2009 Buick Lucerne Super 4.6 Northstar V8 H.O.
Summary:
Classy, luxurious, and more youthful than you would imagine; ditch the old man stigma and try one
Faults:
Nothing! Superb!
General Comments:
I am 29 years old. I have never owned a Buick before, and I'm a southern Californian who typically goes for BMW, Audi, and Lexus (like everyone else here). Recently my wife (28 and a doctor) bought an 08 Buick Enclave CXL. I discourage her from buying it as it was a Buick until I drove it myself and fell in love.
A few months ago, I decided to take the leap and trade in my BMW 3 series, for a 2009 Buick Lucerne Super. With every option and extra accessories, the price came near $50k. I have owned previously an Audi A4, a Lexus LS, an Infinity, and most recently my BMW, which I loved. BUT... I seriously LOVE the Lucerne Super so much better than any car I've ever owned. I paid slightly more for it than my other cars, but it was worth it. This car is gorgeous inside and out.
It is loaded with all possible luxuries, has plenty of room, that I never had before even with my large Lexus LS, and the seats are fantastic. Silk infused leather with perforated suede inserts... how the heck can you go wrong with that? The Northstar V8 runs like a bolt of lightning, but is as smooth and soft as butter (much like the heated and cooled seats), and is whisper quiet when you're not blowing away the german and Japanese competition on the 405 freeway.
The handling and ride are wonderful, the exhaust sounds sporty, even sexy I'd say, and the NAV system with real time traffic, XM radio, remote start, and Onstar are great.
I feel so safe and comfortable in this car, and we've driven ours cross country already. The trip was sublimely comfortable and trouble free! The harmon/kardon stereo is wonderful, as is the plug in for our iPods, the bluetooth feature for my phone is invaluable, the heated walnut steering wheel and walnut gear shift I adore, and I love the interior as much as the exterior (a leather dash with french stiched seams? My Bimmer didn't have that, nor did my Lexus).
This is an EXTREMELY affluent vehicle, and so far as I'm concerned, it rivals Cadillac, Acura, BMW, Lexus, etc. Frankly, I wouldn't even put this car in the same class as a Toyota (as so many on here do), Ford, Chrysler or a God forbid a Hyundai... PLEASE, gimmie a break, these cars may have a more youthful market, but they have nowhere near the association with luxury and prestige as the Buick. Trust me, I've tried them all. I'm very discriminating and there is no comparisons to me. So these comments are soooo not true of this Lucerne or Buick in general. This is NOT entry level luxury, and it's not an "everymans" full-size geritol car. TRUST ME.
And remember, I'm saying this and I'm 29, not 70, and I live in L.A. The car gets tons of looks, tons of compliments, and I'm proud to drive it. If anything, it's original. Everywhere I look I see a Benz, a Lexus, a Bimmer or a Toyota, and I think they're overrated. I say to hell with Germany and Japan... sorry... this is my honest opinion. This is a much classier car without the pretentiousness. The gas mileage isn't great, but hey, you have trade offs here and there. The comfort, style, power, and safety are reasons enough to go with the Buick. It's just so much classier on the inside and out.
In summary, quit knocking the Buick. Toyota and Hyundai, sorry... not that hot to me, and definitely not in the same class, even if the prices are similar. In fact I wouldn't want to be seen in one those... those cars are basic transportation and do not represent the lifestyle my wife and I enjoy. Buick is luxury, and whether you're in your 20's or your 80's, who gives a care? A fine car is a fine car (especially with the 100k warranty), and the dealer was the best. I was treated like gold, and so was my wife.
This is just a completely honest opinion from an affluent 20 something guy, who drove the best of Germany and Japan, and now has seen the light. If Buick continues like this, I'll never drive anything else! Toyota, Honda, Ford, Hyundai.... so not cool. They're average. You might not find a Buick in a driveway in Beverly Hills, but you won't find a Toyota, a Chrysler or a Hyundai there either. Buick represents the affluent upper-middle class, and is to me, comprable with Lexus, Infiniti, Cadillac, Acura, and Lincoln. Oh, and so far as the old man image, has no one ever noticed that most people over the age of 60 ARE IN FACT driving Leuxs, Mercedes, Acura, Infiniti and even Jaguars? I know and work with plenty of people over 60 and 70 that drive those cars (and that's why I mention it).
The new Buick line deserves an equal opportunity to be seen, driven and appreciated by all ages...and they're certainly not cheap either...My wife's blinged out Enclave was over $52k, and mine was pretty close. Ditch the old stigma!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th November, 2008
19th Nov 2008, 08:01
Thanks for the well detailed and positive review!
I used to sell new Buicks along with many, many other makes, including many of the high-end makes such as Lexus & Audi.
I am no longer in the automobile business, but I thought I'd add my 2 cents here.
The Buick Lucerne is a fine automobile. It probably doesn't get the kudos it deserves. It seems as far as domestic sedans go, the Chrysler 300 got a lot more press than the Buick Lucerne. In my opinion (and I sold them both) the Buick is the better built vehicle.
That being said, I wouldn't discount the fine automobiles made by Lexus either.
For at least $10,000 less than the loaded Lucerne, you can get a Lexus ES which is also an outstanding automobile. Plenty of power and comfort for a rather reasonable price.
You need not spend over $50,000 to get a fine Lexus.
Also, as far as SUV's go, in my opinion there is none better than the Lexus RX, and you can get a very, very well-equipped one in the $40,000 - $45,000 range. (I do not own a Lexus, by the way, but I would not hesitate to do so).
There are also a few models from Audi that appeal to me, but their reliability record(or lack thereof) scares me a bit.
However I must say that I read that Saab models can be troublesome, and in my personal experience, I've found that not to be the case. My own Saab has proven to be very reliable. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I do shake my head when I see sticker prices of $52,000 on the newest 9-3 convertibles, though. (The depreciation is pretty steep)
I think with the exception of a very few makes, you can find a nice vehicle that suits your needs from virtually any manufacturer.
Again thanks for a fine review of a very fine car.