caddycruiser

One thing I keep thinking when I see this car, ESPECIALLY the front....first-year Saturn Ion, only with GOOFIER proportions making up the rest of the body.

So strange. Take that first-gen Ion, melt and deform the body slightly, then add a MUCH higher of sophistication, refinement, and build quality, and you'd have this car.

I "kinda" like it, but full-heartedly agree that it is WEIRD. :blink:

See:

Hmm.. Thanks - I did not know that.  I saw the cut lines, and assumed they were plastic:



I do still think they look tacked on, thought.  Don't get me wrong - it's not unattractive.  But, given a ground up exterior redesign, I'd hope that they make the side look substantial without moldings - like the SRX, for example.

-RBB

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Good point, and the more I compare "old" to "new", I can see why the new one seems to be going for a different stance/detailing. Virtually every new Caddy has "flat" sides, so to speak, to correspond with the other sharp, straight angles that make up the rest of the design. As such, the Escalade taking such an approach will only make it look that much more modern and sophisticated "Caddy".

Can't wait to see ALL of these trucks officially!

Haha....stupid, but funny http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif

FWIW, I think those are black panels covering the sides and doors, so we really don't know whether there's any cladding or molding under there or not.

Myself, I agree that plastic moldings do not befit a premium offering.  The current-gen Escallade's I don't have much problem with, but I'd prefer that the "molding" be stamped into the steel itself rather than tacked on later.

-RBB

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If you've ever looked at an Escalade closely, you'll realize that the "cladding" on them is NOT plastic, but actually a formed sheetmetal piece. Actually, there are NO plastic moldings on the Caddy versions at all, unless, of course, you count the bumper covers, window trim, etc.

so when are they gonna offer it in a manual tranny? thats when i buy one

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NEVER. I think that's already been stated by DCX. Auto-only, the demand is insane already, so the engineering costs probably wouldn't even be worth it to make a stick.

Why'd they stop? I would have had a couple of my legal people on hand and just kept on going and going to further the story and have more people impressed by what GM was doing to make their visit better. http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif

Either way, that was a GREAT move for once :booyah:

That's interesting-does it work the same way as the Grand Prix GTP's did? I don't like the new Envoy bodyside moldings-they just lack the integration and upscale look the 2002-05 models did.

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I agree on the moldings. The first time I saw the new ones I just kept thinking how it looked like the truck was bare to begin with and someone just bought a cheap chrome stick on piece at the auto parts store.....something a local dealer seems to like doing to some of the Avalanches they order with no cladding or moldings (plus, often, chrome wheel well lip trim... :puke: )

Overall, the "originals" looked more substantial and fitting of the vehicle.

I'd go with a 2006 Chevy Impala-all three Buicks are inferior in my opinion.

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Compared to the new Impala, that is very true, in more ways than one. More room (than the Lacrosse), less awkwardly proportioned, newer engines, better interior, etc., etc.

I really didn't mean it that strongly....just kind of noticed, after all the various pics we've seen, that it just seems flatter and "thinner" than the current trucks. Not a bad thing necessarily, just different.

I'm taking a factory tour at the Janesville plant on Monday..anybody think I'll maybe get a sneak peek at the new trucks?  Are they even in production yet?

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Yep. There was a report from GM that pre-production was done, and some are actually sitting closed away in the plant right now, under wraps. Here's a quote from another board:

GM Drive Time (GMtv) Reports that some GMT-900 models are complete and are currently under wraps at the Janesville assembly plant. Gary Malkus the Janesville plant manager reports that they will be unvield in about a month. He also states that the production of the GMT-900 model(s) will begin in January.

This was at the end of August, beginning of this month, so the first images should actually be seen by the end of this month, start of October.

Here's video of the news conference, so you can hear it yourself:
GM TV

We have some base Cobalt coupes right now.  They are equipped decently, including cd and air, for $14.5k.  There's a Blue Granite one that has caught my eye and made me think about what I really need in a vehicle.

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I keep thinking about those things too. Though I really can't stand the look of the sedan, the coupes really do look pretty cool and after someone I know just bought a base model '05 themselves, I was stunned at how nice the interior still looked and felt--even if it did have crank windows. In reality, all I really need anyway is A/C and a good stereo, so I could actually see myself in one of those, hubcaps, window cranks, and all http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif

The HD trucks with the Duramax get a 6-speed automatic transmission with tapshift.

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Hmm, that's kind of interesting. The shifter reminds me a lot of the one Dodge used in the '99-00 Grand Caravan ES (the top sporty model) when they gave it Autostick--just a little +/- toggle on the end.

You can tell what the front looks like to some degree. From what I can tell, it looks pretty good.

I personally feel the cladding on the side of the Escalade wasn't/isn't too classy. With Caddy bringing the Escalade more upscale with the improved interior, I think getting good of the cladding is a good move.

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Guess that's true, because you have to change SOMETHING, or it will really look re-hashed. Looks, from this pic, like they adopted a new skinnier, taller look (even tough it really isn't) to be much more in fitting with the A&S gunfighter look of the cars right now.

This just helps prove that there isn't much "all new" about the GMT-900.  A better interior, a refreshed exterior, some power train improvements, and that's about it.  It's all good, but it doesn't sound good enough to stay competitive for a more than a couple of years.

Mark

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Pretty much...which is still really worrying me, for GM's sake, even though the GMT-900's are one of their supposed "blow you away" products. Mainly because, styling alone, these new trucks aren't going to get very many interested looks....the only saving grace will be a MUCH more functional and adaptable interior, both from a materials/design standpoint, tons of cool features, and a massive improvement in both 3rd seat access and stowability (i.e., it better at least fold flat, or they're screwed).

I'd say go Lacrosse, simply because she said she did want a smaller car, and because the Lacrosse is newer, more nicely trimmed, more refined, and a much fresher car compared to the somewhat cheap feeling rental special LeSabre (a car that I still like, though).

...exclusive Buick dealer says that their dealership has ordered no CXS trim LaCrosses because the 3.6 engine is too new and experimental- do you agree with what this dealer is doing?

Are they nuts....I mean, really? The engine has been out since '03 when they started using it in '04 and '05 Caddy's, albeit with a different 5-spd transmission and RWD layout. But, there's really nothing that new or unseen about it or it's design, just a nice, strong, highly refined, and powerful OHC engine for various "luxury" models. But saying it's too new and experimental? That's just crazy.

It's probably because most of their cliental is SO used to being able to get a Buick with a front bench, all they can get as such are 3.8L models, since only buckets come on the CXS.

those have got to be 22 inch rims, they look huge!!!

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Yeah, and if you'll notice for those of us who have seen the other Escalade pics, they seem to be at least one of the actual wheel designs that will be offered/standard.

Knowing that so many of the ones they sell ditch the factory 17" rims before they even get driven, it comes as no suprise that Caddy would see fit to bolt on huge chromies right from the get go....though I can see people still wanting to be unique or get a better looking design and still changing them out.

Does it really need that black plastic triangle thingy between the back of the cab and the bed? Looks okay otherwise.

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As an ex-Avalanche owner, the simple answer is yes. Because of the way these trucks are basically a Suburban with the roof (and therefore that added support) chopped off and then a big door (aka the Midgate) added, the sail panels hide additional bracing against twisting underneath, in addition to being a rather important, IMO, design element. Even if there was a way to stiffen the body in that spot enough without them, the overall look would be SO much like a regular Crew cab pickup, it'd be kind of strange.

Uh, what exactly is this new shifter?:



The tow/haul mode has always been there, but now it has a new shape and a +/- toggle switch....any idea what model gets this and just what it is for? Kind of like a Tiptronic sort of a deal?

...fresh shot of the Escalade, this time the EXT model, which almost clearly shows what the front looks like:



Only less than positive thing that myself and others seem to be commenting on after seeing both this pic and the leaked pic of the rear of the regular version is how much flatter, and bare the sides look--seem to have lost the very nice lower panels and flares that made the Caddy's unique, and now more resembles a current Avalanche with no cladding or moldings...

As I used to have in my sig: "Good Enough Never Is."

However, I disagree with you two about the Hummer thing. That's like saying GM needed to beat the Boxster with the Solstice and still sell it for $20k. That's like saying a Pontiac "3-Series" should be just as good as a BMW 3-Series, but cost half of the price. However, you simply CANNOT make a vehicle as good as the 3-Series, sell it for $20k, and expect to turn a profit; it's just not going to happen. The goal should be to have each and every vehicle be the best in its class. That doesn't mean a $20k Solstice needs to beat a $50k Boxster. That means a $20k Solstice needs to be a $20k Miata. It means the new GMT900 Tahoe needs to beat everything in it's class, but it doesn't need to beat a $70k Range Rover.

Great point, but something I remember reading in an article years ago comes to mind, like this...."We're not saying build a an equal to the MB C-class and charge half price for it, but WHY not make a C-class AND charge a C-class price?"

Yeah, it can be hard to get significant $$$ for a new design, especially if you have as bad an image as GM, but it would eventually work if you REALLY DID make cars that were EQUAL or better, and not just try and pass them off as much--you know, cars that are actually WORTH the price they go for. http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/AH-HA_wink.gif

WOW. Awesome read overall, but that Hummer comment just kind of shot it all to hell anyway....that one line was more telling than anything else, and describes the GM mentality, period, whether they want to admit it or not. Good points on cars like the Solstice and HHR too. Though, considering that they come from GM is amazing in and of itself, the Solstice has too low of a production number to make much of any difference and, even if it does bring LOTS of new people into Pontiac, the other cars there are so pathetic in comparison (G6, SV6...) that it still won't do much to boost the brand. Same with the HHR, which can be pumped out in high volume and is a very "cool" car, but admittedly or not, clearly a carbon copy of something Chrysler already rocked the world with years ago...and is now not doing so hot with. Some of that article seems very promising, but I guess we'll have to see for sure in the coming years....you know, per GM way, "You gotta wait 5 more years, THEN you'll see... :lol: "

--

This Lacrosse is MUCH better than what came before it, but like seems to be GM norm, still not even equal to a lot of the more distinguished competition. After sitting in and playing with things in almost every car at this year's Philly auto show, for instance, I just was NOT impressed by the Lacrosse. More solid than before? Absolutely. Better materials and fit than before? Sure, but still kind of a mix--nice door panel pieces, and some nice dash bits, but a terrible center stack, both from a materials and design standpoint.

Better than the Accord? NO way, not a chance. The interior design and shapes alone in the Honda are worlds ahead of the Buick, especially in higher end models.

The Lacrosse is not a bad car by any means, but more of a slightly pathetic stopgap than some people like to believe....overpriced, ungainly styled (from a lot of angles), cramped interior, a not so tasty mixture of interior materials and design, and old, gruff technology (think 3.8L, regardless of how many refinements it has gotten over the years).

But it still comes across as a Regal with a better interior. I was hoping for more.

That's a PERFECT way to describe the car. Fixes a lot of the excess cheapness of the Regal, but still really doesn't go far to even meet the more recognized competition.

The Lacrosse, along with most GM cars, really needs and should have been a "WOW!" kind of a car.