Bingo, agree with "z" and "ponchoman." This is a platform that has been around for a while but, God, has it served its patrons well. I have rented LaCrosses 3 times, the last time of which I put 1,400 miles on one, and it is super easy to live with and does everything well. Yes, the updated platforms will be better. I am waiting to see the unveiled exterior. My only negative on the LaCrosse is the dreadful "Medicare Mabel" grille. It is a throwback to the 2000 LeSabre. Also, the mousefur fabrics are very "low-rent district" which bothers me since I can't stand any leather interior...especially in a hot climate. I am hoping that the new grille/light treatment is the crisper and more angular like one shown earlier here on the site. That grille should also extend to the base models. Also, the venti-ports should be a little further forward from the driver's door. Now, if only this "brick" color that is showing up in the Acadia, the Malibu and others makes its way into this car....yessirree. The side profile and rear views of the LaCrosse are quite nice as it currently stands. Just view them in 360 on the Buick web site.
And, sorry, the 3800 in the base model would serve me just fine. Gas mileage is good (I clocked some 29.5 mpgs while, as "ponch" said, I've gotten 32.6 and 33.4 on 3500 equipped Monte Carlos and Impalas which is nothing short of stunning for a conventional gasoline engine lugging around that much sheetmetal and pumping out 211 ponies in the process).