"The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

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Feb 17, 2006 | 08:58 AM

#61

Threxx

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From: Memphis

Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Xed

I just saw this TV ad for the first time last night.

They mention three features . The heated windshield fluid, heated and ventilated seats, and the Northstar... so, even this one single commercial doesn't focus just on the engine.

They say that it's about "precision"... they point out that they didn't just put a windshield washer system in, but they went a step further... they heated it. They mention that they didn't add just heated seats... they went a step further and offered heated AND ventilated seats.... the theme follows through by offering the V8 instead of just the V6....

Did you miss the beginning two thirds of the commercial? Or just having selective memory? Because all 3 components got about equal air time, so if by "focusing on the Northstar" you mean, giving it about 33% of airtime in one commercial... then I guess you are right.

I haven't seen any other Lucerne ad that mentions the engine either. Not saying there aren't any... just that I haven't seen them.

No, I saw three different ads and all three mentioned the Northstar. Only one mentioned the washer fluid and seats. They all mentioned the 'precision' theme, but that's not really a feature either, just the theme of the commercial.

Feb 17, 2006 | 09:03 AM

#62

Darth Xed

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Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threxx

OK... I guess I'll keep watching for the others... like I said, that's the only one I've seen so far...

I just looked on Buick's website to see if they are hosting the Lucerne commercial(s)... but if they are, I can't find them.

Feb 17, 2006 | 12:32 PM

#63

90rocz

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From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.

Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

I just saw a follow up to that commercial, it focused on "Quiet Tuning" technology. And said it was quieter than the IS330, the Acura, and the Infinity. It showed a Lucerne passing all 3 on the highway....nothing about the motor in that one...
Percision...to me meant, detail focused...maybe just to me??

Feb 17, 2006 | 12:33 PM

#64

Z28Wilson

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Posts: 6,165

From: Sterling Heights, MI

Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threxx

I simply made one primary observation: buick is focusing on the motor in this car despite the motor supposedly being a very low concern on the target audience lucerne buyers.

And I explained the 3800 V6 in one of my previous posts. Buick buyers apparently like the motor, and GM still has a supply to use while they ramp up more "sophisticated" V6 production. You either skipped over it, or ignored it.

Feb 20, 2006 | 08:18 AM

#65

Threxx

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From: Memphis

Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90rocz

I saw an 'ad' like that online, but didn't see one like that on TV yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28Wilson

I skipped over it because it seemed kinda weak to me and I didn't feel like arguing over it. I just can't see even a significant minority of Lucerne buyers being mechanically aware enough to recognize that 3800 in there and appreciate it because it has been historically reliable, yet those same people not mind its class trailing nature in most every other category.

There's a reason why people are screaming that this needs the HF V6 and 6-speed auto ASAP. Because it does no matter how many excuses are made for the classic 3800.

Feb 20, 2006 | 04:06 PM

#66

cmutt

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Posts: 121

Re: "The ES330 doesn't offer a V8 at ANY price point" - Lucerne commercial

Quote:

just can't see even a significant minority of Lucerne buyers being mechanically aware enough to recognize that 3800 in there and appreciate it because it has been historically reliable, yet those same people not mind its class trailing nature in most every other category.

Can I ask why? Just because you are techno-conscious doesn't mean the auto-buying public-at-large is. The average age of a Lexus owner is 55, for Buick, it's 62 - that's a relatively small gap. I suppose there could be some magic event that occurs at 56 that makes a buyer techno-savy - but I highly doubt it.
I wouldn't call the 3800 class-trailing.. there are several base lux engines that do much, much worse. The 3800 was class leading for delivering a blend of torque/hp/mpg from roughly 1985-1995 -- before anybody else was anything close to being concerned about these metrics -- hell, Honda didn't even make a 6cyl sedan until the mid nineties. Since it's inception, the 3800 has enjoyed near legendary status for it's industructible nature to boot. The 3800 has earned a reputation to current GM/Buick owners that allows it to still be sold today - even though it isn't a class leader.

Take a closer look at the Buick's base engine: 197hp, 228ft-lbs of torque & gets 19/28 mpg (which should be more of a factor of the weight of the car + it's 4 speed transmission - and not a specific engine deficiency).
The base Chrysler 300 puts out 190hp, 190ft-lbs and gets 21/28mpg.
The Lincoln Zephyr puts out 221hp, 205ft-bs and gets 20/28
A BMW 5-series puts out 215hp, 185ft-lbs and gets 19/27
Links for stats:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...erne&trimid=-1
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...=300&trimid=-1
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...phyr&trimid=-1
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...ries&trimid=-1

So there's a short list of lux vehicles whose base engine sits right around the same area as the Buick's - and they all get around the same gas mileage to boot.