caddycruiser

Nice, and if they can translate the same "feel" into the real one, it should be very good--I like the crisper lines much better than the current blob. Though the concept for the current gen also looked pretty fetching, it didn't translate much. This one looks much more realistic, though, so hopefully it does.

Tell me about it! That's why I say his is museum quality. Has never sat in the sun, rarely in rain, and never touched snow once. Plus only 95k miles, extra house rugs on top of the factory mats, blankets covering the seats, etc. The pity is, as much a nicer driver as the Rendezvous is and newer, the Aerostar will sell for cheap enough to someone who won't garage it, will beat it around in snow, will muck the interior up, etc., and it'll never be the same. That's what happens when you sell a car, but it's just a shame. If we brought it down southward where we live, I know someone would buy it in a second for top dollar and treat it decently, but we'll see how it goes with him in western PA. I think he was going to advertise it at $2800 and hope not to go below $2500 at the least--dirt cheap for such a perfect van. I'd take it, but I really have no use at this point. Spread the word Here's the only few pics I could find where it's visible, on vacation (yes, that's him in the one pic as well): As for the Enclave, don't think that will ever happen--my mother is considering one to replace her Suburban down the line though--and he did say "well, this will be the last car I buy, no matter what".

Haha, yeah. Essentially your basic white 2wd regular cab work truck, bought with over 100k miles on it, but extremely reliable and problem-free. Also can tow their small trailor, at least when they used to use it. Actually, that picture isn't his, but of one almost identical--I do think his has at least a power driver's seat. Opinions differ on the look of the Rendezvous--in certain colors and trims it does look pretty bad--but it is a nice vehicle overall. Feels very, very solid and tight, and is also quite refined on the road. And the 3.4L isn't a road-burner, but I thrased around my boss's before, and it's more than adequate. This does still seem like a great deal, and even better that it came from the next door neighbor--just need to figure out a way to help him sell his museum-quality Aerostar now!

Chalk this one up to just being the right place at the right time--BIG time. Currently in my grandparent's stable, my grandmother has a '99 Intrigue GX 3.8 that they bought as a demo in '99 with 5k on it, and my grandfather has both a '94 Ford Aerostar extended XL that he bought as a demo in '95, and a '97 F-150 stripper truck. The Intrigue is for her general driving, as well as their runs to church as such, the truck for his daily outings, and the van is kept in the garage most all of the time, and only ever used for longer trips. The Aerostar is beyond immaculate, and in great colors even, and at 12+ years old, barely over 90k, but he really had been wanting something new for a few years now. He liked the van and it never gave him any problems, but he was never a big fan of it's floaty feel and bad handling or it's "no go in snow" RWD. So, for the past few years, two things that he's liked have been Rendezvous AND Azteks--the latter mainly because he knew it was the same under the skin, but less popular and could be had for less. Always casually checked papers for few year old Rendezvous and none ever really seemed to be in his price range. Then his next door neighbor--who had an '03 Rendezvous CX FWD--was just going through a divorce, and in talking between them, had mentioned he really was going to need to get rid of it. Knowing what it was worth, and what he would pay, it was an instant lightbulb moment and while we were visiting them over Thanksgiving, the neighbor got more serious and asked him if he was interested. Long story short, he said what he'd give him, and the grandparents just got their "new" Buick this past week. It's your basic Rendezvous, an '03 CX FWD, in Light Driftwood with the beige cloth interior--no 3rd row--and some things like aluminum wheels, rear backup sensors, and Onstar. Only 53k miles and always very well maintained--seeing it every day for the past 3 years next door and knowing the owner helped confirm that--and he ended up paying $8k even for it, which is actually a couple grand under even the lowest priced ones I've found in searches with more miles and not as nice of condition. Not the most gorgeous color combo, in my opinion, but pretty close to the beige & brown Aerostar and definately low maintenance. My grandmother actually isn't a big fan of the outside styling, but I think she'll get used to it after a few rides in comparison to the van. When the Buick was in warranty, it apparently needed the front bearings replaced twice for whatever reason, but had no other trouble. I also warned him about the 3.4L and the infamous head gasket problem (not sure if it was resolved or not by this '03 year), so he at least knows about it just in case. I've driven my old boss's '03 CXL FWD a few times before and really enjoyed it, so this is a great move for them--much more pleasant on the road than the van, good gas mileage, and even a size that my grandmother can now probably handle. NOW, if he could just unload his Aerostar...such a shame that they're in western PA, because the thing is in the condition of a garaged beauty from down south (I've never seen an Aerostar that looked as perfect), but the RWD may likely keep some potential buyers given that it's now snow season. Even he agreed that if he opened the garage door and someone interested saw it, they'd buy it on the spot, but no one yet. Let's hope it goes to a good home soon...and the Buick is more than nice to the grandparents

Everyone one I've ever seen underhood--from brand new on the lot--looks like that^^, so I'm not really sure. Looks like the typical surface stuff that happens on the manifolds of just about every car, even from new--some are just more hidden.

Well, I was referring to the completely new Tundra about to be replaced--which is VERY large--but still, good points to make.

Yeah. I think the build quality and refinement, as well as fresher styling, are all finally there, but they definately didn't do much as far as improving interior space--especially in the trucks, where even the crew cabs are getting quite a lot of complaints about the rear seat. Making sure not to make the truck too large is one thing, but with monsters like the Titan and new Tundra, a little bit more space would be nice, especially given how a lot of people use trucks anymore.

A lot of recent VW/Audi's have been like that, and all the Chrysler LH-cars have always been. Definately unique, and when my mother first got her new 300M, it kinda weirded my father out for a second too when he went to look around under the hood.

I've yet to drive any of the new GMT-900's, but even exploring several at auto shows, there's clearly no comparison whatsoever in the feel of substance compared to the last gen. Massively better materials and finishes, and a structure that now REALLY feels robust and tight. They should have no problem selling at all, once the complete model line is out.

Agreed^^. A lot more voluptuous, stunning cars with gorgeous lines and materials inside and out, and a level of performance under the skin that draws a great balance between power and refinement. Right now, they're "getting there", but still have a lot of things that need to happen. Ditch the Lacrosse and replace it with a real Lexus ES and Acura TL killer (it can do both, soft luxury and sharper performance), revise the Lucerne with a more elegant face and other revised look details, as well as a more refined and powerful V6 and a better 6-spd. The FWD in the latter is still one issue, but with proper revisions to the car, it wouldn't be too big of an issue. Add a real RWD V8 flagship, too. I can still see Buick becoming the American Lexus, with similar attention to quality and refinement, but also a lot more passion and expressiveness to the designs--no fancy Camrys with a soft feel, RWD sedans that have the right guts but are tuned to feel more robotic than anything, etc.

Based on the last 2 posts, my experience: This summer, when we briefly considered replacing the Suburban with a Lucerne, I had two extended test drives in an '06 CXL V6. Loved the look, the room, and the feel that just exudes quality through and through, but I did notice weird things. The car I drove only had about 10-20 miles on it. -I'm used to the 3.8L, at least the Series II, being in my grandmother's Intrigue, an '02 LeSabre rental we had for a month, and a '99 LeSabre owned by a customer of mine. The typical smooth and torquey rock, and also very quiet except for a minor pushrod rumble. HOWEVER, in the Lucerne I drove, the same smoothness and torque was there, but it kinda shocked me how loud it was right off the line. Just had a strange growl to it that kinda made you go "huh?", that roared right at take off, and then you'd never hear it again until a downshift for more power, and it was back to a lighter extent--sounded just like a hole in a muffler, but that would come and go. All 3 of the older 3.8L's I was used to roared, but nothing like this car would do. The off the line growl wasn't really even something I'd classify as a nice rumble, just weird. The rest of the car was S-I-L-E-N-T though, so that might have been a small part, but I still swear that 3.8L had a too loud gruff that I've never known before. -The car was smooth and solid as a rock, but at least with the CXL V6 I drove, there was a REALLY bad vibration right when I would hit 55. Not really much of anything below or above that, but a noticeable front end shaking you could see and feel in the wheel. This was something I know tends to be a common G-body oddity that a lot of owners & dealer shops have dealt with over the years, but it was still really strange for a brand new car. I told the salesman, but he just said "Oh, it's been sitting for a while and sometimes rust builds up on the rotors." Maybe if I felt it in braking, yes, but this was definately a front end suspension and/or mount issue. Still, loved the car, but just had to comment since someone else has noticed similar things! Best part was watching the steady 33-36 mpg at 55 on the instant mpg DIC function... ...that's DEFINATELY a selling point.

Absolutely gorgeous car, and though I'm not always the biggest fan of such a mass market FWD car, the general look and performance of those coupled with the--as you mentioned--awesome fuel mileage has always gotten my interest. Great cars, in most regards.

It's just a stunning looker, and the terrific driving dynamics just make it that much better--all for a price that, at least on XE's like yours, is almost shocking for what you get. And as was said, those rarer wheels DEFINATELY dress it up even more, and look great with the dark blue. Any other things, good or bad, you notice after living with the '04 Malibu and its similar guts for a few years?

Looks awesome for the price and mileage. Just keep an eye on the 2.7L, as it has one of the worst reputations ever in the DCX powertrain line. LOTS of oil sludging issues due to poor crankcase ventilation, which then leads to blown motors. It's a very well known thing on LH car owner boards, and also pretty visible with the number of 2.7L Intrepids & Concordes you see from any given time for sale with blown motors (Ebay always has a load), as well as at scrap yards. Regardless, this one has made it 173k, so it may be on engine #2--likely, unless you have documentation otherwise--but it also seems to be doing well still. Just be careful. Otherwise, they're very strong cars, and we had a '00 300M that was a bit of a problem child, but I still love the cars. So much, in fact, that for about a month this fall I was test driving and considering getting rid of my Fleetwood for a newer LHS. Didn't, but I still really like them

Well, if you look at the picture, it's pretty clear why. Two people at each one makes it quicker and easier to put each on, aligned properly. Even in the pic, it doesn't look like overkill at all--and is all the better for proper fit & finish. Well that, and they're not featherweights that just snap on either.

You can build both extended cab models on: http://www.kbb.com

Well that, and not to get off topic again, but that it also turned out too small for the class and price range it's in. I actually love most of the RL interior, and the mechanicals, but between the flabby looks (the TL shouldn't look as MUCH better than it as it does) and the cramped up interior, something just went off in the creation of that car. Has a lot of lovely, but also has a lot of "huh?!" to it.

Actually, that aside, there's another interesting comparo: Camry 4-cyl base, starts at $18k and is rated (and typically gets) 24 city, 33 highway. Aura Hybrid is around $22k to start and is rated at 25 city, 36 highway. Two very different powertrains, but this might be another case (like the VUE is turning out, I think), that lower price or not, when people want a Hybrid they also want significantly better mpg numbers. A price more like a gas version but with the Hybrid package only works if the mileage is there to back it up...not the case here. It'll sell on it's core "Aura merits", probably, but the "green Hybrid" line just is more of a waste than anything, I think. All or nothing--and that's pretty much how the sales turn out.

I really like the concept, and it works terrificly on the typical 4-cyl and few 6-cyl Hybrids, I just still wonder how well they've refined it using a somewhat gruff OHV V8 underhood. The 5.3L (and all it's brothers) are smooth, civil, and typically quiet motors, but they sure don't purr like a Toyota 4-cyl...so one has to wonder what the transitions between electric and the gas engine kicking back on are like. Although poorly done, in the last gen Silverado/Sierra Hybrid, it was a rather noisy, clunky affair, so I just wonder--even though these are admittedly many worlds advances from that past experiment.

Huh? What do you think Hybrid means? It's a mild version, so it can't power itself 100% on electric like some can, but the electric is there to assist the gas engine and to run things at stops when the gas engine shuts down briefly. Same deal as the VUE Hybrid that came out recently. As for the wheels & tires, they still don't look that bad, and if anything, on a Hybrid you want the wheels to be light and the tires to have low rolling resistance (i.e., not too grippy). This setup seems perfect. And no, to whoever said it, these wheels are NOT from a Malibu.

You sure? The plastic-capped steelies are standard on the current XE model, but these new wheels on the Hybrid definately look like typical machined aluminum. Looks aside, that would make sense, being lighter for the Hybrid. On another note, something I just noticed--boy does having a leather-wrapped steering wheel make a difference! I know a lot of cars don't have it, but even in these pics, and at least with what the standard wheel is made out of, it sure looks quite a bit downscale, even if just a steering wheel.

Yep, there still seems to be quite a few out there. The majority at this point are manuals--being that autos always sell first anymore--but you can still search around and likely find the color/transmission combo you want. And not specifically sure, but from what I've seen, they seem to be going for around the $25-27k range new, at least recently.

Really old, but strangely enough, still one of the best built and most refined AND tough SUV's on the planet. I think of this and the Land Cruiser like fine wines. Maybe not the latest trends, or even some of the coolest gadgets (though they're not missing much), but years later, they're still amazing in most every regard aside from looks. So, you may not have the flash of being in a latest Escalade, for example, but everyday you could be enamored with the ungodly terrific quality and refinement, for a feel that's worth the price. At least IMHO... :AH-HA_wink:

Pretty much your standard base Aura, save for some more interesting guts underhood. Blah wheels, definately, but otherwise a nice piece. Hopefully the real-world benefits are worth it for the price, at least in comparison to the more expensive but really well done Camry Hybrid, etc. Even if it's a lot cheaper, buyers will still inevitably draw comparisons.

Still not a fan of the blob-like new Yukon faces, so this iteration still isn't that great, but they seem like they'll be great vehicles once out. As long as it all operates flawlessly, and the mileage is significantly improved (i.e., not just barely at all like with AFM), AND the price isn't stratospheric (these trucks are already at the high ends again, with options). Actually, with this and the Tahoe, I still do wonder. They remove the roof rails, side trim, and rework the fascias to really get the best COD they can and allow for the best possible mileage at all cost, so I wonder what kind of minute effect the same revisions would have on a regular full gas model. Just food for thought, I guess. But again, the Chevy does look better this time too...