Originally Posted by fastball

Buicks, in their hey-day, were basically luxury cars with balls. They weren't sports cars or performance cars, but they had broad appeal because, unlike most Cadillacs of the 60's and 70's, you could hit the gas and really get thrown back into your leather seats. I knew a car collector who was a late 60's - early 70's Buick fanatic. He owned a '67 Riviera with a 430 and a '72 GS with a 389. They were loaded just like Cadillacs of the day, but unlike Cadillacs (even with their vaunted 500ci V8), they were fast. And they sounded like Chevelles and GTOs. Buicks were seen, really, as the luxury car for men. Guys into cars who made good money, wanted a luxury car, but weren't stoodgy old geezers. Those were Cadillac people. The Buick guys could also be seen going up against those Chevelle SS and GTO muscle cars, and even give them a run for their money. At the same time, they had the comfort of A/C and convenience of cruise control.

So if Buick is to go back to their roots, they really are in need of an image makeover a bit. They don't need to go with all out sports cars, but their lineup needs a little attitude.