Car and Driver Review of ES, Observations
06-18-10, 08:26 AM
#16
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GM is top selling import car manufacturer in China.
Over a third of all GM cars sold there are Buicks.
447k Buicks sold in China in 2009, 60% more than in 2008.
That's some good market position!
Over a third of all GM cars sold there are Buicks.
447k Buicks sold in China in 2009, 60% more than in 2008.
That's some good market position!
06-18-10, 01:15 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
Wasn't the LaCrosse designed with the China market as much as the U.S. market in mind?
06-20-10, 12:42 AM
#18
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The magazine's bias is not serving the U.S. auto makers any favors in the long run. They are only making the auto makers complacent with an unrealistic veiw that their products are still superior over their foreign competitiors.
I have owned GM cars over the years, but I have to admit that american cars fit, finish and reliability leaves something to be desired. The way they use plastic in the interior makes the car looks so cheap. Seems like they put all of their efforts into styling and half-*** it on the interior. Also, the reliability of the engine and drivetrain is suspect once you pass 50,000 or 60,000 miles. I had to overhaul my tranny on my Tahoe at 45,000 and my Grand Prix at 70,000.
Hopefully, the automakers get it now and start making quality products again. However, I have my doubts as long as the unions have such a strong voice in the auto industry. It should be quality pay for quality work, period. But, i'm going off on a tangent.
I have owned GM cars over the years, but I have to admit that american cars fit, finish and reliability leaves something to be desired. The way they use plastic in the interior makes the car looks so cheap. Seems like they put all of their efforts into styling and half-*** it on the interior. Also, the reliability of the engine and drivetrain is suspect once you pass 50,000 or 60,000 miles. I had to overhaul my tranny on my Tahoe at 45,000 and my Grand Prix at 70,000.
Hopefully, the automakers get it now and start making quality products again. However, I have my doubts as long as the unions have such a strong voice in the auto industry. It should be quality pay for quality work, period. But, i'm going off on a tangent.
06-21-10, 11:28 AM
#20
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Very good point...never thought of that. I think Honda more than anyone has a more unrealistic view than even the Americans, who seem to have turned things up a couple of notches.
07-18-10, 08:52 PM
#21
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we traded my wifes' 2007 MKZ, fully optioned, for a 2010 ES 350 at the end of April. I can tell you from personal experience, the ES is definitely much better in all categories than the MKZ. One intangible that they fail to address is the dealer service end of ownership. We had an intermittent problem with the MKZ that required a total of 5 trips to the dealership. That is not what upset me. No, the thing that really torqued me over was the fact they didn't give us a loaner! The 5th time the problem occurred, I called Lincoln Customer Service and demanded a loaner. They got us one and managed to fix the car after 5 days. The Lexus dealer has done everything but deliver dinner to our home since we purchased the car. And, that is what I expect when I spend this amount of money on a vehicle. Otherwise, I would just buy a Fusion or Corolla! BTW, no way would I buy a government motors car until the loans are paid back. I won't be holding my breath on that.
Ford dealers are - well Ford dealers. But I still like my '99 Ford F150 SVT Lightning. The Special Vehicle Team is a separate production line with low volume high quality.
And I won't even consider a GM product unless they use the taxpayer bailout funds to give me one of there cars.
07-22-10, 01:07 PM
#22
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I feel like I wouldn't pay for a copy of the original, just get the original for about 10% more...
In two or three years when the Buicks start going in for their first rounds of unscheduled maintenance it'd be interested to hear remarks for owners who might have considered a ES or even a Toyota.
It sort of seems funny that Lexus does a line refresh and LaCross is refreshed at the same time, I wonder if LaCross is using some of the old vendors for parts on the prior to 2010 ES350 and that's how they're being cost competitive? I also get the feeling that GM is only trying to meet the bar not reset the bar to a higher level - am I off base with that thought?
In two or three years when the Buicks start going in for their first rounds of unscheduled maintenance it'd be interested to hear remarks for owners who might have considered a ES or even a Toyota.
It sort of seems funny that Lexus does a line refresh and LaCross is refreshed at the same time, I wonder if LaCross is using some of the old vendors for parts on the prior to 2010 ES350 and that's how they're being cost competitive? I also get the feeling that GM is only trying to meet the bar not reset the bar to a higher level - am I off base with that thought?
07-22-10, 01:50 PM
#23
I feel like I wouldn't pay for a copy of the original, just get the original for about 10% more...
In two or three years when the Buicks start going in for their first rounds of unscheduled maintenance it'd be interested to hear remarks for owners who might have considered a ES or even a Toyota.
It sort of seems funny that Lexus does a line refresh and LaCross is refreshed at the same time, I wonder if LaCross is using some of the old vendors for parts on the prior to 2010 ES350 and that's how they're being cost competitive? I also get the feeling that GM is only trying to meet the bar not reset the bar to a higher level - am I off base with that thought?
In two or three years when the Buicks start going in for their first rounds of unscheduled maintenance it'd be interested to hear remarks for owners who might have considered a ES or even a Toyota.
It sort of seems funny that Lexus does a line refresh and LaCross is refreshed at the same time, I wonder if LaCross is using some of the old vendors for parts on the prior to 2010 ES350 and that's how they're being cost competitive? I also get the feeling that GM is only trying to meet the bar not reset the bar to a higher level - am I off base with that thought?
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