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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  Awesome First Car - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By macy - August 27 - 11:09 pm

  PROS: -I have the titanium blue color and its so pretty. -HUGE trunk. -very roomy -pretty good gas mileage -motor hasnt failed me once -nice steering wheel -comfy seats CONS: -for some reason the parking lights wont turn off automatically, you have to press the "twilight" button twice -steering is difficult at first -very low to the ground. speed bumps are brutal -Seatbelts are a little funky -radio has said "clean player" from day one haha. still works fine though. -driver power window broke overall nice car though given its age and use

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  grand dad car - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Anderson - January 21 - 7:00 pm

  one of the best cars I have every owned have a 2000 with 396000 miles not done any work to engine

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  One of the best vehicles Ive ever owned - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By Ernie S. - January 18 - 8:25 am

  Next to my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan this is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Comfortable, decent gas mileage, minimal regular maintenance costs and the only one major expense was needing front and rear pads and rotors at the same time. I get it serviced every 3-4,000 miles, rotate tires often (3rd set in place at the moment) and drive it daily (127K and still going strong). My only complaint is a dashboard squeak Ive had for ages and cant seem to locate. I wish they still made this model for when Im ready again.

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  My 15 year old friend - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By steve white - January 12 - 9:20 am

  Over all, this car has been a good one. Its handles great in snow. Comfortable to drive (Im 6 2" its got plenty leg room in front) Ive had to replace 3 electric window motors (this is a common defect in this car) and the air condtioning. (This too is a common issue with this model.) A few of the ellectric display lights are out, but this is not a major thing for me. The car has 200k and has been driven from CT to Fla many times over the years. Still gets me from point A to B without many issues over the years.

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  Durable, Safe, and Comfortable - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By JR Thompson - December 25 - 8:37 pm

  Excellent ride & surprisingly good on gas!

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  16 year old beast - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Howard Collins - December 13 - 1:55 am

  You probably couldnt find a 2001 Buick LeSabre for sale anywhere thats been maintained as well as mine for 151,000 miles. The reason being is because so many things have been done to it to keep it running, and in decent shape. Those of you who own one are familiar with the LeSabre problems. I have replaced the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, upper plenum, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, transmission pan gasket, the window motors and regulators, fuel filler pipe, front lower control arms, CV axles, inner tie rods and tie rod ends, struts and shocks, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, radiator, AC compressor. and a host of minor things to numerous to mention. Hood pistons, sensors, brakes and rotors front and rear, tires, so many things. All in all its in perfect shape, but only because of all thats been done to it. You can imagine the cost of keeping this beast running if you had to take it to a garage for the work. I do my own wrenching and all the parts are from EBAY, except tires. Thats a huge saving believe me. Much more than several thousand dollars. If you cant do this work its probably not worth keeping the vehicle. Its probably no better than any other vehicle it competes with and may even have more problems than some of them do. You hear about how great the 3800 engine is, but consider everything that has to be replaced around it, and on it, to keep the car on the road. That said I think Ill squeeze some more miles out of it, and replace more things as needed.

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  Great work car or student car 2000 - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By B burke - November 4 - 4:24 pm

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  Great - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Nany - October 24 - 12:52 pm

  I got this as my first car when I turned 18 (which was 4 years ago) and at over 207,000 miles its still going strong. Ive never had any problems, Ive never been left stranded. The only thing Ive had to repair is the gas pump and minor details. The car is not the best looking but for the year it was made this car is great

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  First Try! - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Harlean Nutt - October 23 - 10:12 am

  Reliable. Worth considering.

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  gm marketing for ya - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By Derek Bilodeaux - October 10 - 2:47 pm

  When I replaced the water pump, gm put the motor mount directly over the pump. Had to jack up the motor and axel at the same time (to keep the axel from slipping out). Nice marketing strategy, build the car so you have to take it into the dealer to spend more money to have it worked on. Cha-ching$$. You Cant get this country boy fixed it and considering sell this hunk [non-permissible content removed]! For another 70s ford truck.