2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse

bt06

I second johnh7's remarks, the car is quite nice. Luckily they had a few on the lot when I was looking. I wanted the loyalty cash (my wife has an Enclave) and conquest (had an Acura lease). I almost walked when they told me they couldn't do both due to something about processing. They even produced the guidelines to show me they weren't bluffing. LOL! Glad I stuck with it and just took the conquest cash, love the vehicle. Plus I can't tell you how many people have gawked at my vehicle. I normally don't get into that kind of thing, but honestly it's pretty cool. My wife almost fell out her seat laughing at two guys that were eating outside when we passed a restaurant. She said it was if they were going to jump the rail to get a better look at the car. :shades:

cooterbfd

I bought the first CXS in RI back in August, and have enjoyed it ever since. I got the Employee pricing, as I work for Verizon and we get the discount (although the salesman just took my word for it with my ID and never processed it with the verification number, which I found odd), as well as the $1000 owner loyalty (I too tried to get more than one, as I own 4 other Buicks......NOT happening) and $250 for being a credit union member. SO there is some (not much) haggle room, plus just enough cash back.

Every time I get in this car, I can feel my stress melt away. It is a great car. I feel sorry for anybody who passes one up because they think GM should be giving it away.

dslong

I bought my loaded ( Factory Sticker was 39145.00 ) CXS in late January. I don't know if these cars are not selling that well in the Minneapolis-St Paul area but I thought I got a pretty good deal. I had $1506.00 in GM Card rebate and GM bumped it to $3000.00. I also got $1000.00 in GM Conquest cash and just under $1700.00 off the Sticker. For a total just short of $5700.00 off the Sticker Price.

For those wondering, this was the Factory Sticker without any dealer additions. I finally have enough miles on it to feel that it has had a proper break-in. I am now able to do some everyday driving and really enjoying this car. First Buick purchase, first GM purchase since 1990. I think they've got it figured out.

chris231

Something that made me laugh at LaCrosse dealership. They told me full sticker price only. I said I was paying cash & wondered if that would make a difference. The salesman looked at me and said "We actually lose $100 when you pay cash because the banks give us $100 on each car you finace through us. I couldn't win on that one. lol

johnh7

It would be interesting to see if you could buy a car you'd want off your dealer's lot today. I know my dealer had a LaCrosse in the showroom and a few in inventory when I placed my order in early January. The only one he has on the lot now is a CX with cloth interior that nobody is biting on.

The last discussion I had with them indicated that they are back ordered and that brokers are calling them daily trying to buy cars off their allotment to sell at a mark up.

Clearly there could be regional differences. I'm on the east coast and I'm only talking about one dealer, but there aren't zillions of Buick dealerships out there and I sense that the experience of this particular dealer is fairly representative of others in this region of the country.
They've been running those side by side ads (against the Lexus) a lot the past couple months. They seem fairly effective from my vantagepoint and I suspect they've helped move a lot of cars and generated a lot of orders for delivery over the next few months.

cooleydd

John

This is always true. The finance companies pay a kickback to the dealer for any finance that the dealer gives to them. This could vary in amount depending on the interest charged. If the dealer gets a higher rate of interest - he gets more kickback. So always remember if you finance you have a little more room to bargain. Actually interest rates may also be negotiable unless you take a GM interest package.

If you buy a GM Warranty that price is also negotiable - you can go online and get quotes from other dealers across the nation to compare.

I addition, I believe, if there is a GM sponsored "rebate" or "allowance" because you are a former owner of a GM product or other auto produce, a member of a Credit Union, member of a military, first time buyer, etc. - this is money that comes from GM and you can subtract this amount and then negotiate from the price after that subtraction.

By the way if you price out a Lacrosse top of the line you will find the given dealer cost is priced higher (less percentage profit) than is usual in the industry.

Basically everything is negotiable.

johnh7

Perhaps - but I'm not sure that's all that true when you're not buying off the lot. I had a 3 month wait for my car.

Financing leverage is easy to exert because you can secure financing away from them. The rate they offered came down when I brought them the deal my local Credit Union was willing to offer me. Could I have squeezed a couple hundred dollars out of the dealer? Possibly - if that was important to me - but the only pricing leverage you really have in a negotiation at that point in time is exercised by a willingness to walk.

Personally I wanted the car and was satisfied. And - I have little doubt that this car would have been gobbled up by someone else right after I left the showroom.

adpcs

I was able to get about $1400 off MSRP using the GM Credit Union discount. They are even going to delivery to me free (300 miles away)..All the dealers around here said nothing less than MSRP, plus i was able to get the exact color combo i was looking for (Locally, they were telling me I had to order it). It took about a week to find it, but they did, and i should be getting it next week. I have never owned an American car, so I am really interested in seeing all the hype for myself!

pennya

I have been checking out the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and had a salesperson demonstrate some of the car's features the other day. One of the little features I've liked on luxury cars is showing the date as well as the time. We tried to find this setting on the CXL we were in, but could not find it. Then the salesperson thought maybe the car didn't come with such a setting, but when we got out the manual, there it was. Yet, when we followed the manual and tried to access it, the time and date option did not show up. So, two questions for Mariah: Does the LaCrosse have this setting option or is it a misprint in the manual? And if so, is it on only certain models of the LaCrosse and not a standard feature?

Thanks in advance for the information!

Penny

cooleydd

I have the seat that allows it to be set for two drivers and it will automatically move the seat where you had set it. However it is not consistent. It will automatically move to the rear when I stop the engine and open the door - this is consistent. However what happens next changes. Sometimes it will move back to the last driver when the driver gets out and closes the door. Sometimes it does nothing at this point. When it does nothing and I get in I have to push the button to get it to the right place. Sometimes it moves when I open the door to get in. In addition I believe it is suppose to adjust other things (mirrors?) to a set place. Anyway there is nothing consistent to what it does.

And then the buttons to set the seat are located on a ledge right below the level of the seat (above the 8 way seat adjustments). This is a difficult place to get to when you are setting in the seat and want to set them to automatic. You can not see them and you have to push the right two buttons. In addition I have had the buttons pushed as I swing out of the car. This is a very bad placement of these set buttons. They need to be where you can see them and where you do not set them accidentally getting out of the car. It would even help if the buttons were further apart and have a tactile feel that is different for each button.

Anyone else have this problem?

gmcustsvc

Hello Penny,
My information doesn't state that any specific trim level doesn't have the date on the clock. It is possible that someone set the clock to display no date. I am not sure why the date didn't display for you because I wasn't there to see what you did. These are the instructions that I have to set the date and time: Setting the Time and Date 1. Press the CONFIG button and select Time and Date Settings,
or press the H button. 2. Select Set Time or Set Date. 3. Turn the Menu knob to adjust the highlighted value. 4. Press the SELECT button to select the next value.
5. To save the time or date and return to the Time and Date Settings menu, press
the 0 BACK button at any time or press the SELECT button after adjusting the
minutes or year.
If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

kjs8

Your observation is correct. I have a CXS with all options and the seat works the same on mine. At first I thought that the seat would not return to it's programed position unless you pushed and held the correct memory button, but last week it started to return to the preset position at startup. Now this week it does nothing at startup. I have not checked the manual but I think it it should return to the presets at startup. I have not checked mirror position to see if that works. Anyone have an explanation of how the memory system should work once activated?

cooleydd

It seems to me that the seat should do the following:

When you shut off the motor and open the door the seat should move back and stay back until you open the door and sit down when you are starting again. This should always return to the last person to get out of the car. This would allow you to get both in and out with the seat at the full back position.

It would appear that their is something wrong with the programming. As for the mirrors I have yet seen them move at any time.

The location of the buttons allows the weight of the driver to touch them as they get out of the car and thus change the set location.

It is all a great idea if it would work the same all the time. Have not gone back to the dealer as I suspect they have no more information than I have.

pennya

Thank you, Mariah. We couldn't find the time and date setting options, so hopefully my salesperson just didn't know how to find it. I'm going to keep the information you provided here and when I find the car equipped the way I want, I will try to set the date following your instructions. I appreciate you getting back to me so soon!

Penny

johnh7

I have a CXL. My manual has one paragraph that describes a time setting function (without date display capability) followed by a paragraph that desribes a time setting process with date display functionality. My car definitely does not have the date display functionality associated with the time set and display function.

gmcustsvc

Hello Penny,
No problem. If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

pennya

Hmmmmmmm! That's what we found when we went to the manual to find the date setting function. Thank you so much for posting your reply. I think this is something Mariah should check into further.

pennya

Hi Mariah,

Please see John's reply on my question. He cannot find the date setting either. Could you check into this further and try to see if you can get a date on a "live" car? I would really appreciate it!

Penny

dslong

I have the memory set for both myself and wife. Open the door and the seat moves back allowing for an easier exit from the vehicle. Open the door to enter and the seat automatically returns to the preset position based on the remote that was in use when the memory was set. Somebody at GM wasn't thinking, the seat should not return to the memory position before the driver has a chance to enter the vehicle.

I simply turned off the the feature that returns the seat to the preset position and do it manually upon entering the vehicle. On the Chrysler I had, that this vehicle replaced, the seat returned to the preset position once the ignition key was turned. I guess that made to much sense the Buick engineer in charge of this item. These are the small irritating things that start to add up, but............I still like this car!

kjs8

Well, now we have three different ways that each of our LaCrosse memory seats operate. Can we return to the dealer to have them reprogramed to work properly, return to the memory position when the car is started?

cooleydd

Sounds good to me - I would go for that.

The question is can a dealer re-program or must it come from GM directly. If so it sure would be a big help to me as I am somewhat handicapped and it makes it difficult to get into the car when the seat is forward. I paid extra for this and certainly I am not getting my the value for what I paid. I love the car but if my handicap gets worse - I will hesitate in driving it and go back to my Ford minivan.

Would suggest anyone thinking of buying this car give this some consideration.

gmcustsvc

Hello Kjs8,
You can have the dealership program the vehicles memory seat for you. Also, check to see if anything is in your track to block the seat from moving correctly. Here are the instructions I have to set the memory seat. To save your positions in memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, including
the seatback recliner and both
outside mirrors to a comfortable
position.
2. Press and hold MEM and
button 1until the beep lets you
know that the position has been
stored.
A second seating and mirror
position can be programmed by
repeating the above steps and
pressing button 2.
To recall the memory positions,
press and hold either button 1 or
button 2 corresponding to the
desired driving position. The seat
and outside mirrors move to the
position previously stored.
Releasing the button before the
stored position is reached cancels
the recall.
and Restraints 2-5
Then try recalling the memory
position again by pressing the
appropriate memory button. If the
memory position is still not being
recalled, see your dealer/retailer for
service.
Easy Exit Seat
With this feature, the driver seat
automatically moves back to give
the driver more room to exit when
the ignition is turned to OFF and the
driver door is opened.

If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

kjs8

Mariah: So am I to understand that the system is not designed to return to the last memory position on engine startup? Mine did do just that for a week and then returned back to having to push and hold the preset button on the seat to return to my position. I think others have had their seat return to the preset position on startup as well. I have turned the feature off through the config comands as I would think this return function should happen at startup.

cooleydd

I have the navigation system installed and I am a bit confused.

I am on a 3 month trial with XM that comes with the new car. They send me subscription information to continue after the 3 months. They have three packages:
1. XM Radio
2. XM Radio +Nav Traffic
3. XM Radio +NavTraffic/Weather

Are these necessary for the Buick Navigation to work for directions, Traffic and weather.

I assume the Buick Navigation is completely independent from XM and does not need XM to work. Is this correct.

gmcustsvc

Hello Cooleydd,
You are correct. You don't need XM to have navigation in your Buick. However, if you want real time traffic ect. you will need the XM. If you have any other questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

gmcustsvc

Hello Kjs8,
This question depends on what key fob you have. You technically wouldn't even need to push any buttons on the key fob. The vehicle will recognize which driver is associated with the key fob and will adjust the seat according to the driver it is set to on that key fob. For instance, if you are driver #1 and you set your settings on the key fob as driver #1, when you walk up to the vehicle it will recognize you as driver #1 and will set your seat to your preset position. However, if you are set as driver #2 and you have the driver #1 key fob, you will have to push the button for driver #2 on the key fob. If you have any other questions let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

cooleydd

Meriah

What does XM give me in traffic that the Buick nav doesn't?

cooleydd

Mariah

I have a key fob that knows when I am about. However I did not know it would set to the seat movement. How do I know my key fob is #1 and how do I tell the Buick to use #1.

I love the key fob - I have it on a string and just keep it around my neck all day. Never have to worry about losing the key or locking it in the car. Since the car is in the garage when it is not out driving and the garage door is always closed - I have never used it to start the car.

gmcustsvc

Hello Pennya,
What John is referring to is the section in the manual that shows how to set the clock without the date option. This is what is specifically shows in the manual "Clock (Without Date Display)", underneath it shows instructions on how to program the clock without the date displayed. This doesn’t mean that the clock doesn’t have the date display option; it means that you can set your clock without the date displayed. What I sent you were the specific instructions to have the date displayed on the clock. I did test what I sent you out on a vehicle and had no problems setting the date. If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

johnh7

This is clearly not the way the manual reads. Importantly the manual is totally consistent with what I and others know to be true about our cars. When you hit the config button on my CXL, all you get is the time set option. There is absolutely no date display capability.

It's possible that the clock with date display is available on certain CXLs with different option packages. For example - I didn't get the NAV.

But - I can assure you and everyone else out there that you are absolutely dead wrong about this.

This is my last post on this subject as personally I think having a date display is both a trivial nitpick and something I have little use for. My clock on the night table has the date, my cell phone displays the date, my wrist watch displays the date, my morning newspaper displays the date and my desk computer at work displays the date. This is about the last thing I need my car to do. If I do happen to get confused though, I guess I can always hit the Onstar button and ask the operator.

gmcustsvc

Good Afternoon Cooleydd,
The only way you can really figure it out is by taking one of the key fobs and seeing with settings it goes with. If it is setting for you, and you are the main driver then you will have the driver #1 key fob. However, if you truly don't remember or are confused because your settings are very similar to driver #2, then you can reset the settings so you know for certain. Here are the instructions to set up the memory seats to your key fob in case you don't have them.
To save your positions in memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, including
the seatback recliner and both
outside mirrors to a comfortable
position.
2. Press and hold MEM and
button 1until the beep lets you
know that the position has been
stored.
A second seating and mirror
position can be programmed by
repeating the above steps and
pressing button 2.
You can always put a really small piece of tape and label 1 or 2; if you cannot remember whose key fob is whose. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

pennya

Thanks, Mariah! That clears up the confusion, because we were trying to set it the way John described. I know it's a little thing, but just something I particularly like, and if it wasn't actually on the car at all, I wanted to know. I do appreciate your prompt and courteous replies.

gmcustsvc

Hello Cooleydd,
Buick Navigation will give you directions to the destination that need to get to, and also give you alternative routes if you miss your turns, road ect. XM NavTraffic features: Live, as-it-happens information on traffic speed, accidents, construction, and road closings. It gives you traffic information from multiple sources, including police and emergency services, cameras and road sensors. Coast-to-coast delivery of traffic information. View conditions for all points along your route and beyond. So if you do a lot of traveling then perhaps the NavTraffic will be better then just regular navigation. If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

cooterbfd

Penny, I have a CXS w/ navigation. The date only displays when the radio is shut off, and you have the blue screen w/ the Buick emblem up. Otherwise, you get the time and temp on the radio screen.

John

gmcustsvc

Hello Pennya,
No problem, happy to help!
Mariah GM Customer Service

pennya

Thanks for the clarification, John. I appreciate it!

Penny

gmcustsvc

Hello John,
I apologize for the confusion but, I did get my information straight out of the manual. It is under instruments and controls on page 4-9. I copied and pasted my instructions right out of the manual. As I have said before I haven't found any information stating that your radio shouldn't have the date option. If you are still experiencing a problem, please contact your dealership so they can look at your radio. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

kjs8

Mariah: Thank you for trying to explain the seat memory for me and last night I tryed both key fobs and there does not seem to be any difference between them and how they operate. I am more confused now than before. I guess my question is, does this system automatically allow the seat to return to the preset positions when the car is started? If it will not then the rest of the discussion is not important. Some say it will return when you first open the door, mine will return at startup for a week then returns to requiring one to hold the button on the seat as it did on delivery. I don't think the dealer will know anything about this system operation. A simple question, will it automatically return to preset position at startup? Thanks

cooleydd

My answer:
Sometimes.

I have been unable to find a pattern as to when it does or doesn't. Seems to have a mind of its own. It does go back when I turn off the motor and open the door.

I also do not see any difference in the key fobs.

longwait

I have always (6 months) had problems with the seat returning to key1 position. I have found that if I'm away from the car for awhile I have to pull on the door handle twice and it will go to the correct spot. It is a pain but it works 90% of the time. It's like it doesn't recognize me and I have to trip the switch in the door again to get it to work.

cooleydd

I have thought at times it depended on how long I was away from the car. If I returned quickly it returned to the last position. If it was more than "X" minutes it would not return.

Is it possible there is a time limit involved, that is the program automatically turns off the memory at "X" minutes so as not to run down the battery.

Mariah would you check this out with the proper engineers - it might answer all of the questions we have had. In addition how do you distinguish between key fob 1 and 2.

bt06

Quick question have you set the menu to allow memory seats? I would have to go through it again to remember what I did, but I did set it up in the configuration menu. I had to set my position and then my wife's, it took a couple tries because we couldn't figure out who had fob 1 vs fob 2. Once we figured that out, it's worked with no issues. For the seat to adjust she has to lock and unlock (if the car's unlocked) for the seat to move. I do the same to return it to my settings, hope this helps...

buckeyecarguy

As a former Acura TL and Lexus 300 owner, I want folks to know that this car exceeds my experience with either of these previous vehicles. Very high quality, beautiful styling (many people ask me about the car or just offer very positive comments), great road manners, and the most high-tech car I have ever owned. My wife just purchased a new Lexus RX 350 SUV and once she saw and road in the CXS, she has regrets! Interior quality is far superior, the Navigation System in the Lexus is really poorly designed, and she loves the features of the CXS.

I have 2000 miles and just completed a 1000 mile trek from FL back to OH and this car made the trip a pleasure. Absolutely no problems with the vehicle. It feels great to purchase an American car of this quality.

cooterbfd

"..... My wife just purchased a new Lexus RX 350 SUV and once she saw and road in the CXS, she has regrets! "

Hey, maybe they'll give her a good deal in trade for an Enclave!!!

Seriously, I love mine I hope you love yours, and good luck with it.

1ststate

I ordered a new CXS Lacrosse and got delivery in August. The car has most every option except the navigtation. Overall we are very pleased with the car. I have installed seat heaters in the rear. My question is I find the ride noisey at low speeds. Not tire noise, but suspension noise that seems to radiate into the cars interior. I question whether the noise is from the tires being low profile "40" series or if it is the touring suspension. I am to the point I would consider changing to the 18 wheels and tires if I knew I would see improvement. Thanks

1ststate

loboblanco, I have a CXS with the touring package. Can you tell me what you noticed between the touring and non touring package cars? Is one a harsher ride, quieter or what is noticeable Thanks

buckeyecarguy

Mariah
Thank you / GM for you presence is this forum. It was actually a final factor in my purchase of the Lacrosse CXS.

I have the CXS with the Navigation package and have two questions:
1) How can I have the NAV system up without the Radio / AUX music playing in the background? When I use the Volume button to turn off the Radio / Ipod sound, it turns off the entire NAV screen as well. Then when I press the NAV button to turn on the navigation system, I get the radio / Ipod back on as well. It seems logical that I might want the NAV system up without any music in the background --how do I do that?
2) I am not seeing HDD option lighted on the screen (it shows up but is dimmed as if its not really there). I have also tried to record using the REC button, but nothing is happening.....am I missing something?

The entire system is really well designed and after spending several hours playing with everything, these were the only two things I had questions about.
Thanks for any help you can provide.

dslong

I drove the CXS with and without the touring package thinking the higher profile tires on the 18" rims would not be as noisy. I could not tell the difference. I wouldn't waste the money changing the wheel and tire package.

cooleydd

I have not noticed any difference in the car either way. I would assume that there would be a difference in handleing but I have not seen it. Of course my driving has been on freeways, I have not tired on curvy roads at high speeds.

cooterbfd

IIRC, you can lower the volume on the radio w/o affecting the volume of the nav voice or the phone voice.