2010 Buick Lucerne rental -- impressions

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Stu_Rock
. . . I own the predecessor of the Lucerne, the Park Avenue. The interior's dated (designed for the 1997 model year), but I love the car. I bought it because of the L67 engine, the big brakes, and the sport suspension. The Lucerne's lack of an L67 is why I went with a PA instead.

I have the non-supercharged L36 engine but a touring suspension (or so I suspect, from the list of options that are usually found with it, most of which my beast has). It's a grand car that you can drive spiritedly, and yet can cruise in serenely.

Except for the column shifter, I don't find the PA's interior dated, though: I love the blue-green readouts and lights, and the contrasts in color and texture between the dash, doors, and faux wood trim. In spring of '07, some months before I bought the PA, I test-drove a Lucerne (the '07, I guess). While it was a pleasant ride, I wasn't impressed with its interior -- which, after all, is where I spend most of my time with my cars! The LaCrosse I test-drove later that year had a nicer setup inside, with a console shifter and some chrome as well as the fake wood. But it was outclassed by the Park Avenue.

The interior of the Enclave is spectacular; it's the kind of setup that should go into Buick's top sedan as well.

 

[rcy]

As GMBoy already mentioned, the LaCrosse and the Regal are the newer offerings are getting favourable reviews. I 'think' the Lucerne is an older model (a 2010 yes, but an older design).

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: rcy
As GMBoy already mentioned, the LaCrosse and the Regal are the newer offerings are getting favourable reviews. I 'think' the Lucerne is an older model (a 2010 yes, but an older design).


As I already mentioned... Yes, it is a model that was designed several years ago.

 

[rcy]

Oh, sorry. You're the greatest...you mentioned it before GMBoy..

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer

Have you seen that stupid digital clock Toyota uses on every single vehicle? From a bare-bones Carolla to a Lexus LS600h... the same $2 clock that looks like it was lifted from a 1970's Casio digital watch.


They don't use it on every vehicle. The vehicles without it have no clock at all, not even in the stereo. (Ford at least puts a stereo with a clock in the car if there's not a separate clock).

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer

Have you seen that stupid digital clock Toyota uses on every single vehicle? From a bare-bones Carolla to a Lexus LS600h... the same $2 clock that looks like it was lifted from a 1970's Casio digital watch.


They don't use it on every vehicle. The vehicles without it have no clock at all, not even in the stereo. (Ford at least puts a stereo with a clock in the car if there's not a separate clock).


I've never seen a Toyota without the digital clock that MrHorspwer mentions. The clock in my father-in-law's '95 Tacoma, my mother-in-law's former '99 Camry, my former '07 Corolla and my current '11 Camry are all pretty much the same, save for the VF color. I think it's rather easy to read, and do prefer the separate clock rather than have it be one-in-the-same with the radio, but the point is taken that Toyota shares the same design across its entire brand, regardless of vehicle price.

 

[milehighassassin]

Originally Posted By: nwjones18
I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. If I was going to get a lucern I'd have to get the 4.6 Northstar. Then I would wonder why I didn't just buy a Cadillac DTS since its the same car.


The DTS is a tad longer, same build (motor, transmission, interior, etc). The DTS is identical, costs about $12k more. The only difference is a heated steering wheel, power tilt (instead of manual) and a few more gauge options on the Driver information center.

I have a 2006 Lucerne with the 4.6l Northstar and I love it. Ride is great, magnetic ride control, heated and air conditioned seats (how many vehicles had cooled seats in 2006?), ultra quiet. It is not a car to put through an auto X course but for a daily driver for the wife and to take on long road trips it is great. tons of room for front and rear seat passengers with true 5 passenger (comfortable) seating.


Get the DTS, I'll save $12k new. BTW, I was able to buy this 2006 for around $10k with 78k miles on it. $12,500 is about the going rate. For that kind of money I couldn't have touched another vehicle with this fit and finish and ride quality and size.

 

[SatinSilver]

He probably bought a car already. Since this was 3 years ago.

 

[d00df00d]

Not only that, but I was never considering buying a Lucerne or anything like it...