http://www.forbes.com/execpicks/2004...l_0316vow.html

"Buick Aims Young"

"Bengal concept"....

"Park Avenue sedan, has grown old and will be killed after next year. "

"The division's new LaCrosse sedan will replace the tired Regal and Century lines when it goes on sale this fall. At an auto show early next year, Buick will display the 2006 model that will replace the LeSabre later in 2005."

"You won't find any front-drive sedans in the rosters of BMW or Daimler's Mercedes-Benz subsidiary. The time is right to imitate the Germans, since Americans can apparently beat them at their own game; according to Consumer Reports, Buicks now break down less often than BMWs."

(Just more info...for what it's worth..)

 

Olds and Buick are or Olds was...they were some of the unsung heroes of GM's build quality..and it makes you wonder..Buicks got some nice cars..just got to market them to who should be buying them..Just like they did for Caddy

 

I've often thought about this... and I think I have a legitimate reason why Olds and (especially) Buick have better quality ratings than, say Pontiac, and Chevy... even when the cars are basically the same.

I am willing to bet that the elderly group of people, especially Buick buyers, are much much less likely to take their car in for a squeak or rattle than a Pontiac buyer in his or her 30's is...

Therefore, less problems are reported, and the Buick's score higher...

 

I think the exact opposite can be said for buyers, say under 30, they just put gas in them and drive...I remember when I was in my late teens and early 20's, when I was ready for a new car the old car got dropped off at the junk yard..
Having owned a couple of Buicks,(and more Chevys & Pontiacs) I can say that Buick's interiors and hardware are more durable than Chevy or Pontiac(& Olds)...such as door-closer handles, sun-visors, seats etc...
Get past the "Rep" and I think the current Regal "Gran Sports" are really "Sporty"!...as sporty as any *** sedan, anyways..(240HP 3800sc, chrome wheels etc.)

The Park Ave, a true FULL size sedan, really needs a V8, front or rear wheel drive...quieter, smoother, and power in a lower rpm band...But seeing that the Park is virtually the exact same car as a LeSabre, it's over-priced and redundant for Buick...They need to revamp the "RoadMaster" for the New Millineum...(already V8 RWD.. )

 

I think you're on to something, kinda, sorta....

A lot of FWD domestic cars will run forever in the hands of geezers, but die quickly in the hands of an aggressive driver. Clutch pads aside, an Accord will stand abuse that would make a W-body feel tired and old.

 

I've usually found the opposite to be true, comparable domestics usually seem to take more "abuse" than say a Honda Accord...espeacially driving while low on "Auto trans" fluid etc...
What I have noticed is that most Honda's seem to be stick shifts and domestics get auto's, the stick will take more abuse than the auto, in either...

 

I hope with a new line up starting with the LaCrosse, and new coupe coming up in NYC, that Buick will turn around. The new coupe looks awesome. I really think that the Lexus SC430 needs to be on the look out, Buick Velite is coming.

 

I also think Lexus buyers don't take their cars in so much over little issues because "It's a Lexus and if something is wrong I must have messed it up".

 

the year that Olds was started to be phased out, it had the worst quality rating of all domestic GM brands. LOTS of problems.

 

Exactly, why would they report something they can't hear?

It's only logical to assume that the older croud puts far less wear and tear on a daily basis on their vehicles than say the average working parent does. But, I seriously doubt this is the sole contributer to Buick's quality rating.

I would have guessed the opposite. I would think that buyers paying a premium price expect a premium product and therefore settle for nothing less than perfection. Customer: "I paid >$35,000 for my Lexus and it squeaks like a Cavalier." Dealer: "We've found the problem. It seems there was a bubble gum wrapper lodged between the seats."

-Jason