I would buy a compact luxury car if one of the American manufacturers built one I liked.

 

Looks like a nicer version of the Cruze. Nicer especially on the outside. Cruze-like especially on the inside.

Does NOT belong in a brand trying to compete with Lexus.

The Regal is plenty low end enough... competes with the TSX, IS, etc.

This wouldn't compete with any luxury branded car that I can think of. I don't consider Volvo a true lux brand, though.

Acura used to have the RSX. Key words 'used to'. And they're still half a tier below Lexus even now.

 

It's okay for Buick to get a smaller car, they just have to tread carefully on it's execution. Something like Volvo C30/ Audi A3 should be the target, but as was already mentioned, this will probably not deliver in that regard.

 

I like it.

 

I like it. My wife liked it enough she asked if we could test drive one. I told her not until next year

I thought Caddy was competing with Lexus. Now Buick is too? Aside from some motor trend comparisions, Buick is mid level, lexus is luxury.

I think this car could do well. Buick has NOTHING small enough for younger drivers (people just getting out of college and wanting a new car). Their current line up is rather large, and not everyone wants big cars. Give it a more upscale interior, price it a few K above the cruze, and I think it could do pretty well. Buick NEEDS younger drivers. A NICE entry mid level car could get younger people buying Buicks, which could someday lead to a new lacrosse/enclave, or maybe even a caddy when they need a family ride.

 

Looks like a Buick Cobalt to me. The front end looks pretty dorky in my opinion.

 

Are there really that many recent college graduates looking for an expensive luxury compact? (That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard 1)

 

Question is, are there that many young people looking at a BUICK period?

I understand the thinking behind the car (Buick has to appeal to a younger audience, they need an entry-level vehicle). I just think this is the wrong way to go in the NA market.

 

Well if anything it is working well for Volvo. The S40 was fairly popular with my cohorts in grad school. I would imagine an upscale compact Buick would do just as well.

 

Let me make sure I am understanding.
We can't just put some different body panels on the camaro and make a TA.
We can't just keep throwing a new nose on everything and rebrand a chevy to a pontiac g5.
We can take a POS bare bones anemic 138hp cruze. Put a buick grill on it and suddenly it's this refined luxury automobile that is worthy of what is surely a $10,000+ higher price?
Are you kidding me?
I can understand rebranding when both cars are similiar in price and semi close in precieved luxury level, but this is a
What's next the $40,000 Caddilac Aveo

 

I suggest you re-read your post with my changes. It will make more sense this way, instead of aimless bashing.

 

I said I thought it could do well a few K above the Cruze, I didn't say anything about an expensive luxury compact. Luxury is supposed to by Caddy's job. And why not? I know people who bought 30-40K trucks and SUV's a year or two after college, why not a low 20K mid level compact (which really aren't even "compact" anymore.)

 

I just don't get it...IS350 to me is a compact luxury car but it looks aspirational.

This does NOT appeal to me. I'm a recent college graduate, and there are 2 types of people my age those who care about cars for 1 reason or another, and those who need to go from a to b.

This car will get you from a to b but people moving from a to b are looking for the cheapest way to do that while meeting the needs that they have.

As for the ones who care about cars for 1 reason or another I don't see 1 compelling reason to choose this car over any other.

I guess we'll see when the car goes on sale...hopefully someone will bring this thread back then and 1 group or the other will be forced to eat their words. For GM's sake I hope it's me...

 

This isn't a Cruze rebadge, it a based on the Opel Astra, not the Cruze.


They need something trendy like a Mini Cooper, something that stands out from the crowd.

This would be a better fit:

 

I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle. The car won't necessarily be bad, but I wouldn't expect a world-beater either.

I have to be honest, I hope I am wrong, but I find myself agreeing with the others here. Nothing about this particular "Buick" says "aspirational".