I'm looking at an '07 Buick Lucerne with 155K miles and a 2000 Buick LeSabre with 124,000 mi. Both have a clean title and appear to be in working condition. The Lucerne is newer and nicer, but I just don't hear much about them. Any reliability issues with the Lucerne? Thanks!
Only buy a Lucerne made from 2006-2008 with the 3800 V6 engine. They are reliable cars with reliable parts. After 2008 the flex fuel engines suck! I love my Lucerne. I am it's second owner, I bought it with 140k miles on it. The transmission failed at 200k. I still opted to have a new transmission installed. That 3800 engine will go another 200k.
@therearefourlights1701 please copy + paste your response as ‘Your Answer’ below, thanks.
Assuming the Lucerne has the Buick 3800 engine, those engines are bulletproof. If it has the 3.9, then it is also not bad. If it has the 4.6 Northstar Cadillac engine, then you might also be ok. The Buick Lucerne is Buick's version of the Cadillac DTS which wasn't necessarily a bad car. The Buick LeSabre that you are looking at is also a good car.
Test drive them both and see which one you like.
Yep, they both have the 3800 engine. Have you heard of any other issues with the Lucerne in terms of suspension, transmission, etc?
I've heard of some suspension issues- check the struts. Also do check the transmission as well because you don't know the condition it's in. Don't forget to have a mechanic look it over as well because you don't know the full story (in an accident, flooded, etc.).
I'll keep that in mind. I test drove the Lucerne and it rode smooth and shifted smooth. Any ideas on what to do if I can't get it to a mechanic to be inspected? I know it's smart to do that, but shops are always closed when I'm available to look at a car.
Do you have an OBD-II scanner? Plug it in to the car and see if there is any codes. If for whatever reason, they won't let you- don't buy the car.