Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Buick LaCrosse; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

The purple interior of the 2014 Buick LaCrosse has James contemplating target markets.
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[mixmanmash]

Uh oh, another Buick thread.  Let the lulz begin.

[Noto]

This week it is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse a car that was previously sold under the Allure name in Canada and LaCrosse in Canada[/u] due to some French slang, I guess GM got over it somehow or the rumours of the name change were false, but there you have it; the 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedan with all-wheel drive and ultra luxury package is my chariot du jour.

Maybe it's too early in the morning, but this sentence doesn't make sense to me.

[Noto]

As for the LaCrosse, that interior is awful, including the wood trim (simulated or otherwise).  It's also funny that I can see fingerprints on the centre stack in the pictures.

On the plus side for Buick, I think offering the rear-entertainment systems is brilliant given that this is made for retirees (i.e. people who likely have young grandchildren).  Very smart.  With that being said, did autos.ca do the usual child seat installation test to see if the Buick lives up to its benefit (intended or otherwise)?

My buddy inherited his grandmother's 1998 Buick Century with all 3.1L of V6 power (at 160 horsepower; 185 lb-ft).  The boat is aged, no question, but for a GM to be 16 years old with nary an issue is impressive.  On that basis alone, I am fond of the Buick brand - and I like the direction of bifurcating the lineup to have cars for the younger and cars for the older - but the cars still have to have relevance and can't be designed with 'cost-cutting' in mind when selling a $54,000 car.  I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

[mixmanmash]

As for the LaCrosse, that interior is awful, including the wood trim (simulated or otherwise).  It's also funny that I can see fingerprints on the centre stack in the pictures.

On the plus side for Buick, I think offering the rear-entertainment systems is brilliant given that this is made for retirees (i.e. people who likely have young grandchildren).  Very smart.  With that being said, did autos.ca do the usual child seat installation test to see if the Buick lives up to its benefit (intended or otherwise)?

My buddy inherited his grandmother's 1998 Buick Century with all 3.1L of V6 power (at 160 horsepower; 185 lb-ft).  The boat is aged, no question, but for a GM to be 16 years old with nary an issue is impressive.  On that basis alone, I am fond of the Buick brand - and I like the direction of bifurcating the lineup to have cars for the younger and cars for the older - but the cars still have to have relevance and can't be designed with 'cost-cutting' in mind when selling a $54,000 car.  I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

I'm sure it is in the forefront of their minds.  It's the accountants who come in and screw that up.

[Jaeger]

If only I could somehow "unsee" that interior.  Ugh.

[Slow_lane]

My buddy inherited his grandmother's 1998 Buick Century with all 3.1L of V6 power (at 160 horsepower; 185 lb-ft).  The boat is aged, no question, but for a GM to be 16 years old with nary an issue is impressive.  On that basis alone, I am fond of the Buick brand - and I like the direction of bifurcating the lineup to have cars for the younger and cars for the older - but the cars still have to have relevance and can't be designed with 'cost-cutting' in mind when selling a $54,000 car.  I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

Just wondering if valves are ticking on the 3.1? Many GM  3.1's I have heard sound pretty bad.

[Noto]

I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

I'm sure it is in the forefront of their minds.  It's the accountants who come in and screw that up.

I'm arguing that the pricetag is fine but the quality isn't where it should be in this class of vehicle - so the engineers/designers could not have done the best job possible (if you accept my premises).  Your argument suggests that the vehicle is overpriced, which outright rejects my premise.  A fine argument, if it's the one you intend to make, but it is not a response to mine.

[Noto]

My buddy inherited his grandmother's 1998 Buick Century with all 3.1L of V6 power (at 160 horsepower; 185 lb-ft). 

Just wondering if valves are ticking on the 3.1? Many GM  3.1's I have heard sound pretty bad.

It has 67,000km on it, has sat in a garage all winters, and has been maintained well (until he took possession and is now ruining it).  No ticking - just a small leak in the brake fluid line, which somehow isn't worth fixing (IMO, brakes are somewhat important and I couldn't fathom driving a car with impending doom).

[mixmanmash]

I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

I'm sure it is in the forefront of their minds.  It's the accountants who come in and screw that up.

I'm arguing that the pricetag is fine but the quality isn't where it should be in this class of vehicle - so the engineers/designers could not have done the best job possible (if you accept my premises).  Your argument suggests that the vehicle is overpriced, which outright rejects my premise.  A fine argument, if it's the one you intend to make, but it is not a response to mine.

No, I agree that the price tag is fine but the quality isn't there.  My point is, that the engineers probably wanted to use nicer quality materials, etc, but the accountants got involved and said cut costs to increase the margins.  And maybe the accountants figured that the only ones who potentially would buy this car would be GM/Buick die-hards so why not cut the costs...  My point is that  it probably isn't the designers/engineers fault but rather the accountants that said cut costs, increase margins.

[Noto]

No, I agree that the price tag is fine but the quality isn't there.  My point is, that the engineers probably wanted to use nicer quality materials, etc, but the accountants got involved and said cut costs to increase the margins.  And maybe the accountants figured that the only ones who potentially would buy this car would be GM/Buick die-hards so why not cut the costs...  My point is that  it probably isn't the designers/engineers fault but rather the accountants that said cut costs, increase margins.

Ah, I understand now, and yes, likely that is the reason (you can make as nice a car as you'd like...within this diminutive budget...).

[Oldsguy]

I have no qualms about a $54,000 loaded Buick, but quality and attention to detail must be at the forefront of the engineers'/designers' minds.

I'm sure it is in the forefront of their minds.  It's the accountants who come in and screw that up.

I'm arguing that the pricetag is fine but the quality isn't where it should be in this class of vehicle - so the engineers/designers could not have done the best job possible (if you accept my premises).  Your argument suggests that the vehicle is overpriced, which outright rejects my premise.  A fine argument, if it's the one you intend to make, but it is not a response to mine.

Because as an owner of a Subaru and a Corolla, you are undoubtedly an expert at sensing the  high quality of interior materials from a single picture.

What a ridiculous premise. Go sit in the car, drive it, spend some time with it before posting such sweeping judgements.

Isn't the Buick-bashing stick you people here use worn out yet? Cripes.

[mlin32]

Pass. I'd go for the Regal.

[agroal]

This week it is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse a car that was previously sold under the Allure name in Canada and LaCrosse in Canada[/u] due to some French slang, I guess GM got over it somehow or the rumours of the name change were false, but there you have it; the 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedan with all-wheel drive and ultra luxury package is my chariot du jour.

Maybe it's too early in the morning, but this sentence doesn't make sense to me. 

Let's just say that in some parts of Canada, LaCrosse is a slang for NOT winning a contest or not being the master of your domain. (Seinfeld). Or as George Costanza's mother said "treating himself like an "amusement park ride."   

[ArticSteve]

BUICK ..... tick tock, tick tock

 

[dougjp]

" The new centre stack radio controls, have only seven buttons vs the previous 17 ". GM, how out of touch can you be? This is NOT what the target buyers want to hear, they want buttons (that are clearly marked)! And what are the two marketing words that REALLY make older people cringe? " Intuitive Controls"! This is the wrong way to go, you had it right before. A "change better than a rest" concept does not work.

I find my Verano dash is perfect. A few reviewers said there are too many "buttons" that look the same (which is true except the Start/Stop button and trunk button look different and can't be mistaken) but most found it good. The thing is, I got used to it quickly and never have to think about pulling over while driving to make an adjustment. My Hyundai Elantra GT dash works fine too. This is not rocket science, KISS. GM, just stay with something that works and stop trying to screw it up (ie; this car, and Cadillac Cue)!

[Ex-airbalancer]

If they are looking at late 50s for there target market, then less buttons the better
Auto hvac, and duel zone so my wife can either have it freezing or streaming hot on her side
Does the radio have a USB, so I can insert a USB key , hit shuffle and I am good to go

[mixmanmash]

If they are looking at late 50s for there target market, then less buttons the better
Auto hvac, and duel zone so my wife can either have it freezing or streaming hot on her side
Does the radio have a USB, so I can insert a USB key , hit shuffle and I am good to go

Duel zone - is that like battle zone? 

[Jaeger]

Pass. I'd go for the Regal.

If I had to buy a Buick, that would be the one.  Although their big cushy SUV (whatever it is called) does hold some weird appeal for me in the same way that the Infiniti J30 (or whatever it is now called) does.

[mixmanmash]

Pass. I'd go for the Regal.

If I had to buy a Buick, that would be the one.  Although their big cushy SUV (whatever it is called) does hold some weird appeal for me in the same way that the Infiniti J30 (or whatever it is now called) does.

J30 is long gone.  It was basically on an extended 300ZX Z32 chassis platform.

I guess Q50 would be the closest as it platform shares with 370Z.