Tailfin61

Got the new Automotive News today and they had a small article on the LasVegas Dealer's Business Conference. The title was "GM Crossovers WOW Dealers". The quote for the yet to be named BUICK was from Buick dealer John Rogin of Rogin Buick "The Buick mid-sized luxury sport 'ute' is a jaw dropper. It is dramatic." Sounds promising.

Do you think the chrome grill is for the V6 models and the blacked out grill is for the V8 models (or CXS anyway)? Also, did you notice that the back end of the dark grey one is missing the chrome strip along the trunk edge? I wonder if that chrome strip is for CXS or V8 models only. I like the blue/shale interior. How can you tell if the cloth is cheap by that pic?

I too agree that, in photos, the Impala appears to be as nice as the Lucerne on the inside. BUT, I recently sat in several versions of the Impala (including the SS) and the interior, in spite of the "wood" trim, screams CHEAP! The plastic on the doors is really poor. Reminds me of the old Pontiac Astre (Vega) that my girl friend had in high school. Really poor. I'm sure the Lucerne will be better in that the LaX is already leaps and bounds better than the Impala. The Lucerne will be more in line with the DTS. The only thing that looks obviously missing to me is wood trim around the window controls . . . . Did anyone else notice that Buick changed the trim around the Lucerne's HVAC controls to match the interior color versus black only? The proto-type from the Chicago show had the tan interior with balck trim. The web-site shows tan with tan trim, gray with gray trim etc. One other thing, it's hard to tell, but is the carpet blue with the blue/shale interior? It looks that way to me . . . .

Also I might add that Buick should do away with TV commercials that show the LaX with base wheel covers and promoting that with all applicable offers starts at $19K. This doesn't convey a high end image. Highly desirable vehicles are not promoted that way (ie Acura, Lexus etc). Buick needs to "promote itself", meaning they need to act like a high end car line. If they do, people may begin to percieve them that way too.

I like "Super" because there is some history there. What about "Roadmaster" to designate the top model in each line? It too has history and could no way be confused with anything else. Does anyone know, historically, what was the higher trim line: Super, Limited or Roadmaster?

I went back to the Buick website and checked out the Lucerne grill, and with one exception, they do look like they are chrome. The one that didn't look chrome was at such an extreme angle, it was hard to tell; still could be chrome . . . . anyone else agree?

We could have surmised it was happening. Bittersweet . . . . http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103290

The CARS.COM website has been updated with the Lucerne info. Under the new car section pick any BUICK model for 2005. Once your in that model click the MODEL link at the top and then you'll be given a choice of model year 2005 or 2006. Choose 2006 and you'll then see the link to Lucerne. Have fun.

Autoweek.com (sister site to AutoNews) now has this complete article online for free. Here's the link: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103041

Sorry that I'm repeating myself, I just posted this today under another thread, but I tried to rent a LaX recently and no one had one in their fleet in the Hartford (CT) area. Perhaps this is a regional thing where GM put them in fleets in major metro areas to get them exposure, but you can't take that as representative of the whole country. Based on the vehicles I see daily, I see a ton of Maximas. A ton. But based on the sales figures, across the whole country they are selling just OK. Same with SAAB's here. Back in the 70's and early 80's, right when the SAAB Turbo was THE thing (per Car & Driver anyway), SAABs were everywhere here. But SAAB only sold 200K cars worldwide. New England was a strong market for them. Subaru too. Tons of them around here. I agree with Cananopie that the LaX is truly a nice vehicle. I believe that sales will increase and will be sustained over the life of the vehicle . . . especially if the reliability is high.

Per AutoNews: July: Grand Prix - 15770 500 - 13555 LaX - 13327 Taurus - 12353 300 - 10596 Avalon - 9432 Maxima - 6680 Charger - 5495 Montego - 4014

One more thing. The lag time between LeSabre and Lucerne is absurd. Someone's head should roll!!!

Just some thoughts: I tried a month ago to rent a LaX when my Honda (doh!) was in for some body work (doh! doh!), and I could not find any offered by anyone in my area (CT). None of the LaX's I see on the road seem to be rentals either. Saw a sharp black CXS in the highway yesterday with chrome package and wheels. I noticed it and thought it was really sharp. It stood out to me. Others have said that the LaX is nothing special and doesn't stand out. I disagree (yes I am biased). I'm on vacation next week and plan to test the CXS. I have an Accord V6, an although it is nice, it is far from the perfect car. The LaX has just as much appeal to me (I'm 44). Again, in CT, is see the Buick Employee Discount add all the time. Chevy and Buick mostly, as well as the generic GM add. In July I stopped in to a Buick only dealership in my area to look around. This dealership (Parsons in Plainville) is a large family owned dealership in business for years. Folks come from around the state and by multiple vehicles. I went back this weekend and the place was cleaned out. Very few vehicles to see. There were eight vehicles off to the side with SOLD in the window. As VenSeattle stated, I too think there is good news here. Buick continues to sell well in spite of what GM has done to undermine it's success. Be well.

Got my hard copy of Automotive News in the mail yesterday and, even thought it is the same as the online article I recapped, actually seeing how sketchy and uncertain the Buick product plan appears to be is a little disheartening. There is a chart listing, by model year, all the changes for each division and Buick has only two items on the chart, only two; Lucerne 2006 and RDV redesign 2008. That's it! I hope they know what they're doing. Starve Buick for product, or keep product well past it's prime, and then close the division for lack of sales, then who's the idiot? Also, to pick up on another topic mentioned here, I don't mind Buick having a minivan. As long as it's somewhat distinctive from the other brands and suitably upscale with Buick style, it would be a great alternative to high end Chryslers, Toyotas, and Hondas. Actual YTD sales, the Terraza has outsold the Montana SV6 and the Relay. Maybe that's why GM is unsure about whether or not there will be a Terraza after 2008, depending on sales.

This weeks issue has a layout of upcoming GM changes based on insider info and suppliers, now through 2010. Here's the link but I think you have to be a paying subscriber to read: http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=54222 Here's a recap: LaX - no changes planned. replacement in 2010 with development to be done in Germany with styling from US. Lucerne - All we've read about with base price 28K - 30K for V6. What I found interesting is that they referred to it as replacement for LeSabre, not LeSabre/PA. Flag ship sedan - This was referred to as replacement to PA code named Roadmaster. Now that zeta is cancelled plans are up in the air. No vehicle is planned until 2010 at the earliest. RWD Coupe/Convertible - Still uncertain. Could be zeta or other RWD option. Possibly by 2008 (could they be anymore vague?) Rainier - 2007 is last year. Terraza - status quo until 2008. Future model uncertain. RDV - Freshened for 2006 with new engine, grill, and quiet tuning. Replacement for 2008 model year. New model lower and sleeker with V8 option. Name change likely to Centieme. I think I captured everything . . .

Sorry, should have been more clear. I can "see" the Ordering Info link, but when I click it, nothing happens. The other links all work for me (radio, wheels, specs etc). Not sure why . . .

I was unable to see the "Ordering Info" on the link. Is that where it mentioned the blue interior option? Even if it's blue/shale that sounds cool. I like two tones interiors. I like the ebony/tan in the LaX CXS. Any word on when the Buick website will be updated with all the Lucerne info/colors etc?