[HardDrive]

I'm from the Detroit area, grandson of a UAW union steward. I so desperately want Detroit to succeed.

I stopped at the Buick dealership yesterday (yes, you read that right), because I had heard good chatter about the Lucerne. The salesman takes me to the most loaded one on the lot. Fit and finish is superb, styling is conservative, but it has great lines. We get inside, and its a bit of a time warp. OK.....deep breath....this is aimed at 50 year olds...this is ok....Nice leather, good fit and finish...but the radio...

The radio and AC controls are straight out of the....I dunno..80s? I ask the guy about getting navigation in the car. He looks at me and says, "its not available yet".

Me: *blink*...blank stare.

Him: "I know, I know. Its a mid year option."

Me: "What does that mean?"

Him: "It means that they put the car on sale before that had the navigation system ready. We should get cars with Navigation in about 2 months."

Me: *blink*...blank stare.

This is their bread and butter car!!!! Its replacing 2 CARS in their lineup that are over 60% of their overall sales! WTF do you mean I can't get navigation!!!! Arggggggg!!!!!! You manage to lure a 36 year old on to a Buick lot, only to tell him that navigation is not available. Funny, I can get navigation on a $22k volkwagon golf, why not on your $40k luxury car?

Did I mention the interior was CHOCOLATE BROWN?

Lexus will be selling their new ES350 in few months, direct competitor to this car. Hmmmmmmm.....I wonder if they will release it before the navigation system is ready?


*sigh*