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Mercury and DeSoto used to hold that niche, as well, but have been abandoned. As I recall, Buick is the most popular US export car, with the same kind of upmarket reputation (deserved or not) as Infniti, Acura and Lexus carry for the Japanese Big 3.
So I would assume that GM is running the Buick line to meet international demand, and as long as Americans still have a hankering for them, too, that's just an added bonus that they don't mind exploiting.
Buick is the #1 selling car in china. And when ford discounted the grand marquise and the crown Vick Buick is taking avantage. When GM got rid of olds older Americans went with Buick. Look at the history of the Buick Lesabre? GM stopped making the Lasabre in 2005 and only have the Lacrosse as its flagship car. I had a a 1976 Buick Electra 225 my father gave me it had a Deuce and a quarter witch was a 455 with a 4 barrel carb. It was a boat and rode like you were floating on air. Even had fender skirts and a white vinal top the car was gold in color. With white plush seats. That car was a boat but was fast as hell. Wish I had it today. Also GM is building a plant in china to build buicks forthat part of the world, as is Chrysler to build jeeps.
I've driven more than one LeSabre. My mom loved the damn things. They rode great, comfortable and really reliable. Nothing wrong with a buick. And not everyone wants a loud noisy rough riding jeep or truck
So the senior citizens you see driving them now are the ones who were subjected to that advertising when they were younger. I think it will die off with the next generation of seniors, possibly to the extent that it will be the end of Buick.
I always get a chuckle when people are waiting for senior citizens to "die off" and take their favorite car models with them. Let me let you in on a secret. There will always be a senior citizen, and it turns out most have the same taste. I am not there yet but I like cars now that I would not get caught dead in them in my younger years.
Last edited by HappyRider; 11-12-2014 at 07:57 PM..
Lesabres and Park Avenues were great cars, but they were discontinued in 2005. My parents never drove them though. Most of the older folks I see out and about are not driving Buicks. I would buy another Park Avenue in a heartbeat, but they only sell them in China now. The Enclave is nice, but the gas mileage is not that good. I have considered a Cadillac, but the v6 has RWD and the front wheel drive ones have V8's and the gas mileage is poor. Not too excited about the LaCrosse or the discontinued Lucerne. The irony for me is that I may end up buying a Toyota Avalon as it is reported to be reliable with good gas mileage and it may fit my needs. This would be a big step for me because my every day vehicle has been a Buick for a very long time.
I always get a chuckle when people are waiting for senior citizens to "die off" and take their favorite car models with them. Let me let you in on a secret. There will always be a senior citizen, and it turns out most have the same taste. I am not there yet but I like cars now that I would not get caught dead in them in my younger years.
Very true. When many people get older they start having back and hip pain, that's why they seek soft riding "plush" cars that won't jar them around.
We have a 1999 Buick Park Ave with 15,000 miles on it and a 2004 Buick Park Ave. with 35,000 miles on it. They are the most comfortable cars to drive. Their engine is one of the best and most reliable around.
Buicks are comfortable cars to drive and don't feel like a tin can going down the road.
They had and still have fantastic engines that are immune from almost anything, they just keep running.
There are some very sought after models of the Buick too. Some of the LeSabres had a really nice body style, sort of subdued but timeless.
Many Europeans that immigrated to the USA in the 50s and going forward really like Buicks because they had good quality, were quiet, smooth and did everything you wanted in a car of that size.
Take away the cheerleaders and haters of the car and what you have is a very good car that a lot of people like.
an elderly lady in my apt bldg had a maroon 73 leSabre with a white vinyl roof. in mint condition. she just couldn't drive any longer so she gave it up. the car was eye catching
someone else drives a lime green 73 Centurion convertible in my area. I always found the Centurion to not be as dashing as the LeSabre. i never cared for the sporty hubcaps and the subtle styling touches were a tad dull
Older folks like a car that's easy to get in and out of and the LeSabre had lots of room. The Pontiac Bonneville was quite similar and also popular among seniors.
When people get older one of things limiting their mobility is the ability to get in and out of car and these big boats had lots of room for swinging your hips into the seat and also getting out without banging your knees.
Buicks are perhaps the favored American car in China.
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