ponchoman49

Lucernes V8 does not demand premium. It is a recomendation like in most premium Asian makes. From 2000 onwards the Northstar V8 was redesigned to run happily on regualr grade fuel.

Yup, just like on base and mid level Camrys, Accords, Sonotas, Fusions, G6's and Malibus etc.

Highs: Nice styling and very close to concept, 3.6 and 6 speed automatic finally in a GM midsize, interior is so much more interesting than a boring Camry or Sonota, bodyside moldings thank goodness, more power out of 3500 than the 06 version is always welcome, nice to see a color inside other than black lung or dull boring gray Lows: the wheels have to go, Bob your working for GM now not Chrysler, tail lights look too much like a G6/Cobalt, hopefully interior trim will line up better than this pre production version, why no base 2.4 ecotec with 24/34 mpg ratings in these gas gouging times, center stack should be silver or dash color, not black in all models. If it has a black interior then make it silver, if it is a tan interior give the customer a choice of silver, tan or wood etc, gap between hood and center chrome trim looks silly and makes the hood seem like it's open

It reminds me of a Trailblazer EXT

Yikes thats a 1.61 drop from first gear to second, which compares to 1.35 for the old 4T65 tranny. However the first gear is far more aggressive than the 4 speeds 2.92 forst gear and the 6 speeds 2.87 second gear nearly matches the 4 speeds first gear. Can't wait to see how this tranny performs in the real world.

I was hoping for power closer to the 287 hp we were told was on the Buick Enclave but I guess it's pretty good for 87 octane and the mileage figures seem decent.

Quote: The 60-degree configuration of the 3.5L engine is naturally balanced, ensuring drivetrain smoothness and eliminating the need for balance shafts. The engine differs from previous GM 60-degree designs with its offset cylinder bores, meaning the intersection of the cylinder bores’ centerline is not at the crankshaft centerline. Instead, the intersection is 3 mm below the crankshaft axis. This was done to allow packaging room for the relatively wide cylinder bores. I don't like the sound of this. The last engine that had offset cylinder bores was the infamous 3.8 liter 231 cid carbed Buick V6 from 1978-1988 and we all know what a pile that was. We used to pull many of those engine apart and noticed that the cylinders had excesive wear in every darn one of them because of the offset bores which increase latteral side to side wear on the cylinders. It will be interesting to see how these motors hold up in the real world.

It's interesting that Canadian folks can get the leather wheel and controls but US folks can't on base models. They should make it so the GT has this std and it's an option as part of the driver's package for the US versions. I also wish Pontiac would offer other interior colors than black or black and tan. Also the woodgrain really doesn't look right in this car. The glovebox is indeed small and it's a shame it doesn't have a light in it for night time so you can see whats in there.

The biggest problems I have seen on this car are the intermediate steering shaft, the famous GM intake fiasco and some electrical and ignition gremlins. Other than that it was a pretty decent, roomy car.

Now that Cheby has a decent normally aspirated V6 engine in this car, it's time to make some changes to the rest of the package. The new 6 speed automatic would add some needed slickness to this engine and maybe even slightly better mileage. The bodyside door molding badly needs to be reinstated or even offered as an option at least. The std rear spoiler has to go on LS and LT models and just used on the LTZ and SS versions. That would shave $275.00 off the base prices adding to the value of this car. I would also like to see some padding in the door armrest, the option of woodgrain alongside the silver accents, floor shifter indicators and a glovebox light and maybe some chrome accents on the exterior with a more prominent grille. These simple changes would go a long way in improving this otherwise lackluster car and maybe pick up some more sales.

The 3500 makes 211 hp so maybe the vert will have more than 227hp. Both of these numbers could change by then but I doubt it. The vert 227 hp makes no sense whatsoever since every stinking other application makes 240-242hp.

If the intake was already done then you should be good to go for at least another 100K and regular service of course. The brakes on these cars aren't the best.

Quote: Senior Content Editor Erin Riches went so far as to call the Pontiac the "only GM car I've ever found beautiful." However, she conceded that she had "just got beaten by a Camry — and a four-cylinder at that — pulling away from a traffic light." Okaaaaaaaaay! A Solstice that does well under 8 seconds 0-60 got beat by a Camry 4 banger that does 9.2 seconds to 60. Sounds like someone forgot how to drive a stick! I have never driven a single 4 cylinder Camry that impressed me with it's power. Even the 3.0 liter LE and XLE models don't feel particularly fast. And what pray are they doing to get such horrid around town fuel economy?

The DTS is one of Caddys best looking vehicles and I see them all over the roads. Why replace it and make every Cadillac the same rear drive BMW clone like the STS, CTS etc. It's nice to have a larger sized vehicle with a traditional interior, chrome trim and some flash for a change. This way if you want a cheaper BMW type vehicle then get and STS. If you want a nice traditional Caddy then get a Deville.

The prices will be comparable. And like I said most Camrys sold are the 4 sylinder variety. The Aura will have a V6 as base for now and that is the model that will smoke the Camry in power and value.

What good are lower moldings? All they do is get scuffed up easier and the paint wears off after about 2 years. Saturn made a very wise decision not to do the very 90's lower moldings and instead put the bodyside molding where it belongs, in the middle of the door where it will do some good! This car looks better than the concept in some ways and I like the Sky like front end appearance. It makes the Camry look like what it is, a pig with lipstick. And 85% of the Camrys on the road have the dull 158 hp 2.4 4 banger while much more Auras will have a sweet 248 hp mill underhood smokin those bland Camrys.

Just check out that first gear at 4.48:1. The old four speed automatic has a 2.92:1 first gear. That plus the fact that second gear on the 4 speed plummets down to 1.56:1 whereas the 6 speed will have a second gear much closer to the aggressive first gear. If you put this new tranny in the V8 Lucerne for instants I would expect a dramatic increase in off the line power. That combined with the fact that the engine will stay in it's powerband throughout the other 4 gears before reaching that .74 6th gear should knock off close to a second in the 0-60 run or about 6 seconds flat and thus beating the Avalon and Azera with there lower torque engines.

Why oh why did Olds die.

Nah, I would like to think it is someone smart that is bidding on this that wants to part the crap on it out and make a good G-body out of it.

I think it is the higher quality rankings plus the better 4/50 warrenty also. The Lucerne is doing well and Buick did give the Terrazza an optional 3900 and side airbags and the Rendezvous a better std engine. The Ranier's success must be rubbing off from the greater success of the Trailblazer. Now lets see a nice refresh for the 07 LaCrosse with a std 3900, more 3.6 power, a bolder front end and more distinguished tail end treatment and better fake woodgrain. Would be really nice to see all the Buick sales up next year.

My thoughts exactly

I sure hope they are planning on putting this tranny in more vehicles than just the Aura and crossovers. The Deville and Lucerne deperately need it so we can stop hearing the press say how Avalons and Azeras are faster with there V6's.

Quote: A non VVT 4spd V8 doesn't get better fuel economy than any modern V6. The fact that it is still slower than its V6 equipped competitors is a major flaw. Explain how a couple of tenths of a second from 0-60 is a FLAW! Tell me how your 248 lbs ft of torque Avalon compares to the Lucernes 290 lbs ft in everyday driving. What is the 0-30 time? What is the 40-70 passing time? Give me quarter mile times. Better yet don't bother because it is irrelevant in the extreme as no one buying these types of cars realy cares.

The acceleration times, braking performance and fuel economy are not accurate! Even your often quoted C&D got 0-60 in 6.9 seconds not 7.7, which correlates to my G-forces 6.8 second time. Not one reviewer in Edmunds own site got 14 mpg or complained about the brakes. In fact it's really interesting that several people in Edmunds consumer ratings rated it higher overall than the Avalon. No one said it was a conspiracy, just that this reviewer is anti Buick and it really shows.

Why becuase it's the truth!