The 2008 Buick Lucerne is probably the most comfortable car you’re going to find for under $6,000. Powerful, spacious, and built like a living room on wheels, the Buick Lucerne is a steal at this price.
Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2008 Lucerne is simply a gem. Comfortable, powerful, fun to drive, and priced so low you’ll think you’re getting away with something.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – One of the most comfortable cars ever made, and arguably the most comfortable car on the market at this price.
- Reliability 8/10 – Good maintenance will probably get you to 250,000 miles before your first major repair.
- Safety 9/10 – Crash test ratings are pretty good, and some of the available safety features are remarkable for the model year. Most people didn’t even know what a blind spot warning was in 2008.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – It’s not quite a gas hog, but it is a 2008 full-size sedan. Look for a compact if 16/25 miles to the gallon sounds a little too rich for your blood.
- Value 9/10 – The 2008 Lucerne would be fairly priced at twice its going rate.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
Consumer Reports liked the 2008 Lucerne’s cushy ride and quiet interior. They found the suspension steadier than in other Buicks, and they found the 3.8L V6 engine responsive, but a bit noisy. CR ultimately rank the Lucerne around the middle of the pack in the full-size luxury sedan segment.
Kelley Blue Book found the 2008 Lucerne to be a solid throwback to the classic full-size American luxury cars of yore, naming it one of the best in its class with its couch-like seating and spacious, high-end interior. They note that the old school styling might not be so appealing to younger drivers, but some may like the retro vibes.
Edmunds found the 2008 Lucerne comfortable and intuitive, they liked the V8 engine, and they found the cabin nice and quiet. They also found the CX and CXL models to be sloppy in their handling, and they felt the V6 engine was underpowered.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne Have?
The 2008 Buick Lucerne has generated 198 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 105 of these are for electrical issues, with drivers reporting interior cabin lights illuminating for no reason and the car failing to start, with failure mileage typically reported before 100,000.
A handful of drivers have reported the fuel pump relay going out as a result of a burnt out fuse. This has to do with the placement of the fuse relay box, with the seat rubbing against the fuse and causing premature failure.
There have been some reports of driver door handles simply snapping off in the driver’s hand, or falling to pieces entirely. One driver reports the mechanic putting the handle back together twice, but it keeps happening.
The 2008 Buick Lucerne has been recalled 3 times in total, which is on the lower end of median for a sedan of this age.
How Long Will the 2008 Buick Lucerne Last?
Buick Lucerne drivers have reported crossing the half million mile mark with the original transmission. That’s probably not going to happen in a used model, but, if you can find one in good condition, 250,000 miles isn’t unrealistic.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $509, which is a bit high for a sedan, but low for a luxury car. The most expensive common repairs, by far, are new suspension shocks and struts, which can cost anywhere from $1,680 to $2,250 each.
It is very reliable. It drives very smoothly and I have encountered no problems whatsoever with this vehicle.
For some reason, I cannot put my power chair on the rack attached to the back of the car. The seat belt is a pain to attach.
Nothing major. I drive it on weekend trips over 300 miles. Will drive it anywhere with no major issues
It is a very reliable vehicle. We use it as our primary vehicle for long trips. The only problems we've had are the driver side door handle breaking on the inside and computer glitches with the power steering. But we bought used
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good for a 2008 luxury sedan. You’ve got all the standards like a CD/MP3 player with 6-speakers, XM satellite radio, etc. But what’s really nice about the Lucerne is the acoustics. Music just sounds better inside this cabin.
Safety technology is very good for a 2008 luxury sedan, with anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and passenger-sensing airbags. You even have blind-spot and lane-departure warning features, which were pretty rare in 2008.
Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne a Good Value?
The 2008 Buick Lucerne is a very good value. An entry level CXL typically lists for around $5,508, while a high-end Super Sedan goes for around $6,294. To put that into perspective, a subcompact Chevy Aveo from the same year goes for around the same price, and that car doesn’t even pack a CD player as a standard feature.
If you can find one in good condition with around 150,000 miles on the odometer, fastidious maintenance might well get you another 100,000 miles or more. As far as used luxury sedans go, this is one of the best deals on the market.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
The 2008 Buick Lucerne is available in five trim levels, from the base CX to the high-end Super.
In the entry-level CX you’re getting:
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry Cloth seating
- CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers
- 6-way power adjust driver seat
Next up is the CXL, adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Leather seating
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
The mid-range CXL Special Edition adds:
- Heated front seats
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
In the CXS you add:
- Rain sensing windshield wipers
- UltraSonic parking assist
- Fog lights
- 3 extra speakers
Finally, the top-of-the-line Super features all that plus:
- Suede and leather seating
- 6-disc CD changer
What Engines Come In the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
- The base engine in the 2008 Lucerne is a 3.8L V6 delivering 197 horsepower and 227 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 16/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- CXS and CXL Special Edition models come packed with a 4.6L Northstar V8 engine delivering 275 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 15/23 miles to the gallon.
- The Super sedan carries a more powerful version of the 4.6L, delivering 292 horsepower and 288 lb.-ft. of torque at 15/22 miles to the gallon. The Super can do zero to sixty in 6.8 seconds, but most drivers won’t notice the difference between the base and Super versions of the V8.
What Colors Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
The 2008 Buick Lucerne is the most comfortable car you’re going to find at this price. The seats stretch a generous 57 inches across at the hip with ample space for your head and feet, and, with the smooth suspension, they feel like someone put your favorite recliner inside the cabin.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne Have?
The 2008 Buick Lucerne offers 17 cubic feet of cargo space. This puts it on the smaller end of the full-size sedan market when it comes to trunk space, but it’s still enough for six or seven medium suitcases, and easily outclasses almost any compact or mid-size that isn’t a hatchback or a wagon.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Buick Lucerne nameplate was short lived, running for a single generation from 2006 to 2011.
2006: The Lucerne debuted in 2006 with a pair of engines on the GM G platform, which it shared with the Park Avenue and the LeSabre.
2007: Standard side curtain airbags were the only big change for 2007.
2008: New safety features for 2008 included blind-spot and lane-departure warnings. Optional remote start was added, too.
2009: Bluetooth and NavTraffic were added for 2009.
2010: Backlight gauges and new rocker panels headlined a handful of minor cosmetic tweaks for 2010.
2011: The only big change for the Lucerne’s final model year: USB ports.
How Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Camry was on something of a cold streak in the late 2000s, and the 2008 model doesn’t really offer serious competition for that year’s Buick Lucerne, costing a couple thousand dollars more, and tending to show its age at just 200,000 miles.
A 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix sells for around the same price as a Lucerne, and offers a slightly more powerful engine, but the performance difference is marginal, and the Lucerne offers a better cabin experience overall.
The 2008 Buick Lucerne is simply one of the best deals on the market today. It drives like a Cadillac or a BMW, but it sells at a budget car price. If you can find one in good condition, snatch it up before people catch on to what a hidden gem this car is.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
Yes. I have had it for 10 years now and have had no issues with it at all other than regular maintenance.
I have driven Cadillacs in the past and I feel that, on the whole, my Lucerne is comparable all the way down the line in comfort, lack of service, and ease of ride.
Yes. We have 317000+ miles. It is starting to need things but is to be expected on an older model
Yes, it drives really smooth and has a large trunk. Great small family vehicle. It’s similar to driving a boat when it comes to parking, but overall a wonderful car