked, Malibu was basically everything a rental car should be...nothing fantastic but nothing horrible. I liked the Alero. It just had the 4-cyl, but it seemed pretty peppy. And it seemed like Olds actually put some effort into the Alero's interior.