Possible new car to me - 2013 LaCrosse 3.6L.

[JToby]

Hi,

In the market for a used car. There is a 2013 Buick LaCrosse 3.6L for sale a little ways down the road. I have been in contact with the dealer, I have them currently offering @ just over $17,000, before tax. They were wanting $20,000 originally.

The car was owned by an older lady who passed and the grandson traded it in for a newer vehicle.

It is in good shape, with all local maintenance by the GM dealership in the town.

All leather interior, very clean, with only 23,000 miles, 37+Km.

I live in Canada, so prices reflect location. It is a 10 year old car, so spending $20K on a 10 year old car with so much technology makes me a little nervous.

Any thought or insights?

Thanks,

 

[EDSELRANGER]

What more could you want JToby? A low mileage care in good shape, dealer maintained and owned by a little old lady. Sounds perfect!

Seriously though... you're right to be cautious. While there is a lot to love about that generation LaCrosse, there are a few 'tech' issues that come up from time to time. You don't mention whether the dealer offering it, is the dealer from which it was bought or maintained. If so... maybe you can hammer out some sort of warrantee agreement with them.

Good luck! As I'm sure you know, cars, any cars new or used are a crap shoot.

 

[JToby]

Yep, I have talked to the original dealership. The one who is selling it is not a GM dealer at all, still seeing if I can get a little more incentive out of them for possible warranty, or something comparable etc. I am a bit wary of GM's as the last one I owned, I could not keep the front end on it. Tires \ wheel hubs, tie rods etc. I swore off of GM products. When talking with the original dealer for this car, they seem to tell me that these are good cars with very little issues, this one included. If any issues, they are minor. TSB's (Rear Suspension Toe Link) done, trunk relays as well.

I always do this with any car or large purchase, there are truths and 1/2 truths. You never know which one you are hearing.

Thanks,

 

[richardnewton]

Pay YOUR independent mechanic to inspect the car. You can search the forums for typical issues such as the 3.6L engine timing. Have him put it up on a lift to inspect for rust too due to Canadian location.

Tyres have a maximum life in years which you can research but let's say it is 6 or 7 years, for example. The date code is stamped into the tires. If you need replacements, get premium, name brand tires with long mileage ratings. The cheapo tires really do wear out quickly and ride poorly; mounting and balancing new tires every year is expensive and irritating.

We have the 2.4L version. The leather seats are incredibly comfortable and I was told all the ultra-premium European carmakers studied them. We find the ride-quality, interior cabin, and exterior design to be excellent.

 

[Smith1000]

What version is it a Premium, Touring?

 

[Danute]

JToby I also just purchased a 2012 Lacrosse last Sept. My car was totaled and we needed a car. Found this and it had 24k on the clock. Checked Carfax and it was good. One owner. I to have not owned a GM in many years but I am very happy with the car. The 3.6 is a great motor. Check for the oil change history. Low miles and a few oil changes is not good. I changed all the fluids and a new set of tires and a battery. Have put 5k on it and all is well. That motor and trans. combo is very good. Good Luck. By the way I paid 16500 for a 2012, they came down from 17000. Still over priced but the market is still out of sorts.

 

[JToby]

Perfect, thanks for the info. I have read many good things on the car. I did purchase it, in my research, I called the dealer directly and they remembered the car, I seen all of the service records done at GM using synthetic with Dex, TSB's, etc. Now I have to go and find winter wheels for next year.

Thinking the 17" for winters may be better. Have to research.

Thanks all!

 

[2011LAX3.6]

Yes it should be a happy purchase for you. I just bought my 11 Lax CXS 3.6 with 150k on it. Previously 2 older owners. Clean carfax and still needs the toe link recall done but the 1st owner garaged it and the second one drove his truck for the winter so its barley seen snow. Shes in amazing shape. Best car so far Ive ever owned. The power is there when I need it and the McPherson suspension package allows her to soak up all the bumps and holes beautifully. I did do some research afterward one night I got on it a little to hard out of the tolls causing 2 timing codes to be thrown the next morn. Since then I baby her more only riding her hard when I get that urge. Look online and do the research on the motor. The idle is slightly rough at stop lights bouncing about 100-200 rpms. Sometimes it sounds like she wants to stall but some techs and pep online say its due to the hard acceleration on chains that are a little streched out especially against plastic guides. Just know that you will be doing 3k oil changes to avoid the sludge build up which is causing the chains to prematurely wear out. The water pumps are another item to keep an eye on. The pump and chains usually should be done together, $3k-$4 job, but Ill prob get another 150k outa her if thats done. Just read up on this forum for theres a ton of info that should answer questions you have. Oh ya, the only other thing on these is the TCC in the tranny, once you start getting the killer 32mph downshift from hell youll see what i mean. Now I wanna drop her 1.25" and put her on 20s. Would be nice to have some beefy winters seeing how shes only FWD, uurrrgggg. But I did all the tint this weekend and this is what I will hope to do to her this summer......

But like I said shes the best car I've owned so far, shes fast, sleek, the HK amplified system kicks hard, interior is great, still smells like the leather. Got all the bells and whistles and only paid 7gs for her. I hard wired a bluetooth dongle into the AUX line so now no more wires coming out of the console. Im gonna hard wire my dash cam into the rearview mirror so that wire wont be seen either. I put in LEDs in the rev, ts, and the plate lights. The interior has all blue LEDs in the domes, the puddle lamps, and the floor lights. I will be upgrading HIDs at some point. Im just happy I bought her after the divorce, hahahaha! Im so happy to spend money on her instead of the c$%t ex-wife. The car deserves it more. Oh, and a trying to find a free service manual PDF is like f-ing impossible until I stumbled across this. Make sure you bookmark it, you will be using it trust me.

https://cardiagn.com/buick-lacrosse-2013-2016-service-repair-manual-incl-hybrid-wiring-diagrams/

 

[richardnewton]

On our 2013 2.4L, we had dealer service the transmission fluid around 35k (city) miles. I suppose there is some risk to any transmission service so research there as transmission is expensive to replace.

Dealer recommended flush for our situation rather than drain and fill; they were about the same price. Car shifted smoother and ran much quieter after that service. Prior to service the car didn't have any issues although about once a month there was a slightly rough downshift.

Great car, especially for road trips.

 

[2011LAX3.6]

On our 2013 2.4L, we had dealer service the transmission fluid around 35k (city) miles. I suppose there is some risk to any transmission service so research there as transmission is expensive to replace.

Dealer recommended flush for our situation rather than drain and fill; they were about the same price. Car shifted smoother and ran much quieter after that service. Prior to service the car didn't have any issues although about once a month there was a slightly rough downshift.

Great car, especially for road trips.

Ya I see some fluid residue at the trans drain plug so I feel like it was done before I bought it but am unsure weather it was flushed or R+R. I know that as the friction material wears off into the fluid the clutch plates will lose grip as changing the fluid will take that material away from the system. So im just gonna leave that for awhile. Cuz yes, the trans job can be quite costly. Good note on the water pump, Ive read that tends to be an issue as well. Ill do that when I do the chains in another year or so. And yes the road trips are a big reason I bought the car. I make 5 hr round trips to ME from NH and she does awesome with good comfort.