VenSeattle

I find it amazing that out of such a small number made (less than 23,000 over 4 years), that there are so many Reattas around in such good condition.

That's my plan as well :)

Are these numbers comparing Jan-Sept 04 sales to Jan-Sept 05 sales?

We currently use Azureus... any news on them? We've used Limewire off and on but like Azureus better.

1990 Chicago Tribune Review on Cars.com

1990 review from Orlando Sentinel on Cars.com

How many: 6,383 - 1990 Buick Reatta coupes 65 - 1990 limited edition Buick Reatta convertibles (in white only) 2,132 - 1990 Buick Reatta convertibles 1,313 - 1991 Buick Reatta coupes 305 - 1991 Buick Reatta convertibles [url="http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safety.jsp;jsessionid=GL41DLONDSV2XLAZGI3ZXKY?makeid=7&modelid=58&year=1990&myid=&acode=&crpPage=summary.jsp&gotopage=safety.jsp&aff=national""]Cars.com website on 1990 Reatta Reliability (info sourced from JDP)[/url]. Cars.com website on 1991 Reatta Reliability (info sourced from JDP) 1990 review by Newsday from Cars.com.

I was at Huling Bros Buick-Pontiac-GMC in West Seattle a few days ago. They have $3,000 Market Adjustment mark-ups on LaCrosses & G6s. Unbelievable.

Why start a new topic... LA Time's story on the recall: 2:43 PM PDT, October 13, 2005 Software Glitch Triggers Toyota Prius Recall By James F. Peltz, Times Staff Writer In what's believed to be the first recall of hybrid cars for engine-related problems, Toyota Motor Corp. said today that it is notifying about 75,000 owners of its hot-selling Prius about a potential software glitch that could cause the car to stall or shut down. The voluntary recall dented the good reliability record of the Prius, whose sales have jumped in the past two years as drivers sought better fuel economy in the face of soaring gasoline prices. The problem involves the hybrid's computer software, rather than mechanical parts, and it first came to light in May when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was investigating consumers' gripes stalls and shutdowns in the car's gas-electric engines. "We have a total of 428 complaints, but no crashes or injuries," said NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson. He said Toyota made the decision to contact owners to fix the problem, which involves 2004 and 2005 models. "We're satisfied that their remedy is going to take care of the problem," he said. As a result, "we intend to close our investigation" and Toyota is "to be commended" for the voluntary recall, Tyson said. Although there have been two other recalls of the Prius, neither involved the hybrid-engine system, which uses complex electronics and computer programming to make the car's separate gas engine and electric drive motor work together smoothly. Asked if this was the first time an automaker had recalled cars for problems directly related to hybrid-engine technology, Tyson replied: "Without doing exhaustive research, in my recollection, it's the first." Toyota will notify Prius owners by mail that they can take the car to a dealership for free repairs, said Allison Takahashi, a spokeswoman at Toyota's Torrance-based U.S. operation. "Most of the time it's just a warning-light coming on," but the gasoline portion of the gas-electric hybrid engine "occasionally" cuts off, she said. If there is a stall, "you still have your electric motor and your brakes and your steering, so the driver can pull over" away from traffic, Takahashi said. The NHTSB has not received similar complaints from drivers of other models of hybrid vehicles, Tyson said. Other automakers, including Honda Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co., also have rolled out hybrid models as demand for the fuel-efficient cars has increased. Toyota does not expect the software problem to slow sales of the Prius, Takahashi said. "Demand for vehicles that have lower emissions and high gas mileage will still continue," she said. Jim Hossack, a consultant at the research firm AutoPacific Inc. in Tustin, agreed that the problem wouldn't curb enthusiasm for the Prius. One reason: Toyota has a long record of building reliable vehicles, he said. "It is a new technology and they will be forgiven," Hossack said. Introduced in the U.S. five years ago, the Prius triggered the popularity of hybrid vehicles, especially this year as gasoline prices surged to $3 a gallon. Demand is so high that some dealerships have waiting lists. Toyota sold 53,991 Prius cars in 2004 and had sold 81,042 this year through Sept. 30, and the automaker expects to sell 110,000 for all of this year. New models have a base price of $21,275 but often sell for thousands of dollars more due to the strong demand. The car also has been praised for its quality and reliability. In May, the auto-research firm J.D. Power & Associates named the Prius the top compact car in the firm's annual initial-quality survey.

Well, it will guarantee everyone who's on minimum wage some type of cost-of-living increase even if their employers weren't going to be that generous. Also, the benefits of consistently raising minimum wage are better appreciated when viewed over the long term. No matter what, the lowest someone will take home (that is, after taxes) on a full-time job in Washington will be $1k ($15,870 @ 80%: $12,696). Considering you don't need a car if you live in Seattle, $1k a month will support rent and groceries. Several respectable companies here also provide a mass-transit pass or subsidy for their employees. It's not middle class (not even close in Seattle where the average home is over $300k)... but it provides a means for survival. A lot of people get 2nd jobs when they're at the min-wage level, which helps to raise their standard of living (if they have time to have a life.) Plus, most people get room-mates to split costs. It's a living. It can be rough... but it is survivable. (Once again, that's saying a lot considering how expensive it is to live in Seattle. Those who live in cheaper parts of Washington fair even better.) I wish other parts of the country would increase their min-wage to our levels. It does seem to make a difference.

Washington State's minimum wage is currently $7.35/hr... It will be increased to $7.63/hr on Jan 1,2006. I believe we're the highest in the country.

That's not my normal practice. I usually stick with the manufacturer that the topic is discussing. How I generalize non-rabid GM fans? You? A GM fan? :huh: It's how I describe the non-rabid Toyota fans. You're not a troll… but you're no GM fan by any definition.

I'm also sorry to disappoint, but I don't have any interest to target Toyota for bashing. However, if I wanted to do that, I'd probably do it in a Toyota fan forum to show my appreciation for all your hard work here at C&G. ^_^ It gets old constantly seeing "Sure this is bad, but GM is worse" in every topic posted with negative PR about a GM competitor. And, yes, bashing a competitor doesn't help GM survive. Your negative GM rhetoric doesn't contribute to the degradation of GM's situation either. So both sides are even. Enjoy! :CG_all:

Well... I could add it to the poll for mustang84. Should I put you down for 1 vote? :P

Moore must be related to Nader some way or some how. :lol:

For those who think the G-Platform has an overhang handicap. There's only a 1.4 INCH difference between the new Avalon's overhangs and the Lucerne's. The platform does not have an issue with overhangs. Avalon length: 197.2" Avalon wheelbase: 111" Difference 86.2" Lucerne Length: 203.2" Lucerne Wheelbase: 115.6" Difference 87.6" Wait until you see it in person. Pictures just don't give a good perception of scale for the Lucerne.

You're not that dense.

Yeah, the real 2nd gen Aurora was suppose to have followed the 1995 formula and continue to be co-developed with the Buick Riviera. The 2nd generation Aurora was suppose to remain a V8 powered luxury sedan and move further upscale (and in price) to create room between the Intrigue & Aurora for the 88 replacement. When Buick dropped the development of the next gen Riviera, it left Oldsmobile without a program. Oldsmobile had to modify the 88 replacement (as FOG said, Antares) into an acceptable Aurora with little time to spare. It helps to explain why the 95-99 Aurora was targeting the Lexus LS400 while the 2nd Gen Aurora arrived targeting the Lexus ES300. The 88 replacement was suppose to go against the ES300, while the co-developed Riviera/Aurora were suppose to target vehicles like the LS400. Sigma does fit in somewhere on the story line. I thought it was on the 3rd generation Aurora that GM rejected Oldsmobile's request. It may have actually been the 2nd gen as FOG said, after the Riviera/Aurora program fell apart. Regardless, by that time GM was showing symptoms of doubt about further investment in Oldsmobile and started cutting development funds.

hmmm... BMW's Global sales expectations for the Phantom is an average of 1000 annually. (The Maybach was at some absurd number like 1,500) Let's go back to the beginning of 2005, and check this article out: to see their Optimism for 2005: 300 Phantoms were sold in 2003. 797 Phantoms were sold in 2004. Where is Rolls-Royce right now? Well through August 2005: RR has only sold 389 Phantoms. In this other article, BMW has said: The thing that’s hilarious is that I've loved Rolls-Royce since I was 3 years old, and you guys are acting like I don’t know anything about its history or reputation. I don't hate the Phantom. I have a Rolls Royce dealer less than 2 miles from my house and I see one almost every day when I drive by (Amazingly, it sits outside with a Bentley Arnage :blink: .) The exterior styling has grown on me and I've always love the interior. Hands down, it's a better vehicle than the Maybach. My posts in this thread have not encouraged the need to increase sales, but a need to protect Rolls-Royce's reputation at all cost. If revenue and sales numbers are not an issue, then RR needs to stick with vehicles equivalent to the Phantom. The EX100 is a good idea. It would be great successor to the Corniche. The Bentley Continental flying Spur/ Mercedes S65 AMG fighter is a bad decision in my opinion. I think BMW would be better off coming out with the aborted 9-Series luxury sedan (if the idea ever existed). Rolls-Royce has been and should remain above Bentley. This move will place them side by side: Rolls-Royce Phantom = Bentley Arnage Rolls-Royce production version of EX100 = Bentley Azure Baby Rolls-Royce = Bentley Continental Flying Spur/ Bentley Continental GT It dilutes the brand. Rolls-Royce should remain above this. No matter how BMW sugar coats it, I think the whole concept of a "cheaper" Rolls will be scoffed at by its high paying clientele and considered crude.

Yeah... let me look those up so I can post about the Toyota Recall since you're discussing their recalls in this one... ^_^ You're so quick to bring us the latest Toyota news. I'm shocked that Josh beat you to posting this topic?

Just like the Phantom... right?

The actual pictures look a lot more convincing... oh well, time will tell if it's true or not.

Maybe the Lucerne will have an available "chrome package" like the LaCrosse, but will include a chromed grille.

Well, cars between $27k-$35k are still in mainstream territory. I agree that Buick needs more exclusive vehicles, but the Lucerne has features that are usually reserved for exclusive vehicles. It's a good compromise until Zeta or what ever else can come around.

How about this... actual size...