IS-SV

Agreed.

Real life example of a potential buyer in my family, he's 62 years old (active, fit, educated, semi-retired). He really likes the car and will seriously consider buying it, unlike any Buick in the last 2 decades which he ignored.

IS-SV

He was fired just before his multiple affairs surfaced, good timing on GM's part.

GM would prefer that you not mention his name.

mmarshall

Perhaps this is overly-stereotypical, but the impression I get is that except for the relatively young, caps-on-backward Evo/Ralliart crowd, the majority of Mitsubishi sales, at least in the American market, seem to be the same class of people buying Chrysler/Dodge products....those who are willing to tolerate sloppy build quality, flimsy hardware, a lot of plastic, and poorly-done interiors.

IS-SV

Therefore the older crap car was experiencing declining sales, the new car is enjoying robust sales and even outsells the Lexus ES350, not bad.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

It's simple. The old car was a crap bucket. The new car is pretty decent. They are both for older people. Neither is of much interest to younger people.

You can't judge perception and willingness to buy by a few threads on the internet. I have posted topics on the Kia Sportage and Scion iQ...do you think I have any interest in owning either of them?

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

^sorry...edited and reposted

mmarshall

I agree, though I'm not quite as scornful of the old model as you are. But I don't think that's the point MPLexus301 is trying to make. His argument is that the new LaCrosse is not selling with young people at all because of lack of interest and it being too much of a traditional Buick. I say the youth interest is there, but other factors are preventing sales. Apparantly you, me, and him all have three different views on the matter.

IS-SV

We can all speculate as to what causes loss sales (not even sure what loss sales are being discussed, not that it even matters). Sure I was not impressed with the the old Buicks (with pushrod engines, 4 speed trannys, ugly designs, poor handling, crap brakes, mediocre aerodynamics, mediocre performance and accelerated depreciation), but Buick's contribution to GM's US auto business losses over the last decade are obvious.

And the "name" Buick has no appeal to most buyers under 60, not unlike names like Olds, Mercury, Lincoln, etc.

But looking at the known facts, the LaCrosse sales are up sharply over the last model, and it is easily the best selling Buick this year. Certainly good progress, even if the average age of the buyers are still up there.

LexBob2

Both the Enclave and LaCrosse are doing very well for GM. Hopefully, the new Regal/GS will continue that streak.

IS-SV

Yes LaCrosse and Enclave are at the top of the Buick sales charts.

On the topic of average age, IMO the Regal/GS selling in decent volume could have the greatest impact on reducing the average age of Buick buyers, but that's just early speculation.

primecut

iTrader: (1)

That explains a lot.

LexBob2

Last week I was car shopping with a friend and we went into a big Caddy/Buick dealership to look at the LaCrosse. We were joking on the way in that we were probably the youngest people they'd seen that day (we're both "mature"). My friend asked the salesman if age-wise he'd qualify for the Buick. The rep was cool about it, laughed and said they'd make an exception.

That's where I saw the Regal. Nice Euro-looking car.

LexFather

Well the LAcrosse offers a base 4 cylinder at around $27,000 dollars. The ES starts at nearly $35,000.

IS-SV

No doubt, that is a factor. Regardless, the Lacrosse is one of a few bright products in the current US product line.

I8ABMR

After driving a worked G35 sedan for 5 years my friend were blown away when I told them I bought a Lexus GS. They all said " Isnt that an older persons car?".