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Author Topic: 2012 Buick Verano  (Read 4023 times)

Offline Ice

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2012 Buick Verano
« on: January 06, 2011, 12:31:58 am »
Alright... the Verano is officially official now.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/officially-official-2012-buick-verano-revealed/

Despite what I said before about it looking a little frumpy I revise my statement and suggest that it is a pleasant looking car that seems to fit what they are after here. I'm curious on the demographics and what will happen with the sales of this car. In Canada it may pick up some of the sales from the TSX and CSX and maybe a few mid-size buyers that are willing to go a bit smaller and get the luxury features instead.

Curious to see what happens. In any case it seems like a competent vehicle... same platform as the Cruze but with a classy rather than sporty interior.
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Online rrocket

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2011, 12:51:37 am »
Quote from: IceAndFire on January 06, 2011, 12:31:58 am

Curious to see what happens. In any case it seems like a competent vehicle... same platform as the Cruze but with a classy rather than sporty interior.

But hasn't the message of Buick with the last few cars been "euro sporty"??  Weren't they trying to get away from "classy"?  Is Buick confused with their mission?
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Offline Ice

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2011, 12:56:39 am »
Quote from: rrocket on January 06, 2011, 12:51:37 am
Quote from: IceAndFire on January 06, 2011, 12:31:58 am

Curious to see what happens. In any case it seems like a competent vehicle... same platform as the Cruze but with a classy rather than sporty interior.

But hasn't the message of Buick with the last few cars been "euro sporty"??  Weren't they trying to get away from "classy"?  Is Buick confused with their mission?
Just the Regal has been Euro sporty oriented so far. The Allure/LaCrosse is more on the classy end of things as far as I can tell. Still it's probably not a slouch since the Cruze did alright in the skid pad tests despite its size, weight and safety features and this has the 2.4L DI engine in it as a bonus. Apparently the Verano is doing 8.0 seconds to 60mph which is just a hair slower than my Corolla XRS. If I were looking... I'd maybe put it on my list.

I'm not sure exactly what Buick is trying to position itself as but the design language is a huge step forward and the cars seem to be actually quite decent in their overall package. So much of this car is already reasonably proven. At least Buick sales are way up so something must be resonating with someone.
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Online rrocket

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2011, 12:59:47 am »
Quote from: IceAndFire on January 06, 2011, 12:56:39 am
Apparently the Verano is doing 8.0 seconds to 60mph which is just a hair slower than my Corolla XRS. If I were looking... I'd maybe put it on my list.


So it looks like it may be quicker and better handling than the "sporty" Regal?
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Offline Leviathan

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2011, 02:17:22 am »
Looks pretty spiffy. Power is down a bit on the 2.4L though.
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Offline Juke1

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2011, 06:06:40 am »
Looks great.
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Offline CanuckG35

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2011, 06:46:58 am »
Looks decent.  I am just wondering how much of a market there is for a Cruze sized Buick though. 
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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2011, 08:00:05 am »
Quote from: CanuckG35 on January 06, 2011, 06:46:58 am
Looks decent.  I am just wondering how much of a market there is for a Cruze sized Buick though. 

Go ask Audi, BMW and M-B.

This is a really nice-looking vehicle. Could be my next car.
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Offline airbalancer

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2011, 08:16:58 am »
Looks to be a size of a 3 series so I think there will be a market for this car
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Offline CanuckG35

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2011, 08:23:17 am »
I understand that there is a market for this size of a car in general, I was just wondering if there is a market for this size of a Buick.  Buicks have typically been larger cars geared towards the older crowd.  Perhaps this is Buick's way of trying to market to the younger crown like the Regal turbo.  Anyways, just thinking out loud is all.
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Offline Jaeger

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2011, 09:09:55 am »
Quote from: CanuckG35 on January 06, 2011, 06:46:58 am
Looks decent.  I am just wondering how much of a market there is for a Cruze sized Buick though. 

Agreed on both points.

Quote from: airbalancer on January 06, 2011, 08:16:58 am
Looks to be a size of a 3 series so I think there will be a market for this car

I'm sure they'll sell some, but I'm not really sure where this fits in the overall automtive spectrum.  People shopping for what vehicles, exactly, will cross-shop and choose the Verano?  TSX?  I thought it was the Regal's job to be the TSX-killer.

Quote from: rrocket on January 06, 2011, 12:59:47 am
So it looks like it may be quicker and better handling than the "sporty" Regal?

Which is kind of like Grumpy claiming to be taller than Sneezy.  BTW - did you see the Inside Line comparo between the '87 Buick Grand National and the '11 Regal Turbo?  Not a totally serious comparo, but worth it just for the vid of those two running the quarter mile.  ;D

Jaeger
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Offline AirCanada

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2011, 09:46:39 am »
Didn't Suzuki use the Verano name before? Oops never mind just checked it was a Suzuki Verona! ;D
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Offline carcrazy

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2011, 10:21:16 am »
It looks like a well sorted out premium compact car. I think in this case, the base engine is more adequate for the car than the base engine in the Regal.
The price will be key as well, but considering the Regal starts at $32K, this one should start under $30K; without looking up competition's prices (Acura CSX, Volvo S40) I would say $28K would be a reasonable starting price.

Premium compact cars are low volume so I would not expect big sales numbers from the Verano; at least not until the gas price goes up again.
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Offline wing

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2011, 10:23:21 am »
cimarron anyone? :P
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Offline EV Dan

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2011, 10:32:49 am »
I hope it works for GM. I absolutely love the interior, its colour scheme and the real buttons on the stack, as opposed to a touch screen. The exterior is a bit generic and looks like any other buick sedan today. I don't get that affection with chrome, especially in the shape of those tail lights' brows. The hood "vents" are ok by me though.
Now can you change the grille, badges and make it a Pontiac?  ;) I'd be interested.

P.S. ^^ that could be a niche for aftermarket.
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Offline Jaeger

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #15 on: January 06, 2011, 10:33:35 am »
Anyone think that the car that the Verano will take the biggest sales bite from is...... the Regal?  Similar size, amenities, power; looks just as good or better, and costs less?  I can see someone going into the showroom to look at a Regal and walking out with one of these instead.  In non-turbo form, the Regal doesn't appear to offer up a lot more of anything for the extra dough.  And if that 8.0 sec 0-60 time is legit, that's better than some reported times I have seen for even the Turbo Regal. Heck, I can see customers mistaking this thing for the Regal if they aren't side-by-side on the showroom floor.

Jaeger
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Offline carcrazy

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2011, 10:35:47 am »
Quote from: wing on January 06, 2011, 10:23:21 am
cimarron anyone? :P

Really? Why?

By the sound of it, Cruze and Verano don't share any body panel. The interior materials are upgraded (even the central console look different), the engine is different, etc. Real wood trim in this car? Quality leather (look at those fat front seats)? All the extra noise reduction tech? Are you serious?

I think there is more than enough diferentiation between the Cruze and the Verano (based on the info available at this time).

What do you think about the Civic/CSX then? I see a lot less difference between the two and they did not generate too much criticism.

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Offline carcrazy

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2011, 10:41:31 am »
I still believe that 0-60 mph is nowhere near the top of the priority list for the real-world Buick potential customers. If Verano is around 8.0sec, it should even please the mildly-enthusiast but realistic potential customers.
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Offline wing

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #18 on: January 06, 2011, 10:43:44 am »
It was more of a joke.... hence the tongue...
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Offline carcrazy

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Re: 2012 Buick Verano
« Reply #19 on: January 06, 2011, 10:48:25 am »
Quote from: wing on January 06, 2011, 10:43:44 am
It was more of a joke.... hence the tongue...

 :flowers:
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