NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

It is amazing that Buick China took the Holden Caprice and dressed it up that much. The interior looks very rich. It does not look stripped or anything. They would hardly need to change much to make it an American Buick. The sad thing is.. I knew GM was going to do this.. They are torturing people like VenSeattle with something he cannot have. It is like dangling a bottle in front of a baby when you know he wants it. I do not understand why GM North America feels Buick does not deserve cars like this.. The LaCrosse and Lucerne's look stripped and more like Chevrolet Impalas compared to their Chinese counter parts. Why is it always GM everywhere else around the world gets it, and North American GM does not. Are they afraid a car like this would hurt Cadillac sales? The SLS looks better than the update we are getting.. I thought GM said they were going to become global in their approach. That is a car that is "worthy" of the Park Avenue name. All I can say is wow.. At least they are not holding up some Oldsmobile over my head I would want I could not have....

It is amazing that Buick China took the Holden Caprice and dressed it up that much. The interior looks very rich. It does not look stripped or anything. They would hardly need to change much to make it an American Buick. The sad thing is.. I knew GM was going to do this.. They are torturing people like VenSeattle with something he cannot have. It is like dangling a bottle in front of a baby when you know he wants it. I do not understand why GM North America feels Buick does not deserve cars like this.. The LaCrosse and Lucerne's look stripped and more like Chevrolet Impalas compared to their Chinese counter parts. Why is it always GM everywhere else around the world gets it, and North American GM does not. Are they afraid a car like this would hurt Cadillac sales? The SLS looks better than the update we are getting.. I thought GM said they were going to become global in their approach. That is a car that is "worthy" of the Park Avenue name. All I can say is wow.. At least they are not holding up some Oldsmobile over my head I would want I could not have....

Here is an article with more photos: http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/2007/04/...r-based-on.html GM Daewoo unveils G2X roadster based on Saturn Sky The cross-pollination among General Motors worldwide operations continues. The Seoul Motor Show features the fourth variant of General Motors' Kappa platform and the third based on the Saturn Sky. The new GM Daewoo G2X is a rebadged edition of the Sky and Opel Speedster. The car being shown in Seoul uses the turbocharged 2.0L direct injected engine from the Sky Red Line. So far, there's no word from GM on when the G2X will be available in South Korean showrooms. [source: Autoblog] PRESS RELEASE: G2X - An Exhilarating Roadster for Korea The premiere of the unique G2X roadster a few months ahead of its domestic sales, which start in late summer, is a true highlight of this year's Seoul Motor Show. Its longitudinally front-installed 2.0-liter 260-hp engine with turbocharger and gasoline direct injection accelerates the roadster to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.5 seconds, and to a top speed of about 227 km/h. "The G2X is a classic roadster with abundant power and breathtaking acceleration. Hence, it will offer true sports car performance and an exhilarating driving experience," said Grimaldi. "To further strengthen the GM Daewoo brand, we will offer Korean consumers something no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom." The G2X brings with it a lot of personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of its class. High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1,998-cm 3 four-cylinder engine's impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/260 hp at 5,300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm (35.9 kh.m) between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations. For the G2X, engineers designed a classic sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1,543/1,561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2,415 mm. All four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced. An automatic five-speed transmission with limited slip differential efficiently provides propulsion power to the rear wheels. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects. All wheels are fitted with large disk brakes, while ABS and ESP (which, like Traction Control, can be switched off) monitor safety.

Let someone take the depreciation hit and get yourself a Buick. It can be LaCrosse or Lucerne. Do what you feel in your heart "you" want to do. I own the cars I desire to own. A dealership will work with you later this year or early next year on your "dream" car.

Campus crime is the problem no one wants to discuss or talk about. It is a problem college campuses need to start addressing. I work at a major university and they have done reports about it. Too often people let their guard down on campus and are too casual and think it is a crime free place. All too often when campus are presented to potential students and parts, they never really talk about that aspect.

GM to Unveil 2 New Concept Cars in China Associated Press 04.02.07, 6:14 AM ET General Motors Corp. will unveil a new pair of concept cars in its Chevrolet and Buick lines at this month's Shanghai Auto Show, GM China said Monday. The cars will be among 40 vehicles the company and its Chinese joint venture partners plan to display as GM increasingly looks to China to offset sluggish sales and crippling legacy costs elsewhere. GM said the concept cars include the latest version of the Chevrolet Volt, the company's extended-range electric passenger vehicle which was introduced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It said the Buick model was developed at GM's design and engineering center in Shanghai and would point to "possible future directions for the brand worldwide." GM opened its first factory in China in 1998 and now operates seven joint ventures and two wholly owned foreign enterprises in the country. Along with five vehicle factories and one engine plant, the company has also launched an auto financing venture and a chain of dealerships. Its China sales last year rose 32 percent to 876,747 vehicles, with joint venture Shanghai General Motors Corp. (nyse: GM - news - people ) becoming China's top-selling domestic automaker with 365,400 vehicles sold. GM said it also plans to display minivans and compact cars produced by its SAIC (nyse: SAI - news - people )-GM-Wuling joint venture set up in 2005. Wuling's vehicles have become a mainstay of the company's China business, accounting for more than half of GM's total sales in China last year. GM said models from the company's German Opel brand, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Saab will also be featured at the show, which runs April 22-28.

We may see more of this in the future with global GM. Cars will be the same globally, but vary market to market in names, trim levels and in some cases physical appearance. This is the way to do business in a global economy. That is what Toyota and Honda do.

My co worker bought a Aurora 3.5 based on me showing it to her and telling her about the car. One of the professors in one of my two departments drives a Buick Regal from that era. He has LS. VenSeattle has the Park Avenue.

Interesting.. I wonder how much longer it is.. It was a 196 inches already. Cadillac must have something in mind to update this car and to keep it rolling. To answer the question about the interior watch this video I posted in another thread: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...showtopic=16344

I wonder of the length went up slightly on Lucerne and La Crosse. They both appear longer because of the front ends. To me that Lucerne and LaCrosse seem too close to each other now in length, V8's, and more. You could combine these two into one car really..... They did get the grille right based on Velite.

They are charging extra for a new grille and some wood and some chrome trim?? Come on.. They CXS had a the V8 already. The grille puts it more in line with Enclave. Does it make the Lucerne Super a cheaper alternative to the DTS?

The picture I found was right. That grille helps the front end a lot. The interior looks the same with a Lucerne steering wheel. The got rid of the steering wheel with the climate controls. bummer.... Now I see why Lucerne and LaCrosse are competing against each other. This is why one needs to go rear drive and the other stays front wheel drive. There needs to be some distance created in the length and width and interior room too. Not a bad effort.

I am not going to get upset with you. Why would I? You are entitled to your opinion. I still say it was a mistake to get rid of Oldsmobile. Long story. I can tell you this... the only reason why Buick is still here is because of the success of Buick in China. That has ensured Buick's future in the United States. Oldsmobile like Pontiac and Buick should have been allowed to live as a smaller boutique brands sold under another GM division. I posted that video in another thread. That sign is what should have happened. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIMMcNVSA5E It is at the one second mark. Saturn did not replace Oldsmobile. It is a smaller dealership network and Saturn is the import brand. I see Saturn as useful because they do not carry the legacy of the other GM brands and it can attract people who would not consider GM period. If Saturn replaced Oldsmobile they would be in my driveway and they would offer the features I look for in a vehicle. They do not. The only GM division that was like Oldsmobile is not even sold in this country. That is Holden. It will be as a Pontiac G8, but I am speaking of the entire division. Bob Lutz even said it should have not happened and had he been here at GM sooner, what is in that video would have happened. GM has even half way admitted it was a mistake. They will never fully say it. And yes, Oldsmobile people did not go to other GM divisions. The only two cars that are like my cars are sold at Lincoln: Lincoln Town Car Lincoln Mark VIII

Very telling statement from AutoNews: At this stage, it is unknown whether GM plans to base the upmarket Cadillac on the same platform, but given the need to spread the cost of rear-wheel-drive development over as many models as possible, such a move cannot be ruled out. In order to make that car, some other GM division has to get it.. Spread the costs.

Okay... this is good news. How big is this car going to be? If this happens as they say it will, that will: Keep the DTS where it is as the traditional Cadillac for older buyers and Cadillac/fullsized GM loyalists. Put the STS in question or out to pasture. You will have BLS: small Cadillac( not for North America) CTS: 5 series/E Class fighter DTS: Traditional Cadillac FTS: the super Cadillac ( FTS )( Fleetwood was the longest and biggest Cadillac for years) Either that car will become STS or carry a new name. A short wheelbase 7 Series and Lexus LS is 196-198 inches long. A long wheelbase is 201-203 inches long. The current STS is a 196 inches long. Cadillac China is selling a long wheelbase SLS. The Buick fullsized range gets interesting. Lucerne switches over to rear drive with DTS. Buick in China has a different rear drive car using the Park Avenue name. This is getting confusing. Too many possibilities.

I read the article. This part "intrigues" me and not in the Oldsmobile way: The line comes amid a push of new vehicles, including the Enclave luxury crossover sport utility vehicle in North America and the Park Avenue sedan in China, that Shannon says will help better define the brand -- reflecting a focus on design, comfortable and quiet interiors, and quality. What is going on?? Park Avenue is dead in the United States and is coming back on the Holden Statesman/Caprice as the "rear drive" Buick Park Avenue in China?? If that is so.. won't that upset a lot of American Buick fans..

They do it online all the time on the car sites and Ebay. I laugh when they have an Oldsmobile Eighty Eight pictured and call it: Delta Royale Ninety Eight Ninety Eight Royale I love when see a picture of a Ninety Eight and they call it: Eighty Eight Regency Delta 88 Regency The funniest one was the LSS they called Ninety Eight and LSE now.. there was: A Ninety Eight A Eighty Eight A LSS A Regency (1997-1998) They had a Regency one time. It was called Eighty Eight Regency.. That might be justified.

Go look in this thread, you will see what the updated La Crosse will look like: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...showtopic=16156

I said it was going to go into production. Now there will be an alternative to Lincoln Town Car until Cadillac makes something rear drive and larger. I think the people at Chrysler know that it is polarizing in looks. You know most concepts are usually toned down for production. Personally I am glad to see a car above the 300 anyway. There had something above 300 any way before with Concorde and LHS. Think of it it this way.. It won't be this Imperial:

It is a good thing to have slow news days or nothing happening at all like it is in North Dakota. I would not complain if I were any of you about not having worthy news or the news is slow and much is not happening. I live in the 4th largest city in the United States and watching the news here can depress you or make you fear going outside. Just a thought....

I have them in my driveway. I would buy them again. I did because my first Ninety Eight was totaled and the Toronado was too. I bought the same cars again and upgraded in the trim levels. 1995-1996 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Regency Elite Series II 1991-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado with option package ISB The others that I would consider are: 1996-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight LSS (supercharged) nice cross between full sized Olds and Aurora 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada Pontiac Bonneville SSE and GXP after 2002( switched over to some Oldsmobile parts)( and heads up display) Cadillac Deville 1997-1999 with steering wheel controls Seville SLS 1992-1996 ( with digital gauges) 1993-1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 1990-1992 Fleetwood and Sixty Special(1993) 1992-1996 Cadillac Eldorado coupe with the digital gauges and steering wheel controls 1997-1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight Regency 1991-1997 Cutlass Supreme SL coupe( with bench seat) and International Series and convertible 1989 Buick Riviera with the GCC

Who said it would look like that concept? They had that Chrysler Nassau which hints at the next 300. It if is done right, and comes loaded and with few options, they might have something. They are planning on sharing GM platforms if Mercedes Benz keeps Chrysler. So that car would be a zeta vehicle if it did not us the LY. Anything is possible.

Video from You Tube for this coupe:

They are starting to look like Chinese Buicks now. I wonder what the interiors look like? The overall shapes and the way they look is what I am referring to. I wonder if these are just the "Super" editions and not the entire line. The Lucerne in that photo looks beefed up.

I know this will not be a popular opinion, but I this car would make a great Oldsmobile Ninety Eight or Eighty Eight if they had kept Oldsmobile or brought it back. This would have been a winner. A smaller Oldsmobile sold through the existing GM dealership body. I understand those that like fwd and those that like rwd. Buick in America is not in a position to be picky or selective when the model count is down and sales are too and Buick in China has more models and better sales using older platforms. Enclave alone cannot hold up a division. I worry for Buick because it needs help. I saw a blue Toyota Avalon Sunday. From a distance and even close up, it looks as big as Lucerne and it is as big as LaCrosse. It sadly is stealing Buick sales. Buick had fwd and rwd in the 90's. It had LeSabre and Park Avenue and Roadmaster. There was a difference in length and interior room and the Roadmaster was on a longer wheelbase and offered V8's. This time Lucerne is on a wheelbase and length close to the Holden and offers a V8 and a V6. That is how the dealers see it. We all know once DTS shifts to rwd, something has to happen to Buick Lucerne. The dealers will not have a choice. I have never heard of GM keeping one car on a platform alone. If that were the case, Ninety Eight would have lasted past 1996 and Eldorado would have lasted longer too. I can tell you a story from the 1980's. When GM was switching the C Bodies to fwd in 1984 as 1985's, Oldsmobile did not want to switch the Ninety Eight over to fwd. They wanted to keep it rwd. They had no choice. It went fwd in the spring of 84 as an 85. In the past GM let the plant workers vote to decide and the dealers vote to decide on some big issues, and it cost GM. Pontiac North America in the early 1980's was in trouble. It is not too far off from what is going on now. This was when they were using letter cars before. They got rid of Bonneville because Pontiac was the small car and midsize car division. Market tastes changed and they had to bring the Parisienne from Canada here and sell it as a fullsized Pontiac. That was a good move because the Parisienne sold well. The one from 1985-1986 was quite nice looking as a Bonneville from the past. The only thing with the Parisienne it shared the front end and the instrumentation panel with Chevrolet Caprice. Moral: leaving the fullsized market and letter cars was not a good idea for Pontiac. The UAW voted to switch the Oldsmobile Lansing plant over to the smaller fwd Calais in 1984 thinking that the market was demanding smaller cars. That decision was not good and it was one of the nails in the coffin for Oldsmobile. They shipped production of the Ninety Eight and Eighty Eight to another plant. Moral:That plant is closed and Oldsmobile is gone. People also need to realize Buick does not have a unique Buick only product. The last one they had was Reatta. Moral: Buick does not have any gotta have products. It would blow people's minds if the next Avalon was rear wheel drive based on a cheaper Lexus platform and offered V8s. Moral: Toyota keeps redefining a vehicle until they get it right. The Avalon is one generation away from being the perfect Buick.