gm_rocks

The Impala LTZ (was) a possible choice, but it lacks many of the features that the above cars have. The Grand Prix GXP, IMO, looks very..very cheap and it too lacks the features.

Yes I have, I've just couldn't get the pricing to work right with the features that are in the cars above. The XLS is basically a Camry while the Limited is the one that packs the features I like and the features that are found in the cars above.

I'm not sure where I should post this, so I decided to post it here. I will be going in the market in about a month or so to replace my Pontiac Grand Prix. Anyways, I'm looking for features, luxury and I'm looking at these following vehicles, all priced for me below $33,000. Buick Lucerne - CXL V6 http://www.buick.com/lucerne Some highlights (over the others): * Cooled Seats * OnStar * Buick Reliability * Prestige look * Remote Start * Tire Pressure Monitoring System Drawback(s): * Manual Steering Column * No adjustable foot pedals * Analog Display * Some features found in other cars (such as the power rear sunshade, auto up/down for windows, remote windows, etc..) Hyundai Azera - Limited Edition http://hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/azera/azera.aspx Some Highlights: * Power Steering Column, linked to memory settings * Nice interior design * Feature List * Electronic Stability Control * Overall styling (may not win any contests, but I like it) * Power Folding Exterior Mirrors * Price, fully loaded just over $29,000, but under $30,000. Drawback(s): * No Cooled Seats * No Remote Start * No Tire Pressure Monitoring System * Drive side Mirror not auto-dimming VW Jetta 2.0T http://www.vw.com/jetta/index.html Some Highlights: * 12 Way adjustable seats * Remote window down * One Touch for up/down windows * Turn Signal behind mirror * Sleek Look (with chrome) * Tire Pressure Monitoring Drawback(s): * No Cooled Seats * No Remote Start * Manual tilt steering column Common Features in all of them: * Leather Seats * Wood Trim * Heated front seats * Automatic Temp. Control * Heated outside mirrors * Memory settings for at least the seat and mirrors * Rain Sensing wipers * Heated water jets or deicer * Luxury Look * Overall Reliability ratings (VW in question, Hyundai is up and do I need to say anything about Buick?) So there is my list with some of my own likes and dislikes about each car, I was wondering what anybody thought or if you had any suggestions

I was driving south, not sure which direction the wind was blowing. For the most part it was a calm day, only a small amount of wind (maybe 1mph) that made the day colder than what it already was. I agree with others where it might be the door adjustment, or now that I think of it the sunroof could have been slightly open (the sunshade was open, someone might have been playing with it and not closed it all the way). I think here in the next week or so, I "might" take another test drive to see if it was the car, or just some poor adjustment. I like the car and hopefully within the next two months one will be sitting in my driveway

That's pretty good, they say it includes the seats, mirrors, radio and HVAC but fail to mention which seat posistions.

Well that is good, I didn't really get to test out any fancy features. I must say I liked the way the seats adjust, does anyone know what all seat settings are saved?

Some one ought to call GM and tell Rick Wagoner this would get GM out of trouble, put these cars on American streets

Yeah, I think that had to be it, also this make sures that the car you buy, you better test drive it. So how did the smart wipers work? Did they work right? (lol)

Yeah, I didn't think it felt strained at all, the only thing that got me was the wind noise. It made me think that the QuietTuning was a joke. Someone above mentioned it could have been something about the sealer or door adjustment, another thing could be it was normal wind noise and I was just being picky.

Well it felt good to me, it shifted very smoothly, I couldn't even feel it. Like I said it won't be the car to beat some off of the line, but then again IMO I don't think that is what Buick intended anyway (with some exception to the CXS).

I think I just might do that, because I could hear the wind. It wasn't much quieter than my current 97' Grand Prix, so that caught me off guard...lol.

Well I hope there was something wrong with the one I drove, becuase the wind noise was profound, especially on the highway. Other than that, it was a good car.

That sounds like an overall good thing, I didn't mess around with opening anything except the doors and they felt pretty solid. I also like the way the trunk closed, so that is another quality mark for the car.

2006 Buick Lucerne CXL V6 Test Drive Over the weekend I test drove a 2006 Buick Lucerne CXL V6, the vehicle I am thinking about buying. The test drive car was a well equipped (only lacking the Heated and Cooled Seats) Ming Blue Lucerne with the tuxedo interior. The interior in my opinion was well done, yes there is plastic but the plastic has a nice matte look and feel to it, giving the impression of a more expensive car. The seats were comfortable and it was easy to find the right driving position. The simulated wood look extremely well and it looked as if it was hand polished just for the vehicle. The controls and all of the buttons felt as if they belonged on a Mercedes, the buttons and knobs didn’t feel like they would pop out or easily break. The noise level was some what quiet, some engine noise did leak into the cabin. On the highway I found myself trying to roll up the windows just to find out they were all rolled up but the wind was howling as if they weren’t. There was also a noticeable vibration under my feet from the car running, something I wasn’t expecting, but it wasn’t a huge vibration. The ride was pretty smooth, you could feel the road but the car responded with nice small “thuds” instead of huge “thumps” that you get in some cars. The power was adequate and the car responded well when I hit the accelerator. The car is something you would want to race someone off of a green light, but then again who would do such a thing with this car? The car was very responsive and the steering was nice and smooth, just like it should in a car like this. Overall The car is a great car for the money; it would be next to impossible to find a commonly equipped car like this for $33,000 or less. The car has nice fit and finish in the interior, the exterior is elegant looking and the chrome package is just right. I think that within the next month or so, this car could be sitting in my drive way. Pros: Fit & Finish, smooth ride on smooth surfaces, Features, Comfortable seating, Responsive steering, Buick’s Reliability ratings. Cons: lacks some features found in other “entry-level” luxury cars, wind noise on the highway.

I wish this was in the U.S., that is one sweet looking car. IMO, I think it is way better than the Lucerne and it would sell very well if it was here.

Yeah the pearl white looks pretty good, but I still want my Onyx black The first aftermarket thing to do: Tint the windows..lol.

I guess they do, but I wouldn't

I see what you mean, by cutting prices again is highly unlikely. I like the cooled seats becuase of the summertime, I love leather but in the summertime they can really hot. I think that the Heated and Cooled Seats should have been on the luxury package and at the very least they should have it on Buick's and Gmbuypower's site so that you can "actually" build the car you want

I see, but how come on Buick's website and gmbuypower's website I can't add the option of HEated and Cool seats, but CXL V6's on the dealers lots have it for a $1,075.00 option? As for the color, I want Onyx Black

I think I would have to agree, I'm tired just reading all of this. I don't know how many people go around touching their dash as they're driving.. but what the heck. If you guys have a problem.. go buy a Maybach or something.. then would you be happy?

Okay, so I know you have to deal with dealers to cut down pricing, but as I was looking at the Lucernce CXL V6, I begin to wonder how they think they would get away with it. Let me explain, First off, isn't the heated and cooled drivers seat including in the CXL V6 Packages? (at least the site of gmbuypower nor Buick.com tries to price you on, but the brochures and comparison charts say they have them). Needless to say the dealers are adding $1,075.00 for this. (if this isn't the case how come you can't build this on Buick.com or GmBuypower.com but get a shock with an extra $1,000 when you search dealer inventory?) Premium Paint, GMbuypower and Buick.com says this is included and the cost is $0.00, dealers are adding $495.00 to $995.00 for this. I just thought this was messed up..lol So is the Cooled seats a hidden option that you can't get unless you go to the dealer? (as far as seeing about the pciing, like I said I can't get this on Buick's site nor GmBuyPower's site.)

Well I guess you're allowed to..lol I'm actually thinking about buying a Lucerne CXL V6, I believe I will be going to the dealer Saturday to test drive it. There are things that I do think should be on the Lucerne, but hey anything on that is a lot better than my current 1997 Grand Prix, so I guess I could live with it Even though there is things to nitpick, there is things to say.. wow.. that is a nice feature. How many cars have a remote starter that can turn on the a/c or heat depending on the outside temp, have heated and ventilated seats, have memory settings, have rainsense wipers with heated washer fluid? Of course the answer would be other cars like the Avalon, Cadillac's , etc.. but even an Avalon lacks some features the Lucerne has. I think are some things to nickpick about, but overall it is a great car

I would have to agree with you, but I do think the all chrome grill I am thinking about getting a Black CXL and I saw a pciture with it like this and I think it looks pretty nice.

Alrighty then.. when I get it, I'll let you know. It is too bad that I don't have a camera or I would take pics and post them.

I understand your thinking, but at $39,000, a little less mpg and higher insurance cost.. I dunno. The CXS does offer the front looks, turn signal indicators in the mirrors, tighter suspension (I don't really care about this one, I rather have the other suspension.. I like the "lux" feel). The things I care the most about (UltraSonic, Quiet, Features) are all in the CXL V6