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Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

6844 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#6572 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by plekto Jul 02, 2008 (12:00 pm)
Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 9:32 am) The Lucerne CXS is nearly identical to a late 90s Mercedes S420. Same power, same decent suspension on a very heavy car feel(a first for Buick, IMO), and the same solid feel.   The non CXS versions are nasty. In this case, it's all about the suspension. The Magnetic Ride suspension turns the car from just another Buick into a proper luxury sedan in how it rides. It's not as fast in a straight line, but honestly, do you see middle-aged and elderly people really needing to smoke the tires on any of these large barges? Go drive a CXS. It's not an old man's car any more.   The Azera feels a notch down. A lot like the old Park Avenue, in fact. Good, but not the real deal(like a E class, DTS, or similar)   The Avalon is nice, but lacking the suspension... yeah, it's just another bland Toyota. The ES is a nice notch above(there is no "Lexus" in Japan - all models are "Toyota" there), but the price is a bit silly. Doubly so if you are looking for used values. Buick and Cadillac are probably the top two makes to look at for a used full size luxury/semi-luxury sedan. Replies to this message: louiswei (Jul 02, 2008 12:12 pm) plekto (Jul 02, 2008 12:40 pm) louiswei (Jul 02, 2008 2:23 pm)
#6573 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [plekto] by louiswei Jul 02, 2008 (12:12 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Jul 02, 2008 12:00 pm) there is no "Lexus" in Japan - all models are "Toyota" there   Two years ago you'd be right but now you couldn't be anymore wrong...   http://lexus.jp/   Lexus has been selling cars in Japan for more than 2 years now.   There is also Lexus in Europe, Russia, Korea, China and Taiwan. As matter of fact Lexus is also the number 1 selling luxury brand in Taiwan. Replies to this message: plekto (Jul 02, 2008 12:40 pm) louiswei (Jul 02, 2008 2:23 pm)
#6574 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [louiswei] by plekto Jul 02, 2008 (12:40 pm)
Replying to: louiswei (Jul 02, 2008 12:12 pm) Interesting. But it's still a Toyota with extra bling in most cases. I just find it all to be bland and uninspiring, actually. Something about how Toyota makes very vanilla cars. Honda is a bit better - more like almost as bland cheap chocolate. Neither have the "wow" factor of Infiniti or Audi.   Honestly, for a large car, the A8 is a very nice and often overlooked choice. the Volvo S80 also is as well.(though both have serious sticker shock, CPO is a whole other world more reasonably priced) Replies to this message: louiswei (Jul 02, 2008 2:23 pm)
#6575 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [plekto] by louiswei Jul 02, 2008 (2:23 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Jul 02, 2008 12:40 pm) plekto, I love a good ole' "Lexus is just a Toyota with extra bling" debate anytime but this is not the right place. If you want to you can come to the Toyota in 2008 board then we can continue.
#6576 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by rpfingsten Jul 03, 2008 (2:35 am)
Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 9:32 am) Tonycd       When I was in the market for a new car about 18 months ago, the lucerne with the northstar was the car I intended to buy. Having had the northstar in a Deville that I was trading in, I really liked that engine. When I test drove the Lucerne and put my foot into it, the northstar had a nice "throaty" growl to it. The car itself was very nice, alittle old school maybe, but still a nice vehicle. And overall, I think the ride on the highway is better than the Avalon, but then again, I prefer the "sofa" soft ride to the "feel of the road" ride. I actually went to the dealer to sign the papers on the Lucerne when my wife talked me into going down the road and looking at the Avy... First thing I noticed was that the avy actually felt like it had more room than the buick, I also liked the interior of the avy more, but the clincher for me was the powerful V6 in the avy that still provided much better FE than the buick. Ended up with the avy, when I called the buick salesman back to let him know I was passing on the car, he told me that in almost every instance where he had a customer that compared the lucerne to the avalon, that nearly everyone of them opted for the avy. Take it for what it's worth.   Roland Replies to this message: tonycd (Jul 03, 2008 8:32 am)
#6577 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [captain2] by tonycd Jul 03, 2008 (8:27 am)
Replying to: captain2 (Jul 02, 2008 11:57 am) Captain, rejecting the premise of my question is not a valid way of answering it.   Can you try again, please?
#6578 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [rpfingsten] by tonycd Jul 03, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: rpfingsten (Jul 03, 2008 2:35 am) Thank you, Roland. That was a well-considered and very useful answer.
#6579 of 6844 Re: An opinion question about the Lucerne V8 [tonycd] by tjc78 Jul 03, 2008 (8:48 am)
Replying to: tonycd (Jul 02, 2008 11:55 am) it has to win decisively in some area to rate serious consideration   Honestly I don't think it does. Its not a bad vehicle its just not as good as the Avalon and Azera. Those two models beat Buick at their own game.... big, powerful highway cruisers. The CXL Lucerne does ride a bit softer than the Avalon on the highway and about the same as the Azera. The CXS is a bit firmer more like an Avalon touring. Maybe for some they just prefer the looks.. IMO it is better looking than the Avalon or Azera on the outside.   I would love to know the % of Lucerne owners who owned Park Avs and LeSabres prior. I bet its pretty high.
#6580 of 6844 Best at: ? Worst at: ? by thegraduate Jul 03, 2008 (9:04 am)
I'm a little bit bored today, so thought I might take a look and create a Pro/Con list for the competitors here. Feel free to comment; I'm just trying to create conversation. I'm singling out the most obvious pros/cons   Buick Lucerne V6 Pro: Classy Styling Con: Power/Economy (Soon to be helped with the 3.9L), Languid Handling   Buick Lucerne V8 Pro: Classy Styling, V8 available at Toyota V6 price (some people wouldn't have a 6-cylinder) Con: Poor Fuel Economy   Chevrolet Impala V6 (3.5/3.9L) Pro: Torquey engines, big rebates Con: Small Interior, Wide-Ratio 4-speed Automatic   Chevrolet Impala SS Pro: Old-School V8 Power and Sound at Accord V6 Prices Con: Fuel Economy, Small Interior   Dodge Charger V6 Pro: Muscle-Car Design Con: Cheap Interior, fuel economy (lower than the Impala SS!)   Dodge Charger V8 Pro: Hemi Power, Aggressive Styling Con: Fuel Economy, Interior not up-to-par considering price   Ford Taurus Pro: Huge Interior Space and Comfort, Unique high seating position, Sync Con: Exterior Styling awkward from several angles   Hyundai Azera Pro: Upscale Interior Feel, Warranty Con: Droopy Rear-End Styling   Toyota Avalon Pro: 3.5L V6 Power and Economy, Available Lux Features Con: Price, Option Packaging, Front-end styling   2009 Nissan Maxima and Pontiac G8 are too new to know (never been in them!). Replies to this message: allmet33 (Jul 03, 2008 9:38 am) thegraduate (Jul 03, 2008 9:39 am) batista (Jul 03, 2008 6:18 pm) jg585 (Jul 08, 2008 5:40 am) batista (Jul 08, 2008 8:16 am)
#6581 of 6844 Re: Best at: ? Worst at: ? [thegraduate] by allmet33 Jul 03, 2008 (9:38 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Jul 03, 2008 9:04 am) Wow...if the only con for the Azera is droopy rear-end styling (compared to the cons on the othe vehicles)...that's not bad at all! However, a pro that's left out is it's bang-for-buck quotient. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Jul 03, 2008 9:39 am)

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