Should Buick get a convertible?

[buickguy]

With the problems with the Pontiac g-6, and the Saab 9-3 convertible selling so poorly, should GM spread their reach and rebadge one of those as a Buick? Buick is the only GM car line without a convertible, and doesn't GM owe Buick customers and loyalists a convertible after teasing us with the Velite? I mean if they can rebadge the Terrazza and Rainer...

[Flybrian]

Something like Terraza, IMO, is actually not so bad. Yeah, no one likes minivans and, yeah, most people don't like the CSVs, but there is a market for a classy, high-trimmed minivan. I've personally seen far more Terrazas than Relays and almost as many as Uplanders and SV6s combined around here. And while a good number of the Chevy and Pontiac vans are rentals, a good number of the Buicks are not.

Its not the most innovative van, but it certainly has its place. I know someone who actually traded a T&C for a Terraza because of that reason - he valued comfort for all his passengers over maximization of every inch of cargo volume. I'm sure he's not alone.

Rainier, on the other hand, is a total waste of time. No one knows about it and furthermore, no one cares. Simply making up the extra capacity after Bravada was dropped.

As far as a straight G6 'vert rebadge, I'm not in favor of it. Apparently, this thing is plagued with issues...Pontiac can frankly take it and deal with it; Buick shouldn't have to.

[pow]

As far as interior space, the 9-3's and G6's are actually very similar despite the wheelbase differences, because the 2-piece metal folding roof takes up a lot more space.

[Robert Hall]

A 2dr convertible based off the Lucerne (w/ different styling, maybe called Riviera) could be interesting for Buick (and a relatively low investment by using an existing platform). A largish, luxury, 4-passenger V8 convertible would make a nice Buick flagship..

[nightwave]

It can be left as a 4 door, but I like the idea. Lucerne Ceilo (sp?) with the sectioned retractable roof/rear window. They did it on the old W-Body as a demo (Regal), so maybe they could do it on the LaCrosse, too? That'd be interesting. Edited November 2, 2005 by nightwave

[Robert Hall]

Hmm...one way Buick could get a convertible on the cheap would be to follow the approach of the Pontiac Vibe... how about a rebodied Solara convertible for Buick?

[Northstar]

I think the best way to get a convertible would be to spread the costs with a future RWD Buick sedan. Once the Camaro and Chevy RWD sedan come, the gates should be opened for a Pontiac sedan and new GTO and a Buick sedan and Velite-like convertible, assuming the Chevys do well and make money. I don't think Buick necessarily needs a convertible to change their image, all they really need is a couple knock-out vehicles.