caddycruiser

Yeah. I think the build quality and refinement, as well as fresher styling, are all finally there, but they definately didn't do much as far as improving interior space--especially in the trucks, where even the crew cabs are getting quite a lot of complaints about the rear seat. Making sure not to make the truck too large is one thing, but with monsters like the Titan and new Tundra, a little bit more space would be nice, especially given how a lot of people use trucks anymore.

A lot of recent VW/Audi's have been like that, and all the Chrysler LH-cars have always been. Definately unique, and when my mother first got her new 300M, it kinda weirded my father out for a second too when he went to look around under the hood.

I've yet to drive any of the new GMT-900's, but even exploring several at auto shows, there's clearly no comparison whatsoever in the feel of substance compared to the last gen. Massively better materials and finishes, and a structure that now REALLY feels robust and tight. They should have no problem selling at all, once the complete model line is out.

Agreed^^. A lot more voluptuous, stunning cars with gorgeous lines and materials inside and out, and a level of performance under the skin that draws a great balance between power and refinement. Right now, they're "getting there", but still have a lot of things that need to happen. Ditch the Lacrosse and replace it with a real Lexus ES and Acura TL killer (it can do both, soft luxury and sharper performance), revise the Lucerne with a more elegant face and other revised look details, as well as a more refined and powerful V6 and a better 6-spd. The FWD in the latter is still one issue, but with proper revisions to the car, it wouldn't be too big of an issue. Add a real RWD V8 flagship, too. I can still see Buick becoming the American Lexus, with similar attention to quality and refinement, but also a lot more passion and expressiveness to the designs--no fancy Camrys with a soft feel, RWD sedans that have the right guts but are tuned to feel more robotic than anything, etc.

Based on the last 2 posts, my experience: This summer, when we briefly considered replacing the Suburban with a Lucerne, I had two extended test drives in an '06 CXL V6. Loved the look, the room, and the feel that just exudes quality through and through, but I did notice weird things. The car I drove only had about 10-20 miles on it. -I'm used to the 3.8L, at least the Series II, being in my grandmother's Intrigue, an '02 LeSabre rental we had for a month, and a '99 LeSabre owned by a customer of mine. The typical smooth and torquey rock, and also very quiet except for a minor pushrod rumble. HOWEVER, in the Lucerne I drove, the same smoothness and torque was there, but it kinda shocked me how loud it was right off the line. Just had a strange growl to it that kinda made you go "huh?", that roared right at take off, and then you'd never hear it again until a downshift for more power, and it was back to a lighter extent--sounded just like a hole in a muffler, but that would come and go. All 3 of the older 3.8L's I was used to roared, but nothing like this car would do. The off the line growl wasn't really even something I'd classify as a nice rumble, just weird. The rest of the car was S-I-L-E-N-T though, so that might have been a small part, but I still swear that 3.8L had a too loud gruff that I've never known before. -The car was smooth and solid as a rock, but at least with the CXL V6 I drove, there was a REALLY bad vibration right when I would hit 55. Not really much of anything below or above that, but a noticeable front end shaking you could see and feel in the wheel. This was something I know tends to be a common G-body oddity that a lot of owners & dealer shops have dealt with over the years, but it was still really strange for a brand new car. I told the salesman, but he just said "Oh, it's been sitting for a while and sometimes rust builds up on the rotors." Maybe if I felt it in braking, yes, but this was definately a front end suspension and/or mount issue. Still, loved the car, but just had to comment since someone else has noticed similar things! Best part was watching the steady 33-36 mpg at 55 on the instant mpg DIC function... ...that's DEFINATELY a selling point.

Absolutely gorgeous car, and though I'm not always the biggest fan of such a mass market FWD car, the general look and performance of those coupled with the--as you mentioned--awesome fuel mileage has always gotten my interest. Great cars, in most regards.

It's just a stunning looker, and the terrific driving dynamics just make it that much better--all for a price that, at least on XE's like yours, is almost shocking for what you get. And as was said, those rarer wheels DEFINATELY dress it up even more, and look great with the dark blue. Any other things, good or bad, you notice after living with the '04 Malibu and its similar guts for a few years?

Looks awesome for the price and mileage. Just keep an eye on the 2.7L, as it has one of the worst reputations ever in the DCX powertrain line. LOTS of oil sludging issues due to poor crankcase ventilation, which then leads to blown motors. It's a very well known thing on LH car owner boards, and also pretty visible with the number of 2.7L Intrepids & Concordes you see from any given time for sale with blown motors (Ebay always has a load), as well as at scrap yards. Regardless, this one has made it 173k, so it may be on engine #2--likely, unless you have documentation otherwise--but it also seems to be doing well still. Just be careful. Otherwise, they're very strong cars, and we had a '00 300M that was a bit of a problem child, but I still love the cars. So much, in fact, that for about a month this fall I was test driving and considering getting rid of my Fleetwood for a newer LHS. Didn't, but I still really like them

Well, if you look at the picture, it's pretty clear why. Two people at each one makes it quicker and easier to put each on, aligned properly. Even in the pic, it doesn't look like overkill at all--and is all the better for proper fit & finish. Well that, and they're not featherweights that just snap on either.

You can build both extended cab models on: http://www.kbb.com

Well that, and not to get off topic again, but that it also turned out too small for the class and price range it's in. I actually love most of the RL interior, and the mechanicals, but between the flabby looks (the TL shouldn't look as MUCH better than it as it does) and the cramped up interior, something just went off in the creation of that car. Has a lot of lovely, but also has a lot of "huh?!" to it.

Actually, that aside, there's another interesting comparo: Camry 4-cyl base, starts at $18k and is rated (and typically gets) 24 city, 33 highway. Aura Hybrid is around $22k to start and is rated at 25 city, 36 highway. Two very different powertrains, but this might be another case (like the VUE is turning out, I think), that lower price or not, when people want a Hybrid they also want significantly better mpg numbers. A price more like a gas version but with the Hybrid package only works if the mileage is there to back it up...not the case here. It'll sell on it's core "Aura merits", probably, but the "green Hybrid" line just is more of a waste than anything, I think. All or nothing--and that's pretty much how the sales turn out.

I really like the concept, and it works terrificly on the typical 4-cyl and few 6-cyl Hybrids, I just still wonder how well they've refined it using a somewhat gruff OHV V8 underhood. The 5.3L (and all it's brothers) are smooth, civil, and typically quiet motors, but they sure don't purr like a Toyota 4-cyl...so one has to wonder what the transitions between electric and the gas engine kicking back on are like. Although poorly done, in the last gen Silverado/Sierra Hybrid, it was a rather noisy, clunky affair, so I just wonder--even though these are admittedly many worlds advances from that past experiment.

Huh? What do you think Hybrid means? It's a mild version, so it can't power itself 100% on electric like some can, but the electric is there to assist the gas engine and to run things at stops when the gas engine shuts down briefly. Same deal as the VUE Hybrid that came out recently. As for the wheels & tires, they still don't look that bad, and if anything, on a Hybrid you want the wheels to be light and the tires to have low rolling resistance (i.e., not too grippy). This setup seems perfect. And no, to whoever said it, these wheels are NOT from a Malibu.

You sure? The plastic-capped steelies are standard on the current XE model, but these new wheels on the Hybrid definately look like typical machined aluminum. Looks aside, that would make sense, being lighter for the Hybrid. On another note, something I just noticed--boy does having a leather-wrapped steering wheel make a difference! I know a lot of cars don't have it, but even in these pics, and at least with what the standard wheel is made out of, it sure looks quite a bit downscale, even if just a steering wheel.

Yep, there still seems to be quite a few out there. The majority at this point are manuals--being that autos always sell first anymore--but you can still search around and likely find the color/transmission combo you want. And not specifically sure, but from what I've seen, they seem to be going for around the $25-27k range new, at least recently.

Really old, but strangely enough, still one of the best built and most refined AND tough SUV's on the planet. I think of this and the Land Cruiser like fine wines. Maybe not the latest trends, or even some of the coolest gadgets (though they're not missing much), but years later, they're still amazing in most every regard aside from looks. So, you may not have the flash of being in a latest Escalade, for example, but everyday you could be enamored with the ungodly terrific quality and refinement, for a feel that's worth the price. At least IMHO... :AH-HA_wink:

Pretty much your standard base Aura, save for some more interesting guts underhood. Blah wheels, definately, but otherwise a nice piece. Hopefully the real-world benefits are worth it for the price, at least in comparison to the more expensive but really well done Camry Hybrid, etc. Even if it's a lot cheaper, buyers will still inevitably draw comparisons.

Still not a fan of the blob-like new Yukon faces, so this iteration still isn't that great, but they seem like they'll be great vehicles once out. As long as it all operates flawlessly, and the mileage is significantly improved (i.e., not just barely at all like with AFM), AND the price isn't stratospheric (these trucks are already at the high ends again, with options). Actually, with this and the Tahoe, I still do wonder. They remove the roof rails, side trim, and rework the fascias to really get the best COD they can and allow for the best possible mileage at all cost, so I wonder what kind of minute effect the same revisions would have on a regular full gas model. Just food for thought, I guess. But again, the Chevy does look better this time too...

Definately different from the current models--which are still arguably the best lookers around--and hopefully they keep what makes them popular and add enough new stuff to attract more buyers. Just hope they don't turn out to be another new DCX product with weird as could be outside proportions and details, and an interior that even early 90's GM would laugh at.

First stick car then? Hmm, then again, I've never driven a stick myself...

Well, considering the just released details and pictures of the '08 STS Platinum, I guess I spoke too soon. Interior and just about everything are virtually identical to '07, so I guess we won't see much of any significant changes or upgrades until '09. This car very well must be a slightly revised '08 -V mule, as originally stated.

It's all minor, but it does give it a more aggressive aura. The regular LT wheels still fit the look better, since that's what it was originally designed with, but at least these short run unique trims get more unique parts than just coloring.

Okay then, I take back what I said in the other thread with the STS-V spy pics...guess the bigger changes for this car aren't coming until at least '09. Not that this car has a lot of issues, but anything to at least dress up the interior is MORE than welcome.

Great idea, especially if just for a limited model, to fully show what they can do. You don't need the leather dash & suede bits on your rental & more mass market models (not that the stuff they get is anything to snuff at), but it's nice to have that trim at least available in one level. The Tuscany leather, unique colors & wood, and suede headliner & visors are just incredible, considering both already the current interior in the standard DTS AND compared to the crap that was in this car just back in the '05 model year. GM has come a long way, and almost overnight in some cases, and it's finally starting to show.