2007 Buick Lucerne CXL from North America - Comments

Actually, I think the Pontiac G8 will do far better than the ill-fated GTO. The GTO had the audacity to venture into Mustang territory, and at a price 10 grand higher. A sure bet for failure.

The G8 is aimed at a totally different market, where there really are NO truly sporty domestic sedans other than the high ticket CTS-V. It is being praised by many American car experts and they seem to be selling as fast as they roll off the trucks here.

That compares to the total LACK of sales for the GTO. The sales manager at our local Pontiac dealership told me they had never sold even ONE GTO.

I can't understand why Pontiac is replacing the Grand Prix with this car. Why not sell them both? And what is with these new names?? I just can't understand why GM is slating nameplates that have been strong sellers for decades for these funky new names (G6, G8, LaCrosse, DTS) I thought the Grand Prix was a fairly good seller. I know it started off well in 2004 (over 100,000). Maybe sales have tanked? I know our local dealer only has one, and it has been around for several months while the supposedly slow selling Buick LaCrosse seems to move fairly quickly, even more so than the Lucerne. I was also suprised that GM is replacing the car a year before the usual 5 year body cycle. Here in Northern Indiana folks really appreciate front wheel drive in the winter. Hopefully this move will bring more sales to Buick. I know my grandparents plan to trade their '04 Grand Prix for a Buick.

I always thought front drive cars were better in snow until we owned a few. NONE of our front drive cars has been any better in snow than our rear wheel drive cars and SUV's. We currently own a front drive compact, and a rear drive SUV and sports car. In our last major winter storm, we left the front drive at home. It flopped around in the snow like a wounded seal.

If all of your front wheel drive cars were compacts then it is not surprising that they performed poorly in snow. The weight of a car also helps a lot. I have always driven mid-size or large front wheel drive cars and much prefer them to large rear wheel drive cars. I've followed policemen in Crown Victorias that fishtail around in snow and ice while my Buick stays nice and straight.

I travelled 200 miles plus a day in bad weather in a rear wheel drive Crown Vic company car for years. The trunk loaded with equipment and catalogs (it is huge) and I found it a great bad weather vehicle in spite of the engine not mounted over drive wheels. They do quite well in the snow.

Our rear-drive truck based large SUV is the best vehicle in snow I have ever driven. It is much safer and has way better traction than any of our front drive vehicles (large or small) has ever had.

I also love my new GM SUV. I usually use the all wheel drive and it is great in all weather. I also have 4WD and used it twice, but AWD is really great overall...

I really, really wish some more Lucerne owners would post reviews here. I want to know what their experience with the car has been like. Someone? Anyone?

With Buick's average demographic few of them are probably internet savvy. I think it's sad as I'm a young Buick fan at 23, but I am definitely the exception. It is surprising that there aren't more reviews since the car has been out since '06 and there are about a quarter million of them on the road. I'm even more surprised that the Enclave has no reviews. There are several reviews for both models on Edmunds. com however (mostly positive I might add).

I don't think Buick owners are Internet illiterate, but I do think the demographic tends toward folks who are not really car enthusiasts as such. I'm an older semi-retired car enthusiast who comes from a family of car enthusiasts and mechanics. I see more younger people driving Buicks all the time, and I'm glad because the Lucerne and Lacross are great vehicles. My family members currently own one Buick (a LeSabre) that has 277,000+ miles with virtually no problems at all. They are some of the most reliable and comfortable cars in the world.

Members of my family have owned 5-series BMW's, C-class Mercedes, Lincoln Town cars, and Buicks. To me the Buicks have been more comfortable and definitely more reliable than the Bimmers and Mercedes (though on a par with the truly luxurious Town Cars). I'd recommend the Lucerne in a heartbeat based on our experience with Buick and GM.

I am the writer of this review and I thought I might give you guys an update:

I have since put 39,000 miles on it and it is working like something made of invincible iron. Since then, I've only put 315.00 into it: (Gm's OnStar tune up). The loose seats were fixed under GM's Warranty. (take that Camry!)

Being 24, People constantly think I was spoiled or something when I was growing up, but They'd be surprised to know that all the money that went into the Buick was mine. People give me stares on the street, but they're good stares- and are almost in awe when I pull up to the Taco Bell drive thru! Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of owning a Futuristic car. This Lucerne is it. It has superb technology and class few other cars can match. Especially at this price! And now I am living the dream with the Lucerne. I can see myself riding in this thing forever.

I'm very glad that you, as a young person, are enjoying your Buick. Congratulations on owning a really nice piece of American iron.

As for "driving it forever", you probably could. Our Buick turned 31 years old this year and is still in great shape. At that rate you should at least be able to drive yours until you're a grandfather!!

My 80 year old mother-in-law bought a 2006 Lucerne and I'm her designated driver. The Northstar V8 provides crisp performance although it could use a bit more torque. It sounds awesome with the dual exhaust tips, kind of a low rumble, and surprised my Mustang-loving neighbor the first few times I drove by.

The car has 18,000 miles on it and has had two relatively minor problems, both fixed under warranty. The weather seal on the driver's door leaked air and was noisy at highway speed and also one of the spoked wheels suffered discoloration after it was rotated to the front. As I said, both problems were corrected under warranty.

This Lucerne is a top-end model and has every option except the backing sensor. I am a big guy, 6'4" and 260 pounds, and the power seats adjust to give me plenty of leg room and head room. Shoulder room is a bit tight, though. The adjustable lumbar support in the front seats is a nice feature, and the seats have heaters but they don't get used much here in southern Arizona, and the traction control has never been used. The Harmon-Karon sound system is exceptional.

I like the tire air pressure sensors. The tires went a bit low over the winter and a warning light came on so I put 2 or 3 psi in each as needed. The magnetic suspension and ride control system are dreamy, making the car handle like a sports car with a firm and controlled ride, but even bumpy roads are handled with aplomb as the ride sensors operate at something like 1,000 samples per second and adjust the suspension to road conditions seamlessly.

OnStar and the built-in phone are nice to have features but a bit pricey.

Style-wise, the car is a looker and draws a lot of appreciative stares. It's nice to know that you can tell the V8 editions from the 6 cylinder models by the number of air ports on the fenders. Four per side for the V8.

All in all, I would recommend this car and my wife does also. She loves to drive it and it is perhaps the only car we've had in which she will pass other vehicles on the two-lane highways where we live. This car gives her confidence that she can complete a pass with room and engine power to spare.

As for the age thing, I'm 52 and mostly gray-haired but this is a sharp looking car for drivers of any age. I can see used ones being hot sellers in a few years for young folks seeking good-looking high-performance vehicles. Slap on a few aftermarket parts and you'll be ready to roll.

I'm 60, drive a customized "Grabber Orange" Mustang, and wish every time I drive on a bumpy road that I had a Lucerne!! Good cars, good performance, AWESOME ride!!