Holy Hell A Buick Phaeton!

[Joey D]

What the hell, they finally put pictures out for this car and I must say GM definatly ripped off VW's Phaeton on this car.

However this is one of the best looking Buicks I've seen in a long time. Maybe...just maybe they are getting it right. There is also a rumor that they are going to bring back a Grand National of some sorts in 2-3 years.

But anyways does this not look like a Phaeton?

 

[Young_Warrior]

Yeah that sure is a copy. anywhere near the same price bracket?

 

[Joey D]

The Lucerne will start at 27 thousand.

 

[TwinTurboJay]

Looks like a phaeton / camry

 

[niky]

While the rear-end screams Phaeton, the front kinda mumbles Altima.

What're the specs? Looks like an FF (big nose). No definite news on the Grand National, is there?

 

[Joey D]

It will be FWD with a standard 3.8L V6 putting out 197hp, or you can opt for the updgraded Northstar 4.6L V8 that puts out 275hp (yes that is a caddy motor). 4 speed automatic transmission with that thing were you can shift it yourself if you want to.

The Lucerne will have Magnetic Ride Control, a QuiteTunes interior, heated windsheild wiper fuild, nav system, Harman/Kardon stero system, real wood trim, expensive leather, and rain sensing wipers.

I don't know anything about the GN, its a rumor at www.gminsidernews.com

 

[Dave A]

I don't like the front end, I'm not a fan of large headlights like that, they look poor imo, I don't like the front end all toether though. The back's decent but looks an awful lot like the Phaeton and I like the Phaeton so that makes sense.

 

[TwinTurboJay]

I don't want a new GN, they'll screw it up like the monte carlo, malibu, impala

 

[Joey D]

I doubt they will screw it up, it will be fast as hell if they put a turboed 3800 in it. But then again I don't think they really messed up the Monte Carlo or the Impala, they are just building them for the market now a days. It's not 1975 and we can't build cars like it is. The Malibu is decent, and while its a lot better then the previous generation it still needs a little help.

 

[Danny]

VW have the edge on looks.

It's odd that Geely have missed a car to copy, and left the door wide open to Buick.

 

[Ev0]

How much money says the Grand National will have a big V8, front wheel drive, and a crappy 4 speed automatic as the only transmission? Or maybe they'll finally have some sense knocked into them somehow and not do that.

 

[High-Test]

Duh! Buick of China designed it!

Isn't Buick the most popular car in China?

 

[Joey D]

How much money says the Grand National will have a big V8, front wheel drive, and a crappy 4 speed automatic as the only transmission? Or maybe they'll finally have some sense knocked into them somehow and not do that.

Everything I've read said its going to be off a Caddy platform so I'm guessing turboed V6 with RWD.

 

[skip0110]

Does the Lucerne have optional AWD?

What platform is it on?

 

[Joey D]

No AWD, which was a bad move I'll admit, and its on the same platform as the Monte Carlo, Impala, etc. and for the life of me I can't think of what its called.

 

[skip0110]

Is that the W-body? I know the (decesaed) Regal and Grand Prix midsizers ride on that platform, but I'm not sure if Impala/Monte Carlo are on that platform...

I guess FWD is okay. I see the V8 Lucerne as going against the V6 300C and the V6 as matching up with the Ford 500. AWD would cut in on STS sales.

 

[Joey D]

Ya the W body, thats what I was thinking of. But this is supposed to be the new Regal according to GM.

I'll say its going to sell decently, people who want a Caddy but don't want to pay Caddy prices will consider this car. Plus Buick is really trying to make cars look...well good.

 

[JCE]

I'm not kidding you...I thought you posted the rear view of the Phaeton twice until I looked closer...it's a dead copy. Front end still looks like ass. If GM brings back the GN it better use the Caddy CTS-V chassis and 6.0L V8 or a big Turbo 3800 V6 and has to be RWD and nothing else. But it is GM and they will ruin it you watch.

 

[skip0110]

I think GM has done a decent job of putting a modern spin on old nameplates. We aren't in the age of huge cars, cheap gas and big V8's, so I think it's okay for a supercharged 3.8 or a small-block FWD to wear a SS badge.

And a lot of it is that we remember those old cars as being much better than they were. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," or however it goes. It's hard to live up to inflated memories.

The thing I fear the most about a "new GN" is that GM will be too agressive styling it, resulting an a new Thunderbird-style flop (rave initial reviews, but weak sales). They did a good job with the mild GTO I think. The new one doesn't embarass it's ancestors at all.

 

[NSX-R]

I don't like the front end, I'm not a fan of large headlights like that, they look poor imo, I don't like the front end all toether though. The back's decent but looks an awful lot like the Phaeton and I like the Phaeton so that makes sense.

I like big headlights, they give a "alert" feel.

 

[1X83Z]

I see absolutely no Phaeton and a lot of Grand Prix in this piece of ****.

How an Buick release a new Grand National? The Lacrosse is front-drive.

 

[skip0110]

I see absolutely no Phaeton and a lot of Grand Prix in this piece of ****.

C'mon, they are trying so hard, you have to at least give them sympathy points.

How an Buick release a new Grand National? The Lacrosse is front-drive.

I would suppose it would be unrelated to the Regal. Probably on the new CTS platform (which is due in a few years).

 

[niky]

Well, this one ain't bad. Too bad they're using an old engine as the price leader, but if it keeps the prices down without making it a guzzler, no problem.

Now that you (Blazin') mentioned it's off the Impala platform, I guess it makes sense from an economic standpoint, but from a business standpoint, they really should go AWD to differentiate it from the older W-cars.

 

[Z32]

looks more like an infiiniti q45 👎

 

[Joey D]

You don't see a Phaeton M5...damn go check out her ass again.

Now that you (Blazin') mentioned it's off the Impala platform, I guess it makes sense from an economic standpoint, but from a business standpoint, they really should go AWD to differentiate it from the older W-cars.

Agreed GM needs an AWAD passenger car platform to work off of other then the WRX

 

[Pebb]

I think the top of the range Phaeton with its W12, is better then that top of the range V8 version from Buick.

 

[Joey D]

There is also about 60 grand in price difference too.

 

[skip0110]

Agreed GM needs an AWAD passenger car platform to work off of other then the WRX

Whats wrong with the WRX/Legacy? I bet if they could get a Subaru bolt pattern on a small-block, they would sell like hotcakes. I know I'd get one.

 

[Joey D]

It's too little for a big car like a Lucerne, and I would take a Saab over a Subbie any day. But there is nothing wrong with the WRX...well I mean its good if you don't really want comfort or anything. The WRX is the most uncomfortable car I've ever been in, however its fast as hell.

 

[skip0110]

I dunno, I bring a pillow for my back if I'm going to drive for over an hour because the lumbar support is lacking a little, but other than that the Impreza is as comfortable if not more so than lots of bigger cars that I've spent significant time in, like a Thunderbird and a TrailBlazer.

I am 5'7" and about 145 lbs.

I agree that the Legacy is too small to replace the W-body. It's just that the thought of a small-block in that car had me drooling alll over the keyboard.