caddycruiser

I take it I'm in the minority on this then. Oh well, maybe I'm being critical, or it doesn't matter, and they are getting positive attention from those who count. They just didn't "get me" or make me want to watch, like a great CAR commercial does, that's all.

I drink nothing but soymilk, and sustain myself food wise on veggies, fruit, and the occasional chicken/fish portion...but not sure if I've *noticed* anything different with the soy. Very intrigued, though, and tempted to experiment...

No...never seen it. I try not to be biased, but I tend to stay away from anything that contains "magic" things. Still, it's popular, so must be interesting to some. That's my input to the question

Buying GM is common in this house, but never a Saturn. That said, with the Outlook, last week we ALMOST bought a Saturn, and my mother was ready to sign...until she saw and drove the Enclave later. So, she's now accepting of Saturn and the vehicles (still going to the dealer, I was asked "Aren't they just cheap, junky cars?"), and really likes them...just not as much as she did a Buick Both times I've been to a Saturn dealer, I did like the atmosphere, and I never even got a whif of "sales" talk, just like a friendly store of sorts--so that's an impression that sticks with me.

I hate the new ads, but only because they come off "cereal company marketing" to me. Admittedly, I was a huge fan of the Cadillac "change" ads with Led Zeppelin and the like, but ever since then they've just gone down hill, IMHO. They don't show the car well, don't highlight performance, and have Civic/Corolla crowd imagery and such. Just doesn't seem befitting of Cadillac...but I'm interested to know what others have thought, or if anyone thinks the same way.

Yeah, right now, it's hard enough even to find an Enclave (one of the models being talked about) to see, let alone get one. The worse part is a LOT of people who've ordered them, especially on one main Enclave owners site, have been waiting 2+ months, and now some of them are even thinking to just either give it up or be disappointed and try to find something they could deal with on a dealer lot. Then again, that too poses a problem, as the dealer stock is low, and now--even if just for a few days--the impression is that all there is to pick from is what you can find already built, and dealers might start being even pushier with price, as they already have been because of the fast sales. Same for the CTS, with lot models going pretty quickly, and a LOT of customer orders in the pipe line, and all of those people waiting, and waiting...and now this. Hopefully, it doesn't last long, but earlier today, I could see in what I was reading the change in attitude on some boards for the "hot" models, from people. Even a couple of days has an effect, for sure, and then you have people worrying about quality during that time, etc.

Ah, that makes sense. And as far as the Honda, what's funny is, on another forum, we were just discussing problems with brands other than GM that rarely get publicized, and I said this: ...Hondas with weird drivetrain sounds and interior rattles, plus malfunctioning parts... Guess you pretty much experienced that thought, then. Shucks.

WOW, what a change...can't imagine going from (well, what I think is very nice) a Civic Si to a down and dirty pickup, unless I really, really needed the use of a bed and work truck capabilities. Either way, interesting move, for whatever reason.

At least on the wood... When we drove a Saturn Outlook XR last week, my mother (not a wood-anything fan, in a car) looked at the wood and said "just cheap plastic?". Later, we drove the Enclave, and without me saying anything, aside from the rest of her astounding reaction to the differences in how it drove and felt--SO much higher grade than the GMC & Saturn, somehow--was "Is that wood all real?" I said the wheel was, but the dash wasn't, and in least in the black cloth interior we were in, neither she nor I could tell the difference. So, I still prefer no wood overall, but in most cases, GM does the fake stuff quite well, and in cases like the Enclave, it really looks natural and fitting like you would expect real pieces to--if you weren't fooled in the first place, like she was. --------------------------------------- NOW, keep improving it each year in various ways, all around, and it'll continue to be a big success. Oh, and finally get a fresh, new sedan lineup out there taking all the best things that make an Enclave great, and they'll be set. The Lucerne is still very nice--still a big fan--but not as much of a standout as it needs to be, and the Lacrosse is just too humpty-dumpty & old. Some interesting details, and a nice outside size and such (but ancient W-body cramped inside), but really just an old, needs to be replaced yesterday sedan. Two new sedans, maybe a luxury coupe (but I completely understand staying away from what is, really, a limited market), the Enclave, and a baby Enclave...

Yeah, that could be a good idea. I just signed up for the King of Prussia, PA (right up the road) event on an evening in December, so can't wait

Yes, not working--one's right up the road from me, so I WANT to go!

You can't be that dumb, seriously? As has been said by most of us who aren't idiots, they almost ALWAYS use a body from another vehicle (especially if it already shares the same platform) to test out the running gear and such of the new ride in question, just without anyone seeing that new car completely. That's what the guts are underneath this car...they just don't want the Camaro body--yes, just like the concept--seen yet, in camo or otherwise. This is common practice across the industry, in varying degrees. This might not be a news story, as they likely have been testing this and other mules for some time now, but that's exactly what it is.

Good point. It's likely drivetrain and suspension, which is usually the case when the body is different, but the "guts" are there. That said, given the expected intro time, at this point they should be very close to regular bodied (i.e. production) Camaros driving around in various states of assembly, and covered in vinyl and tape, for later real world testing of EVERYTHING. Unless, they just aren't that far yet...but which would also make one wonder.

I agree. In individual reviews, everyone is raving over it--unless they really try hard to nitpick down to the bare essentials, like an acute angle not being exactly as they would like on a dash vent. It NEEDS to be the 2008 MT Sport Utility of the year, but we'll see how that goes. If it ends up being something half-arsed like the Highlander, then I will finally agree to the bias comments. This clip actually sums it all up to me, in terms of real-world impression. It was the Autoline Detroit host and 2 guests just GUSHING over the Enclave, how it should be a winner of many things, and just raving on every little thing: http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1128?play And another, just a review: http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1129/review?play

I'm with you on the colors--number wise, they aren't too paltry, but at the same time, there's not very many that jump out at your senses. Like, for instance, we had black--never again, just because of maintenance for her and heat--then white, which she thought would solve the issue, but just shows everything the black didn't, except for scratches. Then, looking at the Lambdas, the very popular Cocoa (Saturn/Buick)/Medium Brown (Acadia) was a first choice, and seriously considered, until ultimately deciding it was just a touch too dark, even if very nice. Then both the blues were dead (hate blue), no red (loathe red), leaving essentially gold and silver. She's over the brand of Buick being only for old people, but still says gold is an "old people color", which basically then left it at Platinum--i.e. silver. So, there's a range of choices, but they're all just the standard GM blue, black, red, white, gold, etc., and it'd be nice if there were some more creative and attractive choices like a pewter/silver, a medium gray, maybe an olive, etc.--at least even just on the more luxurious Buick. As for model, on an Enclave, a CX and CXL are actually really close, the only real difference being cloth vs. leather (a deciding point for most) and different wheels. We'll be going CX when the time comes, simply because the cloth seats are so nice and no fans of leather here, and I'm SO glad at the same time that doesn't limit us to only a few choices and "base" equipment, like the Lucerne or Lacrosse.

Love it, and I'll put it this way: Mom finally became interested in an Acadia or Outlook after people at work started new car shopping too, and GM sent her brochures for each. I thought the Saturn could be the winner, for someone in their early 40's, who likes a sporty truck look, and has driven an Avalanche and now a Suburban, so we test drove one. She liked it a lot, and would have bought one that day, if they had the right combo and/or she knew what she wanted. Also just looked at the Acadia, as I knew it drove identically, and she liked the interior more, but the option/feature combo wasn't as compatible. Then later I said let's go see the Buick. I had NEVER actually fully considered the Enclave for her, despite the upgrades, because it was a Buick and she didn't seem to like the look in recent times she'd seen it. But, we went to a dealer and actually found one, looked inside and out, drove it...and SHE WAS IN LOVE JUST DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. Same size, seating/storage adaptability, features, etc. as the other Lambdas, but SO much more elegant feeling AND driving, and a great set of standard/optional features. Aside from the look, the two biggest clinchers were the much nicer seats (a bit plusher and ritzier soft cloth) that were the closest resemblance to our sublime Suburban seats we've found, AND a very much noticeable quieter and smoother drive that was just incredible, but not at all soft & spongy either. The point? Thought she'd want an Acadia or Outlook...but the second she touched and drove the Enclave, she can't wait to get rid of the Suburban and order one as soon as she can.

I second everyone's comments, and add this. I finally got my Suburban-loving-driving mother out to see and drive the GM Lambda trio: Outlook then Acadia then Enclave. When you can even do those 3 in succession, and the SECOND she gets in the driver's seat and is barely out of the parking lot saying things like "Wow, I love this. This is a lot nicer than the other two we just drove...then proceeds to get on the street, highway, and back to the street without saying a word and just smiling...it is a definite winner. Trust me, it takes a lot for a reaction like this. There's something special not only about the Lambdas, but really so about the Enclave...and like reviewers have said, it's a new ball game, and if they can just embody what makes the Enclave so impressive in the form of a sedan and even a smaller crossover, and KEEP THEM CHANGING/COMING, Buick will truly, finally be a leader in the market and recognized for it.

Oh, cool. I have a lot of people to play that for now... :AH-HA_wink:

Haha...coming from the southern end of Delaware, funny song. A bit hokey, but pretty much DEAD on with reality--well, except for the polluted air thing, as that's a northern specific. Still, pretty well mixes the more hectic northern atmosphere with the lower western redneck side, and also the always bustling beaches (our domain) all together. Where did you hear or get this from?

AMEN! They were sticker-engineered, but the real issue was just they were the worst vans on the market, with terrible build quality and problems galore (at least pre '05), and even after the refresh, seemed more refined and put together better, but still had all the space issues, looked goofy, and still had problems. With the Lambdas, right now they can't seem to make enough of a group--and there's strong people in each camp who ONLY like one, and not the other two, kind of like one, love one, and hate the other, etc. The core vehicle itself is just so darned capable and perfect (well, nearly), that it really does come down to what trim and style do you like the best (and they've done a great job differentiating so far), what dealer you like, etc. There always is the risk of over population, but I think there's definitely enough of a market still not touched who will also fight tooth and nail to get a new Chevy version, that it will take a long while before they start dying out. Need a minivan, but WON'T drive one? You buy a Lambda. Want an SUV, but don't need BOF/V8, the extra cost, extra gas, etc.? You buy a Lambda. Looking to move up from a premium (or not) car to something larger, that looks great, and drives like a killer sedan? You buy a Lambda. And on, and on... So, there may be a breaking point, but things are still so insanely good now, 4 well differentiated versions will do extremely well--just leave Pontiac out of it (they need to get on BMW-esque cars, and do it quickly), and let Cadillac do something unique, and all is well in the world.

Haha, fascinating. REALLY dig the red Sharpie signature on the OUTSIDE...odd... Wonder who will get it...from the looks and mileage, probably just someone looking for a cheap old Caddy, who also likes the rare Kevorkian red trim...

EXACTLY. Say what you will about Vince Burlapp and this chop, but if you've seen the spy pics, you know it IS pretty much spot on--with the only question still being the exact layout of the rearmost side window and pillar. Otherwise, it's an exact match. Check out this link, where the original spy pics were posted, now with a story about the Vince picture: http://jalopnik.com/cars/chevy/2009-chevy-...erse-298055.php I say it's a match...we just have to see the rear corners uncovered for real, and the interior.

Not an unexpected photo chop, given how fairly clear the lines and details under the camo are. It's still a little rough, but imagine it with Chevy-specific wheels and other tiny clear details, and that is pretty much it. Now, if a spy photog could just catch an inside glimpse through a window. Probably will soon enough, then we'll see the outside officially. Oh, and don't you just LOVE the insane comments on the HollywoodExtra? Every time, it's pretty 100% clear that it's the same handful of Accord, Camry, BMW, etc. loyalists who refuse to open their scope to anything else, and ALWAYS use the SAME comments and excuses for anything that goes against that. I've posted once or twice before, but now just read and laugh...

Here's a pic to tide everyone over, compliments of Autotrader:

Yes, they look great, and I was really drawn in to the white/tan GXP FWD the local dealer had...the erased roof rack, larger wheels, and different stance and fascias really made an already good looking ute better. And then, who could beat the 3.6L/6-speed in a relatively light weight vehicle? Again, as so many have commented on in the Lambdas, you too might think the trans tuning is odd, but as a GM engineer had to say many times while he was on an Acadia forum, it's tuned to keep things at the lowest RPM possible in normal light driving, and therefore yield you the best gas mileage. But step on it, and that "mode" will go away, and it's just a screamer.