MM Test-Drive: 2012 Buick Verano
#16
Lexus Test Driver
I was okay with the styling until I saw the back lights. Why would they put those silly eyebrows over the taillights? Tacky!
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey Mike, glad you got to check it out, I know you like it a lot. I'll be honest I stopped reading b/c I honestly have zero interest in it and I wish Buick tried to elevate itself or at least keep the Regal as the entry level model instead of going below that. I just don't know if this is what Buick needs. I understand the need to chase volume and this is probably an easy fix for GM from the Cruze but I felt Buick/GM was not going to go this route again. I will take some time to check it out in the future.
It will be somewhat nteresting to see the battle between this BUick and the upcoming Acura ILX since both cars are all new based off bargain sub-compacts.
It will be somewhat nteresting to see the battle between this BUick and the upcoming Acura ILX since both cars are all new based off bargain sub-compacts.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Hey Mike, glad you got to check it out, I know you like it a lot. I'll be honest I stopped reading b/c I honestly have zero interest in it and I wish Buick tried to elevate itself or at least keep the Regal as the entry level model instead of going below that. I just don't know if this is what Buick needs. I understand the need to chase volume and this is probably an easy fix for GM from the Cruze but I felt Buick/GM was not going to go this route again. I will take some time to check it out in the future.
Buick's reliability, though, compared to a lot of Japanese-nameplate vehicles, still has not totally convinced me. One of the reason, of course, why I drive an AWD Subaru is that Buick AWD just systems don't compare in simplicity and reliability. The AWD verson of the LaCrosse, for example, according to Consumer Reports, is significantly less-reliable than the FWD version. And the Chevy Cruze, which the Verano is based on (though with some important differences), is still less than one year old, which, IMO, is not long enough to accurately gauge long-term reliability.
It will be somewhat nteresting to see the battle between this BUick and the upcoming Acura ILX since both cars are all new based off bargain sub-compacts.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-08-12 at 08:21 PM.
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well, it's obvious where Buick got the Verano's basic interior....the Opel Astra. There seem to be very few differences, outside of some cosmetic trim-features and Buick's ice-blue dash-lights vs. Opel's orange ones. The Buick Regal, BTW, uses the same gauges.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-24-12 at 09:07 PM.
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Ah! It finally came to me. The positioning of the gear shifter on the vertical part of the center stack is econocar-like. Recent Civics, Prius, and some other compact cars have their shifter on the dashboard. Don't think it looks upclass here.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
quite ok by me!
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I agree that a minivan-like dash-shifter is more space-efficient, but, IMO, can look awkward, and can sometimes also be more awkward to reach, depending on one's arm-length. The real solution, IMO, is solid-feeling, properly-designed column shift-paddles.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
my only gripe is the leather boot - hate those on autos.
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, with console-mounted manual-transmission (and some automatic) levers, automakers often don't have much choice. They have to use a material that is flexible enough to allow the lever to move with it, yet cover up the shift-linkage underneath it. You don't want to pay tens of thousands of $$$$ for a new car and then have to look at the ugly, exposed shift-linkage underneath every time you reach for the lever.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Unfortunately, with console-mounted manual-transmission (and some automatic) levers, automakers often don't have much choice. They have to use a material that is flexible enough to allow the lever to move with it, yet cover up the shift-linkage underneath it. You don't want to pay tens of thousands of $$$$ for a new car and then have to look at the ugly, exposed shift-linkage underneath every time you reach for the lever.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Also, I'm not sure, but my guess is that it's a little cheaper to use a simple boot-covering than to install those flexi-moving plates and re-finish the area.
(Both of those pictures, BTW, seem to be of levers from Ford products, but I'm not sure if from the Escape, Fusion, or Explorer. Several different Ford products use that chrome-insert on the lever, around the shift-housing, and have a nice fore/aft shift pattern instead of those annoying zig-zags).
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-28-12 at 01:12 PM.
#28
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Also, I'm not sure, but my guess is that it's a little cheaper to use a simple boot-covering than to install those flexi-moving plates and re-finish the area.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I'm sure your guess is right, but the boot on an auto still looks terrible to me, and unnecessary, and a guaranteed dirt/dust collector.