Buick and the 24 HR Test Drive
#31
Lexus Fanatic
You'll probably notice a quicker run and fewer traffic lights now than years ago on the D.C.-Ocean City run, since Route 50's "Reach the Beach" program widened and re-routed the highway around several towns and older bridges. The old, low, two-lane drawbridges for the Choptank, Nanticoke, and Wicomico Rivers used to be potential bottlenecks......they are now high, wide, high-speed structures, and 50 now avoids Salisbury altogether.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-24-15 at 04:57 PM.
#32
^Its a good time of the year to buy, especially if you aren't that concerned with having a 2016 model. I can understand people wanting the 2016 model if the car is all new or has some sort of major change, but if the only thing they are changing is stuff like paint colors, well buy the identical 2015 and save a bunch of $$$.
#33
Lexus Fanatic
^Its a good time of the year to buy, especially if you aren't that concerned with having a 2016 model. I can understand people wanting the 2016 model if the car is all new or has some sort of major change, but if the only thing they are changing is stuff like paint colors, well buy the identical 2015 and save a bunch of $$$.
The only potential problem, though, is that buying an end-of-model-year vehicle sometimes means getting something that has been sitting on the dealer lot for months, not being run, with flat spots on the tires, bird/insect droppings splotching the paint, the engine/drivetrain not getting lubed from running, the battery draining, and UV/sunlight effect on interior and exterior parts. That's why it's important to check the date of manufacture (usually on the driver's door jamb) and inspect/test it even more thoroughly than you normally would a new car before purchase or lease. My brother's Kia, fortunately, had been built relatively recently (it was only a few months old), but I still gave it a long thorough inspection and test-drive before recommending its purchase.
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
^Its a good time of the year to buy, especially if you aren't that concerned with having a 2016 model. I can understand people wanting the 2016 model if the car is all new or has some sort of major change, but if the only thing they are changing is stuff like paint colors, well buy the identical 2015 and save a bunch of $$$.
Buick really has no true natural competitors, the Acura ILX/Verano is really the only true competitor they have. The Lacrosse and Avalon compare VERY well as the Avalon has always been referred to as a Japanese Buick. The other cars that are in the line up compare more to mainstream brands such as Chevrolet, Toyota, and Chrysler.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-25-15 at 09:46 AM.
#35
Lexus Fanatic
The Verano's closest current competitor, BTW, is probably the Audi A3 sedan, not the ILX. Acura doesn't sell enough ILX models in the U.S. to make it a major player.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-25-15 at 09:51 AM.
#36
Lexus Champion
This is such a gray area, there will never be agreement on who competes with who.
As they se it, C&D ranks the entries in the segment: 1. A3 2. 2 Series, 3. ILX, 4. CLA, 5. Verano, 6. VW EOS.
As they se it, C&D ranks the entries in the segment: 1. A3 2. 2 Series, 3. ILX, 4. CLA, 5. Verano, 6. VW EOS.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Incorrect. Many reviewers consider the Lexus ES and Lacrosse to be competitors. The Enclave also compares with the RX, although it is somewhat larger in size.
The Verano's closest current competitor, BTW, is probably the Audi A3 sedan, not the ILX. Acura doesn't sell enough ILX models in the U.S. to make it a major player.
The Verano's closest current competitor, BTW, is probably the Audi A3 sedan, not the ILX. Acura doesn't sell enough ILX models in the U.S. to make it a major player.
As for ILX, it is an exact, direct competitor with the Verano.
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Acura and Buick and the Lacrosse/ Avalon are all comparable.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-25-15 at 10:45 AM.
#39
Lexus Fanatic
http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/lat...icle-1.1569988
Buick LaCrosse spans the midsize and full-size segments of the sedan market and starts at $33,135, competing with Lexus ES, Acura TL and Lincoln MKZ, among others.
Buick LaCrosse spans the midsize and full-size segments of the sedan market and starts at $33,135, competing with Lexus ES, Acura TL and Lincoln MKZ, among others.
#40
Lexus Champion
Buick really has no true natural competitors, the Acura ILX/Verano is really the only true competitor they have. The Lacrosse and Avalon compare VERY well as the Avalon has always been referred to as a Japanese Buick. The other cars that are in the line up compare more to mainstream brands such as Chevrolet, Toyota, and Chrysler.
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
So if I link the MT article that compares the Verano to the ILX would you then agree that the Verano is a competitor to the ILX?
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Just because you don't like Buicks doesn't mean it has "no true natural competitors". It's not a niche car--it's a semi-luxurious upscale car. Just because you can't match up another brand model by model to Buick doesn't mean each model doesn't have sufficient other cars to compare it to.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
So if I link the MT article that compares the Verano to the ILX would you then agree that the Verano is a competitor to the ILX?
Of course, that's not to pan the ILX in any way...it is a well-built car with a number of good features, like quality materials inside and out, the traditionally easy-to-use Honda control layout, an excellent paint job, Swiss-Watch precision in its assembly, the traditional Honda/Acura reliability, a sophisticated 8-speed dual-clutch automatic, and (now) an A-Spec option. It is a compact sedan that, like the Verano, deserves respect...but in a different way.
#43
Heh Buick even has an "Ultra Luxury Package" for the LaCrosse? Talk about copying Lexus
And regardless of what models it really competes with, Buick wasnt even an afterthought on our list....it just wasnt on any list period. After buying my first Japanese vehicle (2000 Accord coupe), Ive been buying them ever since. I cant see spending even close to the same amount of $$$ on an American vehicle vs getting a Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti or Toyota/Lexus. Build quality, reliability, durability have all been stellar with any of the Japanese brands Ive bought (and Ive had/do have at least one of each of the above)
Ive had a few American vehicles as well and they were great in the beginning but went sour pretty quickly after (vibrations, rattles, etc)
And regardless of what models it really competes with, Buick wasnt even an afterthought on our list....it just wasnt on any list period. After buying my first Japanese vehicle (2000 Accord coupe), Ive been buying them ever since. I cant see spending even close to the same amount of $$$ on an American vehicle vs getting a Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti or Toyota/Lexus. Build quality, reliability, durability have all been stellar with any of the Japanese brands Ive bought (and Ive had/do have at least one of each of the above)
Ive had a few American vehicles as well and they were great in the beginning but went sour pretty quickly after (vibrations, rattles, etc)
#44
Moderator
iTrader: (16)
Buick and Acura definitely go hand in hand. A few years back, Mercury would also be grouped together.
For a vehicle like the Lacrosse, the above mentioned ES, TLX, MKZ would be some direct competitors as well as high spec Avalons, Impalas (Lacrosse based), Azeras and Maximas could be crossed shopped for someone looking for a large upscale sedan. The extremely old Volvo S80 is another option.
For a vehicle like the Lacrosse, the above mentioned ES, TLX, MKZ would be some direct competitors as well as high spec Avalons, Impalas (Lacrosse based), Azeras and Maximas could be crossed shopped for someone looking for a large upscale sedan. The extremely old Volvo S80 is another option.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Buick and Acura definitely go hand in hand. A few years back, Mercury would also be grouped together.
For a vehicle like the Lacrosse, the above mentioned ES, TLX, MKZ would be some direct competitors as well as high spec Avalons, Impalas (Lacrosse based), Azeras and Maximas could be crossed shopped for someone looking for a large upscale sedan. The extremely old Volvo S80 is another option.
For a vehicle like the Lacrosse, the above mentioned ES, TLX, MKZ would be some direct competitors as well as high spec Avalons, Impalas (Lacrosse based), Azeras and Maximas could be crossed shopped for someone looking for a large upscale sedan. The extremely old Volvo S80 is another option.