VenSeattle

Well, cutting the MSRP instead of adding a rebate actually helps/increases the Lucerne's resale value%

Same here... Scorpio; Find it sometimes accurate; fun to read on occasions; never follow it seriously. (Oct 23 is a cusp day but in 1976 it was an entire Scorpio day.) I will say that the personality profile of a Scorpio is eerily accurate while several other signs wouldn't apply in the least. However... there are other things involved to help justify the inconsistencies... rising sign anyone?

100% agree. B)

Seems like I've been wearing the same ones for years now... Special engagements: Guerlain Habit Rouge Evenings: Chanel Egoiste or Chanel Allure Everyday/work: Aspen (it mixes well with my body chemistry)

Fly is right. LeSabre's total sales for 2005 were down only because LeSabre production stopped last summer. Most dealership stock dried up long before Lucerne arrived on lots in November.

STS sales numbers may be down (-12.9%)... but the RL's sales numbers are abysmal. (-43.6%)

American Honda Reports Record January Sales Honda and Acura Divisions Post Record January Sales Downloads TORRANCE, Calif. 02/01/2006 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted record January sales of 98,394 Honda and Acura vehicles, up 20.7 percent from January 2005, the company announced today. Honda Division also broke records for the eighth consecutive month, with sales up 24.4 percent over January last year to 84,413 vehicles. Honda Division light truck sales surged 17.6 percent to 37,124 on the strength of Pilot, Odyssey, and Element, while the redesigned 2006 Civic helped drive Honda car sales up 30.4 percent to 47,289 units. "With annual sales increases for each of the past 12 years, we are committed to continued growth in 2006, despite an increasingly competitive market," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Others in the industry are tightening their belts, but we remain committed to steady, incremental growth. The addition of new models, including the Fit in April and the all new CR-V in the fall should push us to another record year in 2006." Increasing consumer awareness of the Honda Pilot as a class leader in safety content, coupled with the improved fuel economy offered by models equipped with Honda's Variable Cylinder Managementœ (VCMœ), contributed to Pilot's best-ever January with sales up 13.1 percent to 9,999. Sales of Element and Odyssey also grew 14.2 and 10.3 percent, respectively. Recently named North American Car of the Year, the all-new 2006 Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid models' combination of exciting styling and thrifty fuel economy helped push the Civic to another January record with sales up 56.2 percent, while Accord sales grew 9.8 percent. Acura Division posted record January sales of 13,981 vehicles, an increase of 2.3 percent over January 2005. Strong sales of Acura's performance luxury sedans helped set a new monthly record of 10,140 for total cars, breaking a 16-year-old record of 10,087 set in 1990.

Interesting comparisons... I don't believe it's been posted here before: http://www.npr.org/news/specials/gmvstoyota/

Eh... I would be more worried about the Avalon's sales before the Lucerne's. Avalons are definitely cross-shopped by the Lexus ES, more so than the Lucerne is or by loyal Buick buyers. As an example... You can already get an estimated $2,200 off of the Avalon Limited according to carsdirect.com (it hasn't even been out 1 year)... just wait until the ES350 debuts. As a side note, I'm more interested in leasing incentives instead of rebates or cashback. also... Portland is apparently one of the few Autoshows where local dealers can legally conduct sales on the convention center floor (according to a dealer salesman at the show). The Buick dealers were successfully selling Lucernes at the show... Remember, this is while consumers can sit and compare Lucernes to ALL other competitors. Not bad.

Lexus LX470 starts at $67,990 and the Range Rover starts at $74,285. The 300hp Lincoln Navigator Ultimate is $55,285. I don't think the pricing is bad.. with or without the Navigation being standard. If buyers want it, they'll check the option box without a second thought. But honestly, I think it will be more difficult to find an Escalade without the Navigation instead of finding it with one. One thing is for sure, Cadillac didn't go cheap on the new Escalade. It shows.

Okay... you first try to dismiss the Camry not having LEDs as being "not noticeable" or "not important" (even though they're just as much a vehicle image builder as HID headlamps) and now you're trying to twist it into a bash against GM. Several Camry competitors don't have LED tail lamps. That's not the point. Toyota is suppose to be the "Leader"... They aren't suppose to be waiting for everyone else to get it before they offer it (a generalization that's always associated with US Domestics). Honda, Ford, & even Hyundai have all beaten Toyota to this. As for GM products (excluding Cadillac), Saturn's Aura is suppose to have LED tail lamps along with the 6-sp auto when it starts production this summer.

According to Kia's website, it doesn't come out until Spring 2006.

The Montego & Azera compete with the Avalon. Both have LEDs. Avalon doesn't. Both are less expensive than the Avalon. The Milan & Accord compete with the Camry. Once again, both have LEDs. Camry doesn't. Speaking of the Azera and LED taillights:

Naw... Think that's been done already... From back when I was in NYC 2004:

Must you try to always disqualify any and all positives with GM's vehicles & Brands... while simultaneously defending one of the least reliable brands on the market? All this in a GM Fan Forum???? As FOG just stated, you act and talk as if “ANYTHING is better than GM” which is not the case. for example, you're so quick to call the Lucerne an "embarrassment to GM" yet you want to instantly elevate a Kia to an equal status of Honda/Toyota. Honda & Toyota both deservingly earned their reputations. Kia has earned its notoriously horrible reputation too. They've been worse than GM, even during the "dark 80's & 90's." GM's efforts and accomplishments over the past 10 years exhibit far more credibility and respect than just released vehicle(s) from Kia that aren't even in distribution yet. Potential is there, but your enthusiasm is no more valid or objective than passion exhibited by any other fan.

I love Anne Asensio. She's awesome in interviews and has a personal investment in Buick's styling direction. I hope GM never lets her leave.

Yes, I saw the new Camry at the Portland Autoshow this past weekend. The exterior looks like a Mazda6 front and Hyundai-ish rear. I thought it looked familiar, but when I made it to the Mazda display I instantly remembered the Camry nose. The front is flat and tall, like Flybrian mentioned. The grille is the front bumper. The interior styling is nice, much better when compared to the last generation... but as it's been mentioned, the materials aren't as great as you'd think. It only photographs well. Some mental notes that I recall: 1) The Camry dash is two-toned, with the lighter, lower part being all hard plastic. 2) Rat-fur headliner just like the Avalon. 3) Just like on the Avalon, console doors don't appear to "fit" just right around the corners. 4) Only the hybrid has LED taillights; rest of the Camrys (including the Avalon) have traditionally illuminated tail lamps. They're both already a step behind the current Accord in this regard. 5) Trunk hinges still protrude into the trunk. 6) The Camry Hybrid's trunk looks very tiny (It appears the back seat can't fold either). Good luck on road trips or even moderate shopping. Lexus vehicles have a discernable level of quality not present in either Camry or Avalon. The new Camry isn’t bad, but there is now a transparent class distinction between the “Toyota” brand vehicles & the “Lexus” brand vehicles.

How about this

If I recall correctly, fleet sales are always higher in the 4th Qtr.

I feel sorry for the ones who recently ran out to buy a loaded Avalon. Should have held out for the new ES.

Not really true... Toyota sold 104,078 in the last generation's first year (CY2000). The current Avalon went on sale in February 2005, and Toyota sold 95,318... so it's a wash between the two (the additional (current) 9,000 mthly sales would tie them). CY2006 sales will determine if this one actually has more virility because the last gen slipped to a limp 83,005 by CY2001 and quit performing from that point onward.

Yeah... the actual JDP press release is here: http://www.jdpa.com/studies_jdpower/pressr...asp?StudyID=996

You're dismissing this too lightly... they're also beating Acura, Infiniti, Subaru, Mercedes, VW, Audi, & BMW. And yes, "I hope GMRULES again", this info has been out since last year, but in the search to dig up more dirt to pile upon Detroit's woes a media outlet decided to report on some good news that it uncovered. It's good to be reminded of the positive. The next VDS will be out by June. I can't wait to see it.

Try to learn to LIVE with the fact that millions of people in the US purchase and like their FWD cars. Those are the people who actually comment in topics like this and care what transmissions are going into them. Notice, that CAMRY & AVALON sales have increased since the 300, Charger, & Magnum debuted. Yes, I know you're being funny ... but realize that not everyone wants RWD.

With the Lucerne & DTS just debuting within the past year, I really don't see them going through their entire life with 4-sp autos. Paoli mentioned 2009, but I'm expecting the DTS & Lucerne through 2010/2011. The LaCrosse should be replaced in 2009 as a 2010 model... then the Lucerne will come a year or so later. IIRC, the plants that will be making the 6-sps are the same plants that are currently making the 4-sps. As the 6-sp production ramps up, the 4-sp will cease to exist.