No mmarshall. The Delta II platform was created in Germany for worldwide production of small compact cars such as the Cruze/Verano/Astra. All of the cars off the Delta II platform are one or another related. Cruze/Verano/Astra are all pretty much the same car just parts bin'd a little different. No different than ES/Avalon, Escalade/Tahoe, Land Cruiser/LX etc etc etc.

 

Hood struts and rear suspensions have nothing to do with each other.

As for the rear beam axle in the Cascada, it is there for simply cost cutting measures and for nothing else as its cheaper to design, built and install such a unit for a small car. There is nothing special in any way that the Corolla/Verano/Cruze all come with beam designs.

Cars such as the Civic, Mazda 3 all come with IRS rear suspensions. That is impressive for such small compact cars.

Buicks biggest caveat is that there are essentially charging $33k-$40k for vehicles that have under chassis components that one would find on a $15k Cruze. Nothing wrong with that as most people won't notice, but at that price point one should perhaps call this out.

 

Ironically I just posted in the Old Motorweek Thread (post #61) a video about the 1990 Buick Reatta

 

According to CR's Owner Surveys, Verano buyers are fairly satisfied. 69% said they'd "Definitely buy again" (Regal was 72%). Leaders in the segment were A3 80%, A4 74%, C Class 74%, 3 Series 72%,

 

Yes that is ironic. The Reatta was a nice looking car. What put it over the top for me, is that it was a two seater.

 

Means very little. CR is not the greatest source of info. They custom tailor it too much.

 

Means something if one is actually shopping for a car in the segment since the %'s come from owners and not the mag. As good or better than anecdotal friend of a friend report.

 

The styling looks dated and ugly to me.Not quite Murano convertible ugly but ugly.

 

They are related, but not in the manner that you describe.

 

For issues like reliability, owner-satisfaction, and buyer-risk, they are currently one of the best sources available...and have been for many years.


An unreliable car, BTW, can have extremely high owner-satisfation rates, as the Dodge Charger and Challenger prove.

 

First, Jill, the correct term is not hood-strut, but underhood cross-brace. Hood struts hold up the hood. Second, as I mentioned earlier, the cross-brace effect is (roughly), but not exactly the same, between the two front-suspension towers as between the two rear wheels....both provide extra rigidity and brace for the front and rear suspensions/subframes. However, in most cases, IRS will give you a better ride/handling balance in the rear.

Both the Verano and Cascada rear-beams come come with a Z-Link rear suspension that is not considered cheap.

The Civic and Mazda3 are designed for a different kind of driving....that which is somewhat more driver-centered and sport/centered than the Verano or Cascada. Even the Verano Turbo is generally bought by a more conservative type of driver than the typical Mazda3.


Veranos generally sell for $24-31K. Cascadas do sell for more (generally mid-high 30s)....but much of that extra cash is for the convertible works and extra bracing.

 

Reminds me of the VW Eos.

 

Yes, and given the major VW scandal that is driving away some potential buyers, I think the Cascada will pick up some of the EOS's former market....just as with the discontinued Chrysler convertibles.

 

Still means nothing. There is no way to independently verify what CR says is true. It's just a simply survey that you hope is reliable.

Case in point, my neighbour let's his 10 year son fill out the CR and JD Power surveys everytime he buys a new car. He always says have a little fun with the surveys but don't take them to seriously.

More recently, my older parents forwarded me the JD Power surveys to fill out on their behalf, well I could of had a little fun if I wanted to, but I didn't bother filling out the survey.

I think manufacturers data on how people bought the car again or what they traded the car for would be best.

 

And the exact same Z-link rear comes with the upper trim level Cruze. And it is considered cheaper to build, design, install compared to multilink strut (ES350) or the front multi strut vs double wishbone which cars under $50k and FWD rarely offer.