The Perfect Buick... is a Buick

[Jesda]

June 29th... http://www.detnews.com/2004/au...2.htm

Brand Problems per 100 vehicles

Lexus 162 Buick 187 Infiniti 189 Lincoln 194 Cadillac 196 Honda 209 Acura 212 Toyota 216 Mercury 224 Porsche 240 Chevrolet 262 GMC 262 BMW 264 Saab 265 Saturn 267 Industry Avg. 269 Ford 276 Nissan 280 Chrysler 285 Mazda 285 Subaru 288 Plymouth 289 Audi 295 Pontiac 297 Dodge 298 Jaguar 310 Jeep 314 Oldsmobile 314 Mercedes-Benz 327 Mitsubishi 327 Volvo 346 Suzuki 365 Hyundai 375 Volkswagen 386 Isuzu 393 Daewoo 411 Kia 432 Land Rover 472

Isuzu is on its way out, and while it hasnt worsened, it doesnt look good against competitors' improvements. Its GM's forgotten truck brand, starved for new investment, and will most likely be relegated to commercial products.

GM's new Cadillac factory is currently the top-rated in the world for quality control. Lincoln is up there, partly because of a complete lack of new products -- rebadged or enhanced old models on old platforms with incremental improvements -- there isnt much room for mistakes.

"Among individual brands, the most improved from last year were Kia, Suzuki and Audi, though all three continue to perform below the industry average. Kia had 77 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, Suzuki 38 and Audi 23."

Dad just bought a new Suzuki XL7 two nights ago. A little weak on power, but rides like a creampuff with ample room for people, dogs, and cargo. Handles and steers very well for a tall vehicle. Interior is gorgeous, styled VERY much like the Lexus LX470 inside (and fortunately not outside). And at $22k loaded with everything except a third row seat, its a steal.

-Jesda

[AZhitman]

I dig the XL7. Wanted to buy one for NICOmom, but that wouldn't exactly look right, would it?

[Mr1der]

uh oh, Ford is below Nissan:D

DON'T HIT ME!!! :hiding:

[Jesda]

GET HIM! *priming paintball gun*

[BadQ45t]

I rent cars nearly every week from Avis. They have basically every model of Buick, my comment on that, I wouldn't own one if it was the last car on earth. The seats suck, the engine sucks, the handling is the worst. I get back into my 85' Maxima with 290k on it when I get back to SFO and it feels better.

Than I got the Suzuki as a rental, brand new. Overall not too bad, feels like a Honda or Toyota knock-off. But the engine is a dog. I get back on the freeway in Redmond with one of those metering lights so I nail this thing with nobody in front of me, as it approaches red line it starts sputtering and spitting. I repeated that several times while I had than rental. This engine is a dog, I would hate to be climbing a big hill on high altitude with that dog.

Sorry Jesda, you can keep you buick's and Suzuki's. Buick SUCK big time.

[maxnix]

Buick SUCK big time.

You, sir, are too generous.For a really depressing experience in disfunctionality, drive a Rendezvous. Totally horrible in design, execution, and build quality (well, build quality is what passes for industry average).

[Jesda]

I rent cars nearly every week from Avis. They have basically every model of Buick, my comment on that, I wouldn't own one if it was the last car on earth. The seats suck, the engine sucks, the handling is the worst. I get back into my 85' Maxima with 290k on it when I get back to SFO and it feels better.

Than I got the Suzuki as a rental, brand new. Overall not too bad, feels like a Honda or Toyota knock-off. But the engine is a dog. I get back on the freeway in Redmond with one of those metering lights so I nail this thing with nobody in front of me, as it approaches red line it starts sputtering and spitting. I repeated that several times while I had than rental. This engine is a dog, I would hate to be climbing a big hill on high altitude with that dog.

Sorry Jesda, you can keep you buick's and Suzuki's. Buick SUCK big time.

The JD Powers surveys are for dependability and initial quality, not for driving excitement and satisfaction. While Buicks may drive and handle like mushy tricycles, they're faultless in execution for their target market: Old folks and people who reject change. They dont fall apart, they dont do unpredictable things, and theyre ridiculously simple. And theyre boring, terribly boring.

Old Maximas feel surprisingly modern (I've been driving an 85 Maxima frequently for the last five weeks), but affordable Detroit mushmobiles have their place on middle America's awful highways and roads. Plus, its nice having realistic room for 4, 5, or 6 normal adults. I'll go with friends across the country in a Park Avenue before I take a Maxima.

-Jesda

[Checkered-Member]

wow, Volvo, MB, VW and Audi all are very respected companies, but need to get their s*** together

[Jesda]

I'm not sure whats up with Volvo, but I know MB has dealt with electronics problems and the results of major cost cutting since 1996. I remember reading about the C-class wagon and suspension failures and a broken glove box all within 10,000 miles.

I think VW and Audi have ignition, electrical, and transmission issues.

But yeah, year after year Volvo isnt at the bottom but frequently falls below average for reasons I cannot understand.

-Jesda

[elwesso]

Definitely, buicks are a no go.....

HOWEVER

For some golf thing (buick scramble for those who care) we got gift certificate money to drive a buick... hey we could just take it around the lot, right???

2 years ago we drove a rendezvous... Terribly underpowered, but fit and finish not bad... HUD was nice, obvious but not distracting..... I didnt like how it felt like I was leaning foreward... It felt weird, I like to sit back, this was different.....

Last year we drove a regal GS.. Those are nice, black on grey with tinted windows, chrome wheels. It was nice, powerful too, but didnt feel as edgy as the GTP we have (same basic car)....

My grandparents have a regal LS, and its not bad, I could drive the car if it didnt scream geritol and depends..... The engine is responsive enough, rides decent, handles decent, and the leather... Oh the leather is wonderful, so soft, supple and it hardly looks worn... best leather Ive seen in a GM, hands down...

Sure its not a great car, but they last forever and perfect to go get groceries and have a comfy quiet ride on the highway......

I think the car is perfect for what it was designed to do and who it was designed for.....