InvictaMan

Hey Paolino, the wood looks good! It matches on wheel and dash, and it's real! They listened. I thank them for listening to me about the tasteful sweep of ambient across the dash and in other places. Big Buick Brother "is" out there, they just didn't hear INVICTA. Hey Brutha, for the record, the gas filler needs to move to the driver's side next year.

What's funny is I think if you put a sweep spear on it and change the roofline, it looks a whole lot like that Audi you are sporting on your sig. What this car has going for it is what someone else has already pointed out. It is an amalgamation of the best parts of many desirable cars. Buick has done their homework and designed a car that has something that will appeal to everyone in the masses. Great for marketing, let's hope for sales.

I hate them, but unfortunately dealers pre-order them by the bunches, so apparently they think someone out there loves them. Southern red clay looks great on them, lol.

It looks modern... a modern Buick.

Dare I say it.... this is GM's most beautifully designed car to date.

Those images are smokin', way to go Buick! They must have hired a new agency for this or they hired a new photographer. My only complaint is the name. Why on Earth did they let it be Invicta in Canada and not here? Oops! One more, they put the gas tank refill door on the wrong side!

More pics and a VERY long video at Leftlane. Click Here. I likey!

Could be one of Buick's ploys. Bring the car out as the old name, later offer an Invicta trim level, then drop the old name for the trim name when it is convenient. Too bad they can't just get it right from the start.

Having been an art director and a creative director for agencies, I can tell you that it is possible to photograph a black car and put it on a beige page and achieve a much higher level of emotion than is expressed on those pages. I personally think the design is uninvolved, flat and less than intuitive (which I think would be important based on the fact that so many critics like to think that prospective Buick buyers don't even know how to turn on a computer.) Some of the photos done for Enclave were more emotional; however, so few in numbers that they became insignificant by the time the brochure came out (way too late in the game) sporting the same PR images. I want to see the 2010 Buick Whatever be presented as sexy and in an artful way, supported with detail images. If you want younger buyers, market to them; although, the truth to consider is that the Boomers and their age bracket are in far greater numbers than young folks for the next several decades. Luckily, they have no desire to be considered old, so youthful marketing appeals to them as well. I can also tell you that I would have never released something that has the level of mistakes found on that web site. It is especially disappointing that such mistakes remain on a web page, when they can be easily and quickly revised and uploaded. Not right now, when shoppers are looking at the new 2009 models.

Speaking of the web site, here is a perfect example. Devoid of color, excitement. The images are small and do not evoke the emotion of Buick. "How do you want to build?," well gee, I don't know, maybe you should show me how and I might buy your car. And I think that most buyers considering a $30-$40 thousand dollar car know how to spell "which;" I would hope that Buick's advertising agency would at least know how. Has the Lucerne grill changed to be pointed on every trim? If so, they have images of the other grill in the gallery, but the build page shows all trims with the point. This kind of junk should not be up on that site. Sorry, but I am passionate about this. Link to the Lucerne build page.

Again, I vote Invicta, of course. The most important thing is that they quit futzing around and get the product out. The last thing Buick needs to be right now is mysterious and undecided. They need to show strength in product, presentation and management as a GM core brand. Enough mamby pamby, get the show on the road and show buyers why they are chosen as a core brand. How difficult is it to choose a name and market it throughout this development stage. It adds strength to the brand marketing. Buick could definitely benefit from a new advertising agency too. That web site is not nearly dynamic enough, difficult to navigate and totally void of color and excitement. Who needs a "help me choose" tab when there are only three completely different vehicles to choose from. You do not throw up unsupported, unfinished and misleading web pages, it is weak and confusing. I love Buick, please get it right!

Link to Leftlane article here.

Until a few short years ago, Cadillac made luxury barges and Buick made sporty luxury cars. Funny how things change when the totem pole gets rocked. I think the same is true for the "new" Buick. To call it a "senior" car is status quo and out-dated. I see more 55+ drivers in Elements and Xbs now. As you get older, your desire is to stay young. No wonder Buick began to be attractive to older folks back in the day when "they" were the sporty luxury division. Guess Scion and Honda best prepare themselves for the stigma that awaits them.

Pick up the Jan edition of Car & Driver. There is a prominent article in there about the New Insignia coming to NA. They don't even mention the Chinese Regal existing, stating this would be the first spin off, and state that a version is coming in the form of a Pontiac. Either they are clueless at C&D or the auto mags can't even keep up with the fast pace of the changes at GM.

Here is the article at Leftlane.

I'm happy to see this. I have never been a fan of GM's flashing brake lights as turn signals. I guess with the introduction of the Liddy light, this set up was a bit safer; but I think it looks far less sophisticated and too old school in the premium market.

Here is the article at Leftlane.

Typos are the least of their worries. Why does GM/Buick continue to take web sites live that are not even complete or tested. It is missing links, text frames are dropping off, and don't even try to build a new 2009 Enclave. This is a poor image for a premium car builder. There are more internet reviews of Buicks than there are showroom reviews by far. If you can't impress them on the net, you will most likely not get them in the door. Come on Buick, get your sh-t together, we love you!

Now that GM has announced their plan to receive government assistance, I think we realize that there is no coffin for Buick now. It is a core brand that GM values. As for the old LaCrosse, the new one is a 2010 model, so it is natural for them to feature the older model as a 2009. I think there was some discussion a while back that both the old and new model would sell side by side for a while, which makes sense since the new one will have an early debut in the spring.

Link to article HERE.

As much as I would just prefer Saturn disappear, I say let them have the Insignia and give Buick the Sports Tourer. Take that lower door crease off, slap that Regal fascia on it, give it Riviera Concept ventiports, point out that rear bumper, load the vehicle with lots of standards, including GPS phone dock, lux out that interior and call it Invicta. Sure would make a nice, more compact Enclave sibling. Opel Insignia/Sports Tourer Site

Article at Leftlane says "According to GM Inside News, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be offered with two powerplants – a base 3.0L V6 and an up-level 3.6L V6." Here's the link.

I think my biggest disappointment so far on the new car (I just can't bring myself to call it LaCrosse, it is just too unworthy) is the elusive headlight pod. The concept headlights were great and incorporated the LED running lights which are currently the big thing showing up on new luxury models (i.e. Audi A4). Why would Buick feel the need to step away from this emerging trend to do run of the mill, not trend setting designs? I know the headlights have yet to be fully seen up close, but that is my current opinion. Everything else (with the lack of specs) seems to be right on the money with the concept. I think the integrated center console in the back seat of the Enclave, along with the lack of attention given behind the second row from concept to reality, was the wrong step for Buick. These details are what would have differentiated the vehicle more from its lesser GM siblings.

For someone who is so bad at statistical data retention, I love it when someone else excels at it. Especially when it concerns Buick trumping Lexus.

Sorry, but it wasn't my thread and I did not read it before seeing this info.