It may be different, which is cool, but it's a stupid decision. It won't sell. Know your buyers.

 

It's not unheard of to get new buyers mr. pessimistic.

 

Here's another Autoweek article that talks about the possible return of the GNX...

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091119/C...VIEWS/911199987

I like the effort on GM's part.

The design is appealing and the powertrains (inc manual tranny) is a definite step in the right direction for broadening the appeal of the Buick brand.

 

Incidentally, as negative as I sound about this car, I would actually be interested in test driving and maybe even buying a manual version. I try to only buy standard shift cars which really limits my options. I also really want to make sure I have access to some type of wagon/hatch which also limits my options. However, if I have say a non-daily driver van or something then I would consider this sedan as a daily driver. Please note that consider means I would test drive and then decide if I wanted to buy it. It does not mean I want one yet.

 

Rebadged Opel Insignia.
Surprised they're offering a manual transmission.
The one I drove had a shifter that felt sloppy.

Dan

 

I was afraid of that. Did you drive a current model or the previous gen? I test drove a SAAB 93 not to long ago and thought the shifter wasn't that great. The motor was but the shifter let the manual trans version down.

Still, I know how small changes can make a shifter go from lousy to good feeling so I would want to test one just to make sure.

 

it is so funny to hear manual transmission is such a big news to american buyer when most cars in europe are manual

the new buick regal is a nice car IMO because it's not a real buick from the start (it's an opel!!)

 

It was the current model Opel Insignia. A test mule for the canceled Saturn Aura replacement.
Saab 9-3 has a VERY sloppy shifter. Insignia was slightly better than that, but far from the direct shift feeling of the S2000.
I know it can't have that direct feeling since it's FWD w/ the transmission up front, but it could be better.

Dan

 

Hmm, don't really see the point of this car.

 

what's the point of any sedan?

I'm with you, I think. I don't see the allure of a manual transmission in a sedan. But apparently some people do.