Buick Lucerne CXL V6

[gm_rocks]

2006 Buick Lucerne CXL V6

Test Drive

Over the weekend I test drove a 2006 Buick Lucerne CXL V6, the vehicle I am thinking about buying. The test drive car was a well equipped (only lacking the Heated and Cooled Seats) Ming Blue Lucerne with the tuxedo interior.

The interior in my opinion was well done, yes there is plastic but the plastic has a nice matte look and feel to it, giving the impression of a more expensive car. The seats were comfortable and it was easy to find the right driving position.

The simulated wood look extremely well and it looked as if it was hand polished just for the vehicle.

The controls and all of the buttons felt as if they belonged on a Mercedes, the buttons and knobs didn’t feel like they would pop out or easily break.

The noise level was some what quiet, some engine noise did leak into the cabin. On the highway I found myself trying to roll up the windows just to find out they were all rolled up but the wind was howling as if they weren’t.

There was also a noticeable vibration under my feet from the car running, something I wasn’t expecting, but it wasn’t a huge vibration.

The ride was pretty smooth, you could feel the road but the car responded with nice small “thuds” instead of huge “thumps” that you get in some cars.

The power was adequate and the car responded well when I hit the accelerator. The car is something you would want to race someone off of a green light, but then again who would do such a thing with this car?

The car was very responsive and the steering was nice and smooth, just like it should in a car like this.

Overall

The car is a great car for the money; it would be next to impossible to find a commonly equipped car like this for $33,000 or less. The car has nice fit and finish in the interior, the exterior is elegant looking and the chrome package is just right.

I think that within the next month or so, this car could be sitting in my drive way.

Pros: Fit & Finish, smooth ride on smooth surfaces, Features, Comfortable seating, Responsive steering, Buick’s Reliability ratings.

Cons: lacks some features found in other “entry-level” luxury cars, wind noise on the highway.

[Mike The Canadian]

nice to hear man, nice ride thanks for writing

I know hat your talking about, I love the interior, it's so solid. I sat in the escalade and the wood trim covering the cupholders felt like it was barely being held on, this was a show model, but who knows. One thing I LOVED about the Lucerne, was when I opened the glovebox and closed it, it made SUCH a reassuring clunk, a quality sound and feel.

The car is really roomy too, I first sat in the back (there was someone in the front) and was failry comfy, I also noted that I fit into the back perfectly (wow...)

Then I got into the front (Expecting the seat to be moved up)...and well would you know it..the steering wheel was too far away (could reach it, but no comforatably...)

I had to move the seat up a bit if I actually wanted to drive...

sorry if I sorta hijacked, thought i'd comment on my lucerne experience this weekend...oh and the hood is super light! I couldnt close it..I felt so stupid around all those gearheads because I didnt wanna slam it hard!

[gm_rocks]

That sounds like an overall good thing, I didn't mess around with opening anything except the doors and they felt pretty solid.

I also like the way the trunk closed, so that is another quality mark for the car.

[rivieraranch]

My test ride of a CXL V-6 was wholly positive. The engine was quiet as was the cabin. This V-6 model lacked the funny feel that the CXS V-8 I drove a few months ago had. It was a solid, well constructed car that was very comfortable. I like the green, gold, moonstone, light blue and dark garnet. I hate WHITE CARS, regularly rail against them whenever and whereever I can, including on the dealership floor. You are an IDIOT if you pay a thousand dollars extra to drive a white car, whether they call it "white diamond" "white lightning" or "white pearl flash tri-coat".

I see more and more Lucernes on the road and they look good on the road. I believe that a lease will protect early purchasers against heavy depreciation. With their problems, GM is all too willing to devalue their cars by holding a fire sale at the end of the year like they did last year.

[gm_rocks]

My test ride of a CXL V-6 was wholly positive. The engine was quiet as was the cabin. This V-6 model lacked the funny feel that the CXS V-8 I drove a few months ago had. It was a solid, well constructed car that was very comfortable. I like the green, gold, moonstone, light blue and dark garnet. I hate WHITE CARS, regularly rail against them whenever and whereever I can, including on the dealership floor.  You are an IDIOT if you pay a thousand dollars extra to drive a white car, whether they call it "white diamond" "white lightning" or "white pearl flash tri-coat".

I see more and more Lucernes on the road and they look good on the road. I believe that a lease will protect early purchasers against heavy depreciation. With their problems, GM is all too willing to devalue their cars by holding a fire sale at the end of the year like they did last year.

Well I hope there was something wrong with the one I drove, becuase the wind noise was profound, especially on the highway.

Other than that, it was a good car.

[BuickEight]

Well I hope there was something wrong with the one I drove, becuase the wind noise was profound, especially on the highway.

Other than that, it was a good car.

All it takes is for a door to be slightly off in adjustment to have a loose door seal, and then a wind leak. I'd say test another one. The Lacrosse I rented was so quiet I was afraid I'd fall asleep.

[gm_rocks]

All it takes is for a door to be slightly off in adjustment to have a loose door seal, and then a wind leak.  I'd say test another one.  The Lacrosse I rented was so quiet I was afraid I'd fall asleep.

I think I just might do that, because I could hear the wind. It wasn't much quieter than my current 97' Grand Prix, so that caught me off guard...lol.

[ponchoman49]

I'm really curious how well the detuned 197 hp series III motor responds in the almost 4000 lb CXL model with the lazy 2.86:1 axle. If anything Buick should have used the LeSabres former 3.05:1 grand touring ratio as standard to help with all the extra weight. My 00 LeSabre which weighted 3523 and had the touring pkg and 3.05:1 gears moved along smartly but a little sluggish from 40-70 when a burst of power was needed. I timed it at around 8.0 seconds to 60 many times and that was with nearly 500 lbs less weight, better gears and slightly more power and torque! Please elaberate on how the 3800 series III performed in those CXL models throughout the power band.

[gm_rocks]

Well it felt good to me, it shifted very smoothly, I couldn't even feel it.

Like I said it won't be the car to beat some off of the line, but then again IMO I don't think that is what Buick intended anyway (with some exception to the CXS).

[Cananopie]

I'm really curious how well the detuned 197 hp series III motor responds in the almost 4000 lb CXL model with the lazy 2.86:1 axle. If anything Buick should have used the LeSabres former 3.05:1 grand touring ratio as standard to help with all the extra weight. My 00 LeSabre which weighted 3523 and had the touring pkg and 3.05:1 gears moved along smartly but a little sluggish from 40-70 when a burst of power was needed. I timed it at around 8.0 seconds to 60 many times and that was with nearly 500 lbs less weight, better gears and slightly more power and torque! Please elaberate on how the 3800 series III performed in those CXL models throughout the power band.

When I test drove the CXL I was very pleased with the pick up, especially for the size. It felt faster than my parent's LeSabre.

[VenSeattle]

I've test driven the CXL V6, and its performance is fine for the target market. It didn't feel strained at all.

[gm_rocks]

I've test driven the CXL V6, and its performance is fine for the target market. It didn't feel strained at all.

Yeah, I didn't think it felt strained at all, the only thing that got me was the wind noise. It made me think that the QuietTuning was a joke.

Someone above mentioned it could have been something about the sealer or door adjustment, another thing could be it was normal wind noise and I was just being picky.

[VenSeattle]

I drove the CXL V6 on a rainy & windy day (Seattle... go figure) and the outside noise was minimum, so I'd agree and say it had to be a door seal.

[gm_rocks]

I drove the CXL V6 on a rainy & windy day (Seattle... go figure) and the outside noise was minimum, so I'd agree and say it had to be a door seal.

Yeah, I think that had to be it, also this make sures that the car you buy, you better test drive it.

So how did the smart wipers work? Did they work right? (lol)

[VenSeattle]

So how did the smart wipers work? Did they work right? (lol)

I already have the rain-sensing wipers on my Park Avenue and they work flawlessly. I never have to adjust them. Just turn them on and forget about them.

I don't recall anything out of the ordinary when driving the Lucerne, so they must have operated just as well.

[gm_rocks]

Well that is good, I didn't really get to test out any fancy features. I must say I liked the way the seats adjust, does anyone know what all seat settings are saved?

[Flybrian]

I would assume all seatback and cushion positions (except heat/lumbar) as well as mirror, radio, and HVAC settings.

[gm_rocks]

I would assume all seatback and cushion positions (except heat/lumbar) as well as mirror, radio, and HVAC settings.

That's pretty good, they say it includes the seats, mirrors, radio and HVAC but fail to mention which seat posistions.

[ponchoman49]

When I test drove the CXL I was very pleased with the pick up, especially for the size. It felt faster than my parent's LeSabre.

What year was your parents LeSabre?

[Cananopie]

What year was your parents LeSabre?

I'm not saying I definitely know it was faster, but it felt faster is all I'm saying. I didn't race them or anything. Their LeSabre is a 2000.

[ocnblu]

gm_rocks:

How windy was it when you drove the Lucerne? Which direction were you travelling in relation to the wind?

I like the Lucerne, it looks elegant with a touch of attitude, and it looks big. I like that in a Buick.

[gm_rocks]

gm_rocks:

How windy was it when you drove the Lucerne?  Which direction were you travelling in relation to the wind? 

I like the Lucerne, it looks elegant with a touch of attitude, and it looks big.  I like that in a Buick.

I was driving south, not sure which direction the wind was blowing. For the most part it was a calm day, only a small amount of wind (maybe 1mph) that made the day colder than what it already was.

I agree with others where it might be the door adjustment, or now that I think of it the sunroof could have been slightly open (the sunshade was open, someone might have been playing with it and not closed it all the way).

I think here in the next week or so, I "might" take another test drive to see if it was the car, or just some poor adjustment.

I like the car and hopefully within the next two months one will be sitting in my driveway

[trinacriabob]

I'm sure it's an heirloom...like a lot of Buicks.

It is also a good looking Buick...the past LeSabre was seriously frumpy and the PA was just ok...I didn't care for the bulbousness of the greenhouse.

I will have to find an occasion to drive it or an opportunity to rent one (or whine my way into an upgrade).