Regalguy01

Man are you crazy? The lucerne is a vast improvement over the two cars it replaces. I saw, for the first time, a pearlized white colored lucerne cxl V8 and it looked absolutely gorgeous. The park avenue was way too bloated and 'floaty' for the public at large and hence the reason why only oldsters seemed to flock to it. However, this new Lucerne looks fresh, substantial and worthy of a look by folks that are not grayed in the head. This is evidenced not only by the fact that I can no longer leave my house and NOT see one in traffic.(and they are NOT rentals either) Rather, it is evidenced by the fact that I have not seen any senior citizen driving one yet!(except my 66 year old dad who simply couldn't sleep until he traded his 2000 lesabre for one) And for all those who feel that a car is not 'substantial' unless it comes from over seas, I say DAMN YOU AND THE DOUBLE WISHBONE SUSPENSION THAT YOU RODE IN ON! You simply WISH you had a legitmiate BONE to pick with the new (and hot selling) Lucerne!

Well as far as the Chrysler and its Hemi V8 goes, that car doesn't particularly suit my tastes. It is probably a good car for those who want it, but I prefer something a little more subtle. The 300 hemiC seems to much of a 'LOOK AT ME AND A LOOK WHAT IM' DRIVIN' kind of car. And there is indeed a market for that, we can credit its runaway sales as a gauge of that. But Buick has always been an undeniably elagant and unapolegtically conservative brand. Many people are comfortable with just knowing they can suck the guy at a red light into his tailpipes at will. It is one of the reasons I praised Flybrian's Aurora earlier. My best bud has a 99 model and even now, more than 10 years from the design date of this car, it emits a muscular grace that commands respect.(not to mention a ride that is wonderfully supple and smooth) I hope that the designers of the Lacrosse super will have that kind of mindset when they go to the drawing board.

I agree, the HID lights should be an option on this car. It should also be optional on Lucerne cx, cxl v6 and standard on the cxl v8 and cxs lucerne.

You hit the nail on the head for me. My Regal is that Graphite metallic color with the sandrift under body(joseph abboud edition) and when I wash it up, throw on the tire shine and cruise around with the sunroof open, I get many a compliment. This on a 5 year old car!! My import buying friends all love my regal! The Lacrosse does look 'tame' to put it properly, but so does the perennial best sellers in this segment so there really isn't much to complain about. I have said and continue to say that Buick's biggest problem is public perception and media distortion that perpetuates that negative perception.

I wouldn't either, but my biggest gripe is with the limited rear seat space in this platform. I am tired of parking next to nissan altima's and seeing that they have as much rear seat room as I do, yet my car is several inches longer. It seems they spend too much time making the cavernous trunk and overstuffed seats and that intrudes on cabin space. Also, I have noticed that the rear seat room in the 2000-2005 impala seems more spacious than mine. Is it on the same platform? If not, which one is it on and what other cars share it? Anyone know? Btw Flybrian, you have one the coolest cars ever ignored by the public at large, the original Aurora. Way too cool for its time......

lol, its not all that bad. But it is getting older.......... I just think it prevents the designers from being as creative as they could be. The lacrosse is not a bad looking car, and the Lucerne looks quite good. I can't help but wonder though if they could have been better had the designers had a fresh new platform with which to build from.......

Does anyone know, if the new Lacrosse super will be built on the same revised W-body plat form?

I don't really mind the wood being fake. If I did, I would try to get a more substantive automobile. i think the Lucerne needs the real wood. It will appeal to a more discerning buyer. I do think the nav should be an option so I definitly agree with you there. As for a replacement, I wont lie, I did make me go home and do a little figuring. But, no I won't buy it. I will look at the Lacrosse Super though. That is if I dont buy an Enclave first. I am 26 and looking fwd to the birth of my first child so I will need some space. One look at the enclave and I said ''If it drives within a fraction of its good looks, ILL TAKE IT!!!!!

Being the member with the moniker 'regal guy' and being that the Lacrosse was/is its replacement, I thought it only natural that I test the car that dealt the death blow to one of my favorite autos. On Saturday I had the oppurtunity to test drive a Charcoal colored Lacrosse CXL. Let me start by saying that I did not like the look of the lacrosse intially, but the fish-eyed look has softened on me a little since then. This Lacrosse CXL was a program car and it had less than 18,000 miles on it. This car actually looked good from ever angle I stared. It had these very nice chrome buick rims and all the chrome accents offered by GM. After the walkaround the salesman gave me the key and I opened the door. Black leather with rich simulated wood accents. The interior improvements over my 01' Regal are vast. The seats are instantly noticeable in how much more supportive they are. The materials used on the center stack are of a classier nature than in my Regal and the gauges have a more sophisticated look as well. Thoughtful convienences such as a compass in the dash(not in the rear view) and rings around the different gauges furthered my favorable impression of the automobile. All things weren't favorable though, the tightness in the back seat continues and I believe it is due to the design of the interior. The backseat can only be described as adequate. That is if the passengers stay under 6'2. Otherwise, the seat backs will be hitting the knees of rearseat passengers. The final and most important thing was to take the car for its intended mission, a drive. I wasn't out of the parking lot before I noticed the differences between the series II V6 and the series III V6(3800). I have always felt the series II idled and shifted as smooth as cars costing twice as much. Ladies and gentlemen, GM has found a way to make it even smoother! Once out on the road though I found out the benefits of the quiet-tuning. The car was bank-vault quiet on the street. I mean it, I heard next to nothing!! On the highway, I did hear some road noise but not enough to complain about. Also, comparitively speaking, it was much quieter than my regal and many other cars that I have ridden in. (including my wifes ES330). There is a noticeable difference in the electronic throttle response that was added to the series III 3800. If not applied right, it can have a 'jerky' sensation. It wasn't anything that was hard to adjust to though, in fact I learned how to correctly 'floor it' with out 'jerking it' by the end of the test drive. The car soaked up bumps with ease and held the road with great presence. Plenty of power was on tap for passing and I felt like I was riding in a solid, well put together piece of machinery. My closing thoughts are these: This car is a great improvement for Buick. Any former century or regal customer should be thrilled to drive it. Most importantly though this car is a great car for non-buick customers as well. It has power, prestige and price(a low one). I can honestly say that I walked away from that ride with a new appreciation for the lacrosse. I also just as honestly say I walked back to my Regal with a little less love in my heart.................

This guy is even more of an idiot. Read his comments below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Robert Farago [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 1:07 PM To: Neal, Christopher Subject: Re: Neal, Christopher wrote: Your review of the Cadillac Escalade was atrocious. Not an objective comment in the entire composition. I hope I am never redirected to your site to be subjected to your worthless commentary Our objective is not objectivity. We aim to tell the truth to the best of our abilities. This I have done. If there's anything I've written in my Slade review which you consider to be wrong-- objectively speaking-- tell me. If you're right, I'll change my text. RF To which I responded: From: Neal, Christopher Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 2:25 PM To: 'Robert Farago' Subject: RE: So if you don't set out to be objective, what do you REALLY set out to do? The 'point' of being objective is to not let any undue prejudices or gripes that you have about the subject matter influence your opinion. Objectivity, my ignorant friend, should be the permeating thought for any person setting out to write 'the truth'. Your entire article bashed the 'slade for being a gussied up Tahoe. Newsflash ,my uninformed friend, every luxury automaker in the business that has a parent company of a lesser brand shares platforms, including the acclaimed Lexus brand. (Es330 is underpinned by Camry and has been since its inception). No automaker spends nearly as much on a luxury car as the sticker suggests. That is why the JAPS got into the luxury car business when they did. They saw us and the Germans making a killing and simply decided to do the same. Back to the matter at hand though. It is clear from your article that platform sharing was the TRUE matter with which you took issue and your ignorance is flagrantly displayed throughout the body of your article. I took the liberty of reading a few of your other reviews and I believe you are just another one of those import lover's who will bash anything coming out of Detroit. I say again, I hope I am never redirected to your sight so that I don't give you an undeserved 'hit' as I found nothing of interest for me. As for me re-reading your article to point out the specifics of your unsubstantiated babble, I will decline. I would rather be illiterate than have to be exposed to such non-sense again. -C

And all at Ford Motor Company thought: ''Why didn't we think of that''??

And one more thing: As for his title: Buick essentially rebadged the DTS. Has anyone ever told this gentleman what the GM corporate strategy once was or is. Buick has even happily been called 'The poor man's Cadillac'. A phrase that is not one of belittlement but of the kinship between the two. But look how this dude twists even that admirable relationship into a negative. If anything, Cadillac owners should feel slighted that Buick owners can spend thousands less and still have the same luxurious experience!

This has to be one of the most poorly written and overtly prejudiced articles I have ever read. For starters, as pointed out previously, under the revised horsepower guidelines for 06' the Avalon(you know, the one Toyota wishes they could sell like the Lesabre and now Lucerne) it's engine is a respectable 268 vs the Lucy's 275. Not a huge # but if you research the torque difference (can't recall from memory)the gap is greater. Very rarely do I read these unfavorable articles concerning Buick and get angered because most journalists do conceed a lot of good qualities in the Lucerne and usually have to admit its a damn good car(even if they wouldn't buy one themselves) This dude though(notice I didn't use the word: writer) Is obviously writing with some bias toward Buicks that nothing or noone can resolve. And why does anyone give a damn about what this car does at a test track. How many people buying a full-size car want it to shark through corners or chirp tires (Not that I've seen the ES burning rubber from a s/s). Most folks(and I am 26 yrs old) want something that looks good and drives well. If you check the owner experience on edmunds on website, you will find owner after owner that has fallen in love with their Lucerene and quite a few of them are first time buick owners. Lastly, as to his comment about the Avalon, ES350 and Azera doing the job better. Let's be for real, what country do you live in? Hyundai is years away from matching even the name recognition that Buick or Toyota has for quality but yet this guy has already put them ahead of Buick(what a joke). Next, I do (yes I do) respect Toyota for the automobiles that they build. When you sell more of one car(camry) then any other manufacturer in the business, that is an accolade in its own right. But this dude mentioned the Avalon and Es330. They are both alright cars, but neither is selling like the Lucerne is right now and Toyota strategically launched the Avalon 6 months earlier than the Lucerne to try to steal away its potential customers. This guy may post all the crap he wants, but with Lucerne sales growing consitently month-to-month since release he certainly paints himself to be quite the uninformed Jackass. Long live the Premium American Motorcar

Very, very nice.

This would have been a great mid life freshening for the retired regal, minus the pop-up Buick ornament(belongs on a car out of that 70's show).

And the collective admirers of Buick, past and present, would cringe at it's arrival. If Buick is to continue in its pursuit of Lexus-like respectability in the entry luxury segment, this would not champion the cause. Just a glance at its familar rectangluar shape(see prior post with picture comparos with the now defunct Mercury Sable) is enough to turn many perspective buyers, like myself, dead cold. While I am no fan of the fish-eyed look of the Lacrosse, I find the higher end models--particularly the black-on-black, chromed rimmed model-- to be quite substantial looking. Just the other day coming out of a hotel, my female co-worker who happens to be 26 yrs old, saw a grey cxs parked out front and remarked ''thats a fancy looking buick''. A clue that buick is getting closer to another goal of theirs: establish a stronger following with the pre-AARP crowd. The interior of the chinese LAX definetly gets high marks though and the wood looks richer than the simulated wood in the US Lacrosse. On another note, I seriously hope that GM decides to freshen the entire Lacrosse line. Though I have read an all-new version is being developed for 09(I think) Buick must continue to claw back market share with fresh product line. Take the Chevy Malibu for example, the new treatment to the front fascia make for a vast improvement to it's overall appearance. Further, new owners can distinguish themselves from older model year owners-a very valid concern for car shoppers. I hope Buick's corporate brass will consider this for the coming model year.........

I thought I might go back an express my opinion on the topic. I agree with most of the posts that the design of the chinese lacrosse really doesn't do much for me. In fact, it reminds me of the current redesigned hyundai sonata. A car that has been lamented as ''much improved'' and ''a car for buick to watch out for''. I suppose this chinese lacrosse is fine for the asian market. But we definetly don't need to see it's exterior in America. Buick symbolizes American passion, significance and style, in a package that is neither offensive nor ostentacious. If you think of the heralded buicks that people often clamor about, the GNX, Roadmaster, original Wildcat and etc; those cars were more wonders of transport than pioneers of expression. They always looked good, performed dependably, and stood apart from the rest-- but not in a way that necessarily screamed ''gotta have''. At least not in the way the Chysler 300 hemiC or a Mercedes 700 series does. Rather, in a way that made non-owners wonder ''is it really as appealing as it looks?''. Buick has fallen away from this grace in years of recent. Battling the woes of it's parent company, our beloved GM, it has had to suffer through warmed over platforms and engines, unimaginative styling and forgettable marketing. But alas, Buick and more importanly GM have decided to turn this around. Determined not to have America's oldest and most nameworthy automaker go the way of it's predecessor(The Big 'Oldsmobile') they have started investing in Buick again. The results are impressive too. While the LaX, Lucerne, and Terazza may not blow the competition out of the water, they represent a return of attention to the Buick name. If the Lacrosse turned a few eyes back to the brand, the Lucerne has drifted more than a few feet into the showroom(see luxury car sales, last 3 months). The Enclave, if it is held true to the concept, will undoubtedly bring many luxury-intenders in to test drive and thats the desired outcome of most any auto manufactuer. Long live the Premium American Motorcar.

Will somebody clarify for me please? I thought that gm was doing away with all the W-body platforms after the current iterations of all cars that use that platform? Will someone please advise? Tks

Let me start by saying hello. I have been logging onto this site for almost a year now and decided I would get in on the commentary today. Let me also say that I am 26 yrs old and driving my 2nd buick ever owned.(have owned 3 vehicles in my lifetime). I am still served well by my 4 year old Regal Ls, Olympic Edition/Joseph Abboud package. I admit, I would have rather had the GS, but the requirement for premium unleaded was too much for me to bite as an undergraduate. Now, 82,000 miles later I still enjoy the comforts of this automobile. There are a few drawbacks, however, and most of them have to do with the interior. I always thought the interior was clean enough, spartan even, but nothing to shout about. This seems to have been addressed reasonably enough with the Lacrosse, in fact the interior is a vast improvement at the least. But as I think about my fav automobile, I aspire to see them do something bold and jaw dropping. When I looked at the interior of the Chinese royaum and the lacrosse, my jaw did drop. Not just at how nicely appointed they are, but that this is not in the lacrosse or lucerne(which is very nice still). I agree with most critics who have questioned if just being just as good as the others is enough. Most import buyers are extremely loyal to their perceived 'bullet-proof' hondas, toyotas and others. While I admit, I do tend to love the comfort of lexus interiors and the style of infinities, quality does indeed rest with us, more specifically buick(see J.D. Powers Survey--any year in the last 10) So what is holding back the throngs of new buyers to the Buick brand? Perception!! People think I drive an 'old man's car' until they actually see and ride in my Buick. (Gran Touring Suspension, no doubt) This tells me that it's not about people perceiving buick as undependable, its about image. I mean lets face it, we all try to buy a car that we feel fits our self-image. I am encouraged by these interiors on the chinese cars and hope to see them stateside soon. The Enclave is definetly a step in this direction. I immediately liked the exterior design of the Enclave, but i literally, choked on my beer when I saw the interior. Beatifully placed controls, generous wood treatments, sumptuous looking leather and gorgeous brushed aluminim bits. I was smiling ear to ear and am hoping that almost nothing will be changed in production. If this is the case, Buick can expect to see me, at age 29, Buying a new Enclave. Long live the premium american motorcar