Next Buick Excelle = Opel Astra?

[87silver]

I think that for this car to be successful, Buick's image needs to change. At least in this country where most people are followers in regard to consumption, they would buy this thing in a hot second if it had a Honda or Toyota badge on it, regardless of the manufacture. Buick has work to do not only in design and execution, but in other areas as well.

[Whistler]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Yes, but who would buy it? NOT MY GENERATION!!! We want sport inspired cars, like Pontiac and Cadillac. Definitely not Buick!!

What does "sport inspired" mean?

Plastic cladding, oversized grilles, fake hood scoops/spoilers, and cheapo looking red gauges?

Because thats all thats really "sport" about most Pontiacs.

[zete]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Ahem...




So your G8 idea is kinda redundant eh? Besides by the looks of it,Buick NA will probably get what Buick China gets (Remember the 2010 Lacrosse is Chinese designed.)

Simply stunning. Bring it here. Fill out Buick.

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Yes, but who would buy it? NOT MY GENERATION!!! We want sport inspired cars, like Pontiac and Cadillac. Definitely not Buick!!

Are you sure? During the 80s the Grand National was more sporty than anything from Pontiac except the Firebird/Trans Am and the Fiero. The rest? Pathetic.

And the reason people look upon Buick as stodgy is because that's what they were building. But the Lacrosse has people's attention just like the Enclave did. And if they truly bring the Insignia here as the Regal and the Insignia OPC as the Buick Regal GNX you'll have sporty, no problem there at all.

And this little Astra with the proper configuration, courtesy of our European friends, means Buick would have some pretty fun cars that are beautifully appointed and can move.

Originally Posted by chade

I have to preach this to my wife all of the time. She is in her mid-20s and says that she can never drive a Buick because it's built for old people. However, I tell her to look at the new Buick (LaCrosse) and tell her its a different car company now. Much sportier than the LeSabre and Lucernes of old. I went to the auto show with her/my brother-in-law who is also in his 20s and is a german car buyer. He said "Wow" when he saw the LaCrosse and said he wouldn't be embarassed at all to have that car.

Exactly. When I showed the Chinese Regal to some of my "I'll never drive a Buick" friends, they, to a one said, "I'd drive that". Same with the Lacrosse. Same for the Enclave. And if Buick gets the Astra, it'll be the same story.

It boils down to the following:




That is what people think Buick is, and that is what it was. However, below is what Buick will be. And can be fully this within a year's time. A makeover as drastic as any in the automotive world. And not a single car to be ashamed of or have to apologize for!

[ausrutherford]

^^^
Just saying, someone on here from australia (so im guessing they know the prices) said that the Park Avenue costs 60K without exporting it. Now guessing the exporting cost, a 70k Buick wouldnt fly. Caddy though... well you see where im going with that.

[page2171]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

^^^
Just saying, someone on here from australia (so im guessing they know the prices) said that the Park Avenue costs 60K without exporting it. Now guessing the exporting cost, a 70k Buick wouldnt fly. Caddy though... well you see where im going with that.

70k I don't think would even fly for a Cadillac. That is why GM is replacing the DTS with another FWD car.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

^^^
Just saying, someone on here from australia (so im guessing they know the prices) said that the Park Avenue costs 60K without exporting it. Now guessing the exporting cost, a 70k Buick wouldnt fly. Caddy though... well you see where im going with that.

In Oz $ yes that is this case, BUT you guys get a substancial price reduction on a $ to $ basis. eg the Monaro was $50k plus in Australia and the GTO was what? around $30k? Again, you get the G8 for a whole lot less that what we pay for the equiv Commodore.

[Gerard]

Originally Posted by ChevroletGuy

Perhaps the Astra will do better here as a Buick rather than as a Saturn.

There are a couple of reasons for that:

1) Saturn was the first recent attempt to bring the Opels on a large scale to the US. Saturn has never been a huge brand, and what sizable share of the GM fold it had from the 1990s was gone by the 2000s. Buyers no longer cared for it; hence, GM's overhaul and poor marketing were in vain. Saturn prices jumped and buyers didn't understand why an economy-class vehicle line jumped from $15,000 to $25,000.

2) Buick is known as a stale, but still upper-level, marque. The Buick brand can better handle more expensive import models. GM's understanding the Saturn error will mean better marketing and equipment. The Saturn Astra was a pretty hatch and had real potential to be great. It was delivered here with an underpowered engine, a dreadful auto tranny, and a high price tag. I expect better packaging with a Buick Astra/Excelle.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by samkung

Well according to the spy shot provided by a chinese auto-website, the answer is obvious, at least the hatch version would be based on the Opel Astra.

Could as well be the still unseen Cruze hatchback / Lacetti Premiere hatchback.

For comparison, the Astra hatch with the Cruze sedan:






http://www.gmeurope.info/chevrolet/c...n/photos1.html

[zete]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

In Oz $ yes that is this case, BUT you guys get a substancial price reduction on a $ to $ basis. eg the Monaro was $50k plus in Australia and the GTO was what? around $30k? Again, you get the G8 for a whole lot less that what we pay for the equiv Commodore.

There is a definite problem with folks not comprehending exchange rates on this site.

If I read the Holden site correctly the G8 equivalent Commodore is about $40k AUS. However, the G8 in the US starts at $29k US (both numbers are before discounts, incentives, etc.). A marked difference.

Thus, the $60k Statesman would run about $40k - 45k in the US. That is not too expensive for a Buick since Buick already sells cars in that range.

Thus, a Buick Park Avenue at $45k kitted out as below would be a deal.

[jmlee0695]

Zete, I doubt we get the G8 or Statesman as a Buick. If Cadillac is getting a large FWD car, thats what Buick will get

[page2171]

Originally Posted by zete

There is a definite problem with folks not comprehending exchange rates on this site.

If I read the Holden site correctly the G8 equivalent Commodore is about $40k AUS. However, the G8 in the US starts at $29k US (both numbers are before discounts, incentives, etc.). A marked difference.

Thus, the $60k Statesman would run about $40k - 45k in the US. That is not too expensive for a Buick since Buick already sells cars in that range.

Thus, a Buick Park Avenue at $45k kitted out as below would be a deal.

Makes sense, but if it is that easy why is Cadillac replacing the DTS with a Epsilon II based car?

[civilzues]

"my generation"? what are you taking about, I am 24 and would love a Buick. I don't care for Caddy/Pontiac. Though the G8 is the only thing I'd own from Pontiac. Not everyone wants a coupe with a chicken painted on it's hood with a mullet.

[nalej50]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Yes, but who would buy it? NOT MY GENERATION!!! We want sport inspired cars, like Pontiac and Cadillac. Definitely not Buick!!

Speak for yourself...Myself, and several other friends in So. Cal love both classic buicks and the new direction Buick is taking...We're all in our 20's...for me a good GM car is a good GM car..Doesn't matter if its Pontiac, Cadillac, Chevy or Buick...I just like Buick a little more

[nalej50]

Even if I wasn't a GM buyer....I would give the 2010 LaX, Regal, and Enclave real legit consideration along with the Lexus IS/ES's,Infiniti G37s and Acura MDXs

[zl-1]

Originally Posted by samkung

Definitely the same car with a different front bumper and grille, just like the Insignia/Regal. It would be nice if the Insignia and the Astra made it to the US as Buicks to bridge the gap between Chevy and Cadillac. With Pontiac apparently going bye-bye, Buick might actually have a chance to grow its sales.