OK, if they do... so what? The ES350 still won't have a V8. It still will be a few horses shy, and it will still cost more.

Maybe that doesn't matter to you. That's fine. Maybe it does matter to others... believe it or not.... that's fine too.


...and the Lucerne could very well have the 6-speed auto as well.... if you can throw future engines in future vehicles out there... I suppose it's fair to throw out a future tranny upgrade for the Lucerne (not to mention the future base model engine upgrade).

 

So basically what you were looking for, with GM's usage of the Northstar in Lucerne adds, is praise for thinking that you're right about the fact that Lucerne target buyers will be overly turned off by the 3800? Is that what you were hoping to get out of us knuckle dragging GM supporting hippies?


-Mike

 

I don't know whether people will or won't be turned off by it but in my opinion GM's acceptance of the 3800 in the base model contradicts their marketing focus on the Northstar V8.

Either their marketing efforts are somewhat of a waste, or the 3800 has a strong potential to turn buyers off (at least the ones who don't want to spend the extra on the V8).

 

If that is the case.... wouldn't it apply to any manufacturer who advertises any of their models engines other than it's base engine?

I see a Chevy ad on TV that shows off a few of their new vehicles... they show the Z06 with 505hp.... I don't think that implies that the 400hp LS2 is a "strong potential turnoff" to it's buyers.

Same with Impala SS.... how is showing off a 303hp V8 saying that the other available engines are potential turnoffs to people?

 

You realize that the f-body commercials also focused on the V8, right?
Should I assume the next Dodge Ram commercial that only seems to refer to the "Hemi" would mean Dodge wastes marketing effort of thinks the other engines will have strong potential to turn buyers off?

It's not odd for a commercial to bring out an attribute on a car that another doesn't have. They're obviously looking to get some potential Lexus buyers in the Buick showroom (thus by specifying something that the Lexus doesn't offer).

How would you have prefered the commercial to go? "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point but not the Lucerne does and by the way it also has a 3800 V6 for those who want it?" And this might be a CRAZY thought here but perhaps just perhaps Buick felt that people were not informed enough to know that the car could be had with the V8 (since it replaces a car that had the 3800/3800sc only) and they wanted to get this knowledge out there.

Chris

 

I was going to say the same thing.

Not everyone cares about a V8 or even HP for that matter, for them there is the standard V6. The V8 add is to attract those that want a V8 and maybe don't know about the V8 Lucerne (first V8 Buick car in like 10 years+?). Maybe you drive an ES330 and wish you had a V8 like a lot of the new lux sedans coming out.

Didn't Dodge do the same thing with the Dakota by advertising it had the only V8 in its class?

 

I don't think Threxx would be satisfied unless the commercial didn't "go" at all. I mean how dare Buick advertise their "crappy" products...

Threxx Threxx Threxx

 

 

Come on Threxx you know you want to pull out the circle jerk comment.

 

Defending the 3.8l and pushing the Northstar aren't necessarily in conflict with each other.

Let's face it: a segment of Buick buyers will be age-old GM buyers. They know the 3.8l, it's great gas mileage, reasonable power-output and it's rock-solid longevity. While the engine is dated and many have now past it by, that base of customers largely won't be demanding an upgrade in power and or a slight increase in gas mileage. The 3.8l is actually one of the car's assets.

As for new customers (something I suspect that advertisement was directed for), the Northstar is the solution GM is pushing.

BTW, one might note that the Lucerne weighs about 500lbs more than an Avalon, is longer and wider - and still suffers (for at least this model year) with 1 less forward gear.. so when comparing gas mileage, all things considered, this car isn't as bad as it would seem. The HUGE torque advantage for the Northstar seems to make up for the car's other deficiencies:
2006 Avalon 0-60 in 6.4s:
http://www.autos.com/autos/car/midsi...alon/xl_style2

2006 Buick Lucerne 0-60 in 6.2s:
http://www.autos.com/autos/car/midsi...lucerne/cxl_v8

 

You've managed to find the ONLY source that I've ever seen that rates the performance of the Lucerne ahead of the Avalon. Were you looking hard for one that made the Lucerne look good or what?

Even Buick quotes the 0-60 time for the Lucerne V8 as 7.6 seconds.

Avalon V6: 0-60 in 6.13, 1/4-mile in 14.76 @ 96.66
http://www.intellichoice.com/reports...a/model/Avalon

Lucerne V8: 0-60 in 7.51, 1/4-mile in 15.71 @ 92.66
http://www.intellichoice.com/reports.../model/Lucerne

In fact even that autos.com website lists 6.1 for the '05 but magically they got slower for 06? SAEII ratings might have decreased hp ratings a bit on the avalon, but they shouldn't have decreased performance, too.

 

The Lucerne weighs 424 lbs more than the Avalon, and there's more to a V8 driving experience than peak performance numbers. A V8 is typically smoother, a lot more torque, taking far less pedal effort to move in daily traffic. And we all know gearing makes a huge difference in acceleration, Buick typically has far taller gears than Toyota, due to the torque differences, not as much gear is needed with the V8.
and Automobile Mag had this to say:
But Buick was playing the "perception" game, in this add, plain and simple, they told the truth, but didn't mention any negatives like, still slower...

 

....and I cant think of a manufacturer ,that hasnt played that game at some point .

 

Actually that was the first site that I stumbled across that seemed to have numbers for both cars. I'm not sure what the actual 0-60 times are to be quite honest. There definately seem to be two sets of numbers floating around. BTW, on that note: does anybody know of a website for reliable 0-60 times?

 

I guess I'm the only one who think most of the Lexus lineup is ugly and boring, but I digress. At least they seem to be the "Ghetto Craze now" stealing that title from Cadillac. (I think that's a good thing, heh)

Although, I did see a new Cadillac XLR-V in Harvey, IL (Southside Chicago) as I was driving by all boarded up housings and thought to myself... Maybe I should sell drugs... heh