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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  gm has work to do - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By gmworktodo - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car only a few weeks, bought used 40K miles, GM Certified used car...power is great, highway ride is great, all the toys are great..drivers seat isnt all that comfortable, and there are quality issues, have had it into the dealer three times already, once for a new alternator! Annoying dash rattle and squeak from the glovebox when travelling on less than smooth roads. Drivers seat squeaks and moves around when one makes a turn, have had dealer look at that as well, was unable to fix..annoying glare on windshield from top of dash and defroster vent.

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  LeSabre Review - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By hockettjunk - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Trustworthy vehicle even with high miles.

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  Best US Car Offered - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By David Durrell - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Good value for money. Excellent motorway cruiser, though ponderous in mountains. Excellent traction in snow and ice with FWD. Will return 29-30 MPG at 75 MPH. Big ticket items in drivetrain are flawless at 100K miles. Brakes need work more than I like, but parts are reasonably priced and its easy to work on. Had stiffer shocks installed which helped handling. Not a BMW, but a good trade off wrt running costs.

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  Love my LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By longwoman - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I love my new LeSabre, with the exception of getting into the console. The dealership had a little trouble getting the right remote keyless entry, the second one, but finally did it about a week and a half after purchase. I owned a 92 Custom for over five years, and there have definitely been some improvements made. I would buy it again. Its really too bad that color choices werent more readily available, or less generic.

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  New LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Bill Nelson - November 2 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR, GREAT RIDE, ADEQUATE POWER, EXCELLENT HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING VERY GOOD STEERING/ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE

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  Good Reliable Buick! - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Buick Bob - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car for $5500 used in april of 2003, had 60000 miles on it.Interior & exterior in great shape. What a deal! I cant believe how well the original paint held up after these years, it looks new. The fit is better then even brand new cars. The ride is typical Buick , sofa on wheels.... This car is built like a tank!

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  Comfortable, Powerful and Reliable = A+ - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By 68VW - October 27 - 2:00 am

  We "car-shopped" for this vehicle. Looked at and drove a variety of other domestic and imported models. Had never owned or even considered a Buick previously. The imports were too small and their rides too stiff. This car has a better combination of power, comfort, leg and trunk room and economy (a consistent 29-31 mpg on the road) than any other of many we test-drove. Our decision has proved to be a good one. It handles well,if not sportily. Only negative: wind noise at the drivers position moderately annoying at highway speeds.

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  great car - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By gembo - October 23 - 2:00 am

  just a fine vehiclle

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  Turn signals - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Fred R Mueller - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Turn signals fail to cncel after turn dealer claims it to be set to specs and refuses to repair it.

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  the best - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Ernie De Cianni - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Never had a problem with this vehicle, it is a 2001 Buick LaSabre. Great runnng car. I rate it a 10.