Buick: To Precision… and Beyond!

[91 s-10baja]

By Sajeev Mehta
August 19th, 2006 3,471 Views
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that a less-than-flattering Buick Lucerne review would score me a road test reprise on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Thanks to an internet-savvy Buick flackmeister determined to show me the light, the deal went down. Of course, RF pointed out that a junket courtesy of a diss-missed manufacturer was not without its dangers: brow-beating, brainwashing, alcohol poisoning and/or failed brakes. So I brought my Mom. ........................

........................In fact, let’s face it: Buick will never be an American Lexus, no matter how much spin is spun or press junket petty-cash hides in the console. After chatting with the Buick folk about life, liberty and the pursuit of precision, one thing became clear: GM’s minions know they’re up against it. They spoke hopefully about their next new dawn: the upcoming Enclave sport crossover utility thingie. They even invited TTAC to its official media introduction. And then, upon our return, GM formally banned TTAC from its Dallas press fleet. Suffice it to say, Mom wasn’t surprised. Neither was I.




http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=2037

[LAMRONH]

I can see why I haven't missed your posts. Your adolescent name-calling regarding differences of opinion is still junior high stuff, no matter how old you are or how many beers you've had. And styling is the most subjective of all subjects, so feeble attempts to insult a reviewer for opinions on looks just don't work.
By the way, if Sajeev wants to be a reviewer when he grows up, I'd say some remedial grammar instruction is in order.

[tgagneguam]

...They even invited TTAC to its official media introduction. And then, upon our return, GM formally banned TTAC from its Dallas press fleet. Suffice it to say, Mom wasn’t surprised. Neither was I.

As mentioned previously, Sajeev and all of TTAC, I don't think GM is uninterested in constructive criticism. Rather, it's the sophomoric manner in which you choose to present it. As much as you complain of the bush league nature of GM's cars, similar criticism can be leveled at the way in which you present your thoughts in a more public forum. As smart as you claim to be, it's funny how you and the TTAC members consistently fail to appreciate that your venomous attacks against certain automakers will simply have you playing the sidelines. Maybe that's all you're aiming for? But I suspect that that's the reason you're initially invited to media introductions but then banned from them soon after. To be crystal clear, it's not your brilliance or your automotive encyclopedic knowledge [at least that's how your mother describes it] that people find offputting.

[63cat]

Why does this guy get a headline with top billing on this website, and other more credible Buick reviews do not?

[01cavalier]

He is a bit overly critical of the car, it is not meant to be driven hard. It is not a sports car. Seems he took every dig at the car that he could. Having driven the Lucerne, though, it is quite a comfortable ride and it handled bumpy roads quite well. There is plenty of room for improvement, though it is still a nice car, though somehow it seemed overpriced to me. Of course, I did have the top of the line version too.

[igor]

If you think the writer is a moron, read his Tacoma review .. SPOT ON..

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=2056


this "review" of Lucerne was not a review - it was an editorial, because GM invinted him for re-testing the Lucerne after he was not happy with it the first time... it was sarcarstic on purpose ... only a fool can think that a reviewer will change their mind because they have a PR person in the car.

However I do agree that TTAC los s its cred everytime a new instance of GM or Ford deathwatch comes out.

Igor

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

Wow, that's a beautiful car...I love that picture!

[uujjj]

If you've been reading thetruthaboutcars, you realize this review is about as favorable as it can get for GM.

[2648562]

I haven't driven a Lucerne yet, but I spent about 3 weeks beating on a new Impala rental (sadly it wasn't an SS). The interior was disappointing, the tires disappointing (I think they were some kind of Continental), and I suppose there were other disappointments, but the darn thing is the car handled well. Very, very well considering the source. And I pushed it a lot harder than 55. I can't imagine the two are that radically different so I'm glad they're banned. They're the opposite of "truth".

[ChevroletRevived]

I've driven the Impala SS too, and I liked the car. It's interior, and it's exterior. It's competitive, but the Aura will be much more of a contender. As for the Lucurne, I've driven it. It's powerful, very high quality and luxurious inside, with good attention to detail. Very much as good as the Avalon's, it just depends on your point of view. Lucurne is a better car, it's selling well, has an excellent quality and reliability record and hasn't had the problems the Avalon has had. A much better buy. On another note, the Lucurne is bringing in alot of diverse new buyers, more then the LaCrosse has done. I have a freind, he's in the 25-30 young urban proffessional segment and currently owns a Saab 9-3 Aero. I was shocked to learn what car he's getting next? You guessed it, the Buick Lucurne. Weird, eh?

[Media!]

I am going to go ahead and disagree with you. Now don't get me wrong, the Buick Lucerne is a good vehicle, but the exterior design is dull and lifeless while the interior design is even worst. It is finally a good Buick car but with old buick styling standards. The avalon has a very nicely designed interior and clean exterior. The Avalon might not be earth shattering in the least bit, but it is a very well designed vehicle, you can't say the same for the lucerne. The worst part of the lucurne is the ovalized square center dash that GM used the design que in almost all of their vehicles that launched last year.

[ghughes]

Its a great car(Lucerne)- I dont push it hard and get looks from everybody, even teenagers, though I wish more looks from College girls. My fav quote from sajeev is that "Buick can never be close to Lexus". I guess never in any model, huh? Buick can never approach any Lexus-

[USA1Fan]

Pretty much to be expected from that site re: GM / Ford products. I pretty much summed up why visiting there for reviews is a waste of brain cells on another such link.

[VibenPontiac]

Any time emotion is involved in a review it tends to loose credibility with me. Sure I want a car to create emotion when I'm driving it but that's as far as I want a reviewer to take it. Harking back to the good or bad old days or using meaningless insults and stories that bare little relation to the review at hand other than to demonstrate bias doesn't exactly get me to take a review seriously. The "truth about cars" is more like "the truth according to us about cars". That been said, the guy's entitled to his opinion even if it does fly in the face of almost every single review of the Lucerne. Its not his fault he's wrong!!

But hey that's me!

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by alerogl2

As canidate I nominate you as leader of this category you created. Obviously looks are subjective I was only pointing out the fact that he made these same claims but in reverse to point out the weakness in making such arguments. Oh and whereas the Buick is warm and pleasing inside the Avalon is chinsey (sp) and has the feeling of cheap household electronics. Clearly this also is subjective. A point which I never denied in my previous post. It would be good if you and the other poster would read a little more closely. I will digress though and say that "clean" is less subjective of a term and where the Avalon has funky "unsmooth" lines, the Lucerne has no such thing. I simply stated that the Lucerne was clean in comparison. Another example of clean is the Camry, so Toyota this is not intended to be a hate on Toyota tirade, I am simply calling out Sajeev for what he is (or is not for that matter).

You seem to infer that I claimed that the Toyota would fall apart at 10k, I did no such thing. I simply refuted the pathetic attempt at artful journalism presented by extremely poor authoring skills. I do not mean to call anyone a name but the problem in Sajeev's case is what do you say to someone who clearly has no idea how to properly write a review. He seems bitter that GM saw him for what he is.

You may want to read some of Sajeev's other reviews (including Toyotas) before crying foul and claiming the usual "bias" BS.