Sticker Shock: $40,000 for a 2009 Buick Lucerne Super

GM just announced pricing for the new Buick Lucerne Super, which they hope will be considered a performance machine. The 292-hp V-8 powered front-wheel drive sedan will command a sticker price of $38,630 before a $765 destination charge when it goes on sale in April. That’s a lot for a Buick Lucerne, but GM does jam-pack it full of standard features to justify the price. A 2008 Buick Lucerne CXS with a 275-hp V-8 starts at $36,180 by comparison.

What do you get for nearly 40 large? Quite a bit. Magnetic ride control, heated and cooled leather seats, heated windshield wipers, parking sensors, remote start, suede trim on the doors and seats and a heated steering wheel are all standard on the Super trim. Typical options like a moonroof, navigation system, 18-inch chrome wheels and lane departure warning system are still extra.

Even with this seeming value, we’re a tad shell-shocked at the sticker. For less money, you can get an all-wheel drive Chrysler 300C with a more powerful Hemi V-8 ($36,670), a Saab 9-5 Aero ($36,320) which has less power but a nicer interior, or even a top-of-the-line Buick Enclave CXL crossover ($37,034) which gets identical mileage. Does the sticker seem reasonable? Tell us. And if so, will buyers line up?   

Comments

[Mike E.]

In 6 months they'll be selling for high 20's with rebates.

I don't think anyone who does any kind of comparison shopping at all would buy this car, but perhaps brand loyalists or people who just buy whatever they see would go for it.

Funny how the 4.6L V8 makes less HP than Nissan's 3.5L V6...

[Mike B.]

I dunno about you, Dave, but I'd much rather have a nicer, better-looking, 375-hp Genesis over this.

So... overpriced? Yeah. Like, way....

[K C]

Maybe Buick is going the way of Oldsmobile

[Liger]

The Lucerne is on the same platform as the Cadillac DTS. It also shares the same engine/transmission. So this is basically a poor man's Cadillac. It is a very nice car in my opinion. I had a CXS version of the car as a rental a while back, and it is an excellent car to eat up the highway miles. Great power, good gas mileage and extremely comfortable. Buick is supposed to be a reliable according to all the studies. It's not as flashy as a 300, but how often is that 300 going to be in for repairs?

[Matt]

$40,000 for a "performance" Buick?!! For that kind of money, performance and Buick are laughable. Bring on the 335i!

If Buick is the poor man's Caddilac, then the Hynudai Genesis is the poor man's Lexus! This Buick is way over priced.

[jay]

It is a high price, but compared to others like it is worth it. Look at Buick dependability...it blows away Saab, Hyundai and Chrsyler.

[Al]

Instead of a $40K Lucerne, if Buick replaced the antiquated underpowered 3.8 liter with the the 275hp version of the 3.6 liter V6, and MSRP'd it for around $28K, then Buick would have a real contender.
A $40K Lucerne makes no sense. A loaded CXL with a competitive engine does.
I have no interest in a thirsty V8 or an underpowered V6, but a Lucerne with a relatively economical and powerful V6 would put the Lucerne at the top of my list.

[Trainer]

Assuming Buick is matching Lexus reliability and quality on this model as it has with some of its other offerings, the price is not out of line. The Lucerne won't appeal to a BMW or Audi buyer, just as a Buick buyer would have trouble justifying a $38,000 four-cylinder A4 with a cramped back seat, or a $35,000 BMW 1 series coupe. A closer comparison would be a Lexus ES335 in the $40,000 range. The real key is how much quality GM has put into the Lucerne. The buying public will determine whether the price is justified or whether it will be rebate time in a few months.

[J]

Dave,
How many gears are there in the tranny?

[Peter Waitzman]

I think it might be worth it... if the Buick wasn't ugly. Man, I want to love American cars, and I've always thought GM has packed lots of value in its cars... since the Bonneville got its first heads-up display... but the reality is, it doesn't matter what it has inside if no one wants to check it out because the outside isn't attractive. There is NO reason why GM can't pound out sheet metal as attractive as a Bentley or a Mercedes for $40k. Chrysler did it (as you mentioned) in their 300C. Form follows function? Well, maybe the function should be to sell cars.

[joel]

not worth buying, instead i prefer a toyota avlona one for its qualitie and two for resale value so the avalon it is, or a lexus es.

[K]

This is a clear case of marketing as best you can.

Buick doesn't have much in sedans and can't quickly change that. But they can change some trim, add goodies, pick a theme, and try to sell anyway.

And they will sell some. The demographic that will even consider a Lucerne for $30K usually has the money to go higher.

I live near Sun City, AZ. Every third sedan is a newer Buick.

Watch for Tiger Woods touting it on TV.

[Infosaur]

Proably inflation. It's not like you can get a 3-series for below $30k anymore. And with even Hyundai breaking into the $30's we're gonna be looking backwards at the days when we could buy a new car for under $25k.

Entry Lexus are in the on the verge of $40 now and the big guns like the LS and GS are over $50.

This is a LOADED Buick and the dollar has sunk in value by 20% in the last year (bought milk and gas lately?) What did you expect? $15k with a $3k dealer cash back?

[Jon Hulse]

Buick is doing their best to be competitive with Lexus. The Lucerne is a decent compromise for both new and traditional buyers. The Super nameplate is their attempt to move further upscale. There is a rear wheel drive sedan in the works for the North American market as well. Before you write them off, take a test drive...it's very easy to criticize anonymously from your computer. Seems like everyone is an armchair magazine/newspaper editor these days....