I was half-joking, but why does it have to have a rear seat? What we're really looking for is a halo car for Buick, right? Your original premise was "Quick, If you ran GM and wanted a Buick Velite by '08, how would you do it with off the shelf components?"

There have been other 2 seater Buicks:

Reatta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Reatta

Y-job: http://www.prewarbuick.com/id377.htm

1954 Wildcat II concept: http://www.gmphotostore.com/prodinfo...umber=53216841

Also, when I think about the glory days of Buick, I think of great engines:

Nailhead 425, 455, straight 8, aluminum V-8, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Straight-8_engine

The halo vehicle for Buick should have a great engine. Using the Y-body platform (is it still called that?) would also allow the use of a variant of the Northstar.

 

Hmmmm.....

 

A variant of the LC2 found in the '86-87 Grand National, would be ideal, look at the "Book"(value) on these cars now!...they are selling higher now than at debute.
But for the sake of time, run a small 8, give it that roadster Rumble!..that got us hooked on American V8 Muscle!
(remember the SC Cobra)

 

And if it weren't the turbo V6 explaining most of the resale price, why are the regular V6/V8 Regals selling for 1/2 of a GN or Turbo Regal.

 

Also, production-wise:

The XLR has been around for a few years now. It is reaching the end of its usefullness.

It's also been known that Cadillac is looking for a new Halo vehicle (Lutz: "Q: Does each of GM's brands need a flag-in-the-ground car to define it like the Solstice does Pontiac? A: Arguably yes. We've got all kinds of great ideas for things we can do with iconic Hummers without getting bigger and bigger. Cadillac is a no-brainer. Someday we're going to do -- it's definitely in the product plan, but not kicked off yet -- we will do an ultra-luxury sedan involving an engine of more than eight cylinders and costing far more than any Cadillac has ever cost before..." http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...=cadillac+lutz.)

This would leave the 2nd production line at Bowling Green open...

Alternatively, due to the similarity to Kappa, the assembly could be done at Wilmington.

Just some thoughts.

Randy

 

Then don't bother. I don't think Buick/GM can get away with a $35K convertible based on Epsilon. At least that's my shoot-from-the-hip analysis.

Leave the FWD/AWD $35K convertibles to Saab.

Buick should stick to quiet luxury cars and crossovers with their FWD platforms. That's what people expect them to make. If you bring back the Riviera, do it with RWD, make it large(ish), and make it powerful. Do a four door coupe a-la Mercedes CLS.

GM's best cars have been the ones with V8 and RWD. Stick to that for the high end convertible market. You obviously need a V6 model in the CTS market segment, and it could be standard in the high end convertible market.

 

No Fairy Tale

Little "Red Ink Rick" Riding on the Hood proclaims, "Oh my, Mr. Buickman, what a Great Big Plan you have!".

Big Bad Buickman retorts, "All the better to unseat you with, Mr. Chairman".

 

Use General Motors "Y" body.

Already designed for a folding hardtop or convertible. Use either Caddy's Northstar or a turbo V6 and automatic, softer suspension, unique body panels and interior.

Except for the turbo V6 certification, it would need minimal investment. This would also put a Y-body in each major marketing group (Cadillac, B-P-GMC, & Chevy), and since a car like this is bound to be very low production, one would expect minimal investment expanding Bowling Green to produce the car.

(didn't read the entire thread before I wrote this, so if someone already came up with this...... I second it. )

 

Bad colds, psychotic girlfriends, herpies, and Buickman's call for Rick Wagoner's head.

There's just some things that you can't seem to shake.

 

ME ME, I did, I did!!! (see 2nd post and other follow ups).

 

Just read the entire thread. I don't think having a rear seat is necessary for a Velite.

It's really unlikely the big coupe will be called Impala. Anything's possible, but the AWD capible Espilion II is where Impala's likely to end up. Holden uses the Caprice name on it's top line exported V cars, and the Belair name isn't dead at GM, so I'd put money on one of those 2.

Besides, Impala is still going to be in production when this big sedan comes out, so that also precludes moving the name.

Yep. Think Bonneville-Park Avenue size.

 

Since you've caught up now . . . can you explain (or maybe someone else) what advantage a turbo HFV6 would have? The 2.8l turbo has roughly the same horsepower and torque as the 3.6l NA. It doesn't seem to get better mileage, but it does suffer from turbo lag. If we were to compare a hypothetical 3.6l turbo to a Gen IV, I have the same questions. Turbos seem to work better with inline than with vee engines.

Same questions about Northstar versus GenIV. I know the marketing advantage of DOHC 32V. But is there any other advantage other than more letters and numbers in the brochure? My understanding is that the Northstar is bigger, heavier, and less powerful than the GenIV. Maybe it's a little smoother, but with active motor mounts or some other development, it would seem you could do something better there.

 

And yet people, especially those spending big bucks, want DOHC. With its old tech the LS series of motors are easier to package, build, repair, make great power, and get better gas mileage than most OHC motors in the world. But people don't take time to understand the facts they hear OHV and thing it is the 30s or something.

 

Having OHV engines has never stopped Buicks from selling in the recent past. I really doubt an LS series engine is going to be a serious turn off to a future Buick buyer, as most don't even know what is in there. There may be some snooty people that turn their noses up at OHV, but even most of the mags are quick to say how great these engines are. I think it would be counterproductive to have to certify a turbo v6 for a Velite or other Buick roadster, the cost of doing that could be put into other more critical areas of the car.

 

Stand by for this important message..............












Of course you all realize, that there is no frickin' way Buick will ever get Y-car.



Thank you.