My/Your Ideal Buick Lineup

[ViperDVMan]

Here's my ideal Buick lineup with today's (let's not step too much on Pontiac's and GMC's toes) Buick portfolio idea.

LaCrosse/Allure - entry-level ($24-$30K) - If anything, keep it on the W-chassis (Epsilon or Epsilon II would end up stepping on Pontiac and even Saturn toes), but lose the 4-speed slushbox and drop the upcoming 6-speeder in it. I suggest using the 3500 V6 as the base and using the unmolested 255hp 3.6L V6 optional. I think Skylark would be a better name

Riviera - mid-level($30-$40K) - Lose the Lucerne and bring back a heritage name on an FR chasses (Zeta), using the 255hp 3.6L V6 as base and either the Northstar V8 or LS4 as optional powertrain. Again, use the 6-speed slushbox...lose the 3800 and 4-speeder.

Grand National - mid-level performance($35-$40K) - Make this car a more upscale and 4-door version of the Pontiac GTO (to keep from stepping on GTO toes) to inject some performance into Buick. V8's should be the only choices, so I would say use the 303hp LS4 as base and the 400hp LS2 as optional (GN-X, anyone?). 6-speed manuals and automatics for tranny choices.

Roadmaster - upper-level ($40-$50K) - For a true top-level Buick, I suggest using an extended Zeta platform (kinda like Holden's Statesman/Caprice is to the Commodore). Same powertrain options as the Grand National (minus the manual).

Velite - upper-level convertible($40-$50K) - This is the halo car. Build it on Zeta, probably the same size as the Riviera. I would recommend using a soft top since the largest car using a retractable hard-top will probaby be the G6 (all the other cars using it are compacts or luxury roadsters). I would go with the 255hp 3.6L V6 as the base powetrain and the 400hp LS2 as the optional powertrain. 6-speed slushboxes only.

Rendevous - mid-size crossover SUV ($25-$35K) - This should be the Lambda platform replacement, with FWD and AWD options, the 6-speed auto, and the 3500 V6 as base, 3.6L V6 as optional, and LS4 V8 in top trim. This would be difficult to pull off without stepping on GMC's toes since they too are getting a Lambda Crossover SUV.

Lose the Rainer (steps on GMC Envoy toes), and lose the Terazza (GMC I hear is getting a Lambda minivan)

[Watchdevil]

GM doesn't need so many Buicks. Realistically the only demographic is mature people hanging on to the illusions and glory of past days that don't want to be seen in a Chevrolet but can't afford a Cadillac. The other GM divisons have most niches filled with duplication. Buick just needs two sedans.. a mid size and a large one. Perhaps there is room for something like the Velite as a halo car which could be named Riviera. Buick does not need trucks or SUV's. Perhaps one crossover is acceptable as a luxury people mover where Cadillac is too expensive but there is a need for something upscale from a Chevrolet. Forget Grand Nationals. A car like that fits in better with Pontiac or Chevrolet where it is needed rather than a pseudo Lexus divison like Buick. That is just a tired old me too muscle car trend that died with the end of the 60's. The market is just not there for it and Buick as a whole does not have a percetion with customers as a muscle car division. If you want a muscle car buya new GTO or wait for the next one to come out. The GN or GS is just an item on an enthusiasts wish list for the sake of bringing back an old name. Everyone wants some old nameplate back but this is the 21st century and there is just a limited market with too much import competition compared to the old days. It's best for GM to offer niche cars where they will do the most good and focus on high quality and style for the mainstream car lines that sell in volume.

For Buick to survive as a brand it needs to stay focused and offer styling that is apirational and have substance that does many things well.

[member12]

No way buick will survive at that price- that is cadillac territory.

Here are a few ideas that put it up against Acura, and low end infinitis and lexi that will also help keep canabalizing with its dealership sisters Pontiac and GMC, so no coupes or truck based suvs.

LaCrosse (competes agains Montego, Maxima, TSX,) 24K-28K- redesiged on a stretched Epsilon platform. Utilize the 2.8L engine and the 3.6L engine, as well as 6 speed automatics all around.

Lucerne- (competes agains Avalon, Lexus ES, Marquis, chrysler 300 v6) 26K-32K as is on DTS platform. standard equipment leather, 6 speed auto and 265hp 3.6L engine. no v8 engine option.

Park Avenue- (competes agains Zepher, Town Car, Jag Stype, RL, 300C) 30K-36k) Built of budget sigma platform, or stretched Zeta platform. rwd, standard equipment 3.6L 265hp, optional 5.3L 350hp. 6 speed automatic standard equipment.

Rendevous- (competes with MDX, Pilot, etc) 29K-35K upcoming theta platform. 3.6L 265hp engine and 6 speed auto standard equipment. the only way to get a 3rd row seat and 4wd in the buick lineup because buick minivans make no sense.

the Buick dealers may only have 4 models, but they will be strong competitors, and they will also have GMC trucks and Pontiac cars to sell, so no sweat. Good companies make money, not market share. Let Chevrolet chase toyota. You don't see Acura trying to outsell ford or something. Buick should be under cadillac, ready to overtake Lincoln.

[gm_scott]

Originally Posted by member12

You don't see Acura trying to outsell ford or something. Buick should be under cadillac, ready to overtake Lincoln.

Yeah but this is just the problem with all of GM's brands, we dont need a Lincoln fighter. Thats just dumb, Lincoln doesnt even sell cars well worth chaseing. Gm needs to loose someone, and i htink Buick is the number one canidate.

[nailhead425]

Originally Posted by gm_scott

Yeah but this is just the problem with all of GM's brands, we dont need a Lincoln fighter. Thats just dumb, Lincoln doesnt even sell cars well worth chaseing. Gm needs to loose someone, and i htink Buick is the number one canidate.

No more killing brands. It didn't work before, it won't work this time. Buicks have been "old-people-cars" since I was a kid. Funny thing about it, now my parents are old people, and surprise, they have a Buick. While old people do tend to pass on, more join the ranks every year.

If anything must go, send Saab to the dumpster. Keep the cars, absorb them into other lines. They just don't sell well.

[63cat]

Ideal lineup:

flagship:
Roadmaster: bigger than Lucerne, big waterfall grill.
Lucerne:
Lacrosse:
Bengal: based on Velite coupe & convertible Just picture the Tiger ads!
Invicta: Centieme/Rendezvous. Estate Wagon (wood option)
Rainier: SUV

drop Terrazza

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by Watchdevil

GM doesn't need so many Buicks. Realistically the only demographic is mature people hanging on to the illusions and glory of past days that don't want to be seen in a Chevrolet but can't afford a Cadillac. The other GM divisons have most niches filled with duplication. Buick just needs two sedans.. a mid size and a large one. Perhaps there is room for something like the Velite as a halo car which could be named Riviera. Buick does not need trucks or SUV's. Perhaps one crossover is acceptable as a luxury people mover where Cadillac is too expensive but there is a need for something upscale from a Chevrolet. Forget Grand Nationals. A car like that fits in better with Pontiac or Chevrolet where it is needed rather than a pseudo Lexus divison like Buick. That is just a tired old me too muscle car trend that died with the end of the 60's. The market is just not there for it and Buick as a whole does not have a percetion with customers as a muscle car division. If you want a muscle car buya new GTO or wait for the next one to come out. The GN or GS is just an item on an enthusiasts wish list for the sake of bringing back an old name. Everyone wants some old nameplate back but this is the 21st century and there is just a limited market with too much import competition compared to the old days. It's best for GM to offer niche cars where they will do the most good and focus on high quality and style for the mainstream car lines that sell in volume.

For Buick to survive as a brand it needs to stay focused and offer styling that is apirational and have substance that does many things well.

1000% right!

Personally, I really love Buicks of the past, but the 80s should be forgotten completely for the entire auto industry. Come on, Grand National was just a funny looking 80s downsized Regal dragster. Buick's heritage are the Roadmaster, Riviera, Electra. I don't think Buick should compete in the performance department - what GM brands need now is differentiation, not overlap.

My proposed lineup (I think it's the xxx time I write it, but I never get bored )

1. Vectra GTS-based Buick Regal (5-door liftback, SWB Epsilon), possibly the OPC as Grand National/GNX/GS version

2. Buick Electra sedan (LWB Epsilon), Electra Estate(Vectra Caravan? - LWB Epsilon) & maybe coupe (SWB Epsilon). Alternative naming - sedan/wagon = Century, coupe = Centurion

3. Buick Roadmaster (Zeta) sedan & wagon, Riviera coupe (personal luxury, not sports car)

Minivan goes to Saturn, GMC takes care of SUVs, crossovers and the like. Buick is a "car company" again, the tagline is "Isn't it time for a real CAR?" once again. Buick becomes synonymous with practical yet stylish wagons (other NA brands don't get them).

Other heritage model names could be used as version designations (I'd see Buick sporting a lot of trim versions and special models):
- Park Avenue for more luxurious Electras
- Special for the second-tier trim levels
- GN/GSX as above

Electra could sport a hybrid version, to highlight the fact that the division is not technologically retarded anymore.

[tama z71]

not digging AR's lineup. way too many cars, and far too much overlap to fit in with the BGP showroom. they need like 2 sedans, one coupe, one crossover, and they need not to be priced in cadillac territory, much like you are proposing.

[member12]

I serously think that since Cadillac is dumping all of those fwd platforms for rwd, why can't buick use that. There is no doubt in my mind that whatever is under the DTS is good stuff.

Why not do like Cadillac did with Sigma and make Buick different sized cars off the same platform. The Lucerne, if I am not mistaken, is aready on that chasis. Imagine a large park Avenue, but with a 4.6L V8 and a 6 speed auto standard equimpent for a hair more than 30K. Can you imagine considering a Lincoln Zepher, Town Car, or an ES330?

However, any price higher than that would be up against RWD sport sedans, and Buick should either stay in Acura land or move on up. Since cadillac has that covered, Buick should just focus on competing with the Avalon, TL, ES330, 300, and others in that range. If the Lucerne is anything like the DTS, then I can see some light at the end of the tunnel here. I hope they dump the 3.8L engine accross the board soon, though.

[Buicktech]

1. Sigma lite:
2-door Regal Economic luxury coupe ( $29,000 +)
With GN High Performance Version ($35,000)
2. Epsilon II:
4-door Century Affordable family Sedan ($ 27,000
3. Sigma:
4-door Electra Luxury Sedan ( $37,000+)
4. Zeta:
2-door Skylark Performance car Very posh, yet very quick (think '70s skylarks) ($41,000) limited production

Thats what I'd like to see. Might beclose to what other people wrote, but this line up would get me excited.

[WoodyGnX]

The sedans are Buicks concern right now and they are clinging on with what they have but i think that will all be solved with RWD. RWD will be from Zeta and i think what will help Zeta and Buick will be a line of RWD COUPES from Zeta so without further adeu my Buick COUPE lineup is as follows:
1. Base- Regal, just like the eighties. Think refined looking GTO with a 3.6 liter v6 starting in the low twenties.
2. Regal T-Type, add a single turbo to the motor along with interior upgrades and other upscale options. price upper twenties
3. Grand National, ttype with upgrades suspension, brakes, exhaust, appearance package, sport interior. priced around thirty
4. GNX, limited numbered production each year w/ 400horse twin turbo from velite concept along with all the dudded performance options and this car has to look sick. and a thought would be to limit the price to the forties and not let the dealers charge any more regardless of demand. Think waiting list and exponential appreciation. This would be great marketting for Buick in general to have buzz from such a vehicle.

Scepticle as some may be about my pricing, a North American Zeta, which will ultimately be what saves Buick, would make it very feasible. Buick has an opportunity to reinvent itself and really storm the market, already confidence is high due to this years quality rankings. Problem is they will have to hold on till Zeta. My picture is an idea of how sick and aggressive looking the GNX should be.

[WoodyGnX]

With gas the way it is Buick would really make a statement by leaving v8's out of their performance line. Honestly 400 horsepower stock would be badass enough. Please lets not talk six liter v8's. Make more with less that was the best part about the best car from Buick and maybe anyone, the GNX. My lineup is realistic and could be one of GMs top selling lines if produced. Buick needs to be redefined and this line would make them unlike any other company if they kept up on quality.

[flagship]

I like the Buick lineup as it is now, except that I wish the Lacrosse and Lucerne were both a bit shorter and the Lacrosse had the Lucerne's styling.

[AmericanRevolution]

Originally Posted by flagship

...the Lacrosse had the Lucerne's styling.

I disagree, but then again, I've never seen the Lucerne in person and have heard it looks much better. But as it stands by pics, I think it's ugly and looks like a wanna-be mid-90's Acura/Lexus/Infinity styled car...

[AmericanRevolution]

Some minor updates!