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"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition) 04/15/2019 at 10:10 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping with Long-Voyager

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For a 2008 Buick Lacrosse Super.

I found one candidate already: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This one is listed at $7,995 and has 86k miles. Looks quite clean.

I’m trying to set up to look at it this weekend.

Thanks to The Actual RootWyrm for the idea on these, I think it will be a home run!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 07:21

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why not the Charger?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > pip bip - choose Corrour 04/15/2019 at 07:25

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Can’t find a low mileage one with the 3.6/8-speed combo that we can buy outright.

These are more affordable, more comfortable, and V8?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 07:36

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fair enough then

carry on

vondon302 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 07:43

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Have you looked at repo or state auctions by you? About 6 weeks  ago I looked at a 15 300c awd v6 45000 miles loaded leather and heated seats repo. I stopped at 9500 sold for 10250. 

Just saying. The Buick is also an excellent candidate. Good luck!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 07:54

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Aren't these FWD though? Sticking a V8 in a FWD usually doesn't work well in terms of driving dynamics.

zeontestpilot > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 08:09

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I found a Lacrosse Super at my local dealership. Was debating on asking for a test drive since I’m super curious on the engine and how it differs from my Pontiac Grand Prix’s 3.8L

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/15/2019 at 08:10

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According to R/T, M/T, when buick did it on these, they solved most of the Hi-po FWD issues, making a truly enjoyable car to drive.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 08:11

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The Supers have the 5.3L V8.....

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 08:18

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Interesting. I thought most of the issues with FWD V8s was with putting the weight of a full V8 drivetrain on top of the front axle.

zeontestpilot > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 08:25

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Within the years of ‘04 to ‘10, the Pontiac Grand Prix (7th gen) , Buick Lacrosse (1st gen) , Chevy Impala (9 th gen) , and the Chevy Monte Carlo (6th gen) all had a special trim (or in the case of the Buick, just a new model) that offered the 5.3L v8; all pushing ~ 300 HP. I’ve been driving my 3.8L Grand Prix for a few years now ( with 200 HP) , and I’ve been really interested in test driving a 5.3 L Grand Prix (or the Buick Super) to ‘feel’ the difference. To basically try out the bigger engine.

Unfortunately, any of these models with the 5.3 L V8 are hard to come by, or are priced a lot higher than the smaller engines; plus the Buick Super was only made from ‘08 to ‘09 making it a harder to find then the other models.

For Sweden > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 08:45

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But you could buy this S80 V8 for under $8000

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/52869922

Dru > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 08:52

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Where you been?

Your boy, BJR > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 08:53

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That’s lame. A car playment is a great way to help your credit score, and the pentastar 8 speed 300/Charger is a truly great car. Far better than any FWD trash.

zeontestpilot > Dru 04/15/2019 at 09:05

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In general? Or just LaLD ?

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/15/2019 at 09:15

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Nope. The weight is basically a non-issue. They just have the same design limitations as any high performance FWD, regardless of engine weight.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 09:21

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TBH I’d go northstar car over FWD LS. The Northstar got an appropriate transmission. The LS got the same pile of shit that was an issue with the supercharged 3800 so obviously even more torque will work great.

Dru > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 09:30

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Both, if you have time.

Dru > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 09:30

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Both, if you have time.

E90M3 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 09:52

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What’s the opposition to a small loan?

zeontestpilot > Dru 04/15/2019 at 10:00

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Bascially, the tl:dr version is for the past year I was a t home dealing with some medical problems that decreased my quality of life. Sort of went into a depression because i couldn’t handle everything; essentially secluded myself. I’m trying to be back now though! heh

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/15/2019 at 10:01

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Honestly, what does it matter for a daily cruiser?

It’s not like I plan on tracking it. Just want a comfy cruiser with some balls when called for.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > E90M3 04/15/2019 at 10:02

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The wife.

We’ve been without an auto loan for close to 2 years now and it’s damn nice. That being said, I can put money down on this and pay roughly $100/month on a 4 year loan. Pay $200/month and have it paid off in 2.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 10:03

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Ah, but the Lacrosse got the better trans, unlike the Grand Prix GXP/Impala SS.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Your boy, BJR 04/15/2019 at 10:04

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For a daily cruiser, driven wheels really don’t matter at all.

Plus Buick put in the effort/time to actually make these enjoyable to drive.

Not worried about our credit, we’re great in that department.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > For Sweden 04/15/2019 at 10:08

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Same price, more miles, roughly the same specs.

Guessing Volvo parts costs are going to be higher if things need replacing as well?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 10:09

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I’m pretty set on the Super as it seems the perfect balance of performance/reliability/comfort.

E90M3 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:10

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That is understandable, it is really nice not having a car payment. 

zeontestpilot > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:16

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oh i don’t blame you! if my grand prix ever died, i would of wanted another grand prix or even the buick lacrosse. the buick looks ridiculously comfortable. adding a v8 into the mix sounds even better, lol.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:17

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3.8? My brother in law had one. Seems reliable

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:35

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The LaCrosse got the same garbage 4t65e-HD as any other FWD LS car. The FWD Northstar cars (Bonnie GXP, Lucerne Super, etc.) got a 4t80e which is a far superior trans in all respects.

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 10:41

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Welcome back!  I’ve been wondering about you.

Arrivederci > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:42

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If these don’t work out, a similar W-body to consider would be the newer Impalas of that generation. They eventually were upgraded in 2012 to the LFX ( 3.6L V6) with direct injection, made 300hp which gave them plenty of scoot and a six-speed slusher instead of the old four-speed.

I had one as a rental and remember it as being honestly decent.  I’m pretty sure any 2012 or 2013 model you find will have that engine/trans combo.

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 04/15/2019 at 10:43

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Thanks, i appreciate it! I just scheduled a post for lald too!

shop-teacher > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:44

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Oh, nice!

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 04/15/2019 at 10:44

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Looking forward to it!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:44

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Many moons ago, I was moving across the state after graduating college in my Audo 200 20v. I heard a raucous noise at a stoplight and looked over to see a Lucerne super, with opened up exhaust and a hoop style rear spoiler like an SRT-4.

Sounded decent and the guy was just goosing it all over the place until we hit the freeway. Then he just planted it and took off.

Seemed like a good time.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 04/15/2019 at 10:52

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Super is LS4

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 10:52

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Yeah, in FWD cars Northstar > LS all day. 

Your boy, BJR > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 10:53

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I garuntee you that the refreshed LX cars are world s better to drive

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 04/15/2019 at 10:54

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Or just get either of the V6s. I’ve never driven one but I don’t think there’s anything massively wrong with the high-feature 3.6 liter V6 which made a respectable 240hp in those cars and 230lb-ft of torque. Just keep up on fluid and filter changes and the 4t65e should be a-okay with that amount.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 11:07

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Alternate suggestion:

I had no idea these existed but the STS is a RWD midsized lux sedan with the 3.6l high feature V6.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/769727780/overview/?aff=atempest&CMP=atempest

Mileage is kinda “up there” but it’d be a reliable daily, comfy, and probably have decent driving dynamics as well. Interiors from this era weren’t amazing to look at but I borrowed an ‘08 DTS from the dealership I worked at with 140k on it back in 2015 and it felt like a brand new car inside so if the STS aged equally as well from a quality standpoint I’d 100% take this over any of the other options.

Shift24 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 11:08

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But the Northstar is the way weaker motor. I would say if you baby the trans, like the grandpa who owned it   before, you “ could” be ok.

O n paper the Northstar is better than the LS. But there is so much more that could go wrong and problems that were supposedly “Fixed”. Parts aren’t exactly everywhere but can be found for reasonable but will not beat LS cheap . Even harder to work on than the LS due to overall size. Water pump , where you need a Northstar specific tool to remove, needs replaced a lot more often then they should. Oil leaks, especially around the oil pan, are tough to fix and more than likely need the sub frame removed to get to. And early versions before 04 are so notorious Headbolt/head gasket issue even Wiki has a section for it. GM finally “fixed” the issue but with LS parts....

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Shift24 04/15/2019 at 11:13

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I’m not comparing Northstar v LS because obviously the LS is the superior motor. I’m saying I’d rather deal with Northstar headaches than I would 4t65e headaches.

The correct answer is fuck all of these options, get a V6 2nd-gen LX charger/300c, or a RWD 3.6l STS, or a 3.6l 1st gen CTS, or a fucking LS430/GS430/GS300 because anything early-2000s GM and FWD with >240hp is going to be a bad time. Shit, even my naturally aspirated Riviera had a shit trans because people don’t maintain them. Rarely would I buy anything with a 4t* trans without proof that it’s been maintained or if I got it for literal scrap value.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 11:29

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... allegedly, one of my local Buick dealers claims to have a LaCrosse Super with 35 ,6 00 original miles (would not surprise me around here, high population of real ‘Church on Sunday, shopping on Wednesday ’ elderly.)

https://cargur.us/tgxbw

Shift24 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 11:34

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I did suggest a late 2000s 3.8L. I do agree the trans are the weak link but if its not SC or a V8 you stand a much better chance. I have seen multiple Centuries, Park Ave, and L esabre’s hit 200k without a problem. Again the trans aren’t great but if you take care of them (which again I agree is rare) you will be fine.

And agre ed, its kind of a backed in the corner market. No japanese, which even a camry is a better option then some of these

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 04/15/2019 at 12:11

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It’s already sold. Called on that one Saturday.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > E90M3 04/15/2019 at 12:13

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It is. Likewise, I’ve already spent a $200/month car payment worth on the ones I have and have another $1k to spend on the car......

Realistically, $100/month is nothing. We wouldn’t even notice it was gone.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Your boy, BJR 04/15/2019 at 12:14

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I guarantee you they’re not $10k worth of better to drive.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 12:23

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I would seriously consider an LS430 if they didn’t all have 200k+ miles! I’m sorry, I’m not spending $5k+ on a 200k+ car.

The LX cars are only decent with the 3.6/8-speed, which puts them over what I want to spend.

I refuse a Cadillac, because Cadillac premium.

I understand you’re concern with the trans, but we’ve never had a trans issue with the 4t65e, EVER. Even mated to a 300hp 3800SC, beat to hell, with a fluid/filter change at 165k, we made 237k before it lost reverse.

Besides, I’m used to Mopar transmissions, anything is an improvement over that.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 12:32

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237k is pretty pitiful

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 04/15/2019 at 12:38

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You wouldn’t be saying that if you saw how it was used. We’ve blown up “reliable” transmissions in less miles than that with proper maintenance.

E90M3 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 12:43

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Yeah it comes down to total money at some point. 

Your boy, BJR > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 12:44

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I do

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Your boy, BJR 04/15/2019 at 12:48

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I’ve driven both. For a daily driver, the Lacrosse is more comfortable than the base LX cars with far more options.

It’s also easier to drive thanks to the V8's powerband, it doesn’t need to be revved to perform.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the LX cars, but in reality, the Lacrosse is a better buy in every aspect IMO.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > E90M3 04/15/2019 at 12:49

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For me it’s coming down to time spent wrenching instead of time spent doing things with my kids. To me a couple hundred a month is easily worth it for more time with my family.

E90M3 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 13:03

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I’d agree with that statement. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/15/2019 at 18:29

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Fun fact! That generation of LaCrosse was called the Buick Allure here in Canada for a year ! :P

In Quebec at least, they’d have been better off leaving it called the Allure...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_LaCrosse#Canadian_market:_Allure

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 04/16/2019 at 06:59

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Well that’s Alluring........