The world of overcomplicated engineering and technology means more items in vehicles can fail at any time. The world of simpler engineering and less added tech to vehicles meant some cars could last what felt like forever. When sedans have fewer complex features and qualities, they are often easier to drive, delivering a smooth, pleasant driving experience.

In addition to the added tech that makes some cars extremely complicated, many passenger vehicles have gotten smaller. It's easy to see why. Automakers have been focused on efficiency over comfort and saving fuel, whether it's gasoline or electricity, wherever possible. There's also the fact that manufacturers know that, if a family wants size, they're more than likely shopping SUVs. This creates smaller, lighter, and less spacious sedans. If comfort and straightforward engineering are what you’re after, there’s one forgotten four-door that delivers.

The desire to squeeze every ounce of efficiency and power out of an engine has caused some cars to fail much sooner than they should. Although adding turbochargers and hybrid motors can give drivers the benefits of more power and better efficiency, these items aren’t made to last nearly as long as the engine. There’s something special, simple, and admirable about naturally aspirated engines, especially those that have proven themselves over time.

How much does comfort actually matter when driving? If you struggle to get in and out of your compact sedan, begin to ache or get fidgety while driving, you aren’t exactly comfortable behind the wheel. While some compact cars are pretty comfortable, it's almost impossible for most modern cars to match the pure comfort and spacious feel of full-size sedans. Although many poke fun at the land yachts of old, these big American sedans had soft rides, spacious cabins, and comfortable seats, making it easy to enjoy your time behind the wheel.

The American sedan has since seen its glory years pass it by, find out what the future holds for this once stalwart of a segment on American roads.

Although most of the world has forgotten about the Buick Lucerne, and that makes sense since 2011 was its final model year, when it comes up in conversation, there’s generally a bit of admiration for this car. It missed the days of land yachts, but was still part of the full-size sedan class, which is all but forgotten today.

A huge part of what made the Lucerne great is the legendary 3800 V6 engine. This 3.8-liter V6 is naturally aspirated, giving owners the engineering simplicity desired. Many Lucernes have reached 200,000 miles with only routine maintenance, demonstrating the longevity of this incredible engine. This engine produced 197 horsepower and 227 pound-feet of torque, which doesn’t sound like much, but it was enough for the Lucerne. Fuel mileage came in at a paltry 17 city/26 highway mpg, but this isn’t a car made for efficiency.

Later models received a revised V6, which displaced 3.9 liters. This retuning increased power to 227 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, giving drivers that extra bit of power they desired. This power increase didn’t change the fuel efficiency, which was a win for the Lucerne.

The V6-powered Lucerne isn’t going to win any sprint races, posting a 0–60 MPH time of only 9.7 seconds, but that is enough to get the car up to highway speed in an acceptable time. This isn’t a car made for high-speed driving or passing maneuvers. If you want a calm, composed, and smooth commute, this Buick sedan is ideal. The characters built into the Lucerne have carried over for some modern Buicks, which aren’t made for aggressive driving but prioritize smooth highway comfort and relaxed cruising in a quiet cabin.

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The full-size sedan market never got the respect it deserved. Sure, the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon have been lauded, but many other models quietly delivered on the same promises of comfort, calm driving, and reliable powertrains. The Buick Lucerne came with a 17.0 cubic foot trunk, a roomy seating area that gave front passengers 39.5 inches of headroom, 42.5 inches of legroom, and 58 inches of shoulder room. Passengers in the rear also enjoyed a spacious area with 37.7 inches of headroom, 41.4 inches of legroom, and 57 inches of shoulder room. These measurements rivaled many luxury sedans of the time.

In addition to offering creature comforts, the Lucerne is affordable to maintain and reliable to drive. That 3800 V6 engine makes a huge difference, and RepairPal gives it a score of 3.5 out of 5.0, which puts it in the 13th spot among full-size sedans. J.D. Power scored the Lucerne 83/100, which is impressive for a full-size sedan. The real benefit is the low cost of annual maintenance and repairs, which comes out to $585 per year, which is hard to beat.

When the Buick Lucerne arrived, it brought back thoughts of larger land yachts from the 1980s and 1990s. In 2006, it was 6.4 inches longer than the Chrysler 300 and 2.5 inches longer than the Ford Five Hundred. This big Buick wasn’t made for carving up the corners, but for smooth driving. A quiet cabin, impressive seat comfort, and a supple chassis and suspension system make the Lucerne an ideal car for long-distance highway driving experiences.

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Some cars harken back to the days when things were made to last. The Buick Lucerne is one of those cars. It was made to last with only proper maintenance and proper driving. Many examples of the Lucerne have exceeded 250,000 or 300,000 miles and continue going. The simplicity of the V6 engine setup allows many owners to perform their own maintenance, aside from a few more complicated tasks that only require attention every 100,000 miles or so.

Engines that don’t have strong parts support don’t last very long. Thankfully, the 3800 V6 engine has been used for many GM vehicles over the years. This means replacement parts remain affordable and available today. This makes it much easier and more affordable to maintain, repair, and drive the Buick Lucerne, especially compared to a large BMW or Mercedes-Benz sedan, which could cost thousands more and might have fewer available parts.

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The Buick Lucerne is mostly forgotten, but it had much of what owners wanted in a comfortable car. If you wanted luxury levels of comfort without paying Cadillac prices, the Lucerne was a good choice. That said, some model years are much better than others. The 2010 model is considered the sweet spot for reliability. This version brought in the more powerful V6 engine, and many of the issues from earlier models, such as electrical harness problems, had been solved. The 2011 model year is also a good option and is the most evolved version of the Lucerne.

There’s really no contest between the two engines. The V6 models, whether 3.8 or 3.9-liter versions, are legendary for their durability, simplicity, and affordability. These engines are uncomplicated, allowing some owners to maintain them and significantly reducing maintenance costs. The Northstar V8, which is more powerful and made for more fun, is complex and prone to expensive leaks. The V6 engine is the right choice for drivers looking to avoid headaches with their Lucerne.

The Buick Lucerne isn’t often recommended. Some drivers find it difficult to talk glowingly about a car that simply does its job well. Although a calm, serene, and comfortable ride is a bit boring, it could be exactly what’s required after a long day at work or during a long road trip. The genuine comfort is what makes the Buick Lucerne great.

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Sources: Buick, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, JD Power

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/sedan-nobody-recommends-owners-keep-for-200000-miles/