Buick Lacrosse vs Buick Lucerne by Lincoln Town Car Guy

Another day and another lucky find: ~2008-2011 Buick Lucerne parked right next to its successor ~2011-2012 Buick Lacrosse. Although they are not direct successors, both were the top of the line sedans in Buick's lineup.
#buick
#buick lacrosse
#buick lucerne

[@MichaelLovely-mr6oh]

Buick holds a special place in my heart as a car enthusiast. Specifically the Century (1997 to 2005,) Regal (both from 1997 to 2005 and the 2011 to 2018 model years,) LaCrosse (from 2005 to 2013,) Riviera (mid to late 90s,) LeSabre (2000 to 2005,) Lucerne, Park Avenue Ultra (1997 to 2005,) Verano, Enclave, Rendezvous and Rainier. I'm on the fence about the Terrazza because I just can't picture a Buick as something other than a sedan or SUV and the Terrazza was a minivan; a slowly dying segment of car buying. MotorWeek host John Davis summed not only the Buick LeSabre but the entirety of the Buick division of GM in his review of the LeSabre when it was redesigned in the year 2000: it's not so much a poor man's luxury car as it is a smart man's bargain. Though I do enjoy the 2000 to 2005 generation of the Cadillac DeVille because it still had a lot of traditional Cadillac amenities but with a fresh and modern exterior and interior design that still looks stylish and modern nowadays as it did back then.

[@VitaliyKofman]

As a former 2010 Lacrosse owner - I understand :)

[@clintonscott1202]

Wow Vitaliy, amazing coincidence showing these Buick’s! I have QUITE a history with this vehicle! I am an absolute LOVER of the Buick Lucerne! I lovingly call the Lucerne “The Poor Man’s Cadillac”, as many features & interior parts are identical to what was used on Cadillacs during those same yrs ‘06-‘11. They shared many interior appointments .- I had a 2007 CS model with sunroof & beautiful Ming Blue Metalic paint. It was my very first brand new car from factory. Perfect car in almost every way. Had it 8 yrs strong but an unfortunate bizarre accident in NYC totaled it in Jan. ‘15...I spent a month mourning its loss as original owner like I lost a child. I was so in love with the model that I replaced it right away with another Lucerne. - A jet-black ‘08 CS (with no sunroof)...2 previous owners, got a good price, but it was neglected & needed a good amount of cosmetic TLC but like a ‘Cinderella’, I got her nicely cleaned up & sparkling, new side pinstripes, etc. - I then started driving for Uber in April of ‘15. Had the perfect car for it, and got many compliments from my riders. But then lost that car to a careless driver ramming me in the rear full speed while I sat still at a red light...Totaled my 2nd Lucerne August ‘15.... I found I was STILL not past this model, I just love it so much, and so in Sept. ‘15 I found a beautiful upgrade in YET one more Lucerne!... Found a rare survivor in mint condition. A 2009 CLS Special Edition. Silver Metallic...All options, all bells & whistles, AND, I got back my beloved sunroof! It too was a senior car, one owner before me, well cared for, 88k miles. I still just love this car! I drive it a lot for Uber this past 5yrs, and it has served me well & still going strong & clean. I put some $ last summer into its suspension front & rear to freshen up the ride. It’s a beauty. I’m coming up on 226k miles now (yikes!), but going strong! Getting a bit concerned lately though about it’s transmission. The one Achilles heal of this generation GMs. But I LOVE my Lucerne! - Also, an update for you on my mint survivor ‘05 Town Car which I told you about (8,600orig mis), that I got last November : is that it’s currently at a body shop this week to take care of a few minor cosmetic issues to make her absolutely showroom perfect. Repainting both bumper covers (scuff marks), and about 5 minor chips & dings. The Lincoln should be done by the end of this week, then after that I’m going to do a video on both my TC and my Lucerne ASAP. You’ll be the first to be sent the link! When I finally do it it’ll be my very first KZbin video. We all gotta start somewhere, right? ;-D...I like watching the fun you’ve been having lately and the ‘shopping’.... Also, your recent headlight replacement gets me thinking I wanna buy new ones for my ‘09 Lucerne...they’re getting a start at the top with cloudiness, and though I’ve tried I don’t like the results of the restore kits, they suck. Too much effort for not enough ‘fresh’ result. - Think I’ll spring for new ones for my Lucerne....I’m spending more $$ damn it! - It’s all your fault! lol ;-D - Take care, keep having fun. - Clint, Fellow Passionate Lover of both The Lincoln Town Car AND The beautiful Buick Lucerne!

[@clintonscott1202]

...excuse my typo... I meant CXL as my current Lucerne’s trim level, not CLS ... Special Edition too... ;-)

[@VitaliyKofman]

@Clinton Scott Thank you so much for your comment and support! Glad to know there are many other large sedan enthusiasts out there. First and foremost - glad to know you are OK after 2 accident. Those bog cars sure know how to protect their occupants. There is nothing wrong with the "poor man's Cadillac" because when I was shopping for my 10 Lacrosse, I considered a brand new DTS, but the Lacrosse was ~$10K cheaper and was based on the new design with all back then modern gadgets and that exterior look won me over. When I was shipping for my current Town Car, I also test drove a couple 2018-2109 Lacrosses, but the magic was all gone because they tried making them into sport sedans and failed... Should have stuck to the formula that worked for decades. Looking forward to your video on your cars! I just love them All!

[@VitaliyKofman]

That's quite all right! :)

[@tyler2610]

Sorry to hear you lost two cars you cared a lot for in accidents in less than a year. I feel your pain. I bought a brand new Yukon in July of 2018 and I was the most in love with that vehicle of any since my 2005 Park Avenue. Well in October of last year unfortunately it was totaled in an accident which was even more unfortunately my fault. Well I decided to order another one and took delivery in February of this year. I optioned it identical to my first one. For some reason though the magic of the first one is lost. I only have put about 700 miles on it since February and I feel like every time I get in the vehicle I find some kind of new defect or scratched trim or something and it really makes me mad! I even had a flat tire at 500 miles and had to buy a new tire! Oddly I had really bad luck with the first one to culminating in my first car accident totaling the vehicle so maybe I should have just moved on?? After totaling the first Yukon when I was deciding on what I wanted to do for a new vehicle I bought a 2004 Buick Century with about 112K on it and I really like it. In fact I pretty much drive it all the time over the Yukon hence the ultra low miles. After driving the Century I find the Yukon unnecessarily big and I just like the ease of driving the Buick and not having to worry if it gets a door ding or something worse God forbid, plus Buick has just always had a soft spot in my heart.

[@VitaliyKofman]

We love what we love and there are no substitutes!

[@carlosdelacadiz6658]

The Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS are some of the last real full sized American luxury cars.

[@VitaliyKofman]

Agreed! 👍

[@bonniejohnson1518]

@@VitaliyKofman actually they are a mifd size comfortable sedan...The last full size sedan Buick made was the 1996 Buick Roadmaster, it was pure luxury without all the unnecessary techy stuff......willie

[@SaveMagnusHouse]

I have 2 2010 Lucernes. One has 120k and the other 58k miles. I’ve had many cars over my 59 years, ranging from awful (1980 Honda Civic, 1992 cavalier), to tremendous (1999 corvette convertible). I’d put either of my Lucernes right at the top of the list. Reliable, and just the most smooth, amazing ride. What a pleasure to drive. How is it possible that the Buick brand nowadays doesn’t include any sedans? What a blunder on GM’s part! If they simply kept the Lucerne and just kept refining it, they would have had one of the greatest cars ever. By the way, I recently test drove a 2017 Genesis 90, a 2021 Toyota Highlander, and a 2021 Buick Enclave. All of them are far behind the Lucerne when it comes to pretty much everything (except useless technology). My son’s Hyundai Sante Fe just died at 115k miles. Looks like Lucerne #3 is on the way ...

[@VitaliyKofman]

Thanks so much for the comment! I always loved these and hope to own 1 some day.

[@sheilaedwards9653]

I love my past Buick’s as well, had a regal and a century now a 2011 Buick Lucerne cxl

[@bbsal4031]

That is very good to read, I have been very interested in the Cadillac DTS, but now I think I’m look into these because they sound like they May get a lot more mileage. And honestly, they look just as big and beautiful, which is what I am wanting, going to keep watching more videos on them, but I really like what I see and hear!

[@nrken1]

We own a 2010 Lucerne, and we love it. Comfort, reliability, and low cost (we purchased used in 2017)

[@VitaliyKofman]

Great! I love their styling and interior design so thumbs 👍

[@ArthurMorgan-pq4tr]

I’ve got a 2008 Lucerne CXL with a faux convertible type of thing on top and a tan interior. Exterior is silver. I like it quite a bit so far.

[@VitaliyKofman]

They are nice and comfortable cruisers. Not Roadmaster material, but good modern interpretation.

[@erikaisabell4106]

I bought me a 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL it has 179k miles! It has had it’s issues since it’s an older vehicle but I LOVE her it’s pearl just like one in video! I sold my GMC Terrain and purchased Lucerne cash!

[@VitaliyKofman]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TheJeffShadowShow]

I just purchased a 2011 Lucerne CXL in Wichita, Kansas and it is now in a service shop for the safety inspection. When it gets to California, it will be changed into a WILDCAT (with the actual 1964 emblems!). This will be my third "newer" Wildcat.

[@DaveElectric]

Buick Lucerne is the best car I have EVER seen. Best looking car at least.

[@VitaliyKofman]

I love em'!

[@joea4501]

Love the Buick’s with the 3800 V6, I’m still driving 1996 LeSabre with the 3.8🚦

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

Get the Lucerne with the 3.8 it's a great mill in a good car.The engine will last longer than the car with good care and is a lot better than the Chevy built engine that replaced it in the later Lucerne. Trust me on this one.

[@donaldgarrison4313]

Sane-car-only-70kmiles-cx.lv-6

[@donaldgarrison4313]

In -naples-fl-forsale

[@gavinore1507]

Hold up... are you filming some random ppls cars?

[@VitaliyKofman]

You must be new to the channel :) The answer to your question = YES! :)

[@rongray8934]

I drove a 2008 Buick Lucerne just like that white one. I hit 317k miles. Stopped when I rear-ended a pick up truck. minimal damage really. Insurance company totaled it because of the miles. I replaced it with another one in Black and bought the car back from the insurance company because I put new tires on it a week before. Over 200k on this one. Though I did rebuild the transmission a year ago.

[@42luke93]

A fun fact is that Lucurne offered front split bench seating.

[@VitaliyKofman]

Thanks! Yep - most car rental car companies carried it with a bench as the base model

[@carguy216]

@@VitaliyKofman I have a bench seat but I mine is fully loaded

[@vap0rtranz]

These are like the last of the bench seats option. I read that Cadillac had a few in these years too. The end of an era

[@42luke93]

@@carguy216 Rental companies did that with Ford Taurus too. But I am sure not all were once rented.

[@carguy216]

@@42luke93 mine was single owner older person.

[@sheilaedwards9653]

These are amazing cars , it’s hard to choose . I bought a 2011 Buick Lucerne about 3 months ago and I love it so much !!! But I’m like you I wish I had both, mine is like this white one cxl

[@VitaliyKofman]

Thanks for sharing!

[@larrygaskins23]

I owned a 2008 Lucerne CXL and a 2012 Lacrosse. The Lucerne is ride, plush seats, and highway happy. I sold the Lacrosse, don't get me wrong the Lacrosse great but Lucerne the best overall car.

[@VitaliyKofman]

I love Lucerne, but as a former LaCrosse owner, they hold a special place in my heart

[@kh8189]

The Lucerne's back end looks way better than the Lacrosse's in my opinion

[@solfernandogomez3116]

The Buick Lucerne 2007 white VS Chevy Impala 2007 White it reminds me of the same Sedan by looking at both Impala and Lucerne

[@dpsschafer]

I believe the Lucerne was the last model to offer the 3800 engine, in 2009.

[@VitaliyKofman]

I think you are right

[@chrisjones6165]

Love my 2010 lacrosse cxs. Has every option but the sunroof. Has push button start, navigation,heated/cooled seats,heated steering wheel hard drive to store music the list goes on

[@VitaliyKofman]

I loved my 2010 LaCrosse CXS and had the sunroof. Bought it new and put over 100K in 5 years. Great cars! Love the Lucerne also

[@chrisjones6165]

@@VitaliyKofman good to know, my only has 72k miles now and just replaced the front struts so car should be good for sometime.

[@VitaliyKofman]

I had couple recals, but 0 parts had to be replaced

[@chrisjones6165]

@@VitaliyKofman car needed struts when I bought it, were about 1800$ after alignment since I have touring package and the hi per struts on it. Ordered new all weather tires with 3 peak mountain snowflake rating that'll be on Monday so hopefully it'll be a good car for sometime yet. Specially since I got about 11 grand into it after car,struts and tires all in a month of owing but should be a joy to drive after Monday

[@VitaliyKofman]

Gotcha! For me, that 2010 Lacrosse was the most expensive car I ever bought. Was brand new so I just drove it all over the US on many road trips.

[@SoJustCool]

the roof rains

[@larrytorrez7079]

I got 2009 Lucerne love the car had a 2000 LeSabre that my son has now both great cars

[@VitaliyKofman]

Very cool!

[@donaldgarrison4313]

Goodengine-but-everything-goes-bad-ac-evaporator-core$2000

[@donaldgarrison4313]

I have-same-car-70k-miles

[@mr.beatspt.2969]

Kinda disrespectful to film other people’s cars and not blur out their license plates, js...🤷🏾‍♂️

[@VitaliyKofman]

Thanks for the comment. Not trying to disrespect anyone.

[@jjo1101]

Why do you want a sunroof, eventually it will leak.

[@VitaliyKofman]

I like more light inside

[@alexsomo2503]

Lol you should ask before you film someone else's cars like this gosh. Good video other then that

[@tyler2610]

I love Buicks and I think I have owned 7 now but IMO this is the period where Buick sedans started to go downhill quick. My first brand new car was a 2011 Lucerne CXL just like that one except mine had a grey interior, sunroof, and column shifter. I hated that car unfortunately because it just didn't hold a candle to my previous 2005 Park Avenue and it had multiple paint issues that GM attempted to repair under warranty 3 times not to my satisfaction. I ended up trading the car after 10 months for a new 2012 Enclave in White Diamond that I liked much better. I think the LaCrosse is even worse. To me the styling is just way to much like a Camry or Mazda or something Asian and looks like a turtle with the lack of overhangs, tall green house with next to no trunk, and short stubby hood (basically the hideous "me to sedan" look everybody has been doing for more than 10 years now and needs to quit)!

[@clintonscott1202]

tyler2610 wow, surprised you didn’t like your Lucerne, sorry you had a bad experience. I love the Lucerne, and currently drive my 3rd one. A 2009 Silver CXL Special Edition. I love it, going strong still at 226k miles. I drive it a lot for Uber and it has served me very well no major issues with any of the 3 I’ve had. Also, I totally agree with you about the Lacrosse. A very poor 2nd to the Lucerne, and the small little ‘turtle’ design didn’t work for it. Always thought the Lucerne was a big step up and much more elegant & well appointed. Don’t like these shrinking sedans in the past 10+ yrs. I’m a big sedan guy. I’ll hold on to my beloved Lucerne, and my mint ‘05 Lincoln a Town Car.

[@VitaliyKofman]

@tyler2610 Comparing Park Ave to a Lucerne is like comparing Town Car to the current Continental. Definitely not cut from the same cloth. I would definitely pick Park Ave over Lucerne, but sometimes reality sets in that there are a lot more Lucernes in a much better shape so we'll have to settle for what we can find at a reasonable price. I constantly look online at cars (like many guys:)) and see prime examples of Town Cars, Park Aves, Devilles, etc with low miles go for $15K - $20K because there are not many left and not surprisingly people spend that cash to get the last of the dying breed. I pity the time when the only place to experience a true land yacht will only be in a museum.

[@VitaliyKofman]

Well said. Those were (and still are) great cars for people who like them.

[@tyler2610]

@@VitaliyKofman You are right Vitally. I had bought the Lucerne becasue first and foremost I just wanted the thrill of owning a brand new car but I knew it would probably be the last larger Buick sedan with a column shifter and split bench seat plus I thought it might be nice to have something a little more modern. I never was a fan of the styling although I liked some of the updates made in the last few years. Oddly though, I always really liked the looks of the platform mate the Cadillac DTS. In hindsight it was a major mistake trading my Park Avenue that I still regret but I guess I was young and dumb. I guess life is about making mistakes and learning from them.

[@VitaliyKofman]

For sure. I found my 10 LaCrosse sportier than I thought and turned down a fully loaded 18 LaCrosse with barely any miles @ $24K for my 06 Town Car:)

[@1982kinger]

My 2012 enclave is total crap

[@VitaliyKofman]

How so?