wjfox

1. Two, an '01 Montana. Great milage in a minivan. I know they didn't get great reviews but ours has been frugal and pretty dependable. I also have an 08 Vibe. Maybe I saw the gas crunch coming because I got out of a 99 Catera (worst car I ever owned) and into the Vibe, which so far has been WAY more reliable and frugal, but crude compared to the Caddy. 2. I'd buy another Pontiac. I've bought more of them new than any other brand. I'd like another hauler like the Monatana. Since Pontiac doesn't have a Lambda that could force me into an Enclave, Acadia, Outlook or Traverse, or maybe a Torrent.

1. I haven't purchased a Buick since 1980, which was my first new cars. New Pontiacs and one Chevy since then but no Buicks. 2. I'd be happy to buy another Buick, now that my family is growing up and demanding less of my income. I love the brand, but the products haven't been all that compelling for the last 28 years.

That's what I was thinking too. I sort of looks like a Durango minus the attitude. GM seems to have their styling edge back after a way too long break, now Toyota seems to be helping them by continuing to serve up bland to ugly designs.

I can't vote in this survey because of the way the choices are worded. I don't know that any one is to blame or 100% right. I tend to favor GMs position because I think there are very few other kinds of workers that can get 100% health care and I don't think its right to expect that when it isn't the norm for workers in our country, or in competitive, foreign based auto companies that assemble cars in the US. I also acknowledge that its the Union's job to get the most it can for its workers. I'm hoping that the union / workers can take a longer term view and try to ensure job security for future generations. Because its much cheaper to produce goods else where and have them shipped to the US. I don't think the union will kill GM, not if GM is smart, and there are more and more signs (finally) of that being the case. But GM can and will assemble car elsewhere if their cost of production is too high here. Chinese Buick's anyone?

I agree, there is a reason every blue haired lady in America either drives or wants a Buick, when they were young, Buicks were, indeed, what Lexus is today. Its a real shame that GM let Mercedes, Audi, Lexus. . . steal their thunder. I hope they can get it back. The Lucerne looks like an OK point in the right direction, the Enclave a step in the right direction, now I hope the new LaCrosse / Allure / Regal / Invicta is a leap in the right direction. I like the renderings of the new interior but I hope they don't do something stupid with the I-Drive like contoller. I've read a lot of bad stuff about I-Drive in the 7 series, and the best I've heard about "imporved" versions in other cars is that they weren't as bad as the 7 series. In my opinion the hood over the guages is too large. There's a lot of surface area there that isn't doing much of anything. I very much appreciate that Buick has a lot of catching up to do, but if they only aim at catching up, they'll only be caught up. Aim higher, Buick. The HVAC / entertainment / Nav controls look well integrated, but is there a better way than I-Drive to dial things in?

When they get this system developed to the point of powering larger mid size and full size cars, I'd like to see the Buick variants sub branded Electra. But I do think they should focus the technology on smaller cars where it will no doubt work better than hauling behemoths around. And I don't think there is any need for a Hummer variant of this drive train. What would be the point - save the environment by smashing delicate ecological niches while off roading in your electric Hummer? An eco friendly Hummer makes about as much sence as a Cadillac for the tight budget.

It might look a little like a '94 Cav, but it looks a lot like a Suzuki Reno, or a Buick Exelle or a Holden Viva. Maybe Badge engineering works if you do it on different continents.

Not a bad looking car, but I think it looks a lot like the G6 coupe, which looks too much like a Nissan / Infinity coupe. One thing I don't like in current styling trends is the gun slit windows brought on by the Chrysler 300 and others. The Calibras of old looked lighter, more airy and no doubt had better outward visibility. I think they should stir in a little more of the old Chevy Monza belt line and open up the sides a little.

I'd like to see the name Electra reserved for hybrid powertrain variants. I like Riviera better than Velite also. I think Buick has been trying to run away from some names that had some bad baggage like Century, and even LeSabre, but I don't think Riviera ever had a bad reputation. The market just moved away from the personal luxury coupe. Now that its moving away from SUVs maybe the name Riviera has place in the line up again.

I like all three but I could tweak every one. Beat: Looks a little too much like a Renault Clio. Change the Gremlin rear window line and its way cool on the outside. The interior looks a little too much like a video game to me. The IP, steering wheel and center stack are all over wrought. The center stack in the best part, the wheel the most garish. Trax: I think I like this the best because I would change it the least. Slope the hood a little, it doesn't have to look quite so much like a brick. Make it one color. The Honda Element is a pretty functional vehicle, but it ain't pretty. Loose the fender vent. Anything Ford has adopted for the new Taurus as a styling element should be avoided. Groove: Looks big for a small car. The overall look is too much of an xB knockoff. But with some sloping and shaping it could be an HHR replacement. I love the tail lights except for the expensive cuts into the glass. Looks like lots of cost for little point. Its very good to see Chevy advancing 3 cool concepts. GM seems to be getting its stylilng groove back after a long hiatus.

The thing that bothers me about this is that everyone has the right to delete the ad from their personal space if they are offended by it. Last I checked every TV comes with power swtich and a channel changer. However, since we have folks like this in the world it was probably in GMs best interest to pull the ad. They are getting a lot of publicity about it and looking like the good guys for changing thier ways.

Its interesting that both the 500 and Montego names (or number and name) were both recyled from the early to mid 60s. Mark Fields said that only 4 out of 10 people knew that Ford sold a car called 500. Maybe more people know they offered (and I guess they will agin) a car called Taurus, but few people that I know of who owned the last gen Taurus would use that as a reason to run back for another one. Mr. Fields, make a competitive product and one that people want to buy and they'll remember the name. When the original Taurus came out Ford was in similar doldrums. Since the Taurus beat the GM10s out of the starting gates 8 out of 10 people knew Ford had a car called Taurus for sale within about two weeks. "Names" like 350Z, A6, RX8 and 528 mean nothing. Its the image of the car the carries the moniker that make these mean something Its really too bad that they launched these with tepid engines and warmed over styling. The platform is a pretty good one, but the execution is pretty dull. Giving it a better drive train only solves one major problem.

I agree. If they are going to spend money to make anything look different, make a Buick version of this car that looks different. I doubt that the Holden name plate will be sold in NA any time soon, so preserve as much sheet metal and development money as possible. BTW, I think this is a very nice looking car. There are just two little things I'd like to see changed for the production veriosn. The bezels around the tail light can do without the ribs and the steering wheel has too many pieces and seams in the cover. I fear these things would lead back to the over festooned foolishness of 90s Pontiacs. Just as I thought when the Commodore was released, this doens't push any styling envelopes very far, but I like the understated look of competence.

I agree. If they are going to spend money to make anything look different, make a Buick version of this car that looks different. I doubt that the Holden name plate will be sold in NA any time soon, so preserve as much sheet metal and development money as possible. BTW, I think this is a very nice looking car. There are just two little things I'd like to see changed for the production veriosn. The bezels around the tail light can do without the ribs and the steering wheel has too many pieces and seams in the cover. I fear these things would lead back to the over festooned foolishness of 90s Pontiacs. Just as I thought when the Commodore was released, this doens't push any styling envelopes very far, but I like the understated look of competence.

In case anyone needs another opinion. . . I like this new design a lot. Much more that the original, which I though was catchy and break through, but a little to severe and busy. I think this design is much more harmonious. I don't even think its less Art and Science, just different art and science. The first one was trigonometry based physics and Piacso, the new one is organic chemistry with a side of optics and Rembrandt. For my taste, I'd like to see it softened and rounded a little more, made a coupe and sold as Buick Riviera. The little silver do-dad on the seats reminds me of my neighbors '59 Sedan De Ville. They are borrowing just the right amount of retro on this machine - the Caddy attitude of old. It looks like the days of coffin like luxury with coffin like excitement are over. The only thing I would do to change it is lose the front fender vent. They are quickly becoming too cliche'. If the upcoming Ford 500 has them, in all its ugly splendor, then save a couple bucks and get them of the CTS, now.

I've owned one of each generation of GM's minivans; a 92 "dustbuster" Transport a '01 Montanta. The 92 was a more satisfying vehicle overall. When it was time to replace it I drove other minivans, but the GMs had the best mileage of the V6s on the market and it has given up truly outstanding gas mileage. All though we've had to replace head gaskets and the transmission. Still, I don't think GM should exit this market. Just like the Venture platform gave rise to the not-all-that-great crossovers of Rendezvous and Aztek, the Lambda platform should be able to evolve into a capable minivan. When you have kids, and your kids have friends they are great machines. Our Montana has been the vehicle of choice for boy scout camping trips because of the surround sound and TV/game system we rigged up in it. They may not be glamorous but there are a ton of them around. It seems like to big of a market to walk away from. Now the full size coupe market, like the Eldo and Monte, those they can walk away form - unless they decide to build something someone would actually want to buy, like a Velite / Riviera.

I grew up in Buicks. The first car I ever drove was a Buick, the first car that I owned was a Buick, the first new car that I purchased was Buick. I have Buick in my veins but right now Buick doesn't build a car that is relevant to me. I prefer smaller more nimble cars, not Lesabre/Park Ave./ Lucerne sized cars. I was excited in 1995 when Buick was showing the XP2000 (I think) show car, that eventually becase the Opel Omega, Cadillac Catera and big Holdens. I drive a Catera Sport now. I think Enclave is a return to Buick style, and I'd like to see them keep that coming. I like the sound of Buick being the American Lexus. If Buick had kept building the American Buick of old, Lexus might never have gotten the foot hold it has here. I've read other comments that say Buick should stick to the bigger cars. I disagree. Over the years the Special then Skylark, Century and Regal sold well, but only when they were competitive and high quality. I think there is room in the Buick line to compete with the IS 300 or 350, ES, GS and LS series cars and I think the Enclave is a better shot at the RX than the Rendezvous was. So what I want to see from Buick is that they stick to the plan of being the American Lexus, and thus can compete witht Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar and Infinity. This will take excellent platforms well executed to be high quality and durable. There is still time to get their reputation back, but they don't have forever. I remember great (and one terrible) Buick in my parents garage, my kids don't remember any Buicks in my garage. I've been mostly a Pontiac buyer for years because the mid-size Buicks weren't particularly sophisticated, and certainly not elegant. I guess I bought into Ponitac's faux sport more than I bought into Buick's faux elegance. Build a nice smaller Buick and you've got me back. Its kind of too bad that I'm approaching the age of their typical customer demographic.

Hmmm. Last I heard GM was the worlds largest maker of automotive products and while they might not make a product to compete in every single category such as the Ultra Premium coupe (Bently) and Hyper Super Sports car, Ferarri Lamborghini, it seems that mini-vans are too big of a category to walk away from. Honda aced out Chrysler with the Odesey. GM can do better, they just have to want to do better and not cheaper. If cheaper alone sold cars BMW and Mercedes would sell nothing.

Cadillacs have also been sold under the names of Calais and Councours. This SLS is Standard of the World good looking. When you look at the changes to the interior versus the NA STS they aren't huge. The dash still has the same basic layout, the gauge cluster still looks about the same, but every detail they changed was a big improvement. It looks less slabby, flabby and more techo lux. But still, it looks like all the wiring harneses and other parts under the skin would be much the same. Thus I hope they bring this change to the NA market soon

I don't think that Crysler needs an up-market division other than the one they already have - Mercedes-Benz. But I also don't think they need this Imperial. It does look sort of British regal, like a Bently or Rolls, but I don't think its a very attractive execution. Before they spend any money developing this, I think they should spend a few bucks on getting some of the lumps off of the Sebring

I've wondered why GM hasn't borrowed more ideas from locomotives. Theconcept makes a lot of sense and there are other things that could be done more easily with electric based motivation alone than mechanical / electrical combination. Trains basically go in straight lines and are forced to turn by the tracks. But if there were 4 motors / gnerators, one per wheel, regenerative braking, anti lock braking, stability control, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering by speed differential at the different wheels and tracton control could all be done with software programs instead of complex mechanical systems. Since battery packs could be mounted in various locations, it could be possible to get lower centers of gravity. I can see lots of advantages to series hybrids. Getting good at the series hybrid should also make trasnition to a fuel cell powered car easier because you still have an electric car, but the elecricity is being produced a different way.

This is much better looking than the generation 1 Colorado / Canyon with their I want to be a Lamborgini when I grow up wheel arches. I love the front facia. The sides could be toned down a little for production (as often happens with these things) and still look very good. It is so good to see GM style coming back from the dark days of the '00 Impala.

I agree that if that stuff is real marble they made a bad choice. Unless it looks a lot better for real than it does in these photos. Here it looks like like Uncle Howard and Aunt Helen's cultured marble bathroom vanity from 1972. I'm also not too keen on the diamond tufting. It looks like a return to the over wrought tacky that I hoped Cadillac was leaving behind.

It looks like there are more positive signs than there have been for a long time. The reviews of the Aura are mostly, but not entirely positive. But after reading this article something hit me that hasn't before. I sure hope there isn't deal struck with Nissan/Renault. The world does not deserve another Renault Alliance.

I agree with several of the opinions here that Chevrolet, and Buick should get the mini vans, not GMC. That would position the same basic vehicle upscale and not so upscale. To me GMC just doesn't fit with a mini van. The reason that Terraza didn't set any fires wasn't because it was in a Buick dealership, its because in was a big schnozed rework of a vehicle that was dull and uncompetive in the first place. The interior was ok and well though out with in the limits of the platform. But the outside is so ugly, who'd take the time to get to know the inside. Especially when Chysler offers Stow N Go, and Toyota offers a minivan period. (My suspicion is that minivan buyers put more trust in Toyota reliability than average car buyers.) Someone said Buick is too upscale for a minivan. I disagree. If Chrysler isn't then Buick isn't and in Europe, Mercedes Benz offers the Vito, whichi s a biggish mini van. If MB isn't too upscale for a mini van, Buick certainly is not. But GM needs to get the product right, and then a Buick (and Chevy) dealership can sell it. Someone else mentioned that Saturn should have a more Europena van or people mover option. I agree 100%. In June I rented an Opel Zafira in Italy and I thought 1000 times, Saturn needs this car. It seats seven in a pinch, but isn't much longer than a Cobalt / HHR. It could compete with the Mazda5 and give some product differentiation to the different GM brands. If GM is FIANLLY leveraging its global resources, like it appears they are begining to do (GTO, Epslion) then they should consider bringing the Zafira over or building it here.