Another Look

2005 Buick Terraza AWD- CXL-1SD: Yes, but why?

Our long national nightmare is over. Those miserable years spent wandering through the wilderness of unfulfilled desire have finally come to a most satisfying end.

Not enough for me had been the knowledge that democracy was on the march everywhere and freedom was winning. No, sir, I knew the truth. There was one mighty mountain yet to climb, one ocean left to cross before we could truly say, “Mission accomplished!” I had, in a few moments of doubt and pain, despaired of ever seeing it happen in my lifetime, so long had been the wait and so eager the waiter. But I did not falter because I knew we would not fail. I kept hope alive, and now, our time has come. My living will has been altered, unending life support no longer the preferred option. Because now I can go in peace. The moment I have been waiting for has arrived.

Buick has built a minivan!

Wait! What’s that you say? You haven’t been waiting with bated breath for a Buick minivan? I find that hard to believe. Why else would Buick build a minivan were there not a hue and cry rising from the street for it? Just like why else would the Rolling Stones be embarking on yet another world tour (early reports are their contracts now require early bird specials).

If it’s not love, it must be for money, and seeing that it’s far harder to love yet another minivan than even the 16^th million rendition of “Satisfaction,” I’m going to climb out on a limb here and say Buick built the 2005 Terraza AWD CXL-1SD (and don’t ask me what that all means) for the money.

Yes, my head hurts and I’m cranky and I’m taking it out on Buick, but how many gosh darn minivans do we need? Why isn’t a division closer to dying than even its average customer not going out there to build a 300C or a Mustang convertible or, God forbid, something fun like a Mini? Is there such a complete failure of imagination at Buick that a new minivan is what passes for excitement in their water cooler discourses? Which Harvard MBA (and it had to be someone from Harvard – all numbers and no heart) looked at the Buick product lineup, looked at the market, and decided, new minivan, here we come? Why wasn’t he taken out and shot?

For Buick, a proud name in American auto history, to revive itself and not follow in the fatal direction of Oldsmobile, the line needs some excitement, some buzz. The new LaCrosse was half a step in the right direction. It’s a very well built car that can compete with anything the world throws at it, but it needs something to get people out of the Toyota and Honda showrooms to give it a chance. I’m repeating myself, but both Cadillac and Chrysler have shown how to rebuild an aging, boring brand, so why hasn’t Buick taken note? Why in the name of Harley Earl didn’t Buick try to build something that would bring those famed twins, aura and mystique, into the showrooms, and some new and younger car buyers with them?

Why a minivan?

Yes, I know all about filling holes in a product lineup, but did GM’s top brass ever consider what the guys shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic were thinking? Buick needed a minivan like I need another sleepover at Michael Jackson’s house. What a thriller. Unlike the Terraza.

I’m being a little snotty here. On its own, all the Buick drama aside, the Terraza is a more than acceptable minivan. Buick’s calling it a “crossover sport van” to avoid the dreaded minivan tag, and while the front end does have some SUV-like styling, it’s still a minivan, and not one too many dads will be driving around.

But for soccer moms who put practicality above styling, the Terraza does deliver. My fully loaded version came in at $36,290, including a $715 destination charge, pointing out the territory in which GM hopes to compete. While GM has done quite well in SUVs, upscale minivans have not been a part of the general’s arsenal. Now, with the Terrazza, Buick, and by extension GM, has something with which to lure those soccer moms who would otherwise head into a Chrysler Town & Country or Honda Odyssey. A lofty goal, but I’m not sure why GM thinks Buick is the division to do this. Saturn has its version of the Terraza, the Relay, and Cadillac has the cachet to pull people into their showrooms on the way to or from the country club. Buick has Tiger Woods, and I don’t think that’s enough.

I keep trying not to be harsh on the Terraza, because it really doesn’t deserve a harsh review. It’s just that it does not stand out in that Town & Country/Odyssey marketplace, and it should if people are going to consider a Buick minivan. Sorry, make that a Buick “crossover sport van.” Wouldn’t want to get Mr. Buick mad.

There are many good things about the Terraza. Fit and finish are very good. Controls are well laid out and easy to use. The entire cabin echoes the dash, bespeaking a quiet luxury that anyone used to the GM plastic palaces of a few years ago, OK, a few weeks ago, will find stunning. The interior is pleasing, reassuring and relaxed. The Terraza feels comfortable in its own skin, comforting passengers and driver alike.

Buick, if you’ve seen the LaCrosse commercials, is pushing quiet as a selling point, and though they don’t mention it often in connection with the Terraza, this too is a well-insulated vehicle that keeps road and wind noise out. Engine noise from the 3.5-liter V-6 is hushed, to say the least, and if nothing in its handling or performance will evoke memories of a Ferrari, big deal. It handles as well as most minivans, rides comfortably, and will keep the baby asleep in its car seat and the kids engrossed watching the DVD system.

The AWD in my Terraza stands for all-wheel-drive. You can save a few bucks if you go for front wheel drive, but why. This is one of many safety features standard on the Terraza. Inexplicably missing are side curtain airbags, but one year of OnStar does come standard, and I can’t see living without that afterwards.

My Terraza added to its $33,855 base with options including 17” wheels, XM satellite and MP3/CD-playing premium sound system, heated seats and a remote vehicle starter system. Most of the luxuries, like the DVD entertainment system, power front seats and climate control are standard. There was good space for seven, two in the second row captain’s chairs and three in the third row bench sets, all leather.

The 3.5-liter V6 came with a four-speed automatic transmission. EPA mileage was 17 city, 23 highway.

Driving the 2005 Buick Terraza AWD CXL-1SD is a civilized and civilizing experience. Given GM’s history, this is a quantum leap in the quality of its minivans. Given Buick’s history, we wish them luck.

posted by Andy Mais @ 3:51 PM