2007 Buick Lucerne From a Used Car Lot

[amateurbob]

I have been trying to find a beater that's in good working order. I went to a used car lot to test drive 2007 Buick Lucerne CX (3800) 138000 miles.

On paper it has had adequate fluid changes but that's where all the good ended.

As l was driving it the under engine shield fell and started scraping on the road.

The brakes were grinding and would shake the crap out of the steering wheel.

The ac started out mild and then only blew hot air.

The struts were trampoline bad.

It needed at least one motor mount.

And whatever other problems it had for the asking price of $3995 plus taxes and fees.

But hey... There was mouse nest included... So there was that

 

[FordSVTGuy]

But did the radio work?

 

[amateurbob]

... I forgot to check!

 

[zzyzzx]

I have been trying to find a beater that's in good working order. I went to a used car lot to test drive 2007 Buick Lucerne CX (3800) 138000 miles.

On paper it has had adequate fluid changes but that's where all the good ended.

As l was driving it the under engine shield fell and started scraping on the road.

The brakes were grinding and would shake the crap out of the steering wheel.

The ac started out mild and then only blew hot air.

The struts were trampoline bad.

It needed at least one motor mount.

And whatever other problems it had for the asking price of $3995 plus taxes and fees.

But hey... There was mouse nest included... So there was that

Those are all easy and cheap enough DIY fixes if the price is right. Emphasis on if the price is right.

 

[DCDG]

I would have walked or taken an Uber home.

 

[melk]

Hard to kill a 3800. I still want to add one to my fleet and you can’t go wrong with a Buick.

You could actually get a Northstar V8 in the Lucerne 2006-11 because the Lucerne was basically a dupe of the Cadillac DTS platform-wise. Different skin but otherwise it was a Caddy for ~$15k less dollars. That final run of the Northstar had largely fixed all of the most serious issues with the earlier gens that made them so notorious.

 

[bullwinkle]

Reminds me of the deranged time I went to look at a 2002 2WD Dodge Ram 2500 in Dallas-lookee great in all the photos, seller lot assured me it was fine, new looking paint, ZERO rust! Front end was ao bad I didn’t make it around the block before limping it back...

 

[amateurbob]

Hard to kill a 3800. I still want to add one to my fleet and you can’t go wrong with a Buick.

You could actually get a Northstar V8 in the Lucerne 2006-11 because the Lucerne was basically a dupe of the Cadillac DTS platform-wise. Different skin but otherwise it was a Caddy for ~$15k less dollars. That final run of the Northstar had largely fixed all of the most serious issues with the earlier gens that made them so notorious.

I didn't know they corrected the issues with the Northstar. I have skipping over the cars with that engine.

 

[supton]

I Do Cars recently did a 3.8 teardown. It had been running but it appears that it died from sludge buildup in the pan which then starved the engine of oil. Even still... get this, the lifters were fine!

It's a used car lot, prices are going to be high. Am guessing that you could get a bit off but I am not sure it'd ever be a good deal. But I'm not sure what other deal you could find that didn't involve either being in the right place at the right time, or doing lots of driving around to check out CL/FB potentials. And dealing with even worse "finds".

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Consider a Matrix/Vibe instead. A basic 4-cylinder Japanese car is usually a good choice

Hard to kill a 3800. I still want to add one to my fleet and you can’t go wrong with a Buick.

You could actually get a Northstar V8 in the Lucerne 2006-11 because the Lucerne was basically a dupe of the Cadillac DTS platform-wise. Different skin but otherwise it was a Caddy for ~$15k less dollars. That final run of the Northstar had largely fixed all of the most serious issues with the earlier gens that made them so notorious.

Better yet, the LaCrosse Super had the LS4

 

[amateurbob]

Those are all easy and cheap enough DIY fixes if the price is right. Emphasis on if the price is right.

The problem is l have been recently burned buying a fixer upper and underestimating the work and money necessary to "fix it".

 

[amateurbob]

I Do Cars recently did a 3.8 teardown. It had been running but it appears that it died from sludge buildup in the pan which then starved the engine of oil. Even still... get this, the lifters were fine!

It's a used car lot, prices are going to be high. Am guessing that you could get a bit off but I am not sure it'd ever be a good deal. But I'm not sure what other deal you could find that didn't involve either being in the right place at the right time, or doing lots of driving around to check out CL/FB potentials. And dealing with even worse "finds".

That was my thought exactly.

 

[amateurbob]

Consider a Matrix/Vibe instead. A basic 4-cylinder Japanese car is usually a good choice



Better yet, the LaCrosse Super had the LS4

I would consider those but in my limited experience they tend to have a lot more miles and they tend to be higher priced. I would love the V8 but my practical and cheapness sides tend to win out.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Were these good cars?

I saw a nice one once with a 3.9 but didn't know anything about the 3.9.

My dad drove Buicks late in life and loved them. I have thought about getting one while these big old boats are still around?

 

[amateurbob]

I have been looking at proven power trains. I was hoping to get a series 3 3800. The last model years are in the 08 Grand Prix and Lucerne and 09 Lacrosse. The Grand prix's are harder to come by with lowish miles and good fluid changes.

I would even consider a Grand Marquis or a crown vic.

I like the Impalas with 3.5 as well. Just a few l am looking for.

 

[fantastic]

Yep, Sounds like the Buick of 1990 I drove.

 

[amateurbob]

Were these good cars?

I saw a nice one once with a 3.9 but didn't know anything about the 3.9.

My dad drove Buicks late in life and loved them. I have thought about getting one while these big old boats are still around?

I like the ride and the power train of the buicks. I had a 1999 Buick regal and it was a solid ride but GM did not build the electronics to last. I am hoping the the later years were better.

So far this is probably the best find (at least on paper) that l have come across.

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/2G4WD582561245256?no_ul=1

If l needed a car l might have a mechanic inspect it and then make the trek but l don't need it.

 

[ka9mnx]

As l was driving it the under engine shield fell and started scraping on the road.

The brakes were grinding and would shake the crap out of the steering wheel.

The ac started out mild and then only blew hot air.

The struts were trampoline bad.

It needed at least one motor mount.

And whatever other problems it had for the asking price of $3995 plus taxes and fees.

But hey... There was mouse nest included... So there was that

I bought my 4Runner with a laundry list like that. Spent two hours going over the car. It was a mix of easy and more involved repairs

I bought the Third Gen 4Runner for it's reputation and they are scarce and pricey. This one was close to home, in pretty good condition, otherwise, and half the price of the 4Runners I was looking at.

 

[amateurbob]

I bought my 4Runner with a laundry list like that. Spent two hours going over the car. It was a mix of easy and more involved repairs

I bought the Third Gen 4Runner for it's reputation and they are scarce and pricey. This one was close to home, in pretty good condition, otherwise, and half the price of the 4Runners I was looking at

How much money and time would guess you put into it?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I would consider those but in my limited experience they tend to have a lot more miles and they tend to be higher priced. I would love the V8 but my practical and cheapness sides tend to win out.

Suzuki and Mitsubishi are good, too, and priced less than Honda and Toyota. A 4-cylinder Mazda is good if you can find one that isn't rusty.

If you still prefer American cars, the 04-05 (Malibu) Classic is a good choice and cheap. Economical 4-cylinder engine without the higher price