We have a lot of car threads here. Here's a story if you need a tale before bed.

I thought, after selling a 2002 Silverado with 188K miles, a bit of rust, and a whining transmission, that a 2006 Lexus RX330 like my wife drives would be perfect for me. I bought one. Identical, except for color. After ten months of me driving it, my daughter found a 1995 F150, and decided on it as her first real vehicle purchase. She is thrilled to have HER truck. That left a 2006 Buick LaCrosse sitting in the driveway.

The Buick has been in the family for a while. I drove it initially. My wife drove it next. My daughter had been driving it most recently. It was a company test vehicle originally. But, when my daughter found this incredible antique truck, we had one too many cars. There in the driveway was my 2006 Lexus with 102K miles, and so many features. And, a 2006 Buick with 86K miles, and a few features. Not as many as the Lexus, but not too bad.

I have been putting up with the Lexus driving position for these ten months, telling myself I can live with it. Legs splayed outward (man spreading?) as the pedals are so close, and knees knocking on the door and console. Yes, when you are 6'4" some cars just don't fit. But you can live with that, right?

And that Lexus luxury. So luxurious that I can't stand a knick, scratch, or mar. Especially on the interior. But that stuff happens. And then what? I feel like I've damaged something irreplaceable. I know, it's just a car. But, it just gets to me.

And, the Lexus maintenance. It's challenging. You have to psych yourself up for it. Oil changes require pulling off two covering panels under the engine. Spark plugs are impossible to access on the back cylinder bank, and at 102K miles they need to be changed soon. I drained and refilled the ATF a couple of times, and changed the filter, to rid the machine of a strange clunk. That required a helpful tech from work...no way I could do it myself. The CD player ate a disk briefly, and the internet is awash with threads about radios with stuck CDs that just can't be fixed. The leather on the driver's seat was cracked, discolored, and getting worse again.

The Buick, just sitting there, while my daughter was off for a week of vacation, beckoned. I tried it out. I put my stuff in there. I drove to work. I filled the trunk with my musical instruments and amp and gig box. It all fit. I put the seat cover for the dog in the back. The dog could leap into the sedan-height seat with ease, while I had to lift her into the Lexus. I found the seating position a strangely excellent combination of Mercedes-like hard leather and La-z-boy lounging. I fit! My legs don't hurt. And, my lower body is supported by a very American long seat pan. The fuel economy was better than the Lexus. With more power. Less road noise. I liked it. I really did.

After that week with the Buick, including a road trip to CNU, it was hard to go back to the Lexus. The Buick has the optional 3.6L DOHC aluminum engine, and 17 inch wheels. Dual exhausts. Just enough features. Not like the Lexus, with everything from moonroof to self-adjusting headlights. But, the Buick works. I decided, with a wedding to fund and daily driving to enjoy, the Lexus had to go. Never in a million years did I think that the Lexus would leave the driveway. It was so cool. But, the Buick, it spoke to me.

I posted the Lexus on a board at work. One of my friends bought it. It was painless. Friends treat each other right. No worries. No concerns. He even brought me two bottles of his homemade wine as a gift, with the check. You won't get that with a Craigslist transaction.

In the past few days, I've thoroughly enjoyed making a few upgrades to the Buick. A leather seat cover out of waterproof cloth was found from www.seatshield.com via Amazon. New Brembo brake rotors from Autozone, and OEM-grade ceramic brake pads from the Buick dealer all around make stopping noiseless and vibration-free. Two new upper engine mounts cradle the 3.6L engine in soft rubber, but not too soft to clunk around like it was doing. A new low-tone horn is blaring with the high-tone tooter when I click the lock button twice. And, the XM radio is bringing me all the music and info I need, in a simple easy-to-use factory radio interface. No messing around with phones, bluetooth, and all that jazz.

I look forward to doing even more. Just where will the CB radio go? How will I clean the chrome-plated aluminum wheels? When will I travel to Charlottesville to get new speakers from Crutchfield? When will I get new floor mats? In time, new tires.

The maintenance is simple. I can replace everything. This afternoon I discovered the source of the odd vibrating noise when I drive on cobblestones...it is just the panels that direct air to the radiator...they're a bit loose. No big deal. Easy to lock down.

I feel relaxed, confident, and pleased that I have made a decision that helps the family financially, while bringing me a lot of daily driving pleasure. The journey here has taught me more than I thought it would.

Wouldn't you really, rather have a Buick? LOL. Your story makes me wish my 19 year old Park Ave was new. Its not to be. But she's been a good old car. Glad it worked out for you.

I had a tremendously great couple decades with used Buicks as one of the fleet....

a little clutch of 'em in the early 70s spoiled me after my years with the small foreign fascination....the 55 Roadmaster was simply magnificent, and provide 18+ mpg; the 57 was a step down in quality. Best of the lot was a 51 business coupe, 3 on the tree & straight 8; "Beulah Rose" after an engraving on the little crank-out quarter window.....

I celebrate your unexpected pleasure; enjoy the virtues of the marque as they were well deserved IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
Wouldn't you really, rather have a Buick? LOL.

If it was one of these, you bet your bottom dollar I would.

One of my favorites...

Buick...The last car you will ever own.

I think it was sigmonkey who has a sweet convertible in his garage and, who can forget blindrefs' vintage power house?

I seriously like the Park Ave and Lesabre sedans but the Park Aves leather interior gets a little old. The Lesabre came with cloth and I'd very much like a '05 which is the last year the big ones were produced with the 3800.

I got in an accident in Phoenix and was given a 2006 Lacrosse for a rental. It made my joints creak and kept wanting to steer itself in the direction of Sun City. OK car, but I wasn't sad to turn it loose and get back into my truck. Being a rental it was a relatively "stripped" model with the plain old 3.8, which may have made a difference.

My grandfather has been rocking Park Avenues since the early 80s since he quit buying Pueguets.

Can't argue with what works (for your situation and needs)

Once upon a time I owned a 1951 Buick. It sort of wallowed around as I drove down the road. One day it threw a rod. I junked it and bought a 1947 Studebaker which I think was a better car.

A week later, after putting the brakes and mounts on, and I still love the car. I know it makes little sense. But, it works. I need to clean the chrome rims with some gentle chemistry.

Here's Sandy waiting to get in the Red Sled
Sandy and the Red Sled

Pretty car.

Aesthetics and options aren't everything. My all-time favorite car was a '99 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Like your Buick, 'it just fit.' I wish I had that car back. Traded it for a '09 Jetta. Big mistake. Not a 'bad' car, but it just didn't fit me as well.

Find someone with small hands when you need to change the headlights. I just watched my brother change the headlights on his exwife's 2008 Lacrosse. You have to pull the assembly out a little and it's still tight.
Yours is the same color as hers. It's a nice car.