caddycruiser

Too cool! These things still look great, years and generations later. I'll go even rarer, and take one of these in 2wd. Finally saw one when I was in Georgia last month. I swear I still have a Chevy/GMC brochure(s) from the 90's somewhere with these when they were brand new, 2 door and all. Anyone remember seeing the 1999/2000 concept Tahoe 2-door of the GMT-800 generation in a GM test parking lot? Cool.

In reality, I think the XTS on the street looks better than that old Continental looking Cadillac above...but I may be in the minority. Otherwise, cool stuff, especially the Malibu coupe and small Chevy coupe, plus the GMC Sierra I hope looks as good, and not just that grille on an old body.

Weird. Since work moving out of Philadelphia and west to suburban Limerick, PA, I've seen 2 brand new owner driven Murano Crosscabriolets on the road out there. Never before, only on a dealer lot here or there near the city. Out there, people seem to buy them.

I still don't see the Verano as doing THAT well, but it is a great car and very refined. I like the interior more than our ILX, and both that interior and the driving dynamics ARE the Buick brand. The ILX needs to catch more momentum and the pricepoint needs more acceptance, as right now it hits the $30k mark too quickly. I see them daily and the ILX is a more entertaining to drive car, and in Philly I see a lot more of them than the occasional Verano. Interesting to watch as they all catch traction. The GS exhaust is great. Actually seems loud at cold idle, but in a cool way. Under acceleration, it doesn't sound like a 4, but a deep and rich something. It's unique. Oh, and that GS button remains a blast. That it rides stiff like my stock TSX in GS mode but handles much smoother is interesting. Now, can Buick just sell more... If only they hadn't built mostly 6-speed stick GS's (great for enthusiasts, too bad there's only 3 of them a month out there) because that's what's left out there and the GS is the sweetest Regal. I looked at a Lacrosse again and though the style, size and panoramic roof are great, it just isn't as alluring. And I'm glad the GS only comes in 4-cyl. It feels right in the car, and no matter what anyone says about V6, like the stick, real world buyers don't buy them. Not to say this car with a properly tuned V6, transmission and AWD wouldn't be fun but the added weight and extra fuel sucking wouldn't be.

Looks like a great time. One of these years if I ever am not working on a Friday or Saturday, I'd like to try and visit.

Thanks Roger! WeatherTechs are an immediate purchase with any new vehicle, myself and now our family too. Nothing else is made to the level of quality they are or fit as perfectly. Last forever, easy to clean, and all season but attractive. The GS is incredible. More and more I drive it, the more and more it makes my current TSX demo feel brash and unrefined, particularly in ride and handling. Oh, BTW, White Diamond continues to stun me. Amazing color. I want the front 3M wrapped like my other cars, but am trying to avoid the expense because it is a lease and my history. Costs $4 more per month to insure with full coverage than the '96 Subaru. Weird.

Awesome shots, bikes included. Mom looks like fun.

Finally got to wash the Regal today, after 2 weeks of rain and caked on goo. So much better. And wow do the Brembo's up front make a lot of black dust, in addition to a squeak I expected. Need to get someone to seal/wax it for me, and help with the washing. Very pleased with the legal tint, rears only, and still the drive of the car. My fuel mileage is not great having only driven around Philly and once or twice spirited on the highway for a couple of miles home, but we'll see how it does on a trip to Delaware this weekend. The 2.0T and Aisin 6-speed in combination with the rest of the package do nothing but impress me.

WeatherTech's in, and finally a day at home after washing to see them:

Great update, and a very nice car. Toyota is Toyota, but that is a solid and luxurious choice that should do very well for you. The Outlook is huge to go to after a Civic and Tiburon, but hopefully works well for him. Where was the vacation looking house at in the pictures, with all the trucks around?

Ah, I didn't even notice that. Looked awesome in the warm sunny afternoon, all windows down.

Old New Yorker at a shopping center not far from my place in Philly this afternoon:

Once again, nothing better than a dog and its human

Another XTS in my neighborhood, this time a White Diamond (the best) Platinum AWD. What a stunner in traffic. Before that, a lady driving a blue mid level model with a front Eagles plate (is Philly after all). Seeing several of these out & about. Same for 2013 Accords. Followed a red one with temp tags home yesterday. Still boring, but looks clean and not hideous like the last gen. The LED's in the lights are a nice touch as well.

That is awesome. Dogs are the best.

Will do so. Only been home at night lately. Will try to snap a few. They are still by far the best and my favorite, trays with the right texture and fit. Wish they had a better one for the trunk too. Buick makes one but not sure about it.

On my late night center city cruise last night, a great looking stock '04/05 black CTS-V with a nice extra burble to it from light to light. Haven't seen an older one in a while.

WeatherTech mats are in, and a fresh wash necessary aside, took the GS through center city Philly late last night with the roof open and then on the highway, and LOVE the quiet burble and surge of power from the GS tuned 2.0T. It doesn't have an annoying 4-cyl sound or high pitched like my TSX, but effortlessly woosh and up to speed. GS is the stiffest but it is such a fun car in that mode, and the ride even nice. Glad I picked the 19" wheels with Goodyear Eagles even more. Great recommendation and awesome ride. Now if I could just sort out my seat/steering wheel position.

And a few more with better views of the tint, on an increasingly dirtier (it keeps raining) car.

More notes on this car, driving a little further today (and because I'm off). On road reactions to it? Definitely noticed. A guy in a truck beside me this morning was staring and I lip read "Brembos, wow". Others pointed at it, near my condo. Great looks. Power is very nice. I never really have pushed it much as all, the 2.0T in GS tuned form is so quiet and silky, doesn't really have that 4-cyl high pitched "twang". When accelerating, a nice burble of sorts instead. You do feel the turbo surge when you need more power, but not an on/off/on/off like my last turbo comparison, Acura RDX. Ride and quiet superb. Firm in all modes, but normal very comfortable. GS stiff legged mode takes bumps somewhat like my TSX does in its one mode. You definitely feel GS kick on, from a response perspective. Seats are excellent, and I wasn't sure at first with the bolstering and padding, but fit me well. Mirrors are a bit small & triangular, have to adjust. Getting better without the backup camera, and having front park sensors still is unique. Beep beep beep. Onstar app is awesome, although sending a command does take some time and is not instantaneous. I've always liked the twist & toggle knob for navigation, radio, etc. in my TSX and our other Acura models, and am glad the Regal has a similar knob on the console along with command buttons around it. Just trying to get used to where it is vs. on the dash. So far so good. Hopefully can do some more highway driving soon, and figure out what kind of mileage it gets.

Tinted this morning. Did 20% on the rear windows only. Also odd, I know, but I like to be legal and the same setup looked great on my Pacific Slate G8 GT a couple years back with the black interior. Waiting for it to cure and dry, but otherwise looks good. Hard to see here with the bad lighting.

Starbucks this morning in Northeast Philly. Lady walking towards me was laughing then I saw why. Eyelashes.

Good point on the camera. Not a necessity, but in this price bracket of luxury sedan, especially with a nav screen, there's just no reason it shouldn't be there. I've gotten used to it, since my Avalanche. Makes you a bit duller of a parker because you can see in detail your back bumper, but easier overall. GS is sitting nicely outside. As a lease, I said no more than floor mats and detailing. Floor liners still on there way, but I also scheduled tinting for tomorrow morning. Not usually a tint fan, but I had the rear windows done legally on my G8 GT and with the black interior the fronts barely looked any different. That tint was perfect and hopefully this turns out the same. It was a place recommended by the Buick sales guy, as on his own Regal. Bright & early tomorrow. Also, living in Philly and with my parking, I need to get a deal with a mobile detailer to keep it touched up and waxed/sealed/washed for me, without spending too much. We'll see.

Another new dark gray XTS Platinum on the road by my new work, with the larger thin spoke chrome 20" wheels. Already had chrome B-pillar trim and (odd) Vogue yellow-white stripe tires on the stock wheels. Amazing looking car on the road, especially in foggy rain with the HID's glowing. But leave the Vogues, please.

I'm going to sleep in this thing tonight. Buick has come far. In the end, glad I didn't do Lacrosse. Or splurge even more on a Caddy. I wish they'd sell more, or just enough to get numbers up and not enough I still avoid seeing myself on every corner. New pro's: -Onstar app coolness. Now I know why my mother uses it so often. -Keyless access & go, my favorite. -Harmon Kardon audio sounds strong, just played with it a little more Not sure: -Tire pressure low. Says 35 on the sticker, they're all 30 or 31, setting an Onstar alert. Oops, dealer. It happens. -Backup camera, again. So strange. Why not, GM? Still not for 2013 either. -I asked "and the foglights?" and we had a few second silence...right, GS doesn't have them. Forgot that somehow. HID ringed lights are fine. Good night all.