This just showed up on my radar. I am an owner of the 2008 3.8 Lucerne. I bought it as a second owner at 66k miles. I bought it around 2010 from a dealer that obviously was more interested in getting rid of it because SUV's were the big selling vehicle at the time and sedans were not that popular. Here is what I know and have experienced. I have 168K on the car now. I do all the work my self as a DIY'er. There are some weak points to the car just like any other car you drive. The brake lines are prone to corrosion along with the Transmission cooler lines and power steering HP and LP lines. However, These are not hard to replace and have done so on two of these right in my driveway. Keep an eye on them and replace or repair them with the better after market brake lines. Once again, They are easy to get to and not hard to replace/repair. The suspension is really not hard to work on. The back suspension uses air shocks with a compressor unit. Normally the compressor will fail and is an expensive replacement. You can get a conversion kit to change it back to regular shocks with over coils. This conversion took me probably an hour at the most. It is not difficult. The front suspension consists of a control arm, Struts and sway bars. These are also easy to replace when the time comes. There is some difficulty in selecting the correct 'Quick Struts' for this car. Refer to your RPO code which is located on the spare tire cover in the trunk. FE1 is the soft ride and are difficult to find. Mine was the FE41 which is the firm ride. If possible keep your front coils and replace the actual strut/bearings instead. Its more work but it should retain the original ride and handling. After any front end suspension work you will most likely need to get the front aligned. This you can do yourself because the only adjustment is the toe. Lots of videos on UT on how to do this. There are two cooling system elbows under the alternator that will need to be replaced. They are originally plastic and prone to cracking and leaking. The after market ones are metal instead. If you notice any cooling loss take a look at those and replace them. It is not difficult to do. The radio and speakers are very easy to replace if you want to upgrade to a nicer sound system. The outer door handles are made of chrome covered plastic and are prone to breaking. Replacements are easily found for replacement but if you keep your originals and inspect them you will see a metal bushing that pulls out of the plastic handle that causes the door handle to fail. You can repair these by putting the bushing in and filling the space around it with a decent glue. I have even used hot glue sticks to fill it as it will provide some give to prevent this from happening again. There are three motor mounts and a transmission mount. Replacement of these if they fail are quite easy to do. If you notice clunking when the transmission shifts or when accelerating suspect these first - not your transmission. The transmission in these cars is the 4T65e and I have not had any problem with it yet. The Lucerne despite the issues above makes a great car to own. Keeping up on the maintenance means it will last many, many years - especially with the 3800 series III engine. At 168k miles I am now completing a suspension refresh and brake job. I only have to align the front end now and its done. Thank you.
Amazing car. Had mine for a decade and a half now and it’s still so smooth and nice to drive. The leather seats get cold as hell in the winter and that’s the only problem I have with it.
I own the same car, same year, and model. With normal repairs and maintenance, it runs like new. That 3800 runs smooth. You can barely feel the car when idling, I'm at 189 K, the plan is to see the odometer show 300k.
Pay attention to detail you are the one needs correcting. He literally said Series III and not Series II like he thought.... all you remembered was the last thing he said which was Series II.
@bluwng it's all good just part of YT gig. I get good comments and lots of bashing. I just learn to keep it moving I don't know these people and they don't know me. I'm living my dream and others living their nightmare. Preciate ya 💯
I've been doing a lot of research on these Lucernes. I've been looking at the 2006s. At first I wasn't a fan of these Buicks, but now I kind of want one mostly for that reliable 3800 engine. This will be a my 2nd car. Upgrading from a 2001 Chevy Cavalier Z24.
Having personally owned a lucerne and a pontiac grand prix bothwith 3.8L gen 3. Skip the buick and only get the grand prix. Well documented the buicks where built very poorly. For what ever reason the buick plants had a ton of problems on assembly line and electrical. The pontiac plant and design placement of the electric harnesses didn't not have any were near the problems buick did. The best car to get is 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix with the 3.8L gen 3 engine . Not the lucerne or le crosse
@@dylano7242I sat in a 2006 Grand Prix with a sun roof a little while ago, it had so little head room that I hit my head a few times, I'm only 5'7. Seat was as far down as it could go (could've been stuck I guess but it didn't seem like it.). Do the normal GPs have more head room or are they all like that?
My guy this aint no old car, hell its newer than any of the 10 cars i had so far! That thing got a computer for its engine, body and transmission That thing is as modern as every other car made in this year…from crash safety and driver aids such as TC, ESP, ABS, EBD, Brake assist, crumple zone w passenger safety cell, air bags on front and side curtains/pillar/door, whiplash protection, collapsing steering column, 3 point seat belts, cruise, auto ac, auto head lights, anti siphon fuel tank, fuel cutoff on crash…anything made after 2000 is not “old” yet…and any car made since the late 80s or 90s is modern enough. Imo it should atleast be a 90s car to be called repeatedly “old” or “throwback “ that Lucerne is newer than all of my 12 cars i had so far…oldest 1992 Lexus 5spd-latest 2007 VW 3.6 VR6
Having owned a lucerne and a pontiac grand prix both with 3.8L gen 3. Skip the buick and only get the grand prix. Well documented the buicks where built very poorly. For what ever reason the buick assembly plants had a ton quality control problems on assembly line especially with electrical and design, quality of the electrical harnesses, modules . The pontiac plant and design placement of the electric harnesses didn't not have any were near the problems buick did. The best car to get is 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix with the gen 3 3.8L . Not the lucerne. If you get any buick lucerne, la crosse, rainier I guarantee you will be spending more than the car is worth on electrical gremlins, electrical harnesses, modual control boards .
Check out this engine preview from this Buick
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
th-cam.com/users/shortsysI5LUhxJi0?feature=share
This just showed up on my radar. I am an owner of the 2008 3.8 Lucerne. I bought it as a second owner at 66k miles. I bought it around 2010 from a dealer that obviously was more interested in getting rid of it because SUV's were the big selling vehicle at the time and sedans were not that popular. Here is what I know and have experienced.
I have 168K on the car now. I do all the work my self as a DIY'er. There are some weak points to the car just like any other car you drive.
The brake lines are prone to corrosion along with the Transmission cooler lines and power steering HP and LP lines. However, These are not hard to replace and have done so on two of these right in my driveway. Keep an eye on them and replace or repair them with the better after market brake lines. Once again, They are easy to get to and not hard to replace/repair.
The suspension is really not hard to work on. The back suspension uses air shocks with a compressor unit. Normally the compressor will fail and is an expensive replacement. You can get a conversion kit to change it back to regular shocks with over coils. This conversion took me probably an hour at the most. It is not difficult.
The front suspension consists of a control arm, Struts and sway bars. These are also easy to replace when the time comes. There is some difficulty in selecting the correct 'Quick Struts' for this car. Refer to your RPO code which is located on the spare tire cover in the trunk. FE1 is the soft ride and are difficult to find. Mine was the FE41 which is the firm ride. If possible keep your front coils and replace the actual strut/bearings instead. Its more work but it should retain the original ride and handling.
After any front end suspension work you will most likely need to get the front aligned. This you can do yourself because the only adjustment is the toe. Lots of videos on UT on how to do this.
There are two cooling system elbows under the alternator that will need to be replaced. They are originally plastic and prone to cracking and leaking. The after market ones are metal instead. If you notice any cooling loss take a look at those and replace them. It is not difficult to do.
The radio and speakers are very easy to replace if you want to upgrade to a nicer sound system.
The outer door handles are made of chrome covered plastic and are prone to breaking. Replacements are easily found for replacement but if you keep your originals and inspect them you will see a metal bushing that pulls out of the plastic handle that causes the door handle to fail. You can repair these by putting the bushing in and filling the space around it with a decent glue. I have even used hot glue sticks to fill it as it will provide some give to prevent this from happening again.
There are three motor mounts and a transmission mount. Replacement of these if they fail are quite easy to do. If you notice clunking when the transmission shifts or when accelerating suspect these first - not your transmission. The transmission in these cars is the 4T65e and I have not had any problem with it yet.
The Lucerne despite the issues above makes a great car to own. Keeping up on the maintenance means it will last many, many years - especially with the 3800 series III engine. At 168k miles I am now completing a suspension refresh and brake job. I only have to align the front end now and its done.
Thank you.
Hey everybody check out this awesome comment for all details on this vehicle.
Thank your @northpoint1039 for your awesome insight.
Amazing car. Had mine for a decade and a half now and it’s still so smooth and nice to drive. The leather seats get cold as hell in the winter and that’s the only problem I have with it.
Definitely great cars
I own the same car, same year, and model. With normal repairs and maintenance, it runs like new. That 3800 runs smooth. You can barely feel the car when idling, I'm at 189 K, the plan is to see the odometer show 300k.
@@mfm6 thanks for watching and your insight. Gratitude is my Attitude.
Correction. It’s a 3800 series III. Not II
Yea that was my fault. Thanks for watching....
@JRideReviewsJCSR no you did say 3 this person misunderstood.
Pay attention to detail you are the one needs correcting. He literally said Series III and not Series II like he thought.... all you remembered was the last thing he said which was Series II.
@bluwng it's all good just part of YT gig. I get good comments and lots of bashing. I just learn to keep it moving I don't know these people and they don't know me. I'm living my dream and others living their nightmare. Preciate ya 💯
Thank you
I've been doing a lot of research on these Lucernes. I've been looking at the 2006s. At first I wasn't a fan of these Buicks, but now I kind of want one mostly for that reliable 3800 engine. This will be a my 2nd car. Upgrading from a 2001 Chevy Cavalier Z24.
Yea Chip this are great vehicles and the 3800 engine is bulletproof yet easy to work on if need be. Thanks for watching and congrats
Having personally owned a lucerne and a pontiac grand prix bothwith 3.8L gen 3. Skip the buick and only get the grand prix. Well documented the buicks where built very poorly. For what ever reason the buick plants had a ton of problems on assembly line and electrical. The pontiac plant and design placement of the electric harnesses didn't not have any were near the problems buick did.
The best car to get is 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix with the 3.8L gen 3 engine . Not the lucerne or le crosse
@@dylano7242I sat in a 2006 Grand Prix with a sun roof a little while ago, it had so little head room that I hit my head a few times, I'm only 5'7. Seat was as far down as it could go (could've been stuck I guess but it didn't seem like it.). Do the normal GPs have more head room or are they all like that?
@fakejeepman06 thanks for watching
@@JRideReviewsJCSR Great video! I have been looking for videos of Lucurnes for a long time and this is probably one of the best ones. Thank you!
Same thing as the Deville dts without that headache Northstar.
Lot of people don't know that. You are right for sure. You can actually get one with the Northstar in it. The Super. Thank you for watching
@@JRideReviewsJCSRthe Northstar at this time was OK.
@bluwng the still had that oil leak. The seal between engine and transmission. Big job.
❤@@JRideReviewsJCSR
Looks awesome!!
Definitely throwback. Thanks for watching
Everyone says the Lucernes are quiet. Buick should have talked more about their sound dampening in these.
They are pretty quiet. Thanks for watching
My guy this aint no old car, hell its newer than any of the 10 cars i had so far! That thing got a computer for its engine, body and transmission That thing is as modern as every other car made in this year…from crash safety and driver aids such as TC, ESP, ABS, EBD, Brake assist, crumple zone w passenger safety cell, air bags on front and side curtains/pillar/door, whiplash protection, collapsing steering column, 3 point seat belts, cruise, auto ac, auto head lights, anti siphon fuel tank, fuel cutoff on crash…anything made after 2000 is not “old” yet…and any car made since the late 80s or 90s is modern enough. Imo it should atleast be a 90s car to be called repeatedly “old” or “throwback “ that Lucerne is newer than all of my 12 cars i had so far…oldest 1992 Lexus 5spd-latest 2007 VW 3.6 VR6
Definitely understand your point. Thanks for letting
16 YEARS OLD
Thinking hard about this 1 plain and simple just how i like it i'm change that radio out thou 😀
Most definitely a smooth ride. Are you in our area?
@@JRideReviewsJCSR Nah i'm in tx really looking for the lucerne with the chrome wheel's so i can put some vogue tires on it.
No that would look cool. I wanna see that my boy.
@@JRideReviewsJCSR I want this look with or without rag top.
th-cam.com/video/Uou4VHFEb7w/w-d-xo.html
The singing wasn’t bad bro 😂
😆
It's really not that old of a car. It's not even 20 years old yet.
No its not just a throwback. Thanks for watching Lloyd.
What color white is it?
They consider it Pearl White
you can fit three bodies back there ( Joe Pesi)
Definitely have a big trunk Noah. Thanks for watching.
Whew are u located
The dealership is located in Tallahassee Florida
Having owned a lucerne and a pontiac grand prix both with 3.8L gen 3. Skip the buick and only get the grand prix. Well documented the buicks where built very poorly. For what ever reason the buick assembly plants had a ton quality control problems on assembly line especially with electrical and design, quality of the electrical harnesses, modules . The pontiac plant and design placement of the electric harnesses didn't not have any were near the problems buick did.
The best car to get is 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix with the gen 3 3.8L . Not the lucerne.
If you get any buick lucerne, la crosse, rainier I guarantee you will be spending more than the car is worth on electrical gremlins, electrical harnesses, modual control boards .
Thanks for watching
Keep right except to pass.
Thanks for watching
its a series 3 not a 2
Thanks for watching
That is important
@bluwng thanks for watching
Can you say "SIMPLE' 54 more time please?
It's "SIMPLE" Thanks for watching John. " SIMPLE MATH EVERY VIEW COUNTS. QUITE SIMPLE. Thanks for your SIMPLE comment.
SIMPLE Thank you
They are good cars just too heavy for the 3.8 extremely slow
Thanks for watching
How do you know, have you driven one?
@@bluwng yes it’s my first car buddy💀
@@keems2142 I’m thinking of getting one with the Northstar is it even worth considering?
@@keems2142I got my money on you don’t let me down if y’all fight 😂😂
Stop saying old school so much
Thanks for watching.