Buick is in need of a lot of help. The Velite is promising, if it gets the go-ahead. The Lacrosse could be a step in the right direction, especially if some can get past the polarizing design. But what else? Buick still needs to appeal to its current group, so outlandish styling is best left to Cadillac. Does Buick need a handsome, large V-8 RWD sedan as a flagship?
Here's my thought of a good future lineup:
Lacrosse--ugh. I don't care for how it looks, but it's a nice alternative for those wanting a little more class than a Camry/Accord/Impala/Taurus offers.
Next up should be the LeSabre replacement:
Buick Super: Large, FWD, class leading interior style, immense trunk & passenger space, and an exterior that looks expensive and imposing. The engine should be the Series III 3800 with the 3900 as an option (price has to be kept down somewhere) and it should finally have a 5-speed auto. This car has to remain competitive on price.
From there the Park Avenue Replacement:
Buick Wildcat: RWD, V-8, 5-speed auto, sigma or zeta based. An exterior that is every bit as rich looking as the fabled Buicks of the '50s. Chrome and wood should abound in the interior. The current car is priced in the upper 30s to low 40s. There's no reason for the current car to be that expensive, but this replacement should fit in well in that range. Above a Chrysler 300C but below the Cadillac STS. Style, power, and luxury will have to be spot on.
Of course, at the top:
The Velite! Big Style, Big Power, Big Size. Everything a Buick should be. This convertible needs to be produced, but development money should first go to the bread-and-butter sedans. The Velite should be priced above the Saab 9-3 convertible, but below the range of the Lexus SC430 and Mercedes Benz CLK500
I don't see how the Terazza fits into Buick becoming more like Lexus. But, it's there, and we'll have to deal with it. The Rendezvous needs a full restyle. It should be the RX330 of Buick's line up. Finally, the Rainer needs to move to the Sigma platform if it's going to play in the refined league of its competitors.
What are your thoughts?
Here's my thought of a good future lineup:
Lacrosse--ugh. I don't care for how it looks, but it's a nice alternative for those wanting a little more class than a Camry/Accord/Impala/Taurus offers.
Next up should be the LeSabre replacement:
Buick Super: Large, FWD, class leading interior style, immense trunk & passenger space, and an exterior that looks expensive and imposing. The engine should be the Series III 3800 with the 3900 as an option (price has to be kept down somewhere) and it should finally have a 5-speed auto. This car has to remain competitive on price.
From there the Park Avenue Replacement:
Buick Wildcat: RWD, V-8, 5-speed auto, sigma or zeta based. An exterior that is every bit as rich looking as the fabled Buicks of the '50s. Chrome and wood should abound in the interior. The current car is priced in the upper 30s to low 40s. There's no reason for the current car to be that expensive, but this replacement should fit in well in that range. Above a Chrysler 300C but below the Cadillac STS. Style, power, and luxury will have to be spot on.
Of course, at the top:
The Velite! Big Style, Big Power, Big Size. Everything a Buick should be. This convertible needs to be produced, but development money should first go to the bread-and-butter sedans. The Velite should be priced above the Saab 9-3 convertible, but below the range of the Lexus SC430 and Mercedes Benz CLK500
I don't see how the Terazza fits into Buick becoming more like Lexus. But, it's there, and we'll have to deal with it. The Rendezvous needs a full restyle. It should be the RX330 of Buick's line up. Finally, the Rainer needs to move to the Sigma platform if it's going to play in the refined league of its competitors.
What are your thoughts?