Mule Bakersdozen LS

I would rather see Buick sell a compact crossover SUV wagon (car-based) than GMC or Buick. GMC really needs to stay truck-only, Pontiac needs to aim for sporty/performance-I think Buick would be the best division for this. Why? The Acura RDX will be coming out soon; Infiniti has its CX on the way; and the BMW X3 and Mercury Mariner are at least semi-popular. Buick would really be missing out if the premium car-based crossover SUV wagon segment booms in popularity, and I really am sick of seeing Buick not live up to its potential. And Chevy's getting a mainstream compact car-based SUV below the mid-size Equinox, and we can't have too much overlap because it will otherwise hurt GM again, and the executives need to learn something for a change.

So would Reserve be lower or higher than Super? And why the trim level changes again? Although on the other hand, Buick desperately needs to upgrade its status, and thus still expand its standard and optional equipment offerings.

Special, Super, S/R (from the 70's), and GS. Now that sounds like a luxurious lineup! Thanks for the ideas!

Nothing really special today, just a typical, ultra-busy Wednesday with school, work, and bible study later-hopefully after church go out with some friends for dinner or something. Oh, and as of 10:05 AM, its my birthday and I'm 22!

lol, my Mom is running for Democratic (I could care less about politics) trustee in our town/village, and us and one of my sisters met Hillary last Monday! Non-candidates weren't allowed back at first, but then my Mom asked her if we could get our picture in there too, and so we did. I met her, stood next to her in the picture, and in a blink of an eye second and brief name introduction, that was that. I'll try to scan the picture in sometime. Blackviper-if you hate your life but don't want to do a certain things, then do you think you will ever change anything? My English professor from 1st semester at MCC (I'm 4th there now, so it was almost 2 years ago, thankfully that's long behind me) made us watch Bowling for Columbine. I can't say I remember much of it, but he strikes me in a way as manipulative. If more interested (which I'm not really, nor do I have the time), I'd have to check out more of his stuff-I haven't really heard many good things about him.

I agree-why are we not seeing the 2000 Terradyne concept truck in exterior styling and design again? I thought GMC wanted to get away stylistically from Chevy? What is wrong with GMC, Pontiac, and Buick?

Yeah I thought it was to be a preview U.S.A-spec EcoSport, the Escape Jr. Looks alright but what's the point?

That's why I don't think panoramic glass sunroofs are a good idea-I'm not surprised, I bet the Pontiac G6 is next. One of my co-workers has a sharp-looking Indigo Ink Pearl (aka blue) 2005 tC and I showed him the AutoWeek release of possible recall/investigation-now its official. Nice car otherwise, with an excellent value, but I think they should make a fixed roof standard, regular power sunroof optional, and maybe still the panoramic sunroof optional if it can be done properly.

My point exactly!!!!! Thank you! Now it would share as much as possible with other vehicles, and if it had to be modified from a truck (preferably GMT360), make it absolutely as "car-like" as possible. And hydroform those chassis rails! That's the in thing, or was when the 1999 Silverdo/Sierra/etc. came out. If GM did this, they should do whatever possible to save weight but keep it strong, and in the BOF-L (large) architecture case, make sure it can tow 5,000 lbs. (7,000 lbs. for a BOF-X-exclusive to Cadillac, that is).

Why doesn't the Aveo and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa share a platform? It would simplify things a lot-you know, world car, Chevette/Kadett-style. The ECOTEC DOHC I-4 engines need to go in these Daewoo-based cars NOW. Those old Daewoo engines need to die-they're inefficient, and those gas mileage ratings are appropriate for Malibu, not for Aveo.

I'm with you there bobo. The LaCrosse doesn't cut it, the styling doesn't on any model, and its still got that image. Understyled cars and having your flagship car that looks like a Chevy (and not a well-styled one at that) are a couple of ways to kill a division I think.

I'll take the column shift and front cloth split-bench seat, thank you. Though if I really wanted a Denali or Escalade, I'll deal with the buckets, but an LS or lower LT (SLE/SLT in GMC terms) would suit me just fine, were I in the market.

Even though the 1995-99 Monte Carlo lacked the spirit or recognition (or anything memorable overall), it was previewed by the stylish 1991 concept car, seen around 1993 in a Motor Trend issue. I think a 2-door notchback coupe in the next-generation Malibu should replace the Monte Carlo as it is. Camaro should rejoin the lineup, but that would be a different story altogether. I think Monte Carlo should be switched back to a 5-6-passenger, mid-size, rear-drive 2-door hardtop coupe, complete with knights badges, exterior styling/design from all 1970-88 models. Based it on a BOF-M architecture should one become available. Otherwise (sigh....), put it on Zeta VE.

Its smaller than both or the Durango-its closer to TrailBlazer size-actually a little less than that even. A wasted effort in my opinion.

This is how GM should do their lineups I think: Chevrolet Aveo Gamma-Punto: 3-door hatchback coupe, 4-door notchback sedan, 5-door hatchback sedan. Base, LS, Z13 Sport, Z90 Diesel, Z02 Turbo trim levels, maybe LT Sedan/HB sedan. 1.6-liter DOHC ECOTEC 115hp I-4 engine (Base/LS/Z13 Sport), 1.8-liter DOHC ECOTEC 130hp I-4 (LT, optional LS), and 1.6-liter DOHC ECOTEC turbocharged 170hp I-4 (from Opel/Vauxhall Corsa OPC/VXR) on Z02 Turbo. And for LS-based Z90 Diesel, a 1.7-liter DOHC turbodiesel I-4, also out of Corsa. $9,000-14,000. Chevrolet Cobalt Delta II: 2-door notchback coupe, 4-door notchback sedan, 5-door station wagon. Base, LS, Z51 Sport, LT sedan/wagon (maybe), Z-24 trim levels. 2.2-liter DOHC ECOTEC 145hp I-4 engine (Base/LS/Z51 Sport), 2.4-liter DOHC ECOTEC 175hp I-4 (LT/Z-24, optional LS), and 1.9-liter DOHC turbodiesel I-4 on LS-derived Z90 Diesel. $13,000-20,000. Chevrolet Malibu Epsilon II: 2-door notchback coupe (replacing current Monte Carlo), 4-door notchback sedan, 5-door 2-3-seat station wagon, seats up to 6 and 8 passengers on Base/LS trim levels. Also Z52 Sport, LT, Z-26 (coupe)/LTZ (sedan/wagon) trim levels. 2.4-liter DOHC ECOTEC 175hp I-4 engine (Base), 3.2-liter DOHC High Feature 230hp V-6 (LS/Z52 Sport/LT, optional Base), 3.6-liter DOHC HF 250hp V-6 on LTZ/Z-26, optional LT. And also a Z90 Diesel model that adds to the LS trim level and whatever turbodiesel I-4 is appropriate for a 109x190-192x72x55-58" wheelbase/length/width/height mid-size car. $18,000-25,000. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out where Saturn Evoke (ION) and Aura would fit into this without overlapping respective Pontiac and Buick versions.

Oh...never heard that one...makes sense-thanks! I thought Renaissance was to be a regular 4-door notchback sedan and Transponder the 5-door hatchback sedan?

Actually, I think it is the Brazilian Fiesta-based EcoSport.

It didn't help when most car lines' upper level trims added little more than a richer cloth interior and wider bodyside/rocker panel moldings either, or offered little more standard equipment than a Chevrolet either. Looking at my 1989 Buick Century, while its a pretty good car and virtually trouble-free, I really have to wonder how in the world this design continued into 1996, let alone getting by its 1989 facelift without a major interior redesign. And those full-size fakes, I mean, H-Bodies didn't help things either, nor did the Cavalier/Sunbird or constant updating on most of the cars. I think and hope large or mid-size truck-based SUV's are more suited as work trucks, same for compact, mid-size, and large pickups-that's how they started, and that's how it should be, IMO. Great posts ehaase.

Yup, you're right on that one-if it had moved past the clay modeling stage, I'm thinking, it would've been a 2002-03 model.

I think the 3.6-liter DOHC HF V-6 should be standard across the board on LaCrosse-give CXL a cloth front bench seat standard, leather and/or buckets no charge-and drop the CX model. And of course, cut the surviving CXL/CXS trims pricing as well-then the Buick and upscale terms will start to be taken seriously. Having a full-size car without full-size passenger or cargo room, Chevy styling and dashboard, 4-speeds and a dated, detuned does not help things at all, nor does an ugly, underequipped, outdated, overpriced minivan or a crossover that has really poor interior assembly (i.e. my 1989 Century's interior door surround does not move when I get out of the back seat).

This car doesn't stand a chance against any Lexus or import. It looks like a Chevy, has the dashboard of a Chevy, it has 4 speeds and a dated, weak V-6, and has less passenger and cargo room than either predecessor and some actual competitors.

The Malibu should have been priced like this from the start. It could use a few more standard features (i.e. ABS), and I think aluminum wheels and the V-6 engine need to be optional, without having to order any packages, on LS (formerly Base) and 1LT (formerly LS, but decontented) levels, or whatever it is now. And in 2006 models, you just don't decontent when everyone else is expanding their equipment lists.

Oh, that Kappa Buick-the roadster that could and should compete with BMW Z4 and Chrysler Crossfire...probably cancelled, but not sure.

I'd only hope that GM improves on a few things on HHR-such as making ABS and more features standard (its a real good list for the price-but a few things would help), and make it so there's more seats-down cargo room than a 1982-94 Cavalier station wagon. HHR's a taller car, and why a low-roof old station wagon has slightly more cargo space than a tall wagon (read: its a car, not a truck) is not a good thing. There's a lot of HHR's in the Rochester area, and it deserves it-its a great car, and if I were given one, I'd take it happily.

Actually, it was more like a Saabravada. I'm not shedding any tears for the loss of the 9-2X-the Impreza's a cramped, overpriced compact car anyway.