Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 03:40:02 GMT From: "Edwin Pawlowski" <espnospam.net> Subject: Re: GM's excess baggage - Buick, Pontiac, Saab, Hummer
"Willy" <willyknospamigy.net> wrote in message > It's nice that you're happy with your Sonata, but comparing it to a > Lucerne is like apples and oranges. The two vehicles are clearly in a > different class. If you've never compared a built in nav system to a > portable such as a Garmin (I've used both, and also have a gps phone)... > there's no comparison in convenience, visuals, not to mention that it > mutes the stereo when it's about to speak directions, and has wonderful > visuals. And I believe On Star is a serious consideration when purchasing > a car. I've used it, I have it on both vehicles, and to me (driving over > 50K a year personally, and around 75K a year between the two cars) it's a > valuable service. > > While you'd spend 11,600 more to get the same features, you'd also get a > luxury car as compared to a nicely appointed econocar. > > Willy I see you haven't driven a Sonata lately. It is out of the econocar class. No, not luxury, but far from the crap boxes of years ago. What exactly do I get for the additional $11,600? Yes, there are some differences in trim. The dash covering of the Lucerne is a bit nicer. The climate control on the Sonata works better. The Sonata only has one temperature on the heated seats as opposed to two. The Sonata has a better gas gauge, both have the same brand of electrochromatic mirror. The Lucerne has rain sensing wipers and turns the headlights on when you turn the wipers on. The floor mats on the Sonata lock in place too, not slide like my Buick. The Sonata has stability control across the model line as opposed to the Lucerne that only has it on the most expensive model. Given the true cost of the equipment, it is not fathomable that it would not be offered on an upscale car today. The Sonata will out accelerate, out corner, out stop, out handle the Lucerne in any test you can devise. It is rock solid at speeds in excess of 100 mph (yes, I've tested that) And - - - - get this- - - -has more shoulder room! As for OnStar, I've never been able to justify the high price. In the year of free service, I used it twice. One time they gave me directions that were helpful but not completely accurate, the other time they could not help me at all. The new system for directions is probably better, I'll concede, but not worth the money to me. If I was back in sales driving to many different places every day, maybe. I don't have or need a Garmin either so it is not a feature I care about. The Buick is not a bad car, but it certainly is not the value that I got in my Sonata. I'd rather put the difference into taking a couple of nice vacations. We like to take two or three a year.
