The O.C.

I remember test-driving both a LaCrosse CX and a CXS and it was pretty impressive how much smoother and quieter the 3.6L was in the CXS......plus it revved to redline like a premium import V6 when you gunned it.....while the CX just had that typical 3800 grumble and groan (albeit quieted down impressively for what it was) and seemed significantly more sluggish....even at low revs and right off the line......and this is comparing the 3800 to the "lower-powered" 3.6L that only produces 240hp. Don't even get me started on how much better the chassis/suspension damping felt on the firmer CXS model......

Hmmmm.....okay. Let's revisit RETAIL sales......(CYTD through May '07....last figures that I have handy) 300 36,993 Toyota Avalon 34,804 Lucerne 34,012 (Beating Mercury isn't saying much....but Montego/Sable isn't close though)

Yeah....yeah....and how many non-Buick owners will even consider the car with it? We aren't talking about satisfying died-in-the-wool "traditional" Buick owners....we are talking about competing on a "premium" level. Buick is touting it's new Enclave as a (very viable) competitor to the Lexus RX350.......at least Buick has equipped that product with an up-to-date powertrain. Where does that leave Lucerne?

Sometimes, and this IS one of those times, a round-the-block test drive isn't even necessary. GM is trying to promote Buick as a "premium" brand....but they are equipping the vehicle with an ancient powertrain....no matter how "reliable" it's been in the past. GM has GOT to get SERIOUS about trying to change the perceptions of it's product with the masses out there buying imports....and sticking to an old pushrod V6 engine (and 4-speed auto...but I won't beat THAT dead horse) is not the way to do it.

This 4-cyl CR-V will also I believe outrun your Aztek....while getting similar gas mileage. (C&D road tests show the CR-V at something like 9.5-9.9 secs from 0-60. Aztek road tests have all been over 10-secs from what I remember.) And I'd argue the Honda L4 is most likely as smooth as, if not smoother, than the old grumbly pushrod V6 that was in the Aztek.

(woo-hoo.....!!!!) Boy are these guys reaching or what..... (That was a sarcastic dance, btw)

I think these are both nice styling updates, inside and outside, for these two cars. (Shame about the old architectures and 4-speed autos though.) However, as usual in my opinion of GM vehicles, for Buicks, these really are what I think the BASE cars should be trimmed out like.......with major equipment and powertrain options separating CX/CXL/CXS, etc. Buick is supposed to be a premium brand.....and NOTHING about the current CX and even CXL models of LaCrosse and Lucerne really shout "premium" to me.

.....then DAMMIT.....don't call the car a f*cking "Hybrid."

Don't forget those import hybrids have alot more hardware underneath their bodies (taking up additional trunk space) than the "mild" hybrid Aura.

Of course they are hybrids....and no one expects to drag race them. However, if your competitor gives you better real-world mileage numbers....AND is more responsive....then that's the car I'd rather have.....

Aura weighs almost 3,700lbs (if I remember the stats in the recent C&D comparo)......it's WAY overweight. (It was either almost 3,600 or almost 3,700lbs.....either way, way too much bloat.)

"Take away Malibu sales?" Gee.....it's not like GM has "too many models....too many divisions" <blatant sarcasm> However, I'm also glad they added the 4cyl model. The 2.4L Ecotec appears to be a decent and very competitive little engine.

Hmmmmm......do you think it might have something to do with the mindset of a bunch of factory workers that live in a thriving metropolitan area such as the Bay Area nearby one of the world's greatest cities (San Francisco?) As opposed to the "rust-belt" "blue-collar" "old-guard-Detroit Big 3" "sedintary" mind-set of workers from the Midwest? Also.....is the mindset different because they are working for Toyota....not GM?

You are about ten mpg off......the original EPA claims were like 60/50.....with most people averaging low 40's in real-world driving. (That's where the original bitch came from.) I even think that's what the buff magazines got on their long-term tests of the Prius.....low 40's.....and they certainly don't "feather" the throttle of their test vehicles.

LMAO........ The current v-Series is no where near the car the current 535i is....... Yeah, it's got a great LS2 V8.....but a clunky tranny, a crap interior (compared to the BMW) and it's not nearly as refined. Plus, the 300hp 535i weighs a few hundered pounds LESS than the v-series.... Now the new v-series will be a champ it seems......but not for $55K I bet.....

Ooops....forgot to add $1,200 for the summer tire package. At $46,700, this doesn't look all that hot pricing-wise.... OUCH

In all liklihood this car will still be compared with and cross-shopped with the 3-series....not the 5-series. To me, looks about $45,500 for a loaded DI/Manual car. That's about $4,000 more than my loaded '07 Sport/Manual.....(although with about 50 more horsepower.) With the interior improvements, I might see that as a reasonable price....if I were to buy one. However, comparison with a realtively loaded 335i for a grand or so more makes it a difficult decision. Horsepower may be similar but the 335i weighs around 500lbs less.....(new CTS is supposed to come in at around 4,000lbs with DI engine and most options....HEAVY...) While I'd buy the loaded DI car, most people will be attracted to the base engine car that's light on options.....and will seem a far better deal at that price point I'm thinking....

The back end RUINS.....let me repeat....RUINS this car for me. It could even be a "deal-killer." How can GM design such an attractive car as this.....attractive almost all around....and then absolutely murder it with a rump that looks this AWFUL....

Small rental companies might go through dealerships but definitely not the large-scale companies. Sorry "bud" And I guarantee that if Enterprise is picking them up at your dealership, it's because you guys did the PDI. I can guarantee you made no profit on those cars (other than being paid to do a PDI.) Seems you don't know all that much about what you stick to.....

Plus, Pilot is getting redone....and Ridgeline is getting a freshening. This is not unusual for any manufacturer that wants to move out old model-year inventory before a big change. S2000 is a niche...and high-priced for such a tiny Honda. Element? I actually thought that unit was doing okay....especially after the refresh...?

My real name is Steve Austin. I just open up the driver's door while I'm driving and use my left leg to enhance the performance of my car......with no gas mileage penalty!

This car is the answer to a question no one asked. People with $75,000 - $125,000 to shell out on a luxury performance sedan are likely not in the least concerned about "hybrid" efficiency....especially when in this case, the car barely stays up with it's (much cheaper) V8 competition.....doesn't get that much better real-world mileage.....and doesn't offer anything equipment-wise that you can't option up an LS460 with. This is most assuredly NOT an S600/S8 W-12/760Li/Alpina B7 competitor. At least Toyota's other hybrid efforts, if not totally cost-effective over the long-term, at least give a stronger performance-versus-economy trade-off. Look at the Camry hybrid.....mileage slightly superior to the L4, but 0-60 in only 7.7seconds.

All the major rental car companies DO NOT go through dealers. The rental car fleet sales are made directly through the manufacturer and benefit the dealer not one iota......(except in 12-18 months when the dealer buys the program cars back through the auction at drastically reduced values....thereby hurting new vehicle sales.)

LOL, LOL.....I don't believe that in a heartbeat. I have a tough enough time believing low-30's.....but low 40's? No way man.....