Buick Lucerne

[AMcA]

With the car in the shop this weekend, errands to do and my birthday to celebrate, my other half rented us a car. When the Hungarian kid at O'Hare wondered why a guy who already lives in Chicago needed to rent a car, and learned that the our 911 was in the shop, he decided that a Taurus wouldn't do. "I've got the car for you." A Lucerne, the V8. White, with tan upholstery.

Overall: 5 stars. I searched in vain for a fit or finish flaw. Absolutely perfect. Better than the Avalon I scrutinized recently, which had a bunch of over-ambitious finishing that hadn't worked out well on the silver bits of the dash. And not a cheap feeling bit of plastic anywhere. Very comfortable seats. It made me want to take a road trip.

The drive: excellent. The rumble of the V8 was a joy. I kept turing off the radio it was so good. And the feel and handling were excellent. No sloppiness whatsoever. Nice feel around the corners. The ride, on lousy Chicago streets, was super smooth and quiet. I kpet driving through potholes just to experience the ride. It really felt and sounded as if those bumps in the road were far, far away. And it had that great feeling of momentum I associate with a big Detroit-mobile.

And I got to really like its looks. It appears quite light on its feet, in contrast to its competitor the Avalon which has a big droopy butt, and a bloppy front end. The Lucerne is very athletic looking (yeah, a Buick!) as you look at it more.

The ultimate accolade came from the middle aged black woman who checked me out when I returned the car: "Yeah, when that car came in, we all looked at it and said 'um-hum, I want to gt to know that car better.'"

If the Buick name has any magic left, this car will do very well.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Wow, nice review. While the Lucerne has gotten mixed reviews from people on this site. I think it will be a hit for Buick, considering it's probably the nicest offering to come out of the division in a long time.

[AdmiralViscen]

Hey, I never said it wasn't nice. I said it didn't stand out like Buick needed it to.

[mgescuro]

The Lucerne has gotten mixed reviews on this site because it is a mixed bag of a car.
There is too much "give and take" in this car to make it truly great. Is it better than a Park AVenue? Yes. I also think it loses quite a bit by dropping the park Avenue nameplate. There's some good brand equity behind the Park Avenue, not to mention the actual locale in NYC of the same name.

haven't driven one... but sat behind the wheel of one. I'm not impressed. The interior is a bit generic. it needs more wood. The material feel is nice, as are the seats.... typical Buick. But it's not enough to win new customers. And it's up in teh air whether or not it will retain existing customers.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

The Lucerne has gotten mixed reviews on this site because it is a mixed bag of a car.
There is too much "give and take" in this car to make it truly great. Is it better than a Park AVenue? Yes. I also think it loses quite a bit by dropping the park Avenue nameplate. There's some good brand equity behind the Park Avenue, not to mention the actual locale in NYC of the same name.

haven't driven one... but sat behind the wheel of one. I'm not impressed. The interior is a bit generic. it needs more wood. The material feel is nice, as are the seats.... typical Buick. But it's not enough to win new customers. And it's up in teh air whether or not it will retain existing customers.

I actually like the Park Avenue name better. It sounds classier than Lucerne which is the Safeway brand of dairy products.

[Minarets]

i liked it. i had a review a few weeks ago...im 24...and liked it a lot

[paul8488]

I don't see why current Buick drivers wouldn't at least stick with it. It's every bit a Buick as anything in the recent past. It MAY not pull in outsiders like Buick needs or wants... but I have no doubt that Buick faithfuls will be very happy with this car.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I don't see why current Buick drivers wouldn't at least stick with it. It's every bit a Buick as anything in the recent past. It MAY not pull in outsiders like Buick needs or wants... but I have no doubt that Buick faithfuls will be very happy with this car.

I agree, but I think the Park Avenue name should've stayed. I mean come on, it sounds a lot classier than Lucerne right?

[Minarets]

i agree a "Lucerne" is a crap name....it just doesnt sound like a car...but if they named a Covette, "Twinky Toes" would it be any less of a cool car?

who cares what the freakin name is...its a nice car. i dont car if my car was called as long as i enjoyed driving/riding in it.

i aslo get the feeling that more the half who have downplayed the Lucerne have not seen and driven one in person. i was the same way..."a Buick? called Lucerne? miust be for old people"

i drove one...loved it inside and out.

compalints (3)

1) no HID's
2) no 60/40 split with back seat
3) no wood around the radio controls.


thats it. not bad. certainly somthing i can live with.

[AdmiralViscen]

Twinky Toes would be less cool than Corvette.

The name is the least of my concerns. It is a 'nice' car, but not a competitive one. None of my myriad complaints (or mgescuros, or most other people's) have anything to do with the name.

I have seen the car in person. Not that impressive. The interior is from the Impala, the exterior is from the Q45, and the feature list is from an Bonneville. I don't assume that Buicks are for old people. I remember Buick as Grand Nationals and GranSports. The Lucerne is an extension of the fogey Buick that developed in the 90s, it is NOT a return to form.

[Minarets]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

Twinky Toes would be less cool than Corvette.

The name is the least of my concerns. It is a 'nice' car, but not a competitive one. None of my myriad complaints (or mgescuros, or most other people's) have anything to do with the name.

I have seen the car in person. Not that impressive. The interior is from the Impala, the exterior is from the Q45, and the feature list is from an Bonneville. I don't assume that Buicks are for old people. I remember Buick as Grand Nationals and GranSports. The Lucerne is an extension of the fogey Buick that developed in the 90s, it is NOT a return to form.

well to be honest, we could go to every car and say this car borrowed such and such....every affordable car is not completely unique...

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by Minarets

well to be honest, we could go to every car and say this car borrowed such and such....every affordable car is not completely unique...

But in this case, it's pretty obvious. Similar to the Lacrosse vs. previous gen. Lexus GS face.

[jry]

happy birthday AMcA! mine was sunday, too.
please read my lucerne review in the "preview night" section.

[atomicshark]

I finally saw a Lucerne at a Mobil station tonight. It was Cashmere Metallic and it actually looked really luxurious and substantial.

I like it much better in person. It was either a CX or CXL with the base V6.

My opinion has changed slightly after seeing it in the flesh. From the exterior I think it is better looking than the Toyota Avalon.

[Minarets]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

But in this case, it's pretty obvious. Similar to the Lacrosse vs. previous gen. Lexus GS face.

i mean look at the new Lexus IS? it looks like a GS no? even Lexus isnt immune to that. i dont see why the fact it has borrowed some featuers of other cars, that its a big problem. the Camery and ES330 look very similar...does that take away the fact its still a good car?