I don't normally post here much but the commercials for the LaCrosse have been comming out lately and I think they are perfect for this car. I saw one for the first time the other day and I think Buick has a winner on their hands. If I didn't need a new work truck so bad I'd say the wifes Montana would get instantly traded in. I've never owned a Buick before but I'd be happy to make that my first. I saw where it was starting out in the mid to high 20's but does anyone know what a middle of the lilne Lacrosse is running?

Also, speaking of me needing a new truck... I really like the style of the currant lineup but if the new trucks are comming soon like I've heard they are... when will we start seeing up to date concepts or getting more info? It seems like the General is clammed up tight on the new trucks. I guess I just figured that we would have heard something a little more concrete by now...

 

I like the LaCrosse. It's a nice car. But to me it looks like what a new generation Taurus would look like if Ford hadn't wasted money on the Five Hundred.

GM is supposeed to start phasing their new full size Truck-SUV line in starting late next year or early '06 over a 3 year period.

 

I'm getting the vibe that the "new" GM trucks aren't going to be a radical departure from the current GM trucks. There will most definitely be a 6.2 liter V8 in half-tons, but there's little (as in zero) hope that the monster motor will be available as an affordable, mainstream powerplant.

Unless you need a super-dupper-heavy-duty-one-ton-diesel-dually, a Nissan Titan is probably the best of the big trucks at the moment. I seriously doubt that the upcoming GM products will top the Titan in terms of value or performance anytime soon. Nothing beats a $23K Titan XE 4X2 extended cab. The same goes for all of the Titan line.

 

Time will tell if Ford wasted its money on the Five Hundred, but it should be obvious to everyone that the Taurus - nameplate, reputation and platform - was pretty close to being completely played out. From where I stand, the LaCrosse is looking like one the very last of the old-fashioned FWD midsized sedans. Being the last-of-the-line is great for capturing elderly buyers who are afraid of any sort of change. Isn't that the Buick's traditional market?

 

I agree with you on every point (don't faint, OK?). I sat in the 500 and even though it's a nice roomy car, I just don't think it's going to do that well. Time will tell. I've been wrong before (Hummer H2 ).

It's styling isn't distinctive. It doesn't have to be Chrysler 300 distinctive, but it should be at least Chevy Impala distinctive (you won't confuse the Impala with anything else on the road, even though it's a bit dull). Also, it's in a market level where styling and/or power is at least somewhat important. It's bigger than a Taurus (alot), so it's not competing in the appliance car class, but seems to act like it is.

As for the LeCrosse, it is IMHO better (GASP!) than the FiveHundred. It's distinctive, it has some power to it, and it gives you a reason to buy it other than the price.

I still think it looks like an upgraded Taurus, I prefer my drive wheels out back, and I'd need at least a supercharger to consider buying a Buick, but if someone was going to choose between the 2, I'd have them visit the guys at Buick.

 

guionM have you driven a ford 500? I know you think it looks boring but its a very nice and well built car, It handle's very well for it's size and you get alot of money for what you pay for. Everybody does not want a bold car as the 300's are.

Grated I've only test drove the 300 with 3.5 v6, it's not faster then the 500, It's too torque managed. While the 500 only has a 200 hp 3.0 v6 it's trans makes the most of it. I't never felt under powered. And plus in a year or so it will a 3.5 v6. It's funny I've seen more 500's on the road then new mustang's, I've seen 4 500's and only 2 stangs, but that will change soon.

P.S the 500 would make a nice svt sedan, large and sporty, add the 4.4 32v v8 from the volvo v90 suv ( is based off the same platform as the 500 and the v8 is a larger and updated sho 3.4 that was in the Taurus ) plus awd. Would make a nice combo. and price at 30 g's. and that would be ford's answer to the 300 hemi awd at a lower price.

 

I guess you havn't seen the new F-150, I love Chevy trucks but the new F-150 is by far the best truck on the market right now. The Titan has a nice V8 (power wise, who knows about reliability or long term quality) but other than that it falls short of the F-150 in just about every way and their weak sales show it. Titan is getting out sold by the niche market Avalanche.

 

The pricing on the 500 will keep the cars selling. I mean, people actually bought the ugly Tauruses like hotcakes.


I saw a 500 at a mall actually. It looked ok, nice, but the 25k sticker shocked me. it was a really cheap MSRP. I think it will sell with pricing like that for sure.

 

I agree 100%. I'm 24 and even I like the LaCrosse! A CSX in the right color with the 240hp 3.6 would be a great car, IMO.

However, before I would buy one that paisley-styled fake wood needs to GO. Whoever thought that looked good needs to be shot. I sat in one and that was my first impression, unfortunately

 

I also like the design of teh LaCrosse. They really put some nice looking sheetmetal on the car, and the chrome trim looks great.
I acutaly kinda like the wood in the LaCrosse, and Im not big on wood. Its got that soft look to it that gives the car a very nice touch to the interior

 

In terms of value, I've got to side with redzed...

Absolute base Titan XE 4x2 was $22,650. Thats w/ a 305hp V8, max towing 9200 lbs

Comperable base V8 F-150, ext. cab, 300 hp (the 5.4 V8 was the only option I selected ~ $895) $26,150

I haven't driven either truck, and to be honest, have little interest in either so I can't comment on which is better. But to Joe consumer w/ no brand loyalty, I'd wager that the Titan appears to be a better value.

-Jason

EDIT: I'm not too fond of the LaCrosse. It still looks like an oval blob from the '90s to me. I parked next to a 500 at one of my hockey games-that is a big damn car. I can already see it littering suburban driveways everywhere!

 

Well when it comes to price, I like Nissans pricing model better. Ford and GM play the mark up and rebate game and in the and offer about the same amount of product for the same price. To the avg window shopper that just looks at MSRP the Titan looks like the best deal.

note: ever notice how you can get a base pickup with big V8 for just over $20K but never a V8 car

 

That's one of those things that irks me everytime I look around at new cars...resisting ....urge...no....

Okay, I'm going to back away from the soap-box, for now...

 

I'd suspect its cause they don't have to worry too much about CAFE MPG averages..

and trucks may be arguably simpler to design?

 

I really like everything about the LaCrosse except for the front end. It just looks kind of "squashed" to me, as if the whole thing should taller or thicker.

http://a137.g.akamai.net/n/137/3538/...ft_mfr_430.jpg