Regalguy01

Nice looking concept. Looks more like a chevy or pont than a buick. But I guess they could deck it out to the point that it fit the Buick channel as well.

Well let me give everyone a little 'truth' about this particular subject. I might also mention that I work for Allstate.(no jokes y'all) 1st, the truth to what many of you said is that a glass chip is covered under your comprehnsive coverage and usually done with no out-of-pocket expenses to the policy holder. It is typically about $60-$70 per crack/line, depending on what area of the country you live in. If you actually had to have the glass replaced, then your deductible would apply and your comprehensive coverage would pay any costs over your deductible. Another truth someone mentioned is the $3k threshold usually used as the determiner of if a claim falls as chargeable or non-chargeable. As the name suggests, chargeable claims will casue a surcharge(rasie) in your rates while non-chargeable claims will not. Here is the tricky part of this where most people are confused: Most insurers, including my employer, offer some sort of 'claims free discount'. They discount your premiums for every period you go with out a claim. If you are receiveing such a discount, than filing a windshield claim will cause you to lose the discount. As a result your premiums would be higher--but your rates weren't actually raised-- you just lost a discount. I have had more than my fair share of conversations with insureds who did not understand why their 'rates when up' after filing a glass claim. The other thing to consider is this: if you go to change carriers, this claim would show up on the clue report(clue is data base all insurers use to find claims that potential customers have had) and you would be ineligible for any claims free discounts, and might actually pay a higher premium than if you didn't have a claim on your report at all. Bottom line, if you want my advice, just pay for it out of your pocket. Insurance policies are for those large losses that would cause a financial setback in your life if you didn't have coverage. As I have outlined, the long-term impact on you insurability could be much more damaging than the short-term benefit of you saving a little $$. :AH-HA_wink:

For designing and engineering a car this stunning I say: For NOT bringing this car to the Us, rather saddling us down with the nice Lucerne and merely compotent Lacrosse, I say: Before I rant, let me also say that interior is absolutely G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. It looks, pampering, soothing and inviting. Now, a few years ago Buick said its mission was to beome an 'American Lexus'. Lexus sells on their quality, plush interiors and style(or lack thereof) I have to admit, since I drive an ES at least twice a week, that the cars are very smooth and have not had any problems out of(other than herky-jerky tranny) the ES after 74k miles. Style is a matter of subjectivity but the car buying public has shown that they have a deep appreciation for the Asian take on car styling. It is my belief that this chinese PA represents Buicks best attempt at nailing those attributes and acheiving its Lexus-like goal. This car would not look at all out of place on the same parking lot as the new Enclave. In fact, I believe it is cars like these that bring traffic into the auto dealer. Many people go to the dealer in search of one car and end up buying another one, often times a cheaper one, but it was the more expensive, better looking car that brought them to the dealer in the 1st place. Must I slant my eyes in order for GM/BUICK to make a car that appeals to me the way this chinese PA does??? 'Cause if they look like this with interiors this good, I might just be heading to extreme makeover!

So true! I feel the same way. Stinkin enuff already w/the BEST EVER crap.

I don't disagree, there will be some confusion, but the point is it will then be on peoples mind-- which currently I am finding largely that it is not.(not around here, anyway) I have seen one Acadia on the road and no Outlooks. We have one Saturn dealer in Jackson, Ms and several GMC dealers. The only advertising of either I have seen has been from GMC dealers and it is done quite sparringly.

Someone needs to email GM a clue about buick--and the Lambdas for that matter. The critics have done an OUTSTANDING job in print, internet, tv and everyother mass media outlet of making us(and GM) believe that all buick's former customers have defected to imports like Toyota and Honda. While this may be true in part, I think its more a case of Buick's large loyal following dying off, getting older(buying car less often if even still driving) and yes some have moved on to other brands. The other reason is that today's largest pool of carbuyers, which I would say were born post-1960, came to start appreciating cars in the late 70's 80's and 90's. During these decades, buick continuously got little or no attention. The 82 century wasn't updated until 97. The last gen park ave was an evoloution of the design that started in 1991. The 1990 lesabre design wasn't really updated until 2000 and I could go on. Concurrently, gm unveiled no new technologies or innovations through the buick line(save maybe the 87' GNX ')during this period and so now buick is left with its only customer base as people who are either old enough to remember its days of greatness. Or people like myself who's parents drove only oldsmobile and buick, swore off imports and instilled these values in us.(though wife HAD to have lexus) And so the madness continues, at least for now, with the intoduction of the super line. Alas, buick will stuff 300 horsepower engines in its two ''quiet tuned'' cars and get some minor suspension tweaking, new faux wood and that should bolster sales right? Wrong again. The only people who know about these changes are the Gm faithful like us on this site and others who may have googled the name 'buick to check out the Enclave. The lacrosse and lucerne should have been stop gap cars only! What I mean is they should only have run maybe a two year course while GM developed ALL NEW cars. All the name changing did was make SOME(not many) wonder if things were truly as different as the name suggested and sadly we found they weren't. Old southern saying: You can put a pig in a dress buts its still a hog underneath. Buick I would like to see something jaw-dropping done with the next Lacrosse and I wish they would do an extensive update of the Lucerne for 08(3.6 w/6 speed anyone ). As much as I love my 3800 v6, GM needs to ditch it as the car-buying public at large desires the overhead cams utilized often in import applications. Saturn is experiencing new found intrest because they've gotten like 5 or 6 new cars in about 18 months. The Lacrosse was never a star, but the Lucerne definitely created some buzz and went toe-to-toe saleswise with the segment leading Avalon last year. But alas the newness has worn off and now the dated mechanicals struggle to garner new sales in the face of more modern competition. Make your next Lacrosse and Lucerne absolutely breathtaking in style, innovative in its engines/mechanicals and pampering in its interior. People want and will buy cars that have these characteristics. If you do use Lexus as your benchmark, shoot for better--not just as good which you did with LAX and LUCY-- because you can bet they will not sit still while you play catchup. GM. Get your head out of your ass already! Take some of the money in your marketing budget and advertise the Enclave now!!! I think a great premise for a commercial would be something that showcases the Acadia/Outlook and then at the very end gives a brief but enticing look at a fully loaded Enclave. Tease the public's intrest and develop some pre-launch buzz among car-buyers(4get about the import-humping press). It may not be conventional advertising, but none of the previous Buick campaigns have brought the masses in the showrooms either. Whatever you do, stop treating Buick as a red-headed step child and give us somethin' to shout about!!!!! C'mon Lutz, get those asses in gear before the next decade! Sorry for the long post, bottled up emotions just came out, lol.

I wouldn't spend $10k more to buy this car over the new CTS. The new CTS makes this irrelavent

I think the Lacrosse benefits greatly from the new grill. Sadly though that same grill on the Lucerne makes true the saying: Everything ain't for everybody!

Thanks for the info. I now have no qualms at all!!! I have to admit, I am so anxious to buy one of these that I have refused to take a test drive of Acadia/Outlook in fear of buying. I did go with my father-in-law to the GMC dealer when he test drove an Acadia. I didn't think I really liked its face too much from the photos but in person, wow what a difference! Thats a gorgeous ride. I anticipate GM kicking much in the segment with this trio.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can you even mention the Santa Fe in this discussion. Apart from them both having dual exhausts and a rear window wiper, I hardly see where they share any similar traits. This BUICK sets a new standard for the class. And keep in mind, this is the BASE model. I do agree that it kind of puts you in the mind of the FX, but the Buick outclasses even that model IMO.....This car/truck/cuv or whatever is destined for GREATNESS!!!!! On another note, I do have concerns over Gm's new 6 speed tranny in these vehicles. I have read quite a few reviews of the outlook/acadia, both professional and new owners, and have seen quite a few comments about 'hunting' for gears to make me wonder if GM is planning to do some 'tweaking' of the same. Oh well, even the owners that bitched said it wasn't a deal breaker so I am still planning on trading wifes ES for this cuv in 08' I cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the pics!!

Gm Brass = Here is my thought: Don't wanna make it for caddy? Feel like its just not quite up to those standards? Note to Lutz(whom I respect greatly). I have another thought for you and I will spell it, B-U-I-C-K!!!! Lets face it, with the favorable acceptance of the Lucerne and anticipation of the Enclave(which has already garnered critical acclaim for its interior AND exterior), Buick needs to keep the hits coming. Yes people noticed the Lucerne, but for many(myself included) they don't need/want so much car. My argument against the current line-up is that Lucy makes Lacrosse obsolete. Why? Well why spend $25k-$27k on a decently equipped Lacrosse CXL when you can have the better equipped, better looking Lucerne CXL V6 for $27k-$29k. The Lacrosse, though a not-that-bad car, has never caught on quite like GM wanted to and the fact that the Lucerne continues to outsell it even though Lacrosse has been around longer, makes my case for me. So, back to the topic at hand. My proposal would be make this car for Buick. Ditch the LAX and make this the entry level. Bless it with at least 3(yes 3) engine choices and give it a more 'upscale look' than the cars in the $20k to $30k This, coupled w/Lucerne and Enclave, will bring the late 20's, 30's and 40 somethings you hoped to reached with the LAX anyway. This will allow Buick's appeal to grow while still not stepping on the toes of Caddy. This will bring back the strong BUICK heritage that brought forth such automobeast's as the original Riveara, Wildcat and Grand National. Bring back the excitement to BUICK!!!!!!!! And if this platform HAS to go to cadillac then I have an equally simple fix. Delete the current, non-relevant STS from the lineup. Move up the CTS that debuted at the auto show(which is stunning inside and out) and then insert this BLS in the CTS's place. Now get ta work GM!!!!!!!

While I lament those fish-eyed headlamps, the car is not ugly at all. If they just did something different with the headlights to go with the new grill and got rid of some of those granny-panny rims this car would look very respectable imo.

I say GM stay away from Chrysler and keep focus on your own turn around. Who cares about the minivans since that segment is shrinking anyway? I don't want to see Chrysler, a company that employs tens of thousands of Americans, go down in ruins. But I also don't want to see GM, who has made the harshest of critics conceede that GM is turning out some competitive products, go down with what is now a sinking ship. My entire life(27 y/o) Chrysler has been a roller coaster. They were facing bankruptcy when all of their most famous products, the k-cars and minivans to the cab-foward cars and now lx cars, were brought to market. I don't know that GM needs the inconsistency or quite frankly the distraction of trying to make more brands profitable. Throw that intended money into some more product for Saturn, Buick and Pontiac to beceome more profitable and gain market share. IMO.

I would bet that 40% of those were to fleets. The Lucy is about 28%. The pricing point for Lesabre was about $22k-$28k. The Lucy, $24k-$34k.

OMG. LMAO....... Toyota GMC They've been watching our Trucks........Classic one-liner from the General!!!!

All I can say is..........................WOW. Amazing what sheer boredom lends the inspiration for.

Why don't you tell us how your REALLY feel, lol. I'm teasin'. I agree with much of what you expressed.

These photos are excellent! As a chicago-born and raised kid now living in the south, I miss these auto shows. You certainly took some good shots of all the vehicles I would have cared to see. Did yall see that Malibu? WOW look out pig-snout Camry!!!!!

And Rainier owners can now brag to be owners of a collector's item!

Highlander: Nope(though the interior is cordially inviting) XB: U-G-L-Y You ain't got no alibi, cuz you UGLY!!! XD: --with yet ANOTHER ugly stick.

*YAWN* So, show of hands, who cares?

Now THAT is what you call an import-fighter. The angles look a lot like the current gen Acura TL to me. I've always like the current TL too. Way to go Pontiac. VERY sexy indeed.

I'm liking it

Toyota Sold 88,938 Avalons (named the benchmark in the near-luxury segment) and the new kid on the block, Buick Lucerne, sold 96,515. Thats about a 9% difference. Sign of good things to come for Buick I hope. :AH-HA_wink: