Autoblog Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL AWD

[silvergoat2k6]

Originally Posted by red_rider

OH NOES!!1! We can't allow old people to drive luxurious and comfortable cars now can we? Maybe if I get in the car, someone will see me and say its suddenly a car for young people...

If the car is good, the demographic will eventually follow. Don't put the cart before the horse.

You missed my point...and that was, although it was just one example, it looks like Buick is still only appealing only to blue-hairs.

If I was in the market, I'd just spend more and get a CTS.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

You missed my point...and that was, although it was just one example, it looks like Buick is still only appealing only to blue-hairs.

No I didn't. First of all, you can't base that on 1 instance. 2nd, if the car is good, it will start appealing to more people, but its not an instant process either. A lot of people probably haven't even seen this car yet, and are still associating with past Buicks reputations.

[Rocket 88]

If the LaCrosse is suppose to be Buicks flagship sedan then many of the issues noted need to be resolved quickly or Buick will not be successful.

Most alarming is the disappointment with the 3.0 V6 and having the 2.4 L4 on the way.

Several of the concerns raised in the article seem easily fixable such as content packaging choices. i.e. maybe a back up system should be standard if not the camera.

If GM wants folks to think of Buick as the equivelant of Lexus, then these new Buicks need to be better then Lexus, and not almost as good. This car has a lot going for it. A few tweaks might make it a car that could change Buick.

[GMJoe]

Originally Posted by Rocket 88

If the LaCrosse is suppose to be Buicks flagship sedan then many of the issues noted need to be resolved quickly or Buick will not be successful.

Most alarming is the disappointment with the 3.0 V6 and having the 2.4 L4 on the way.

Several of the concerns raised in the article seem easily fixable such as content packaging choices. i.e. maybe a back up system should be standard if not the camera.

If GM wants folks to think of Buick as the equivelant of Lexus, then these new Buicks need to be better then Lexus, and not almost as good. This car has a lot going for it. A few tweaks might make it a car that could change Buick.

Believe these fixes will take place once the Regal makes its appearence.

LaCrosse CX will move more upscale (as well as price) and Regal CX will hold down the lower price end.

[skylark68]

What about the CXS with the touring suspension? I wonder if it handles better?

[Aromanances]

Has anyone seen real numbers on the cars performance? 0 to 60 the 1/4 mile?
As for the 4 banger, my mother would not know if the car had the 4 or the 638HP ZR1 engine in it the way she drives. My brothers spouse would not know ether... The just dont push their cars. The 4 and the 3.0 may be just fine for cruising around.

But for they need to ditch the things that make the CX LOOK like the cheap version of all Buicks!! going to the extra trouble to make separate fascias and wheels to make it obvious someone bought the stripper version is something Dodge and Plymouth did.... Buick dose not need to add the obvious changes to make the strippers stand out....

[igotzzoom]

Originally Posted by red_rider

And BTW, let me agree with everyone who said the 3.0 and base CX trim need to go. In fact, the 3.0 should be gone period and replaced by the 3.6 for all applications, since there's apparently no real mpg difference.

Agreed. Unless GM can re-tune the 3.0 for better economy than the 3.6, then it needs to go away. Supposedly the CTS is going to get an XFE-style model with the 3.0 and some whiz-bang flywheel technology pioneered by Holden that's supposed to get 30 mpg highway. Unfortunately, it won't work in FWD applications, where it's actually needed most.

[ponchoman49]

By mentioning styling the author lost credability with me from the start. The previous LaCrosse did resemble a Taurus in some ways with a Lexus like front end but I would hardly call it a horrible looking car compared to the new one. The new LaCrosse resembles...surprise a Lexus with bloated upsidedown bathtub whale like proportions and tiny squinty windows and the odd sweepspear which looks tacked on. So far not one person I have shown this car to really cared for it and I have shown it to at least 20 folks of varying age including parents, aunts and uncles and friends so far. The plastic hubcaps, light gray mouse fur interior and poor visibility are also turning peoples noses up. The 3 base CX models at my local Chevy/Buick/Cadillac dealer have been sitting on the lot long enough to collect leaves/propellers in the engine bay and dust on the dash so they are hardly flying off lots in my area. I think the new Regal is the better car overall.

[johnnyl321]

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

Banning fogeytastic beige as a color would help too. Good review.

we like to joke that Buick uses the same names for colors as a funeral parlor does for coffin interiors...EternaRest Bronze, ShadySlumber Gray and GoTowardtheLight White. and lets not forget about the Buick Last Time Buyers Program...100% down at delivery, no payments.

[Elvisuperman]

Just from reading the comments on this thread...Buick has a long uphill battle ahead in overcoming its image!

[prototype66]

Wouldnt the 3.0 do better in smaller vehicle applications ?

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by Elvisuperman

Just from reading the comments on this thread...Buick has a long uphill battle ahead in overcoming its image!

I really don't see a reason for so much hate flames from "fast & furious" fanboys, Buick caters to the same buyers as Lexus (or Camry), not BMW or Mazda, depending on depth of the pocket. I live in quite old folks area and a few of us younger dads drive Buicks (Allure/LaCrosse and Regal) but some gray hairs drive Corvettes, Jaguars, Maserati, Porsches, MBenz...it is about client base who HAVE the money.

I complained about 3.0L engine and trunk shortcomings before but I would not say that Buick is failed model. Future will tell how it would sell, my preference would be oncoming Regal/Insignia.

[igotzzoom]

Originally Posted by prototype66

Wouldnt the 3.0 do better in smaller vehicle applications ?

Well...here's the dilemma for GM...The 2.0 Turbo offers similar power to the 3.0, but has better fuel-economy, and is lighter and more applicable to compact applications. Longer-term, I really have to wonder about the 3.0's future. We may end up seeing it phased out in favor of a turbo four.

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by Aromanances

As for the 4 banger, my mother would not know if the car had the 4 or the 638HP ZR1 engine in it the way she drives. My brothers spouse would not know ether... The just dont push their cars. The 4 and the 3.0 may be just fine for cruising around.

But for they need to ditch the things that make the CX LOOK like the cheap version of all Buicks!! going to the extra trouble to make separate fascias and wheels to make it obvious someone bought the stripper version is something Dodge and Plymouth did.... Buick dose not need to add the obvious changes to make the strippers stand out....

My mom would not care about this other stuff, either... and she likes hubcaps.
She definitely wants one. We'll try out a CX 4-banger, no option car to keep it as simple as possible.

[Hitman1970]

Originally Posted by johnnyl321

we like to joke that Buick uses the same names for colors as a funeral parlor does for coffin interiors...EternaRest Bronze, ShadySlumber Gray and GoTowardtheLight White. and lets not forget about the Buick Last Time Buyers Program...100% down at delivery, no payments.

You forgot my personal favorite from my 2006 LaCrosse CXS, FadeTo Black.

I put hard earned money towards a Buick once and will probably do so again. If you can't laugh at the past fifteen years or so of floaty comfy boats you'd have to cry.

Where can I get some custom leather pillowtop seats for my G8 GT?