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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    Most likely these were the top trims that were shown, so when you see the base model it will look pretty cheap. You know that gray plastic will be all over the front end.
  2. smk4565
    Cue should run on an Intel core 2 processor powerful enough to run a good home computer, and the hard drive should be 150 GB minimum. That way 4 years from now the whole software can be updated. The problem with all these car computer/Nav systems is they will get dated quickly. People get a new smart phone every 2 years because they change so much, imagine having one of these car systems for 10+ years how dated it will get.
  3. smk4565
    Huge power numbers from a small engine. Makes me worry though that if Porsche and BMW have 4-cylinders, how long before cars like the Fusion and Malibu are 3-cylinder? Although still better than the days of 150 hp V8s.
  4. smk4565
    Well Apple is the richest company in the world, so over rated or not they do something right. And I have a Droid phone so I am not just an Apple fanboy, I do own an iMac though. Bottom line is I have read more poor reviews than good form CUE. When you are trying to break the German luxury car strong hold you need to be perfect top to bottom because people already don't trust Cadillac like they do BMW or Mercedes.
  5. smk4565
    I don't think, the exteriors and interiors are not bad, but nothing special either. Remember this will be on sale for 8 years probably, if we aren't really impressed now, imagine how dated this package will look in 2020. The engines will be lame, just wait and see. We already know the LT1 has about 5% more hp and torque than the outgoing LS3. Even a 50% gain in horsepower to the 4.3 liter leaves them behind Ford and Ram.
  6. smk4565
    If Mercedes made a pick up truck then the Detroit 3 would be in big trouble, because they would do it so much better. They already build commercial trucks, tough off roaders and German military vehicles, and they have an excellent 3.0 V6 diesel, loads of V8s, and if people think the Raptor is fast, imagine the AMG pickup with a 620 hp V12. Not that I am advocating Mercedes building a pick up, I think they stay focused on sedans, coupes and SUVs.
  7. smk4565
    The Sierra looks a big blocky and chunky on the outside, although the Silverado just looks boring and forgettable, so the Sierra probably wins on exterior design. Both don't seem too different from the current trucks. The interiors aren't too impressive, looks like a couple big LCD screens with some cheap buttons around them, but for work trucks they will suffice. This interior is better than the work truck interior now, but I'd say worse than the LTZ/Denali trims currently on sale. Engines are a joke, that 4.3 liter has been around for 30 years. The Ford and Ram V6's make over 300 hp, and the Ram has 23 mpg on 4x4 and 25 mpg on 2 wheel drive models. Somehow I doubt this "new" 4.3 V6 makes more power than the outgoing 5.3 V8 while getting over 25 mpg, which is what GM needs to compete. And we know the Ram is getting the VM 3.0 diesel in 2014, which I suspect Chevy has no answer to. First he 2013 Malibu then this Silverado, I think the "good enough" mentality is what Runs Deep at Chevrolet.
  8. smk4565
    Fail.
  9. smk4565
    I haven't used CUE yet, but read mostly bad reviews. I don't like not having old fashion buttons for radio controls, because I am more likely to adjust the radio than climate. Other cars do it too, but Cadillac has all sorts of climate control buttons, when it is an automatic system, you shouldn't have adjust it. A second problem I see is they want this to work like a tablet, but the iPad is the best tablet. It isn't going to work better than iPad, GM should have just paid Apple to design the system.
  10. smk4565
    Probably it will cost $100,000 and then when people can't afford that, they can have a Fiat, since it is still Italiano and full of passion and soul. In fact, you could buy 2 Fiat's so you have a back up for when the first one breaks down.
  11. smk4565
    Seems lofty for a niche brand. New S-class will swat the Quattroporte away like a fly.
  12. smk4565
    Mostly agreed, but I don't think the Fusion can outsell the Altima, it will be lucky to be 4th, it could probably beat out the Sonata which will take 5th. This segment is super competitive, the Camry outsells the new Malibu 3-1, I bet on retail sales it is even more. It will take time, but they need a better effort than the 2013 car and to be consistent, they have never been able to keep the Malibu competitive year after year.
  13. smk4565
    I think a Verano convertible is good, because the Opel convertible is a good design that looks elegant and upscale. GM also needs a convertible other than the Corvette/Camaro, and a convertible that is affordable and more about elegant looking and every day driving and not straight line power. Buick needs the convertible to compete with the VW Bettle and Eos, Chrysler 200 (it's rubbish but people buy it due to lack of choices), Mini Convertible, etc. I think there is always a market for affordable convertibles and hardly any manufacturers outside of Europe make convertibles anymore. I don't think the Buick David is a good idea. The Encore is already their small, tall car, and they have the Verano for a sedan. Plus the name is as bad as the Mercedes Karl or the Chrysler Walter. No one wants a car named Karl or Walter or David.
  14. smk4565
    The Corolla sells big too and is terrible. Imagine once Toyota over hauls that car and makes it competitive. We can all knock the Camry, I know it sucks, but people keep buying them in huge quantity because few automakers ever mount a challenge to the Camry and Accord. The Malibu just doesn't do enough to stand out from the crowd or to convince people to give it a look over the safe bet Camry. But I think it goes back to the mentality behind the Malibu, they just don't seem to care that much about it. GM wants to build 5-6 W-bodies or Epsilon 1 or Epsilon 2, they care more about making 5 average cars that are slightly different than a couple all stars.
  15. smk4565
    It isn't about average buyer age, Chevy just has had a low rent, rental car image for years. Not as bad as Doge, but still, when you sell Cavaliers, Cobalts, Impalas and the best you have to offer is the 08 Malibu which was class average there isn't a lot in their main line to get excited about. The Camaro helps the brand image, but for 10 years they didn't have it, and the Camaro just isn't my sort of car. Buick is a little different, it was the senior citizen brand for years, the LaCrosse continues that, the Verano and Encore seem very girly, similar to how Mercury was and VW is with the Jetta and Tiguan. Not that that is a bad thing for Buick half of car buyers are women, but Buick makes nothing that interests me, and their brand image does nothing for me either.
  16. smk4565
    I think Buick and Chevy sedans both appeal to older folks so it turns off a lot of buyers. Chevy Cruze, Sonic or the Cobalt before it seem like the car for 20-somethings that can't afford better, the Malibu/Impala are either rental cars or for the grandparents that can't afford a Buick. My first car was a Chevy, I owned one in college, and then I moved on, I can't ever see myself buying a Chevy again because of the down-market image. Buick after being for the 70+ crowd for years has done a good job trying to change the perception, but I think they are still mostly a Chevy in better sheet metal. Buick may not get overlooked because of downmarket image, but Buick doesn't have a lot of cool-factor going for it to bring in younger buyers.
  17. smk4565
    What they should do is merge the Regal and LaCrosse into one car (in between in size) to compete against the Avalon, Azera, etc and then make either a Park Ave on Epsilon 2 that basically erases the XTS, or build a rear drive Park Ave to compete with the Chrysler 300, Hyundai Genesis, etc that is full size $35-45,000.
  18. smk4565
    It may be, but it is the #3 selling vehicle in the country behind the F150 and Silverado. So why does it sell? Consumers know and trust it. I'm not saying Chevy should make the Malibu drive like a Camry, but they need to build in the consumer confidence.
  19. smk4565
    Problem with the Malibu is beyond a sport or LTZ or Eco trim, it is that the car overall isn't that good, and the consumer perception of the Malibu is poor at best. The Camry and Accord have legendary reputations, they can sell on that alone. The Sonata, Optima and Fusion have great looks, great feature content, great driving dynamics which helps them sell cars. Plus the Altima is the #5 selling vehicle in 2012, another good product with a good reputation. The car basically needs restyled inside and out, better build quality and more marketing. They barely advertise it, and the ads are weak, the car is so bland there is nothing even to put in the ads to lure buyers in. I think the warranty needs to be bigger too, perhaps doubled, because people buy Toyota/Honda due to belief in low ownership cost and reliability, Hyundai used a mega warranty to combat that, Chevy needs to also.
  20. smk4565
    Agreed. This is a segment that GM never seems to go all in on. It is the biggest segment in the auto industry and GM comes out with a less than mediocre 2004 Malibu, an average 2008 Malibu, and a sub-par 2013 Malibu. They need to put way more focus on the Malibu, it should be seen as the most important vehicle in all of GM, but it isn't. They almost need to blow it up and start over, a refresh of crap is not going to compete with the 400,000 units a year Camry.
  21. smk4565
    The current baby boomers are about 55-65, and many have disposable income to buy new cars. The average age of a new car buyer is over age 50 after all. Toyota loves this demographic, just as this demographic loves Toyota, while American cars turned to junk in the 70s and 80s, the Baby boomers flocked to imports. Buick historically has been selling to the baby boomer's parents, I think they'd be happy to get 50-60 year olds in their cars. But regardless of age, the Regal doesn't really line up with the attributes of the rest of the line up.
  22. smk4565
    Their naming schemes are getting a big crazy, they should have stuck with 3-series and had different body styles. And shouldn't a 428i have 4 doors, if anything, the 228i should have 2 doors. I think this is a way to charge more money for a coupe by making people think a 4-series is better than a 3-series. We'll see how long this lasts too when 3-series sales get split up and the C-class outsells the 3-series, then BMW loses bragging rights.
  23. smk4565
    I tend to agree with you on the comment re the Regal's interior. Opel offers a beige interior in the Insignia, is that interior color availabe in the Regal? The Regal interior comes in beige too, but just overall, the Regal inside and out (being an Opel) has a Euro sport sedan look. It doesn't really fit with what Buick is trying to be, as the softer side of American Luxury and going after that baby boomer and older group that may otherwise buy a Toyota/Lexus or Chrysler or Lincoln.
  24. smk4565
    The Verano is a better package and a problem with the Regal, is I always see it in the charcoal grey interior, it is a cold, euro look interior, and too sporty for a Buick. Buick interiors need to be warmer and more toward the soft side of luxury. Look at the sales of the Camry/Avalon/ES350. The beige leather and walnut wood trim look works. The Regal, Lacrosse and Enclave fit what you expect of Buick. So many brands do "sport sedans" but not everyone wants a sport sedan, some want a slush box luxury car, and I've thought for years if someone made a small one it would sell and the Verano does pretty well. Toyota/Lexus sell a lot of slush boxes because no one challenges them, everyone wants to challenge BMW and lose.
  25. smk4565
    Right now the E-class has a lease offer and a 2.49% finance offer, but no cash back rebates from the manufacturer.
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