An observation on the Buick Avenir concept and LaCrosse

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa) 04/03/2016 at 20:22 • Filed to: buick

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So the Buick Avenir concept was released a while back and everyone went nuts for it, praising the proportions and sportier design language.

Unfortunately, in typical Buick cocktease fashion it was corporatized to all hell and instead of an ATS-based (?) RWD BMW-fighter this is what we’re getting as the 2017 Buick LaCrosse:

Gone is the dramatic kink at the hips, gone is the long hood, and in its place is another uninspiring FWD mehmobile that is, at least, sportier than this whateverthefuck that it replaces:

Eugh. So tall. So narrow. This thing has some awkward proportions that look far worse in person than they do in photos. Needs to be two or three inches wider, at least, and a hell of a lot lower. Anyways, I think that the new LaCrosse/Avenir looked not to this ungainly cab-forward hulk of mediocrity (though the interiors are fucking NIIIICE), but instead to the first generation.

Slap some new headlights on that and add some superfluous creases and EVEN MOAR BIGGER rimz and you’ve got the new Lacrosse. Lower the roof a bit and you have the Avenir. Honestly for a FWD mid-level American luxury barge the first-gen LaCrosse is a very well-proportioned car, and it’s interesting that Buick appears to be revisiting its shape in the coming years. I’m back to fanboying about Buick because Chevy seems to be fucking up every design they come across and it’s pretty much up to Cadillac and Buick to redeem their design for me.

Or maybe it’s because I went back to my roots and bought a Buick. Probably that one.

deekster_caddy > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 20:25

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What did you get?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 20:43

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I like the current gen much more than the new one. Call me weird.

And of course it's FWD (or pseudo AWD). The typical Buick buyer has no interest in RWD vehicles, and the idea of RWD is often scary.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > deekster_caddy 04/03/2016 at 20:43

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I bought a $650 1997 Buick Riviera that looks like a rolling scrap heap because in this economy $650 for something that runs and drives is an insane deal, and my other cars were all broken. Also I’ve wanted an 8th-gen Riviera for an ETERNITY. Sadly this isn’t supercharged but I’m hoping to change that this summer.

deekster_caddy > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 20:52

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As long as the engine subframe isn't swiss cheesey the rest is repairable. Good choice!

JCAlan > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 21:07

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I'm glad to see them getting away from the old grill design and moving towards the Opel design. But....the old grill is still there in the background. It's like they literally put a new grill over the old one. Very strange.

blacktruck18 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 21:12

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Buick and Lincoln seem to have the same problem, they can design awesome prototypes than manage to not actually build anything cool.

ranwhenparked > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/03/2016 at 21:16

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GM used to know how to do pleasing, long hood proportions on a FWD car, where is it written that all front drive cars must have stubby hoods and wheels positioned almost directly under the windshield?

How come tiny little Mazda has figured out how to stretch their hoods out for aesthetic balance, but giant GM can’t? If not for that detail, we could at least say they were delivering on most of the style of the concept, if not the substance.

Quadradeuce > blacktruck18 04/03/2016 at 21:32

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In Buick’s case it’s because they’re not allowed to upstage Cadillac. Lincoln, on the other hand, has no excuse.

However, I actually prefer the mid range luxury brands better. They go under the radar (which is more my style), depreciate terribly so they can be bought for pennies used, and are generally very nice on the inside. When we tested cars last time around, we definitely liked Buick and Lincoln better than Cadillac, especially if you’re not buying for status (I could give two shits about what people think of my “status").

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > ranwhenparked 04/03/2016 at 21:36

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Yeah, the new 3 is a seriously well-proportioned car. The interior could be better but... ugh, YES.

hike > ranwhenparked 04/03/2016 at 22:36

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How come tiny little Mazda can make a car with a 6-speed auto that’s more fuel efficient (especially in the real world) than the big three equivalents?

But yeah, they seem to be the only ones who can currently get those proportions right as well.

blacktruck18 > Quadradeuce 04/04/2016 at 14:31

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I thought Buick was aiming for the young hipster/millenial types. It would make sense for Buick to build unique and different cars to bring in this demographic. Once they are brought into GM as customers they could still be pushed towards Cadillac as their income increases and they want more expensive vehicles.

Quadradeuce > blacktruck18 04/04/2016 at 14:50

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Buick has an uphill battle to attract millenials. I often remark to my wife whenever I see a blue-hair in a late 90s-2000s model that Buick should take all of their advertising budget and just buy back these cars. It would be more effective than “not your father’s Buick” campaign. Seeing Ma Kettle driving around 10 under the limit is what kills their image.

Honestly, the real reason Buick is doing well is because they have a solid product at a REASONABLE price. $30k for a fully loaded Encore? Yes, please. Regal GS for $34k? Why am I not driving a Buick right now? Chances are, my next car will be a Buick.