Who still drives and loves their Lucerne? Worth buying used?

[02LTD]

The 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT is a perfect example of that last sentence.

 

[BuickLover88]

I liked our 2010 CXL 3.9L Lucerne at first. We bought it at 84,000 miles on it. It did have like three previous owners, one it Florida and one in Pennsylvania. Then two different dealerships here in California. The only thing I noticed on the CARFAX was that at 74,000 the water pump had to be replaced, and that was at one of the dealers. Last year we had to replace the catalytic converter and two of the motor mounts. Our radio has a problem, probably a loose connection but on 810 am it wines and gets better or must likely worse with going over a bump or using other stuff in the car or closing the back door.

I thought it would be a newer version of the Park Avenue, which I loved and miss our 97. We got into and accident with it in 06, but I noticed the seats were wider in the Park Avenue then they are in our Lucerne. I’m sitting on the plastic side on the drivers seat. Now the inside driver door handle that was metal is broken, so I have to reach out to open the door. We just got the oil changed and they said we have and oil leak, and a transmission leak. Which I’m hoping isn’t anything major, we can’t keep putting money into it all the time.

Also I forgot the center console in the back seat the door that goes to the trunk is broken and doesn’t close when you use the console.

Update: I replaced the handle. We got the oil changed and they said we had an oil leak, this was two weeks ago. So today we took it to see where the leak was So it’s apparently from the crankshaft seal and Timing cover gasket. The problem is they want to charge me $1,763.68 to fix it. There is other things like needing the transmission flushed and getting a tune up. All of that adds up to over $5200. I have 113,785 miles on it and my car is only worth about $4,500 I’m just asking is it worth it to fix it or trade it in for something else. Should I just pay the $319 for the diagnostic and get the car back. I mean I can not afford that much. Hell I could trade it in and get a newer car for that much.

 

[Indybuicks]

Update: I replaced the handle. We got the oil changed and they said we had an oil leak, this was two weeks ago. So today we took it to see where the leak was So it’s apparently from the crankshaft seal and Timing cover gasket. The problem is they want to charge me $1,763.68 to fix it. There is other things like needing the transmission flushed and getting a tune up. All of that adds up to over $5200. I have 113,785 miles on it and my car is only worth about $4,500 I’m just asking is it worth it to fix it or trade it in for something else. Should I just pay the $319 for the diagnostic and get the car back. I mean I can not afford that much. Hell I could trade it in and get a newer car for that much.

It is not worth spending that much. However I do think whatever shop you are at *probably a stealership* is charging you way to much money for that work.
For the oil leaks you should try a bottle of AS-Reseal. Scotty Kilmer on Youtube has a video on it. For $20 its a liquid polymer you add to your engine oil that flows around and rejuvenates old seals & o-rings. Its worth a try as it won't cause any damage to your engine. I had some minor oil leaks on my 2002 GMC Sierra and I added a bottle to my engine oil and no leaks since.

Finally in this car market the odds of you finding a good used car for cheap are slim to none. The next used car will just have as many issues if not more unless you know someone in the family.

 

[BuickLover88]

It is not worth spending that much. However I do think whatever shop you are at *probably a stealership* is charging you way to much money for that work.
For the oil leaks you should try a bottle of AS-Reseal. Scotty Kilmer on Youtube has a video on it. For $20 its a liquid polymer you add to your engine oil that flows around and rejuvenates old seals & o-rings. Its worth a try as it won't cause any damage to your engine.

Finally in this car market the odds of you finding a good used car for cheap are slim to none. The next used car will just have as many issues if not more unless you know someone in the family.

Yeah your right. I did find a 2005 park avenue for sale with 50,000 miles on it for $9,500 it would be a mistake to go backwards wouldn’t it.

 

[Indybuicks]

Yeah your right. I did find a 2005 park avenue for sale with 50,000 miles on it for $9,500 it would be a mistake to go backwards wouldn’t it.

That's not a $4500 car.
You can find good used cars in the $10,000 range sure. But for 4-5k without needing work? Only if you are lucky and have connections.

 

[verse]

Update: I replaced the handle. We got the oil changed and they said we had an oil leak, this was two weeks ago. So today we took it to see where the leak was So it’s apparently from the crankshaft seal and Timing cover gasket. The problem is they want to charge me $1,763.68 to fix it. There is other things like needing the transmission flushed and getting a tune up. All of that adds up to over $5200. I have 113,785 miles on it and my car is only worth about $4,500 I’m just asking is it worth it to fix it or trade it in for something else. Should I just pay the $319 for the diagnostic and get the car back. I mean I can not afford that much. Hell I could trade it in and get a newer car for that much.

The car is worth its replacement value. Consider what you would have to spend to replace and repair the replacement. Trans flush to me is a gimmick. Just change the fluid and filter. What are they including in the tune up? There really isn't much to tune up any more.

 

[BuickLover88]

The car is worth its replacement value. Consider what you would have to spend to replace and repair the replacement. Trans flush to me is a gimmick. Just change the fluid and filter. What are they including in the tune up? There really isn't much to tune up any more.

Well they said the spark plugs. They also want us to replace the radiator hoses and do a cooling system flush. Yeah I’m think they are just trying to get as much money as possible. Most of what cost the most is labor. I should have become a mechanic. I think what we are gonna do is do the seal leak, which is $1700 because it’s bad. When I took it in they said the oil on the dipstick was below low we just got it changed two weeks ago.

 

[Indybuicks]

Well they said the spark plugs. They also want us to replace the radiator hoses and do a cooling system flush. Yeah I’m think they are just trying to get as much money as possible. Most of what cost the most is labor. I should have become a mechanic. I think what we are gonna do is do the seal leak, which is $1700 because it’s bad. When I took it in they said the oil on the dipstick was below low we just got it changed two weeks ago.

Have you checked the oil yourself? Do you see oil on the ground?
Dishonest mechanics like that can and do lie to try and get extra $$$ out of you.
Also shop around for that job and see what the labor rate is for the shop you are at. My Indy mechanic is $100 an hour which is a pretty fair price today. Doing engine seals like that shouldn't be more than 10 hours.

 

[BuickLover88]

Have you checked the oil yourself? Do you see oil on the ground?
Dishonest mechanics like that can and do lie to try and get extra $$$ out of you.
Also shop around for that job and see what the labor rate is for the shop you are at. My Indy mechanic is $100 an hour which is a pretty fair price today. Doing engine seals like that shouldn't be more than 10 hours.

Yeah I think we’re gonna get a second opinion. Because if it really was that low the on the dashboard the sensor would have said it was low. We are definitely going to get a second opinion. Thanks for the info it reminded me about that sensor.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

The bad news about the oil level sensor is by the time it goes on it's already to late. Checking the dipstick on a regular basis until the consumption is known is the only way to prevent a damaged engine, either by # of days or mileage depending on how the vehicle is used.

 

[BuickLover88]

You think I could use Bar's Leaks Oil Seal Engine Oil Burning and Leak Repair. You think that would work for me

 

[century61]

Hummm. I would check the valve cover gaskets for leaks before anything. It could be that the back is leaking (like mine) and dripping down the back of the engine. It could look like a main seal leak but be coming from the top of the engine.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Another post same problem and a option to consider.

2010 Buick Lucerne- Oil Leak

Hey everyone! I have a 2010 Buick Lucerne with the 3.9L V6. Recently I've noticed small oil stains on my garage floor, coming from the front, passengers side of the car. I took a look underneath and saw some leaking around the crankshaft seal and a little bit of oil around the oil pan too. The...

buickforums.com

 

[BuickLover88]

Hummm. I would check the valve cover gaskets for leaks before anything. It could be that the back is leaking (like mine) and dripping down the back of the engine. It could look like a main seal leak but be coming from the top of the engine.

Thanks

 

[BuickLover88]

Another post same problem and a option to consider.

2010 Buick Lucerne- Oil Leak

Hey everyone! I have a 2010 Buick Lucerne with the 3.9L V6. Recently I've noticed small oil stains on my garage floor, coming from the front, passengers side of the car. I took a look underneath and saw some leaking around the crankshaft seal and a little bit of oil around the oil pan too. The...

buickforums.com

Thanks

 

[Pacificrim70]

Own a 2010 Lucerne cxl, most satisfying vehicle I've owned. Just hit 119,000 mi. I plan to buy another used one when it conks. I've swapped in enough new parts and maintenance that it drives like it has 50,000 mi. It's not the cheapest car to maintain but it's such a comfortable vehicle that you don't mind spending the money on it

 

[TEDZ]

I just picked up a 2011 CX today. 21,335 miles. Regular service history done at the original dealership.

 

[rtaylo]

Who still drives and loves their Lucerne? Worth buying used?

Love my o6 lucerne very nice to drive and plenty fast enough for me

 

[RIOldCarGuy]

About 6 weeks ago I got my son a 2008 Lucerne CXS to replace his '04 Park Avenue (base) and almost wish I had given him my '08 LaCrosse and kept the Lucerne for myself. The seller had years worth of service records and it's a really nice car.

Funny thing - the guy took my offer almost too easily, and a few days after I bought it something happened that suggests why he let it go so cheap: The ABS, Brake Assist, Traction Control and Stabilitrak warnings all came on. They evidently would come on intermittently (though not during my test drive.) They must've scared him.

One noteworthy fact came up as I researched those (interrelated) systems: They need a clean, steady supply of current. Well, there was a faint whine in the radio, a sound which can come from a failing alternator. I happened to have a spare one on the shelf and replacing the alternator on a 3800 is a 20-minute job. It fixed everything.

As for the Park Ave, its drivability problem that prompted me to look for a replacement turned out to have been just the mass airflow sensor - $18 at the junkyard, with a guarantee. Now we've got an outrageously dependable, 217,000-mile spare car. Not bad for one I bought for $1800 six years ago.

 

[jp_gramps]

For the models upto '08, sure. I like mine. For models '09 and newer, I'd pass.

I'd pass on '09 because of what the poster is talking about above. Engine issues.

Upto '08 they still had the venerable 3800.