Quick take on a couple domestic sedans...
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Quick take on a couple domestic sedans...
The Buick LeSabre vs the Pontiac Bonneville...
Unfortunately, I went through Avis to get my car in San Antonio and they had pure crap...American cars...so I take the LeSabre and ~50 miles later I bring it back...I was getting sea-sick, plus there was a slight steering wheel vibration at highway speeds that I found annoying. So, because all the Seville STSs were already reserved, I took the Bonneville...and in all honesty it was 1 million times better than the LeSabre. The suspension was much much firmer and one didn't get the "high seas" feeling.
Overall they both sucked big time...the interiors were absolutely brutal...especially in the Buick where apparently 3/4 inch gaps between plastic pieces is considered acceptable. The material quality was sub-Kia and none of the "same" colors matched from panel to panel. Texture was awful, gummy or hard as a rock and the molded steering wheel was kinda funny...
Power in both cars was adequate to get the job done but it sounded and felt like they were laboring hard to do it...the Pontiac at least had a pleasant, sporty exhaust note.
What a brutal driving week...I couldn't wait to get back to SF to drive the Outback home from the airport!!!
Unfortunately, I went through Avis to get my car in San Antonio and they had pure crap...American cars...so I take the LeSabre and ~50 miles later I bring it back...I was getting sea-sick, plus there was a slight steering wheel vibration at highway speeds that I found annoying. So, because all the Seville STSs were already reserved, I took the Bonneville...and in all honesty it was 1 million times better than the LeSabre. The suspension was much much firmer and one didn't get the "high seas" feeling.
Overall they both sucked big time...the interiors were absolutely brutal...especially in the Buick where apparently 3/4 inch gaps between plastic pieces is considered acceptable. The material quality was sub-Kia and none of the "same" colors matched from panel to panel. Texture was awful, gummy or hard as a rock and the molded steering wheel was kinda funny...
Power in both cars was adequate to get the job done but it sounded and felt like they were laboring hard to do it...the Pontiac at least had a pleasant, sporty exhaust note.
What a brutal driving week...I couldn't wait to get back to SF to drive the Outback home from the airport!!!
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Ya, I had a similar experience a few weeks back...
Rented from the company who lets you "choose your car" from a line-up. The cars were all pretty boring, but I was ready to go with a friend's advice and take a Camry, then flinched and chose a loaded Buick Regal instead.
Aaaauuugggghhhh!
-Crappy, weak, noisy engine (3.1L).
-The most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on in a modern car.
-Steering/handling? Yougoddabeekiddin!??! Just like "your father's Oldsmobile", except mushier. And there was a tire out of balance that shook the whole car.
-Ergonomics? A joke.
I kept it 1 day, then traded it for a 4 cylinder Camry, which was missing a hubcap and a remote for the door locks, but was just SO MUCH BETTER as a car that it was hard to believe. Decent power, comfortable, quiet, roomy, no surprises in the handling, and on and on.
Old news, but at least the Regal is not even in the same universe as the Camry. GM should be worried, IMO.
Aaaauuugggghhhh!
-Crappy, weak, noisy engine (3.1L).
-The most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on in a modern car.
-Steering/handling? Yougoddabeekiddin!??! Just like "your father's Oldsmobile", except mushier. And there was a tire out of balance that shook the whole car.
-Ergonomics? A joke.
I kept it 1 day, then traded it for a 4 cylinder Camry, which was missing a hubcap and a remote for the door locks, but was just SO MUCH BETTER as a car that it was hard to believe. Decent power, comfortable, quiet, roomy, no surprises in the handling, and on and on.
Old news, but at least the Regal is not even in the same universe as the Camry. GM should be worried, IMO.
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Yeah, I had a couple Camrys over the past couple months...
and I must say I HATED them immensely but they are in a different league than the Americrap out there from GM. Camrys have gone downhill in my opinion with each successive generation...that is more American-car-like...softer, poorer ergonomics (you have to stretch a mile just to adjust the radio volume!)...but the GM crap just keeps getting worse in relation to the rest of the world.
GM is truly the lowest of the low except for Cadillac and some of their import brands (eg. Saab).
GM is truly the lowest of the low except for Cadillac and some of their import brands (eg. Saab).
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I agree on the radio, but didn't mind driving the car, for what it is: a "driving appliance"...
..I mean, they've got the target market for that car nailed, both in their aim and in execution, IMO. Probably go 250,000+ miles without a hiccup.
Perfect car for anyone who just wants reliable, comfortable, well-rounded transportation.
That's why WE'LL never buy one, right? We prefer our cars to be fun, and served with a side of "pain"...(maintenance niggles)
;-)
Perfect car for anyone who just wants reliable, comfortable, well-rounded transportation.
That's why WE'LL never buy one, right? We prefer our cars to be fun, and served with a side of "pain"...(maintenance niggles)
;-)
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