Overview & Reviews
When it comes to longevity, few models could touch the Buick LeSabre. The car was born in 1959 and, depending on the year, was offered as a coupe, convertible, sedan and wagon. But by the early 1990s, the LeSabre's lineup had been trimmed to include just a full-size sedan. This strategy was a successful one. In the years preceding its retirement in 2005, the LeSabre frequently took top honors as the most popular full-size sedan on the market.
The latter-day Buick LeSabre owed much of its success to a demographic frequently overlooked by automakers: senior citizens. The sedan was a natural fit for these buyers with its roomy, comfortable cabin, serene ride and large trunk that easily accommodated road trip luggage as well as a walker or a mobility scooter. And everyone could appreciate the LeSabre's stellar crash test scores and the outstanding fuel-efficiency of its V6.
There were a few shortcomings, such as an old-fashioned cabin fitted with some cheap plastics, and performance that could become sluggish while carrying a full load. But these negatives were likely non-issues for the older buyers who had made the LeSabre a consistent hit. If you're looking for a used car that places ride comfort and spaciousness above all else, a late-model Buick LeSabre should prove satisfactory.
Most Recent Buick LeSabre
The eighth-generation Buick LeSabre existed from model year 2000 until the sedan's demise in 2005. Though this Buick's sheet metal looked a lot like that of the previous-generation LeSabre, it was, in fact, quite different under the skin. Built at General Motors' Detroit/Hamtramck facility in Hamtramck, Michigan, it rode on a new platform. Its cabin was revised to improve ergonomics and overall aesthetics. Ride quality and steering feel saw noticeable improvement, and side airbags were added to the standard features list.
Two trims were offered. The base Custom offered standard features like keyless entry, full power features and cruise control. The Limited trim added amenities like a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels and an electrochromatic rearview mirror. Options included a CD player, heated front seats, leather upholstery and OnStar. Both trims were powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that sent its power to the front wheels through a standard four-speed automatic transmission. With 205 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, the V6 provided adequate performance and reasonable fuel-efficiency.
Over the years, this generation of the Buick LeSabre benefited from a few tweaks. In 2001, dual-stage airbags were added, and OnStar became a standard feature on Limited models; a head-up display also became available with the Limited trim. The following year, all LeSabres got new audio systems and manual trunk release latches; the LATCH system for keeping child safety seats in place was also added. In 2003, satellite radio was added to the options list on Limited models, and side-impact airbags -- which had been standard on all LeSabres since model year 2000 -- became optional on Custom models. LeSabre Limited models were also given a new trim option to celebrate the LeSabre's 10-year run as the best-selling full-size sedan in the nation. Dubbed the Celebration Edition, these Buicks featured a new monochrome emblem, a blacked-out grille and signal mirrors. Rain-sensing wipers were added to the options list in 2004.
In reviews, our editors gave the Buick LeSabre high marks when it came to comfort and versatility. Positive qualities included cushy seats, an abundance of useful storage nooks and crannies and a mammoth 18-cubic-foot trunk. However, we were disappointed with its cabin's unattractive styling cues. If you are considering a Buick LeSabre from this generation, our suggestion is to choose one offered in model year 2002 or later, to take advantage of the upgraded audio systems (and LATCH system, if you're traveling with children) that became available that year.
Past Buick LeSabre Models
Produced from 1992-'99, the seventh-generation Buick LeSabre offered a powerful engine and a smooth ride, much like the models that followed it. Sadly, it also offered an interior that left much to be desired. Cabin design was uninspired and ergonomics were poor. Many controls were unintuitive, and seat comfort was mediocre at best. Still, the car offered notable improvements over the previous-generation model. A driver-side airbag had been added to the standard features list, and the car's 3.8-liter V6 had been given an upgrade in power to 170 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque (up from 165 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque) relative to previous models. The coupe version of the LeSabre was killed off with this generation; from 1992 onward, the car was available only as a sedan. This LeSabre was preceded by the sixth generation, which was built from 1986-'91.
User Reviews:
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Ride below standard - 2003 Buick LeSabre
By Jmij - October 6 - 2:00 amCurrent model has General tires, very poor grade, vibrates at 55 MPH and over. Dealer cant solve problem, brought to independent advises to get name brand tire, this will improve ride and eliminate vibration
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2000 Buick LeSabre - 2000 Buick LeSabre
By Dawn00035 - September 6 - 2:00 amThis is my second LeSabre and I loved both of them. Comfortable and reliable. My uncle bought one because he and my dad liked mine so much. Will probably buy a third. Do hate the stigma of the LeSabre being "an old persons car."
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Its the little things - 2001 Buick LeSabre
By Jake02355 - August 30 - 2:00 amWe had at least 8 little things go bad and 2 major. Lucky none shut us down or failed that left us stranded. Got to the point that it was going to need tires, brakes and needed confidence.Dealer was getting pushy about unnecessary service versus manual recommendations.
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I Think It Was A Good Choice - 1995 Buick LeSabre
By LeeRock - August 24 - 2:00 amWE NEEDED A RELIABLE CAR BETTER THAN A NEON AND STUMBLED UPON THIS 95 WITH 69000 ON IT. DRIVES LIKE A DREAM AND MECHANIC SAYS IT IS GMS BEST ENGINE IN YEARS. SO FAR SO GOOD.
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Good to go - 2001 Buick LeSabre
By eileen1 - August 11 - 2:00 amI love my car it looks pretty it is white with tinted windows and I had my stock rims chromed. There is always room for improvement and that would be the extra phone charger outlet keeps breaking. I have had my car for one year and have had not one problem except for the charger outlet. I wished there were air vents for the people in the back seat like some other cars have.
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Limited LeSabre - 1997 Buick LeSabre
By Mikej - August 9 - 2:00 amThe car is a good basic family car, with room for long trips if necessary. This car protected the occupants in an accident that might have totaled another less durable car. I would consider this a car of choice for a teenager. Just enough pep to keep them out of trouble, but not a road demon, and obviously enough structural integrity to keep you alive.
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Comfortable and pretty dependable - 1994 Buick LeSabre
By Teenager Tom - July 28 - 2:00 amI bought my LeSabre for $1200 with about 139k on it. It had had 4 previous owners, including a rental- car place, but was relatively well taken care of. Although my friends cars were sportier looking, everyone loved the comfort and space it offered. I put about $300 worth of work into it (fuel pump, ABS) over the next 15,000 miles. At that point the sub-frame broke off of the mainframe and dropped the transmission, steering, exhaust, etc. but up until then it was fine. If youre driving during the winter on salted roads, Id recommend getting the undercarriage washed out regularly (I didnt) to prevent this.
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Buick LaSabre - 1999 Buick LeSabre
By Lila Finnegan - July 26 - 2:00 amThis is a great, low maintenance, safe vehicle for our family. I intend on purchasing another Buick LaSabre if and when this one has driven its last mile. Love it!
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2003 Buick LeSabre - 2003 Buick LeSabre
By sTRAYDOG - July 18 - 2:00 amDrives and rides very good in my opinion It is big enough that no one picks on it A couple of minor defects were immediately taken care of at my convenience. It has a lack of cup holders. The one it does have holds only small cups The gas mileage is not what I was told to expect. They claimed 29 + on highway. I claim 25 is stretching it. Clock cannot be read.
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Nice car,typical problems. - 1999 Buick LeSabre
By Plainhappy - July 17 - 2:00 amSuspension soft to an extreme,O.K.with me. Very good acceleration and fast tight-turn feel,perfect for on/off ramps. Security system with chip in key is a loser,the second place I was towed repaired it,over $300 total. Also a battery terminal was over-tightened and stripped out of the battery case when built,It didnshow up immediately and confused the security system problems.Xmission slipping in 1st@50000 mi.
