Despite low sales, Buick LaCrosse Avenir is coming.
11-07-17, 05:22 PM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
For the record, I'm all for keeping the portholes (or a similar effect). Just like with Cadillac and its fins/vertical-taillights, they've been a styling-success since the late 1940s for a reason: 
Decades ago, one could always tell a top-line Buick (Roadmaster, Electra, Park Avenue, etc...), by having four portholes on the fender....lesser Buick models had three. That began to change, though with time.....some of the newer Regals have only two.
Decades ago, one could always tell a top-line Buick (Roadmaster, Electra, Park Avenue, etc...), by having four portholes on the fender....lesser Buick models had three. That began to change, though with time.....some of the newer Regals have only two.
11-07-17, 07:23 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
11-07-17, 07:31 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
You better start believing in miracles, then.
A lot more of the DTS senior-citizen crowd is alive and (still) well than you think. Some of them will likely still be driving (and buying new cars) for another 15-20 years, especially with the advent of the self-driving vehicles by then that will not require much, if any, in the way of driving skill.This is especially true in my county (Fairfax County, VA), outside of D.C., which, at least partly because of its superb health facilities and hospitals and extremely high standard of living, currently has the highest life-expectancy in the U.S. for males, and very close to that for females.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...=.b8c4e9bff509
Believe it or not, some of these Grandpas are even still driving Corvettes LOL. They grew up, as Baby-Boomers, in the 50s and 60s with the original 'Vettes, and never lost their attraction to the fiberglass-bodied wonder. My next-door neighbor, deep into his 60s, has one....along with two other vehicles.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-07-17 at 07:48 PM.
11-07-17, 10:00 PM
#19
[QUOTE=mmarshall;10024949]column
That has to be one of the ugliest dash and steering wheel set up I have ever seen on today's vehicles. Only a mother (the engineer who thought of making that hideous interior) will love that interior. Car is beyond dated already....
That has to be one of the ugliest dash and steering wheel set up I have ever seen on today's vehicles. Only a mother (the engineer who thought of making that hideous interior) will love that interior. Car is beyond dated already....
Last edited by 5gears-IS; 11-08-17 at 06:51 AM.
11-07-17, 10:13 PM
#20
The issue with Buick is that it really no longer serves any purpose in the NA market. The gap between mainstream and luxury brands is the smallest it's ever been. People would rather get into a little CLA or A3 than a low-tier luxury brand like Buick.
Then there's Buick's [earned] reputation. Far too many decades, including the present, of tarted up GM products. There is nothing attractive about owning a Buick, especially to the under 40 crowd. As mediocre as the CLA is, for example, it still doesn't feel like a dressed up $15,000 car from inside the way the Verano did.
Plus given way they package and price their models, most people would rather opt for a lower-spec Audi or Lexus.
And while I'm not sure what Buick's residuals look like, I'm sure they stink like the rest of GM's divisions.
Then there's Buick's [earned] reputation. Far too many decades, including the present, of tarted up GM products. There is nothing attractive about owning a Buick, especially to the under 40 crowd. As mediocre as the CLA is, for example, it still doesn't feel like a dressed up $15,000 car from inside the way the Verano did.
Plus given way they package and price their models, most people would rather opt for a lower-spec Audi or Lexus.
And while I'm not sure what Buick's residuals look like, I'm sure they stink like the rest of GM's divisions.
11-08-17, 04:53 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Just talking to a colleague yesterday, who bought a CPO Acura. Now, I think we may all agree that CPO is really a marketing gimmick, because there were some issues with the vehicle. BUT, as he described it, it was all sorry about that Mr. xxxxxxx, we'll take care of it. Let us get you into a loaner, which was a 2017 version of his 2015. Meaning, whether they are sincere or what, they try to give the appearance that they will take care of everything. I don't think GM gets this part. Sure, Lexus totally gets it, but usually that's reflected in the price tag of the service (I remember maybe 10 years ago, there was a question why a Lexus oil change is the same as a BMW oil change, when Lexus uses dino juice, why isn't there a delta? And why does Lexus require new oil and service every 5k?) The funny thing about the Acura deal is he said it's been 2 wks and he's not calling them, because he has a 2017 loaner. BMW was the same way, having a loaner newer than your car kind of makes it so you let some incompetence slide...as I understand it, Buick has a 1 yr. longer warranty than Chevy, but they don't even wash customers' cars as a general rule nor do they provide loaners if a job doesn't take overnight etc. This isn't the same class as BMW/Audi/MB. Actually, does GM even have loaner cars, or are they actually demos and Enterprise? Don't get me wrong, I'd love a 1994 Roadmaster with the LT1, but that's emotion, nothing more....
11-08-17, 05:00 AM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I don't think GM gets this part. Sure, Lexus totally gets it, but usually that's reflected in the price tag of the service
as I understand it, Buick has a 1 yr. longer warranty than Chevy, but they don't even wash customers' cars as a general rule nor do they provide loaners if a job doesn't take overnight etc. This isn't the same class as BMW/Audi/MB. Actually, does GM even have loaner cars, or are they actually demos and Enterprise? Don't get me wrong, I'd love a 1994 Roadmaster with the LT1, but that's emotion, nothing more....
as I understand it, Buick has a 1 yr. longer warranty than Chevy, but they don't even wash customers' cars as a general rule nor do they provide loaners if a job doesn't take overnight etc. This isn't the same class as BMW/Audi/MB. Actually, does GM even have loaner cars, or are they actually demos and Enterprise? Don't get me wrong, I'd love a 1994 Roadmaster with the LT1, but that's emotion, nothing more....
GM dealers vary quite a bit in their level of service. Mine does essentially what Lexus dealerships do on the loaners and hand-washing...and one particular Service Advisor is so courteous and competent that he is one major reason I am a repeat customer of the place. His Yelp-reviews also show that my opinion is not alone.
Also, today, a lot of people are spoiled by the kind of service they typically get. I can remember, back in the 1970s and 80s, a general level of service quite different....especially in the competence level of the repairs.
11-08-17, 05:05 AM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
11-08-17, 05:16 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
GM dealers vary quite a bit in their level of service. Mine does essentially what Lexus dealerships do on the loaners and hand-washing...and one particular Service Advisor is so courteous and competent that he is one major reason I am a repeat customer of the place. His Yelp-reviews also show that my opinion is not alone.
Also, today, a lot of people are spoiled by the kind of service they typically get. I can remember, back in the 1970s and 80s, a general level of service quite different....especially in the competence level of the repairs.
Also, today, a lot of people are spoiled by the kind of service they typically get. I can remember, back in the 1970s and 80s, a general level of service quite different....especially in the competence level of the repairs.
11-08-17, 05:20 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
GM dealers vary quite a bit in their level of service. Mine does essentially what Lexus dealerships do on the loaners and hand-washing...and one particular Service Advisor is so courteous and competent that he is one major reason I am a repeat customer of the place. His Yelp-reviews also show that my opinion is not alone.
Also, today, a lot of people are spoiled by the kind of service they typically get. I can remember, back in the 1970s and 80s, a general level of service quite different....especially in the competence level of the repairs.
Also, today, a lot of people are spoiled by the kind of service they typically get. I can remember, back in the 1970s and 80s, a general level of service quite different....especially in the competence level of the repairs.
edit p.s. your GM dealer and Lexus hand washes cars? The Lexus dealer sent mine through the car wash. My BMW dealer does as well. They used to hand wash M's. Interestingly, my BMW indie hand washes. I saw them doing this when I picked up my car--my invoice was all of $93 lol so I felt they took pride in their work
Last edited by Johnhav430; 11-08-17 at 05:25 AM.
11-08-17, 05:59 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
My dad said the two times he had loaners at Buick GMC....one time was an Enterprise, the other time was a car with a dealer tag. This is not how BMW does it, they have a fleet and there is a contract between the customer and BMWNA. I've never gotten a Lexus loaner because I've only gotten service once there, but I saw a long line of loaner RX350s all lined up, with the lounge being so full there was nowhere to sit. They ought to have used those RX350s and cleared the place out, but of course I can't tell them how to run their business. They told me if I did the water pump for $1600 they could give me one of those cr**** RX's lol
edit p.s. your GM dealer and Lexus hand washes cars? The Lexus dealer sent mine through the car wash. My BMW dealer does as well. They used to hand wash M's. Interestingly, my BMW indie hand washes. I saw them doing this when I picked up my car--my invoice was all of $93 lol so I felt they took pride in their work
edit p.s. your GM dealer and Lexus hand washes cars? The Lexus dealer sent mine through the car wash. My BMW dealer does as well. They used to hand wash M's. Interestingly, my BMW indie hand washes. I saw them doing this when I picked up my car--my invoice was all of $93 lol so I felt they took pride in their work
Yep...both did it by hand. Most of the time, though, I turned down the offer. Health permitting, I can usually do a better job myself, with less risk of scratching the paint or glass.
$1600 for a water pump? No wonder BMW has such an expensive reputation for service.
And, like I said, I think we're getting off-topic.
11-08-17, 06:09 AM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Yep...both did it by hand. Most of the time, though, I turned down the offer. Health permitting, I can usually do a better job myself, with less risk of scratching the paint or glass.
$1600 for a water pump? No wonder BMW has such an expensive reputation for service.
And, like I said, I think we're getting off-topic.
$1600 for a water pump? No wonder BMW has such an expensive reputation for service.
And, like I said, I think we're getting off-topic.
Yeah back on topic, I guess Buick is focusing on China, I am of the camp their products just won't sell the way the catchy ads depicted (like where the girl gets in the wrong car and some strange man is inside). Avenir is latin for outdated, right?
(just joshin')
11-08-17, 06:56 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
The issue with Buick is that it really no longer serves any purpose in the NA market. The gap between mainstream and luxury brands is the smallest it's ever been. People would rather get into a little CLA or A3 than a low-tier luxury brand like Buick.
Then there's Buick's [earned] reputation. Far too many decades, including the present, of tarted up GM products. There is nothing attractive about owning a Buick, especially to the under 40 crowd. As mediocre as the CLA is, for example, it still doesn't feel like a dressed up $15,000 car from inside the way the Verano did.
Plus given way they package and price their models, most people would rather opt for a lower-spec Audi or Lexus.
And while I'm not sure what Buick's residuals look like, I'm sure they stink like the rest of GM's divisions.
Then there's Buick's [earned] reputation. Far too many decades, including the present, of tarted up GM products. There is nothing attractive about owning a Buick, especially to the under 40 crowd. As mediocre as the CLA is, for example, it still doesn't feel like a dressed up $15,000 car from inside the way the Verano did.
Plus given way they package and price their models, most people would rather opt for a lower-spec Audi or Lexus.
And while I'm not sure what Buick's residuals look like, I'm sure they stink like the rest of GM's divisions.