... or is it OK of you are 34?

I made the inital trip to the dealer last night to get the ball rolling on replacing the GTP... I went in with the intentions of getting a Cadillac CTS or an Impala SS.

I drove a CTS... 3.6l, 17" wheel package, etc... pretty much what I would want. The car was very nice, except a bit narrower than I remembered. But the lease price inflated quite a bit from the good deal on the 2.8 base model when I added the packages I wanted. I decided it to be more than I wanted to spend on a daily driver....

On to the Impala SS... now, this is a pretty good sized dealership (Chevy/Cadillac/Buick/Pontiac and GMC!) . Not only were they out of Impala SS's... they were out of Impalas. Period. He said they have sold like crazy for them, and the 72 hour sale cleaned them out of 06 Impalas completely! They are going to attempt to get one on dealer trade for me, so I am to hear back from them in a few days.

I the meantime, my salesman suggested a Buick Lucerne CXS. Now, I actually like this car. It has tons of features at a reasonable price, and I even like the styling... but there's the whole "Granny Factor". I don't know that I can see myself with a Buick. It's a pretty stupid reason, but I just don't know if it's "me". The CXS is totally decked out... NorthStar V8, heated and cooled seats, heated washer fluid, etc.... I would have to work them on the lease payment a little, but I think I could get it to where I'd want to be.

For now, I'm waiting to see what comes of the Impala SS search and dealer trade... but in the meantime, I've been mulling this Lucerne thing... thoughts?

 

That thing always reminds me of a VW Phaeton.

 

I would totally drive one without any problems, I really like them. Everyone who I have talked to likes the way they look and my brother had a base model for a rental and he loved it. The CSX looks especially sharp.

Also, I just saw that last month the Lucern out sold all competitors last month, including the 300.

 

I'd much rather have a Lucerne than an Impala SS. Much nicer interior and some cool features- especially Magneride.

 

Not a damn thing wrong with that car, very sharp looking ride, IMO, and they have some pretty neat features.

 

Guy at work just got a CXS. He's around 35 and has been talking about getting a new car for months now. Last week he finally pulled the trigger and was all amped up about his new car. He went to a caddy dealership so we figured he got a Cadillac. Then he said he got a Buick. All of us were like WTF?! But then we saw it and he took a few of us around for a test drive, and to be honest, everyone is really impressed by it.

Its going to be a really nice car for people to see you in. But you not going to be able to tell people about your Buick Lucerne and impress them.

 

The new Buicks always catch my eye when I see one on the road, in a good way. They are sharp cars, with a classy look that's not overdone.

I'd drive one, and be proud of it, and I'm 33. There are no excuses needed for the Lucerne.

Dan

 

I really like the Lucerne. The LaCrosse, however.. yuck..

 

a Black Lucerne with chrome 18" rims is a mean looking car. I'd love to have the heated and cooled seats.

I'd take the Lucerne over a DTS for the youth factor. I'm 27.

 

Darth I agree with Z28X. Lucerne in a dark color (top model, with the V8) is really a sharp car.

The chrome accents all over the car (even has chrome trim in the lower brake intake air duct in the bumper! ) really.... and I mean really make the car stand out.

Besides it being wrong wheel drive, and an engine lacking 350+ horses, I'd say it has 3/4s the visual impact of a Chrysler 300C. No small feat. If you can get past the fact that it's a Buick, IMO it's not a bad car.

(However, personally if it were me, I'd wait till the end of the year and see what GMNA and GMH is going to decide to do. )

 

Aw man, another winky. There's times when I hate you Guy.

 

No secret here this time.

GMNA or more specifically, GMNA's product decision makers, are (or will soon be) evaluating at least 2 GMH sedans with an eye towards incorperating them in the North American lineup and using up alot of excess capacity at Fisherman's Bend once the GTO and Holden's VZ derivatives end production.

The idea is to incorperate these models in a way that complements (not displaces) the Zeta models we'll be making in a few years here in North America.

If it happens (nothing is certain till the cash is comitted), expect these cars to be the top model in whatever division they end up in (ie: above the top Lucerne and well above Grand Prix GXPs).

Also expect that these cars won't be cheap. Best guess is in the upper-mid $30K to about $40K range.

Why?

The strong Aussie dollar, the fact these models will only be sold loaded with no options (like the current GTO) to keep US certification simple and investment in US versions minimal. Also, these cars supposedly cost a bit more to make than what our own Zetas are suppose to cost.

It's not by any measure a secret (at least at Holden), so I think I can mention it here without being skinned alive.

 

Lucerne already knocks on 40 thousand dollar's door when loaded to the hilt.

 

I've heard of other people cross-shopping the Lucerne and CTS, which kinda surprised me. I always thought they were targeting different markets.

For me the CTS wins over the Lucerne, primarily because it's RWD and has much more rewarding handling. In terms of acceleration a 3.6 A5 is pretty much as quick as a NorthStar A4 so you're not losing anything by passing up the V8. For aesthetics I would take the CTS for the exterior and Lucerne for its interior so let's call that a draw. If you care about image, I think the CTS trumps the Lucerne there too.

 

Lucerne is a great car.

I would buy one without any worries at all. Sharp, classy, expensive looks. Fast enough with the V8. As good a ride as you'll ever find in any car. And a feature list of nearly anything and everything a person would really want. Granny Buicks are a thing of the past. Buicks for the next, up scale, generation are here to stay.

I say go for it. You won't regret it.