Checked out a 2013 Lacrosse Touring

[airmike1]

So I was at the dealership yesterday for discrepencies on my '10 Lacrosse CXS and wandered over to the new car section. I found a 2013 Lacrosse with the Touring package-identical equipment as to my car. This new Lacrosse has the nice bronze metallic paint....gorgeous.

My observation noted the different headlights (I like) and the different door handles. Also, the center console armrest is positioned further back. I did drive a loaner '12 Lacrosse with E-assist and noted the repositioned armrest. I am probably the only guy that does not like the new position of the armrest as I like to rest my hand on the gearshift lever to toggle between sport mode and regular mode.

Then the exterior door handles now all include a button where the thumb pad would be on the front driver/passenger doors. I like the original thumb pads because they seem more sophisticated rather then the mechanical, in nature, thumb buttons.

I did not test drive the '13 model, but I wonder if the tranny will shift automatically like my '10 when you move the gear selector into sport mode without up/down selecting (manually) the gears? I do know the E-assist '12 Lacrosse will not do that. So I will test drive that new '13 next week to test that parameter. The transmissions on these Lacrosses shift pretty darn quickly and I would only manually override the tranny for downshifting to slowdown from driving at spirited speeds.

Anyways, hope everyone is doing fine...have not been on here in quite sometime.
Mike

 

[mmadden2]

I wasn't aware that the arm rest had been repositioned over the years- that's news to me. I wonder when that happened.

I did notice that for '13 all 4 door handles get that chrome clicky style button. I don't know how they work- do they both lock and unlock the doors? Maybe you can config them to just do the door you touch or all doors.

My '12 Touring continues to shift automatically when you put it in sport mode (until you tell it you want manual mode by making a shift), I assume that it works the same as yours. Maybe you can report back after driving the new Touring and let us know of any other impressions/nuances.

 

[LaCrosse215]

The 2013 also features electric power steering on FWD V6 models although mileage is still rated at 17/27. Usually, EPS increases EPA figures by at least 1 mpg due to less parasitic drag on the engine but that's not the case here it seems. AWD models continue to use hydraulic assist. Yes, the '13s also have the blue ring around the projectors a la Enclave which is a nice tough.

 

[H_Charles]

The 2013 also features electric power steering on FWD V6 models although mileage is still rated at 17/27. Usually, EPS increases EPA figures by at least 1 mpg due to less parasitic drag on the engine but that's not the case here it seems. AWD models continue to use hydraulic assist. Yes, the '13s also have the blue ring around the projectors a la Enclave which is a nice tough.

One of the other characteristics of electronic steering is less feedback.

Hydraulic is the way to go for me. I'd sacrifice the minimal fuel gains (doubt you'd see 1mpg in real world) for better steering feel.

Unfortunatley hydraulic steering is going extinct, I fear. Even Porsche is switching to EPS.

 

[LaCrosse215]

One of the other characteristics of electronic steering is less feedback.

Hydraulic is the way to go for me. I'd sacrifice the minimal fuel gains (doubt you'd see 1mpg in real world) for better steering feel.

Unfortunatley hydraulic steering is going extinct, I fear. Even Porsche is switching to EPS.

That's very true. The newer systems are a bit better though. Even the Camaro has EPS which debuted on the ZL1 and it's pretty good. As you said, hydraulic is going the way of the DoDo bird, so....

 

[mmadden2]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECUoL5SpOoE[/ame]

 

[airmike1]

I wasn't aware that the arm rest had been repositioned over the years- that's news to me. I wonder when that happened.

I did notice that for '13 all 4 door handles get that chrome clicky style button. I don't know how they work- do they both lock and unlock the doors? Maybe you can config them to just do the door you touch or all doors.

My '12 Touring continues to shift automatically when you put it in sport mode (until you tell it you want manual mode by making a shift), I assume that it works the same as yours. Maybe you can report back after driving the new Touring and let us know of any other impressions/nuances.

Hey Marc! It is a great to hear your report that on your Lacrosse, you can kick into sport mode and the vehicle continues to shift on its own unless you manually change gears. I am anticipating that the '13 Touring is going to shift on its own while in sport mode. This would be a deal breaker if Buick changed the shift parameter to make the driver shift when in sport mode.

In my '10 CXS, my center console armrest is positioned about 4" farther forward then the '12 model year Lacrosse's armrest. There must have been too many gripes from owners not being able to use both cup holders when the center armrest is extended in the forward position.

I have to bring my car back to the dealership next week or two to figure out the root of the small oil leak. Tuesday, they added dye to the oil so that should identify where the oil is leaking. I suspect that the technicians seen to over torque the oil filter as that is where the oil seems too be coming from. However, there is oil underneath the a/c compressor too. Oh well, gives me the excuse to look at new cars and go test drive.

Mike

 

[airmike1]

The 2013 also features electric power steering on FWD V6 models although mileage is still rated at 17/27. Usually, EPS increases EPA figures by at least 1 mpg due to less parasitic drag on the engine but that's not the case here it seems. AWD models continue to use hydraulic assist. Yes, the '13s also have the blue ring around the projectors a la Enclave which is a nice tough.

I was under the impression that all of the Lacrosses had EPS. I wonder how much of a difference there is when driving a model equiped with EPS versus hydraulic assist? I'm sure that will not bother too me if I keep the car under a 100mph lol.

 

[LaCrosse215]

I was under the impression that all of the Lacrosses had EPS. I wonder how much of a difference there is when driving a model equiped with EPS versus hydraulic assist? I'm sure that will not bother too me if I keep the car under a 100mph lol.

Nope, the AWD cars still have the old hyrdaulic system in 2013, not sure why though. Yes, i'd be curious to see the difference in feel betwen the two system. I like the steering in the current set-up, especially in sport mode when it firms up nicely.