On March 12, 2005, my girlfriend traded her thoroughly mediocre 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan for a new Buick LaCrosse CX. The Cutlass had been experiencing chronic cooling system problems. When she was confronted with the prospect of paying another $535 to replace the intake manifold gasket on the Olds' troublesome 3.1 V-6, she decided the time had come.

The LaCrosse replaces both the Century and Regal in the Buick lineup. I have driven both the Regal and Century and the LaCrosse is a quantum leap over both. Don't get me wrong, the Regal and Century have attractive, if conservative, styling and bullet-proof drivetrains. However, the interiors of both those cars look barren and could best be described as "contemporary American rental car." Such interiors would've been embarrassing in a Chevrolet Biscayne in GM's heyday. The LaCrosse's interior reminds me of what a Buick was like before the "bean counters" usurped power from the car guys at GM. Unlike the Century and Regal, the LaCrosse's fit and finish is very impressive both inside and out and reminds me of the attention Lexus puts toward the details.

The Buick LaCrosse CX is the entry level LaCrosse. The CXL is the mid-level trim and the CXS is the top-of-the-line LaCrosse. The LaCrosse CX is powered by the venerable overhead valve 200-hp 3.8 liter Series III 3800 SEFI, (Sequential Electronic Fuel Injected) Series III V-6 engine which delivers 200 hp @ 5200RPMs and 230 ft-lbs torque @ 4000 RPMs. It is mated to a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transaxle with overdrive. The CXL and CXS can be had with a 3.6 liter overhead cam mill which delivers 240 horsepower.

My girlfriend's LaCrosse is finished in a beautiful Sapphire Blue metallic with a beige cloth interior. The LaCrosse can be had with grey cloth or leather, but the beige looks more upscale. It is shod with P22560R16 Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires. The CX comes standard with 16 inch steel wheel and "deluxe" wheel covers that look really cheap. I convinced my girlfriend to spend the $350 to upgrade to the painted aluminum wheels which look infinitely better. Upper-level LaCrosses can be ordered with dazzling chrome wheels which are drop-dead gorgeous.

The driver looks out upon an instrument panel with two large round gages, speedometer and tachometer, with jewel-like chrome bezels and delicate numerals. Smaller chrome-outlined round fuel and temperature gages and a constellation of "idiot" lights fill in the rest of the space. The dashboard is finished in very realistic imitation wood with a slim chrome band below. The HVAC and radio controls are in a center console against a satin black background. Radio and HVAC controls employ large round dials with slim chrome outlines for coarse adjustment with a plethora of smaller buttons for fine tuning. An AM/FM stereo with CD player is standard on the CX. It delivers clear crisp sound and the A/C rapidly cools the car, even on the hottest days. I'm really impressed with how fast the defog/deice clears the windshield - almost instantly.

One problem I've seen is that the lettering on the radio buttons easily wears off and looks terrible. My girlfriend notified her service advisor of this and actually replaced the entire radio. The lettering is again starting to wear off again on the "SEEK" button. Somebody should notify GM's supplier. This is a quality lapse that shouldn't be neglected.

The cloth seats are firm yet comfortable. Seating position is adjusted via a long steel bar that runs parallel to the cushion. Power seats are optional, however, power lumbar adjustment is standard. The center arm rest opens up for storage of small items, but be sure you have the latch properly secured or you will spill its contents into the back sit if you flip it into the upright position. A dual cupholder flips down from beneath the armrest, but we rarely use it. Rear seating is comfortable for average-sized people, but taller ones may feel a little cramped.

The LaCrosse has a deep trunk with a handy cargo net. Unfortunately, the spare tire well is occupied by a useless donut tire - my perpetual pet peeve. The decklid provides a low liftover, but there is no external handle or ledge to grab it to close it. You either use the handle molded into the insides trim on the lid risking getting your hand caught, or make a handmark smudge on the outside finish.

The LaCrosse CX delivers smooth quiet power and excellent fuel economy which is an EPA reported 20MPG City and 30MPG Highway - much better than her 1999 Cutlass which was a smaller car with a smaller engine yet quite a gas hog. The car is very happy on 87 Octane - a plus in these days of high fuel prices. The four-wheel disc brakes with ABS stop the car quickly and smoothly. The front and rear independent suspension tackle cratered city streets with ease insulating passengers from bumps.

The dealership experience was excellent. The salesman was laid-back and let us take our time considering the LaCrosse. My girlfriend has excellent credit and easily qualified for special 1% GMAC financing AND got a $1,500 rebate. The salesman even offered a very generous $4,000 trade on her Cutlass which I didn't feel was worth $2,500. The car came with a standard 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, but we upgraded to a 5-year/60,000 mile GM warranty. We also got the gap insurance for a nominal sum in case the LaCrosse was totalled or stolen. Total purchase price was $22,750.

The LaCrosse has been with us for almost a year and a half with only one very minor problem and absolutely no major ones. Don't let your prejudices about Buicks being "only for old people" cloud you're judgement. We are young people, (I'm 41 and my girlfriend is 39) and we are extremely happy with our Buick vehicles. My 1988 Park Avenue took me from Philadelphia to Canada and back without a hitch. I may consider the larger Buick Lucerne for my next automotive purchase.
Amount Paid (US$): 22750
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: Painted Aluminum Wheels