caddycruiser

Kind of shows why most VW/Audi cars feel so crisp and solid, doesn't it? B)

Yeah, we already knew about this long ago when they released the Tahoe specs. Too bad they reserved it for top end models only--just because you don't want 20" chrome wheels and leather seats doesn't mean you wouldn't be willing to pay for such an infinitely useful feature.

Haven't seen any here (Philly) yet, but am expecting to see quite a few "old folk" versions by the time I get back home to Delaware for Christmas, with some gawdy chrome wheelwell lip trim, canvas roofs, and whitewalls.... :puke:

This Saturday, November 5th :AH-HA_wink:

Yeah, REALLY. Even if it DID have a lot more power than a Navigator, for instance, sitting in the Lincoln and then sitting in the Caddy is like entering a completely different planet, and NOT a good one. For that reason alone, I could never imagine laying down the $$$ for such a nice looking, but cheap-ass Chevy feeling truck. Then again, on "another" board specifically catered to Cadillac's and their owners, a LOT of current gen owners already despise the '07 Escalade. Makes not a bit of sense to me, other than a few of the exterior style comments (but even for that--we still haven't all seen the full thing), but a LOT of them are actually complaining that they like the current interior more than the, and I quote, "Sissy, Passat-copied interior" in the Tahoe/Yukon they've seen so far. Had a little posting debate with one person, to see just exactly if he could explain how the el-cheapo Chevy work truck parts throughout his '03 Escalade were BETTER in his opinion, and still never got an answer that made sense. Ahh, who cares. The rappers will still love them!

Great point, and now with more and more NEW Buicks and their new styling and pieces, I'm starting to see why they NEEDED new names. Century, Regal, LeSabre, etc. were nice in their hay day and very fitting for a beige-metallic, ugly hubcapped, and bench seat "comfy" car your Aunt Bertha drove, but they'd just take some of the focus away from the "new" of the latest cars and their changing image. Lacrosse, Lucerne, and Enclave sound like three very uppity starts to me. Now they just gotta ditch the minivan, throw away that stupid Trailblazer clone and it's nasty interior and sloppy road manners, and HEAVILY upgrade the Lacrosse, and they just might start getting somewhere....well, at least as far as a luxury brand can get without a single RWD car in the lineup... B) Too bad they're going to HAVE to be sold next to Pontiacs that, while better, still have a "trashy" image of sorts in the minds of a lot of people.

Okay, so the real question: how much DIFFERENT will the Caddy interior be from the cloned Chevy/GMC cousins? Hope to god not just like now, with some Caddy specific wood, chrome, and that's all she wrote. HOPEFULLY, the new Escalade will really FEEL like a vehicle worth the $55k+ asking price, and not just like a tarted up cheap Chevy with some nice parts and a crazy sticker--then again, that seemed to sell well regardless. :rolleyes:

HAHA.... :lol:

Well that sounds good http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons//AH-HA_wink.gif What about the powertrains? The 3.6L and the 5.3L? Hope to god there's no pathetic 3.5 or any 4-spd auto underneath the skin of ANY of them. That'll just be instant death.

Some people still thought it was, for whatever reason, hence my post. Regardless, will ALL of the first three Lambda's, the Enclave, the Acadia, and the Outlook have 3 rows of seats? Any ideas on any first-time or interesting features?

People, AGAIN--THIS IS THE ACADIA! If it were REALLY the Envoy, don't you think you'd instead see frame rails and a solid rear axle? The independent control arms under the back of this mule kinda show that it DEFINATELY is something new. Plus the fact that we pretty much already know the "next" GMT-360's won't change that much at all.

Fully agreed here. Now from what I've read and heard, I'm VERY excited about seeing any of the Lambdas (well, except for the Saturn Outlook for some reason....even looks boring in camo'd spy pics...). Actually, another reason why I can't wait is that, if these things trully can seat 7 comfortably and have a moderate level of cargo room in them at the SAME time, and not be cramped up like the Rendezvous is, either the Buick or the GMC might be a VERY strong candidate to replace our Suburban in a few years. By then, the massive cargo and people hauling duties should be reduced around the house, but it would be nice to still be able to seat as many people OR easily fold flat all the rear seats and just make a nice big cargo hold. As is, the next big ute's, the GMT-900's don't seem like they'll be too strong on the latter regard, since there's still a big space eating solid axle under the back. Regardless, can't wait to see the pics and be able to tell mom she doesn't have to wonder about what she can replace her 'Burban with when the time comes! http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons//AH-HA_wink.gif Well, unless they turn out boring and/or dorky like the Lacrosse, Lucerne, Yukon, etc. seem to have in different degrees....

My first thought upon seeing this thread was: "Hmm, very uppity sounding." Does sound VERY Martha Stewart-like, and, considering the people who will be attracted to and buying it, I think it's very fitting. Like others have said, Rendezvous has been a great name considering the mission and use of the current vehicle design, but in order to fully move up another class or two, I really can see the point in giving an all-new product and all-new name--especially when it comes to GM, which tends to have to build upon previously dumpy designs. Enclave...it may end up being pronounced a few different ways, but still sounds classy, like some kind of a high-end piece of machinery or a tool. As such, should be VERY fitting for an upscale, luxurious crossover.

Yeah, well if it's yet another damn case where we hear "Oh, everybody said WOW!" and then we see it at the launch and go "Huh?", I'll graciously volunteer to help give Buick a friendly push up the river... Sorry to be so skeptical, but after intros of cars like the Lacrosse (weird proportions, cheap details, and the 3.8), the Lucerne to some extent (also the 3.8, in addition to a frumpy face), the G6 (I think that one explains itself...), and even the new full-size ute's (LOTS of improvements, but glaring absenses, like a fold-flat AND comfy 3rd row), if the new Rendezvous/Centieme isn't finally an example of "Ooh! I gotta have one!!", to the fire with GM. Then again, we'll all just have to wait and see B)

Looks nice and I actually think the base cloth bench seat interior looks great, especially compared to the awful look and quality of everything inside the latest LeSabre. Really like that gray CXL too. Problem is, still, the front end is just miserable. From most angles, looks like a relatively svelt, refined, and luxurious piece until you see the front--WTF? Is there a reason, yet, why this thing had to get such a bland, "trucky" nose? Hate to say it, but it kinda has a "down syndrome" look to it :huh: Take EVERYTHING about this car as it currently is, ditch the 3.8 in favor of the 3.6 and give it a new nose identical to the Velite concept, and it would be nearly PERFECT (well, except for the FWD thing, but that's just me...)

Not a hideous car, but boy does it ever look OLD! I have a feeling that very few people will even notice the difference between a '00-05 and this '06, especially since things like the rear have virtually no changes--and the interior, for whatever odd reason, stayed 95% old and 5% new (the new only being the center stack electronics). A very weird "redesign", that's for sure.

Nope, just sheetmetal, a few different emblems, and different wheels B)

Yep, you basically answered your own question there. It's externally so identical, that the only real difference is in power output. As is, I still see NO reason whatsoever to have the 4.8 around, other than a waste of production costs--the 5.3 costs no more to build, has more power, and has almost identical economy ratings. Plus there's the fact that, even though GM seems to want to keep it around, it isn't getting the DOD the 5.3 has and will. So, to cut it short--the 4.8 would be a waste of time.

OH YEAH, that's right....this is GM, so we must say "maybe the next-gen will". I think the Solstice is a great car nonetheless, but for god's freaking sake, WHY the hell are issues like this still even remotely present in the "new GM" cars? Anyone? Anyone got an answer? Compared to past GM cars, they're in a different world, for sure, but compared to the constantly running and jumping competition (even other domestics now, like Ford), they're so constantly behind the curve, it's pathetic. For a low $20k's car, I could excuse it SOMEWHAT, had this been 3 years ago coming from GM. But today it should be ancient history, us all enjoying the fruits of the new GM and it's reinvented passion. I can't wait to see what is "under par" in the new big ute's after a real-world, in person look at them. ^_^

Good points, but though not a real eye-catcher, it has better driving dynamics, refinement, and room than the only real competitor, the Pacifica, not to mention actually being priced RIGHT--most of the ones sold hover right around the $30k mark with a lot still below that. Things like the engine/power really are adequate and I've never heard anyone, besides an auto mag, say that it is lacking. Actually, according to a co-worker who traded a nearly new Expedition EB 4wd for a Freestyle, she LOVES it and says it's one of the nicest vehicles they've ever had--and it's just a base FWD model with very few options. Can still fit just as many people inside, describes it as "quick and quiet", and, best of all, has been thrilled with the constant 26-28MPG she gets ALL THE TIME. That being said, while I expect the new GM Lambda's to be one of the better lookers and finally have some real room inside, they better be right at the top of things like MPG's and right at the lower end of the MSRP scale to be a true success. i.e., start around $26k and don't go ANY higher than $36.5-37k (and for that much, it would have to be a LOADED, LOADED Buick model, for instance, with everything imaginable).

I've always really liked the '00-05 exterior styling of the Bonneville, but HATED the interior. Suffers from the typical awful plastics and crazy design typical of Pontiacs from a few years ago, but there's also another problem I never did understand--though very much the same as a LeSabre underneath and in length, why is the back seat in the Bonnie SO much more cramped and uncomfortable? After our 300M was rear-ended and we started looking at LeSabre's as a possible replacement, I also encouraged looking at a Bonneville since it looked better, but we just couldn't get past how tiny the rear seat ended up in the Pontiac, compared to the Buick. Regardless, the car looks GREAT and I wish you many good years with it!

Except the whole rear leaf springs and less roomy engine compartment would be a significant downgrade from the current models.

:lol: ...hey, but it sure is useful here!

Yeah, as for the windows, both of our '04 Suburban's front ones have auto down, but I wish they also did auto up. Wonder why the Buick only has one? On the other hand, GM's remote start sounds AWESOME! At least that's one relatively meaningful trump card they have over the competition. I REALLY want it on my next car after seeing it in so many new GM models. Other questions for the Lucerne: -On the Buick site, it shows a Nav system, but that doesn't exist in the options list. Any ideas? -Also on the site, shows a wood/leather wheel--where the heck is that available?

From what I was told, they recently modified their signature shade of pink too. Now, on the latest cars, like the new DTS mentioned above, they basically took the stock GM "White Lightening" shade of pearl white that also tends to give off a slightly lime green hue, depending on the light, and mixed that with the Mary Kay pink. Doesn't look much different, I don't think, just seems to "pop" a little more.