"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
07/25/2018 at 21:05 • Filed to: None
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"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
07/25/2018 at 21:05 • Filed to: None | 0
| 13 |
In my leisurely combing of ads of cars under $4k, I’ve come across a 2006 Buick Lucerne CXS with the Northstar and only 88k miles for $3400. Does that seem right? I’m seeing more than a few of them under $6k. How scary are they?
https://www.layalautomotive.com/mobile/mdetails.aspx?vid=271039062
(I love how they didn’t bother to make sure the hood was closed before taking the pictures.)
You know me, I love me some old man cars.
E92M3
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 21:16 |
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The scariest part is the Northstar engine. It's known for blowing head gaskets. I wouldn't touch one unless they've got documentation that they've already been replaced.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> E92M3
07/25/2018 at 21:17 |
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The late ones were fine IIRC.
Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 21:17 |
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I would guess they are a difficult sale to most people these days. No one wants a car, especially a Buick. I know the Northstars changed in ~2005 and it helped with headgasket issues on the earlier engines. I’ve never heard of any real problems, other than headgaskets, on the Northstars. I say buy it, drive it 2 years, and sell it for whatever you can get for it. This is all contingent on the test drive and some sort of inspection.
Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 21:30 |
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Considering the target audience for these, you might have to deal with the heady aroma of mothballs and Ensure farts. Trust me, I have a Town Car.
Goldzilla
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 21:35 |
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I had the olds Aurora version, engine fine with parking brake and transmission
Nibbles
> E92M3
07/25/2018 at 21:41 |
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Meh post 1998 they were pretty decent
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fhrblig
> Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
07/25/2018 at 21:44 |
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Yeah, I think that might be part of it. Cars are going out of style, and these were never in style.
I’m not financing anything more than 2 years, and whatever I get will be driven very little. I think I’m going to keep an eye on these.
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fhrblig
> Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/25/2018 at 21:45 |
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By the time I get done with it it'll smell like a cigar lounge, so it's fine.
itschrome
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 21:47 |
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But it or I will!
ranwhenparked
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 22:38 |
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The Lucernes seemed like well built cars, at least compared to what came before, but, personally, I’d steer clear of Northstars. The first few years had the Buick 3.8 V6 on the base models, seems like the most foolproof option.
merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> E92M3
07/25/2018 at 23:30 |
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Supposidly they fixed the head bolt issue post 2005, so you should be fine
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merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> fhrblig
07/25/2018 at 23:31 |
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It’s basically a cadillac deville without the caddy badge. They are pretty simple and easy to work on.
acarr260
> fhrblig
07/26/2018 at 08:50 |
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I got a Lucerne for the wife, but I stayed away from the Northstar. The other option was the 3.8, and it’s pretty bulletproof. That seems like a good deal (I paid closer to $6k for ours) if the Northstar is no longer issue-prone.