Help me un-suck my wife's car.

BGPunk2001 · 11-07-2009, 09:09 PM

Ok, so my wife and I were fortunate enough to inherit a completely paid off 2006 Buick Lacrosse with 500 miles on it. It now has 35000 mile on it and while we are happy we have a fairly new car, she hates it because it is a grandma's land-boat.

Do you guys have any recommendations on what I can do to make the car handle like less of a boat? I would like to have a suspension that is comfortable, but responsive. Right now it bounces and rolls and generally sucks at handling. I assume it mostly needs shocks and springs, and possibly a anti-rollbar, but I was hoping for some suggestions. Cheap would be excellent.

IBstickers,CAI,BOV,under-carlights...etc...

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Tkacik · 11-07-2009, 09:10 PM

Don't look a gift car in the grille.

scaryfastskier · 11-07-2009, 09:12 PM

just tell her to drive faster if it's not exciting enough.

grant

FunkerVogt · 11-07-2009, 09:12 PM

Mimic the suspension setup on the LaCrosse Super?

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...-super-review/

Drink · 11-07-2009, 09:13 PM

Stock it with efferdent & vhs recordings of wheel of fortune/matlock.

Howl · 11-07-2009, 09:14 PM

Isn't there a forum for Buick Lacrosse modifiers?

skywatcher · 11-07-2009, 09:14 PM

Grab the struts/shocks/springs/sways out of a wrecked Grand Prix GTP/GXP. They're both W-Bodies so it'll bolt right up.
Won't get much cheaper than that.
Edit: Any 7th Gen Grand Prix suspension is better than the crap on the Buick.

chicken n waffles · 11-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drink

Stock it with efferdent & vhs recordings of wheel of fortune/matlock.

and certs!

my grandmother always had rolls of certs in her cadillac.

express_wagon · 11-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGPunk2001

Ok, so my wife and I were fortunate enough to inherit a completely paid off 2006 Buick Lacrosse with 500 miles on it. It now has 35000 mile on it and while we are happy we have a fairly new car, she hates it because it is a grandma's land-boat.

Do you guys have any recommendations on what I can do to make the car handle like less of a boat? I would like to have a suspension that is comfortable, but responsive. Right now it bounces and rolls and generally sucks at handling. I assume it mostly needs shocks and springs, and possibly a anti-rollbar, but I was hoping for some suggestions. Cheap would be excellent.

IBstickers,CAI,BOV,under-carlights...etc...

Yup, there's your problem. There's no hope.

FunkerVogt · 11-07-2009, 09:16 PM

Damn shame that the Buick Levite never made it to production, that was one sweet looking car.

quentinberg007 · 11-07-2009, 09:20 PM

I had one of these as a rental in Canada several times (called the Allure up there). My god, what a terrible, terrible car. The steering is extremely vague and nonlinear. Sorry for your addition to the family.

Is selling this car and buying another an option? These probably depreciate like crazy, so you might get hosed even more.

Pheasant Plucker · 11-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkerVogt

Damn shame that the Buick Levite never made it to production, that was one sweet looking car.

Stands nicely. OK lines. Grill, badge and wheels = cheap.
YMMV

dr_wheel · 11-07-2009, 09:26 PM

Go back in time and sell it when it only had 500 miles on it.

subySerb · 11-07-2009, 09:26 PM

Since that car is on the same platform as the Grand Prix and Impala, maybe you could use suspension parts off the GTP or Impala SS.

fish917 · 11-07-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicken n waffles

and certs!

my grandmother always had rolls of certs in her cadillac.

YES. Sometimes Necco wafers, but mostly certs

BGPunk2001 · 11-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quentinberg007

I had one of these as a rental in Canada several times (called the Allure up there). My god, what a terrible, terrible car. The steering is extremely vague and nonlinear. Sorry for your addition to the family.

Is selling this car and buying another an option? These probably depreciate like crazy, so you might get hosed even more.

You pretty much hit everything on the nail.

Vague handling, hard to keep on the road in rain or emergency conditions, doesn't hold value well.

This is why I just want to mod it to be reasonable to drive, and drive it till the ****ing wheels fall off.

quentinberg007 · 11-07-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGPunk2001

You pretty much hit everything on the nail.

Vague handling, hard to keep on the road in rain or emergency conditions, doesn't hold value well.

This is why I just want to mod it to be reasonable to drive, and drive it till the ****ing wheels fall off.

The nonlinear steering drove me up the wall and felt downright unsafe at times. You notice the car drifting out of the lane a little, so you steer... nothing happens... you steer a little more, nothing happens... you steer more and it lurches back toward the middle of the lane. I can't imagine an emergency maneuver in one.

I was looking at the KBB value of my GTI, and the amount of miles I put on it has tanked the value. I'm going to drive this damn thing until the bitter end. Plus, I paid it off recently, so no car payments for a couple years is hopefully worth the hassle of fixing whatever breaks.

FunkerVogt · 11-07-2009, 09:37 PM

Shouldn't a lower profile tire help at least somewhat with the vague steering feel?

SureGrap · 11-07-2009, 09:42 PM

Donk it.

Kellan · 11-07-2009, 09:44 PM

Take a dump on the hood and drive it off a cliff

BGPunk2001 · 11-07-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quentinberg007

The nonlinear steering drove me up the wall and felt downright unsafe at times. You notice the car drifting out of the lane a little, so you steer... nothing happens... you steer a little more, nothing happens... you steer more and it lurches back toward the middle of the lane. I can't imagine an emergency maneuver in one.

I was looking at the KBB value of my GTI, and the amount of miles I put on it has tanked the value. I'm going to drive this damn thing until the bitter end. Plus, I paid it off recently, so no car payments for a couple years is hopefully worth the hassle of fixing whatever breaks.

EXACTLY!!!! It almost feels unsafe, the suspension is so soft.

skywatcher · 11-07-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subySerb

Since that car is on the same platform as the Grand Prix and Impala, maybe you could use suspension parts off the GTP or Impala SS.

Is there an echo?

upnygimp · 11-07-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SureGrap

Donk it.

Bingo.

taxcider · 11-07-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnygimp

Bingo.

Donk 3rded.

theprodgalson · 11-07-2009, 10:05 PM

The best car i have ever driven was some late 90's oldsmobile my step dads parents had. After they passed away it was an extra car so my brother and i would use it from time to time when our cars were down or we had to drive a longer distance and didn't want to add onto our cars miles. That car floated and the seats felt like lazyboy chairs. i would buy it today if i found it.

11-07-2009, 09:09 PM	#1
BGPunk2001 Scooby Specialist Member#: 46134 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: RIP Roger Lauderdale	Help me un-suck my wife's car. Ok, so my wife and I were fortunate enough to inherit a completely paid off 2006 Buick Lacrosse with 500 miles on it. It now has 35000 mile on it and while we are happy we have a fairly new car, she hates it because it is a grandma's land-boat. Do you guys have any recommendations on what I can do to make the car handle like less of a boat? I would like to have a suspension that is comfortable, but responsive. Right now it bounces and rolls and generally sucks at handling. I assume it mostly needs shocks and springs, and possibly a anti-rollbar, but I was hoping for some suggestions. Cheap would be excellent. IBstickers,CAI,BOV,under-carlights...etc... * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-07-2009, 09:10 PM	#2
Tkacik Scooby Guru Member#: 847 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Milledgeville, GA Vehicle: 2006 Titan Crew Cab 2003 Odyssey EX-L RES	Don't look a gift car in the grille.

11-07-2009, 09:12 PM	#3
scaryfastskier Scooby Specialist Member#: 7893 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: International Location: Saint Louis... EI! Vehicle: 2010 Iron 883 2000 Lexus Landcruiser	just tell her to drive faster if it's not exciting enough. grant

11-07-2009, 09:12 PM	#4
FunkerVogt Scooby Newbie Member#: 4585 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern NJ Vehicle: 2003 Mazda 6s	Mimic the suspension setup on the LaCrosse Super? http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...-super-review/

11-07-2009, 09:13 PM	#5
Drink Scooby Specialist Member#: 102682 Join Date: Dec 2005	Stock it with efferdent & vhs recordings of wheel of fortune/matlock.

11-07-2009, 09:14 PM	#6
Howl Scooby Specialist Member#: 57830 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Universe central Vehicle: 2000 Forester Correct Fitment Crew #019	Isn't there a forum for Buick Lacrosse modifiers?

11-07-2009, 09:14 PM	#7
skywatcher Scooby Newbie Member#: 82470 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: International Vehicle: My God, it's full of stars!	Grab the struts/shocks/springs/sways out of a wrecked Grand Prix GTP/GXP. They're both W-Bodies so it'll bolt right up. Won't get much cheaper than that. Edit: Any 7th Gen Grand Prix suspension is better than the crap on the Buick.

11-07-2009, 09:16 PM	#10
FunkerVogt Scooby Newbie Member#: 4585 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern NJ Vehicle: 2003 Mazda 6s	Damn shame that the Buick Levite never made it to production, that was one sweet looking car.

11-07-2009, 09:20 PM	#11
quentinberg007 Scooby Specialist Member#: 7887 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Eleanor, WV Vehicle: 2007 Volkswagen GTI 2005 MINI Cooper S	I had one of these as a rental in Canada several times (called the Allure up there). My god, what a terrible, terrible car. The steering is extremely vague and nonlinear. Sorry for your addition to the family. Is selling this car and buying another an option? These probably depreciate like crazy, so you might get hosed even more.

11-07-2009, 09:26 PM	#13
dr_wheel Scooby Specialist Member#: 60106 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northeastern Pennsylvania, USA Vehicle: **** it.	Go back in time and sell it when it only had 500 miles on it.

11-07-2009, 09:26 PM	#14
subySerb Scooby Specialist Member#: 155411 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicagoland, The Region Vehicle: 07 Impreza Blue	Since that car is on the same platform as the Grand Prix and Impala, maybe you could use suspension parts off the GTP or Impala SS.

11-07-2009, 09:37 PM	#18
FunkerVogt Scooby Newbie Member#: 4585 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern NJ Vehicle: 2003 Mazda 6s	Shouldn't a lower profile tire help at least somewhat with the vague steering feel?

11-07-2009, 09:42 PM	#19
SureGrap NASIOC Supporter Member#: 6590 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: FBHIC - Mopsy Vehicle: Hi I'm Darth Nihilus	Donk it.

11-07-2009, 09:44 PM	#20
Kellan Scooby Newbie Member#: 135556 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: a house	Take a dump on the hood and drive it off a cliff

11-07-2009, 10:05 PM	#25
theprodgalson Scooby Specialist Member#: 181054 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fres-Yes Vehicle: 06 WRX wagon Obsidian Black Pearl	The best car i have ever driven was some late 90's oldsmobile my step dads parents had. After they passed away it was an extra car so my brother and i would use it from time to time when our cars were down or we had to drive a longer distance and didn't want to add onto our cars miles. That car floated and the seats felt like lazyboy chairs. i would buy it today if i found it.