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Buick LeSabre

1520 messages,  Last post on Dec 14, 2011 at 12:48 PM

You are in the Buick LeSabre Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick LeSabre, Sedan

Messages Page 17 of 152

#161 of 1520 1 year of ownership experience by ehr1964

Jun 08, 2000 (4:22 pm)

I thought I would post my review of the 2000 Lesabre now that I have had it for 1 year.


First a bit of background:
Age 35, married, 3 kiddos. Traded in a 1994 Toyota Camry for the Lesabre. I wanted something bigger and more comfortable for my 54 mile round trip commute into Atlanta from the N.E. suburbs. Before buying the big buick, I drove an Avalon, V6 Camry, VW Passat, Volvo S-70 and new 1999 Lesabres that were being heavily discounted. My wife drives a 1998 Plymouth Voyager. The van is used for all vacations and highway driving since we need the room for 3 kids with one car seat.


Selected the 2000 Lesabre because it seemed to do everything right - nice styling, handling and ride, acceleration, safety, and price. It is simply a lot of sled for the bread compared to the competition. Mine is the Custom (lower line) with a cloth interior and 15" standard tires. Not that it matters, but it is light bronzemist in color with tan interior. The only goodies it has is the driver information center package and CD player. The option codes were 1SD for $1593 and UPO for $350. Anyway the sticker price was about 25,448. I figure it cost me about 23,300 or about the invoice price after putting a realistic number on what the trade was worth. Of course the dealer gets the 3% holdback.


Now the car has about 16,000 miles. It has been a real pleasure to drive. Its only been on one real road trip which was a 600 mile round trip from Atlanta to Jekyl Island. The rest of the miles are all stop and go rush hour and around town.


The car has had 2 minor issues.


A highway vibration developed at about 13,000 miles and the tires were showing a lot of wear on the edges. I had them rotated every 4000 miles since new. Had a local tire place align the car and balance and rotate the tires. The problem persisted. The tire store told me the original General tires are poor quality.


I took the car to the dealer where I bought it. After having the car for a day, they decided it needed a new front axle because somehow mine was not turning true at highway speeds. They ordered the part and installed it the next week.


After getting the car back it still vibrated. In addition, the power steering started to shudder and groan at low speeds in the parking garage. After some begging the dealer sprung for 2 General tires. Dealer also ordered a redesigned power steering hose under a TSB campaign covering the steering noise.


Vibration got worse but steering noise was cured. Took the car in again for the vibration and they put Michelin tires all the way around it. That was the culprit. The car rides great again.


In summary, its a realy nice car that had bad tires. The power steering hose was no big deal. The dealer did right by me although it took too long to resolve Yes, I'd buy another Lesabre if I could do it again.

#162 of 1520 2000 Buick LeSabre by rhraasch

Jun 08, 2000 (7:41 pm)

I recently bought a 2000 Buick LeSabe Custom and I've been having problems in getting the rear seat to lift up to access the battery compartment. I've followed the instructions in the owner's manual plus I had the Buick service rep try to get to the battery compartment with no success. There is nothing wrong with the battery; I would just like to know how to access it, for future use. Any suggestions?

#163 of 1520 ehr1964 by macarthur2

Jun 09, 2000 (12:00 am)

Though I have had my LeSabre about 6 months I also really love the car. Mine is also a Custom but I have the Prestigue Pkg, high zoot CD/Cassette and leather. It also has 16 inch alloy wheels and General Tires. (Interesting that the tire warranty in the glove box is for Firestones???). Don't know what you are getting for mileage but we are getting 22 rural/city and 31 on a highway trip (running 75-legal on Oklahoma Turnpikes). I've never had leather before and the thing just smells luxurious. This is a big step up from a Mazda 626. I have not had a single problem with 4500miles on it now.

#164 of 1520 General Tires by golfnut5

Jun 10, 2000 (8:10 pm)

Several years ago I bought a new Taurus which came with General Tires. I had to replace these tires at 40,000 miles, excessive wear and vibration were a problem. General tires must be the worst tires on the market. What is GM thinking putting bad tires on a $25,000 plus automobile.

#165 of 1520 golfnut5 by macarthur2

Jun 10, 2000 (8:45 pm)

Usually original equipment tires are low bidder tires supplied in large quantaties for the factory. I've already been searching for replacement tires so I can be ready when the time comes. I usually go with High Performance All Weather types. Right now Bridgestone RE 930's look pretty good and the price is reasonable. I use to love Michlin but their price has gone up scale way to far and I hear they don't handle like they use to. The Generals aren't long for this world although I have not had a problem with them.

#166 of 1520 Tires by golfnut5

Jun 11, 2000 (1:13 am)

Macarthur2, I replaced the Generals on my Taurus with Uniroyal Tiger Paws, Michelin purchased Uniroyal several years ago and I believe Michelin technology has been built into Uniroyal. You might want to take a look, my Tiger Paws were $78 versus 110 for Michelin. The Tiger Paws were superior to the Generals. You have not had a problem with your Generals yet because of your low mileage, believe me you will have a problem before you hit 20,000 miles. The combination of poor quality tires and front wheel drive will grind those puppies down quickly.

#167 of 1520 Bad, bad tires!! & Battery check by kensr

Jun 12, 2000 (3:01 am)

About getting the seat up for battery check. Are you pulling straight up on each corner of the rear seat? I checked mine today and it really took a jerk to get the seat to come up as I was told some time ago by the dealer.


After reading the comments about tires, it has re-confirmed my feelings that the Firestone tires alone were worth the cost of the GTP. I now have over 10,000 miles & have had no tire problems and am getting good wear (est. 70,000 miles).


My first experience with Generals was on a '74 Olds Cutlass Wagon. I junked the tires with over 2/3 their tread for they would not stay balanced more than a few hundred miles. I replaced them with Michelins and never re-balanced nor had trouble even though I often pulled a 21' camper. My next Generals was on an '82 Buick Century and I went through the same troubles until I got rid of them at 10,000 miles. One bad case, shame on me - twice, shame on you! As a result of my troubles and that of others I have talked to made me vow that I would never buy another car with Generals. So far I have been able to stick with that as all the new cars since have had Good Year Eagles until I bought the Buick with Firestones.


Too bad General have not been able to get their act together.

#168 of 1520 need help with a choice by projectzx3

Jun 14, 2000 (12:21 am)

my parents will be in the market for a new car very soon. they've owned a 97 buick lesabre limited and are very happy. they are ages 70 and 69 respectively and take 'drives' and day trips as thier hobby. my father is always looking for the best 'deal' so i threw the 2000 impala out as perhaps an alternative automobile... not the ls but a base sedan loaded to the gills... since they insist on a split bench seat not avail. on the LS. the impala looks to be 3000 or so cheaper than the lesabre. but, is it a bonafide alternative?

#169 of 1520 ProjectZX3/Impala by teo

Jun 14, 2000 (12:39 am)

Yes, the Impala is one of the best cars to come from GM in a very long time. I own a brand new 2000 Impala LS with the 3800 Series II V-6. The car is simply out of this world! Price, safety, content, quality, engineering...a bang for the buck! Trust me after 12 years of driving Honda Accords and Acuras, feel the Impala drives and handles much better than any of those cars and has the performance (200 HP/225lbs of torque 0-60 7.5 secs) and gas mileage to boot (21/29)on plain 87 regular gas!. I could go on and on ravving about this great automobile.


For your parents, I would suggest the "Base" Impala with the 3800 V-6 and equipment option package 1SB. Since the 6-seat capacity and the bench seat is a must, the Base/1SB/3.8L engine package is the best combo they can get for the money. The car is priced some $4,000 below a "custom" LeSabre and get the same powertrain and close to the same amenities!.


If you have any questions, come over to the "Impala VI" topic here in Edmunds....and see for yourself.


However, have them test drive the LeSabre/Impala to see which one they like better.


Good luck

#170 of 1520 Rah Rah Teo by bthomp

Jun 15, 2000 (6:07 pm)

RU sure you don't sell these cars? They aren't selling themselves.

Messages Page 17 of 152

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