GMFAN83

You know what would be great if the Enclave really is Buick's Answer to the Highlander & Pilot. Buick would kick a$$.

I guess it will be rare. So, I expect it to grow in value as it becomes a collector car in like 15 years or so.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan use ten year cyles for midsize platforms.The 2007 Toyota Camry is just a Major Revamp of the 2006 Camry. Just like how the 1997 & 1987 Camry were revamped compared to their 1986 & 1996 predecessors. This is conjecture! The Epsilon Malibu(The standard of Epsilon) 2003-All-New 2006-Mild Restyle 2008-Major Revamp 2011-Mild Restyle 2013-All-new on Epsilon 2 The Epsilon G6 2005-All-New 2009-Major Revamp 2012-Mild Restyle 2014-All-New on E2 The Epsilon Aura 2007-All-New 2010-Major Revamp 2015-All-New on E2 The Epsilon LaCrosse/Allure 2009-All-new on E1 Revamp with Pontiac G6 2012-Mild Restyle 2014-All-New on E2 The Epsilon Cadillac BTS 2010-All-new on E1 Revamp with Saturn Aura 2013-Mild Restyle 2015-All-New on E2 From 2013 on, GM will promote a midsize platform cycle of ten years. The lifespan of a midsize platform would be 12 years but, no product will be on it more than 10 years. Midsize cars will premiere in a particular order. Chevrolet-Cheapest product sets basic standards Pontiac/Buick-Improved for Midlevel standards Saturn/Cadillac-Improved further for Luxury standards This makes the most sense to me, I know its not based on actually GM Spreadsheets but, it does sound relatively inexpensive compared to lauching a new midsize platform every 5 years for each brand. The Camry is still essentially the same unnder newer steemetal. The only real diffrence is the new engines & transmissions. GM should copy or modify this idea. Dramatically restyle & Improve the Engines & Transmission for a major revamp of an existing platform. By 2008, GM should give all its ecotecs VVT & give all its HF V-6s Dual VVT & Direct Injection. With the E1 revamps GM should give all Epsilons hybrid versions. When Epsilon 2 really does come out. The engines will likely not need hybrids since they will have Continously Variable Displacement. CVD combined with functional CVTs would improve E85 engines MPG figure by at least 50% over non-CVD engines. All without eco-damaging Lithium Batteries that are tooo costly even by 5-6 years from now. Hybrids are just a temp solution until more advanced technologies replace it. This is just a guess but, when E3 comes out in 2023. I'd expect Camless Engines to be in them. assuming the market isn't revolutionized by hydrogen. 1900s-LHV engines premiered in mass production. 1940s-OHV engines premiered 1980s-OHC engines premiered 2020s-OHA engines premiered(Overhead Actuator) Ok, I'm having a little too much fun now. I think I'll call it a day now.

Well, thats not good, thanx for the info Croc. Later man.

More Epsilon News Here's more Info. GM's E2 platform will be out all at once during the 2010 my. I'd expect the Malibu to come as early as late spring 2009. The Pontiac G6 & Buick LaCrosse in Late Summer & the Saturn Aura by Fall of 2009. Ther's no word on a Cadillac E2 just yet but, it will likely come out during the 2010 my if it does.

No I didn't know that. I made the assumption that Buick wouuld recieve a new midsize car at the same time as Pontiac. Sorry. W Body is dead after 2008 my. So, Buick and Pontiac will need at least revamped Epsilon 1s. Saturn's Aura would be first to be on E2? Where is the lattest excel sheet located?

E2 Rollout 2008 Chevrolet Malibu 2009 Pontiac G6 & Buick Allure(LaCrosse) 2010 Saturn Aura & Cadillac BTS(BLS)

Thats good but, the 300 sales will drop off when the all-new Sebring comes out. The 300 will likely sell around 200k in 2007my. I think that GM & Ford are wiser sticking with FWD until the whole market moves towards RWD or AWD. The Avalon, Azera,& Maxima are all FWD as is the Lucerne & Montego. We will see if this car is a fad or a new long-term trend. Ultimately, the car is ugly and when the next Lucerne & Montego come out it will hurt the sales of the 300. THis doesn't even include the possible Invicta zeta sedan that Buick might have by 2010. The Invicta would killl the current 300 and hurt any next-gen 300.

Its about time they compared American Cars for once. Detiot gets no PR from autorags unless they trash them. Anybody think the Montego should get a V-8? I think with AWD a 4.6L 300hp V-8 would work well until the next-gen Montego arrives three years. The Lucerne needs to get a 3.6L 270hp V-6 when the Merc gets a 3.5L 267hp V-6

Saturn did say they argeted Honda but, VW is also very possible.The Sky takes on the S2000.

Benchmarks are important. If you navigate them well you can find huge success.

Some Good Point Carman, I think Buick could do well against Toyota. The Camry is 189 inches long and the Malibu is 188inches long. The Malibu is Priced from $16-20k for most models, except the V-6 LTZ & SS which are aroun $23k. The Impala is closer to the Camry's pricing but it is 200inches long or nearly a foot longer than the Camry. On value the Impala is better but, I still want a Malibu that takes on Camry already.

Interesting points Carman

I think Chrysler could use a nudge in a more mainstream direction. Chrysler could match Ford in size if it plays its cards right. VW could be a big help. Chrysler could even help VW develop cars for the NA market. I think much will be gained by a VW/DCX partnership even only on a techsharing level.

Hey, I'm also new. You are pretty creative. I guess the Chevists are Badge Engineers and the Sloanists are against that. I agree that Saturnis going to save GM. Saturn is the equivalent to GM stumbling upon a Toyota of its own. How GM never realize this I don't know. Saturn should be given a healthy chance as long as it helps Pontiac & Buick along the way.

Interesting if true. Chrysler could get something out of this but, for now the LX platform is king in Chrysler group.

Oh Yeah!