titan

Well, we both agree about GM only needing two minivans, but I thnk the other one should go to Saturn. GMC doesn't need one (for sure) and Buick doesn't need one (if they want to be a lux brand). I just think since Saturn will be premium, it should go to that division.

I think that the 3.6L should be the only engine in the Lacrosse (for now), and the lower engine in the Lucerne, but it should be making more like 260 at the minimum. The 3.6L has the potential for much more power than what it produces now, I think; much closer to the 300HP mark found in Toyota's new 3.5L and Nissan's VQ. Caddy should have an output as close to the 300 mark as possible, allowing Buick to have a comfortable gulf between the brands, while still having what is the new, repsectable HP rating for an eninge of that type (260HP).

I'm not saying that Buick shouldn't have a van because it's ugly. If the Lambdas wind up being the class leaders in minivans, Buick shouldn't have one. It doesn't fit the image of what they're trying to be. Plus, every division doesn't need a minivan for the sake of having one. Buick wants to be lux maker. So leave the minivan to the other divisions. Chevy for everyone; Pontiac, a sporty one (one is all that's need in the BPG grouop). The Relay can be the premium version. I think three differently branded minivans is plenty.

I agree the rear overhang would have to be lengthened, but I also think the wheelbase should be also. 4-6 inches would do wonders.

Wow. I agree 100%. I posted just now without reading the entire thread, and we said the same thing. :)

Oh, trust me, I breathed a big sigh of relief when I read that the base would the 3.6L with 6A!!!! I'm very, VERY interested in how this xover comes out. I meant more along the lines of the equiopment and package levels. I was just saying that I hope people don't hover around the$27-30K price range for the more basic, less contented versions of the Enclave, and will instead splurge on some of the luxury niceties that will really put it on par with the RX/MDX/FX/ect, for just a few thousand more. If it tops out in the $40K range, then i'm guessing a nicely equipped one will be around $35-37. As far as the Terraza goes, it's terrible to me. But not just the Buick, all of them. I never thought of making minivan look like SUVs made alot of sense. Having said that, Buick should have a minivan in the product mix if it wants to aim squarely at the luxury segment. I think Chevy should have a minivan, with Saturn offering a premium, upscale version. I don't see the need for any other division to carry one.

I'm still hoping that a Velite is produced, but one that is off of a RWD platform that also supports a RWD Buick flagship and possibly the next gen Lucerne.

Sure, $27000 is th starting price. I think (and hope) that the Enclave will sell well, nicely equipped, in the meaty $33-36K and is a great value to the RX.

Personally, I think the Buick minivan is a terrible idea.

I agree. I think GMC being BOF only is a great idea, and the Acadia should be a Chevy.

I agree. I hope that this car can truly be different from the 300, with an interior worthy of the Imperial. I think it's a great idea if done correctly.

Good question. It's amazing to me that just because MB created a sedan and calls it a coupe, the entire automotive world calls it a coupe too. How revolutionary. What's even lamer is VW following this "trend."

I hear ya. Don't get me wrong, I really like the interior. I just thought that the plactic color change as odd. As far as the exterior goes, it doesn't move me.

Yep. That's it in a nutshell.

What I find interesting is the break in plactic colors from dark gray to light gray dividing the stack. Why not keep it one uniform color all the way down? If it was a GM interior they'd be getting killed for that.

Not only do I agree with ya, but I think the power should be bumped to the 340-350 range. The Caddy's V8s should be bumped to better compete with the new S500's 388HP, the 750iL's new 375+HP (I forgot the specific number), and the next LS's and Q's bump are coming. When you've got Infiniti's VQ making 280HP (with auto) in the G, there's not much of a gap between that number and the Lucerne Nothstar's 291HP.

I gotta disagree with ya... I think the 3.6L should be standard, and the 4.6L should be opt... just my opinion.

Oohhhh, I gotcha. Now that makes sense.

I dont' understand it either. Instead of just going head to head on the merits of a 4 and a 6 against a competitior's 4 and 6, they feel the need to throw the extra engine in that only makes a bit more than the 4. I don't have a problem with the 3.5, but I do think that three engines is one to many. I like the idea of having a 3.5LV6 in the G6 as a base engine in leiu of the 4; it differentiates the cars, and Pontiac is also the performance division. But for the Aura, I think it's a waste.

It's a good looking SUV, and one worth of sitting on top MB's SUV line. It looks very hawt in black, and I love the interior. The exterior's okay, but it doesn't floor you like the Escalade when you first see it (though I like the MB's rear a little better). As far as the interior, it's in keeping with the new MB interior design theme in all of it's cars. Nothing wrong with that; it looks fine. I'm happy to say that I think the Escalade's interior blows it away, and that's what counts. In a direct comparison, I think the Esalade trumps both this and the Range Rover.

Oh. So your a big proponet of fake wood in Buick's? :huh:

Are you talking about a Z, or the GTR? The upcoming GTR will be on a new or heavily revised FM platform. If you're thinking the upcoming GTR will be a tarted up Z, think again. As far as the power to weight ratio, let's see what the final numbers will be. The GTR and the Corvette are both legends, and both have cult followings. But let's not confuse the GTR with the Z.

You read my mind.

It'll be a great buy. I finally saw a Lucerne on the street in normal traffic. I followed it for 6 blocks! It was beautiful; a black CXL V8. It's a very impresssive car on the road, and it definitely has a luxurious presence to it. I still would have prefered a design that wasn't quite so jellybean in shape, but that said, it's still a great looker.

I think Infiniti makes the best genuine wood interiors, right now. I'm in love with the Rosewood in found in the M, etc. As for fake wood, it should never be found inside a Buick.