Buick is one of the most influential brands in American automotive history. If it wasn't for the brand, we may not have come across innovations such as the overhead valve engine, which came about in 1904. The brand was also responsible for the Buick Y-Job in 1938 – widely recognized as the world's first modern concept car – and even the world's first in-car touchscreen infotainment system, which came about in 1986.However, Buick was — and still is — known for its understated, yet upscale, presence. Many folks who wanted to buy a luxury model from GM – but didn't want all the flashiness and glitz that came with a Cadillac – typically sprang for a Buick.That being said, Buick also produced a litany of V8-powered, opulent sedans throughout most of its life. Once the domestic sedan as a whole fell out of fashion in the US, Buick scaled back its production. In 2009, one of the brand's final V8-powered sedans was built: the LaCrosse Super. Underneath its hood was a 5.3-liter V8 capable of producing just over 300 horsepower. These days, you can find one of these final models for a cheap price. The LaCrosse: Buick's Answer To A Changing World BuickRight at the turn of the millennium, Buick noticed a major problem brewing: much of its consumer base was disappearing, mainly due to simple old age, and there weren't enough younger folks to replace them. People in that younger age bracket were much more interested in Japanese or European luxury, and simply ignored brands like Buick for the most part. Of course, there were still folks who bought them, but the old guard had been fractured, and the brand was feeling the pain.By the mid 2000s, Buick decided to completely revamp its lineup in an attempt to reinvent its image. Old-school namesakes like the Buick Park Avenue, the LeSabre, and the Century were all canned by the 2005 model year. Replacing them was a more streamlined, youth-focused lineup consisting of models like the LaCrosse, the Enclave crossover, and the full-size Lucerne, although the latter was more of a "last stand" model for folks who still wanted a big, comfy Buick in the modern era.Buick The LaCrosse was slated to replace both the Buick Century and the Buick Regal in the mid-size segment. At first, just three trim levels were offered, ranging from the base CX, to the mid-range CXL, and then up to the top-spec CXS. However, come mid-2008, the CXS was canned in favor of the LaCrosse Super. Like the CXS, the Super was slated to serve as the top-of-the-line spec. However, unlike the CXS, the Super came equipped with a big, sideways V8 engine.Buick Sales of the LaCrosse Super officially began in early 2008, and it boasted a base MSRP of about $32,380 before any destination fees or taxes were factored in. In today's money, that equates to roughly $49,655. It was sold alongside its bigger brother, the Buick Lucerne Super, which borrowed the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 from the Cadillac DTS. Surprisingly, though, the smaller LaCrosse Super was more powerful. How It Makes Its Power EdmundsThe 5.3-liter V8 nestled underneath the LaCrosse Super's hood is yanked directly out of the ninth-gen Chevrolet Impala SS. The mill itself belongs to GM's famous LS small-block V8 engine family, and carries the specific, three-character engine code "LS4". It's a Gen-IV LS small-block, and features things like cylinder heads that share the same casting as the ones found on the LS6 V8. In addition, its crankshaft was shortened by 0.39 inches at the flywheel, or rear, of the engine in order to help it better-fit a transverse-mounted position.The LS4 was outfitted with one or two performance-oriented upgrades not seen in other select LS engines produced at the time. Its oil pan boasted extra baffling in order to reduce the risk of oil starvation during hard cornering, acceleration, or braking. It also has a unique, remotely mounted water pump with a special manifold that allows it to be linked directly to the engine's main coolant passages. GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) variable displacement tech is also included, which allows the mill to shut down up to four of its cylinders to save fuel under light load.Buick Hooked up to the LS4 is a four-speed 4T65-E HD automatic transmission, again shared with the ninth-gen Impala SS. It's a transaxle unit, meaning the LaCrosse Super has to make do with front-wheel drive. Its suspension is tuned and stiffened over the standard LaCrosse, boasting things like Bilstein-bred monotube shocks and performance springs. Its steering ratio is quickened and made to feel a bit heavier, and its brakes are also larger than standard. Reliability According to RepairPal.com, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse Super manages to score average marks when it comes to reliability. The LaCrosse as a whole is rated at four out of five stars overall, placing it 15th out of 24 possible mid-size cars. Also according to the site, the '09 Super's average annual maintenance cost sits right around $472 per year, below the overall average for midsize cars, which is reported to be $527 per year.However, there's one potential, and significant, issue with the LaCrosse Super. Its transmission isn't known for handling large amounts of torque. Many owners have reported premature transmission failures, likely due to the LS4's torque-laden nature. If you're interested in buying a LaCrosse Super for yourself, make sure its transmission is in tip-top shape. Check the transmission fluid for signs of issues, which will show up as a burned smell and/or darkened transmission fluid. Of course, gear slipping, juddering, or slow shifts will also indicate a weakened or failing gearbox. Here's What The LaCrosse Super Has To Offer BuickSeeing as the Super is the '09 Lacrosse's top-spec trim, it's only natural that it comes with as much standard kit as possible. Beginning in the cabin, all of its seats are trimmed in leather, along with the steering wheel. Wood veneer adorns the dashboard and center console, and a real-wood shift knob is mounted between both front bucket seats. Heated seats also come standard, as well as a premium sound system going by the name of "Concert Sound III". Remote start, dual-zone climate control, and rear park assist are also standard.The easiest way to tell a LaCrosse Super apart from other grades is the presence of four chrome portholes, one for each cylinder, mounted at the top of both front fenders. This little design cue is a callback to the Buicks of old, which used to sport functioning "VentiPorts", which were used for engine cooling. How Much Does It Cost? Seeing as the V8-powered LaCrosse Super was only around for two model years, it's not as common as, say, a Honda Civic. However, there are a few out there, but finding them for sale can be tough. According to current used market trends, a 2008 model in average condition with average odometer mileage fetches roughly $10,100, although this is based on just one listing. Kelley Blue Book reports an average used price of just $5,675 for a 2009 model, but this is simply based on estimations.We've managed to find just two examples for sale: A 2008 model with 100,406 miles for $8,995 in Tennessee A 2008 model with 109,000 miles for an unlisted price in Indiana While pricing is hazy, it seems that having roughly $10k on hand will do the trick, should you be interested in picking up a LaCrosse Super for yourself. Verdict BuickTo sum up, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse Super is nothing short of a moderately unique American sedan. Its V8 power, shoehorned into a midsize sedan, is a definite plus for anyone interested in owning an obscure sleeper. It also manages to be relatively quick, and offers a good amount of standard kit. However, it does seem to be just a tad expensive for what it is currently, especially considering it comes with a notoriously-weak transmission.So, should you buy one? Yes, but only if you find one with either a rebuilt or professionally inspected transmission with a passing grade, and it's well-priced. If one of those criteria isn't met, it would probably be best to move onto the next one.