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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 47 of 153

#457 of 1520 RE: Seeking thoughts on "new" 2000 LeSabre Limited fair price.... by vtech83

Jul 17, 2001 (9:44 am)

Andymsn:
 
I've got a 2001 LeSabre Limited with every option except the engine block heater. Sounds like the car you are interested in is pretty much decked out the same way. If you decide to buy it, you'll love it.
 
Here are my thoughts. As far as the Park Ave vs LeSabre question goes, I personally think the LeSabre is a better value. There used to be a pretty good gap between the two cars, but now you can get most of the Park Ave options on a LeSabre Limited. The Ultra tops out over $10,000 more than a loaded LeSabre Limited. Besides the Supercharged engine and a little more room, I don't know what you're buying for the extra $10,000. I'm talking about new car prices, of course.
 
I've driven both cars, and I feel like the LeSabre is a much more balanced vehicle. It rides as smooth as the Park Ave but I feel it handled much better. I've driven both cars with the Y56 suspension; the Park Ave still rolls around too much for my taste. The LeSabre corners much better.
 
I prefer the interior of the LeSabre to the Park Ave. The LeSabre is much more contemporary than the Park Ave. It also has the "catcher's mitt" seats that is supposed to cushion your body much better in the event of an impact. I don't believe that the Park has these type of seats.
 
The LeSabre is also a better looking vehicle. It's not much bigger than a Regal or Century and has a very Jaguar-ish type look to it, especially from the rear. The Park still looks like a big Buick with a front grille that swallows up the entire nose.
 
Now, back to your "new" 2000 LeSabre. A fair price for that car is about $23,500. If you buy it at $26,000, the dealership guys will be high-fiving each other as soon as you drive it off the lot. If you really like the car, play hardball and offer $23,000. Don't go over $24,000. This car is basically a wart on the dealerships lot right now. They want to get rid of it. If I were you, I would offer $23,000 and if they say no, just walk away. I'd bet anything they'll take your offer just to get rid of it.
 
I'm starting to close in on 9000 miles and I can't find a thing about the car I don't like. I also disagree strongly with the notion that the bucket seats and center console available in the LeSabre lower it's potential resale value. In my opinion, there are only two cars built in the world that can comfortably seat six people - The Caddy DeVille and the Lincoln Town Car. Other cars may have a bench seat in the front, but I couldn't imagine trying to haul six people around, especially on a long trip. The extra storage space of the real console plus the extra power outlets available more than make up for the lack of a sixth seating position.
 
If your budget is too tight for a new car, grab the LeSabre you've been looking at. If the dealer won't budge, get a new one. Wait until one of the holiday weekends; dealers are always dumping cars then at good prcies and/or financing.
 
Good luck.

#458 of 1520 Just got to report this.. by jimsxn

Jul 24, 2001 (7:43 am)

Back from a 2000 mile trip on my 1994 LeSabre. No problem at all...not a single. And really drove the rig over the limit on the PA roads in a rainstorm (I take 5th on specifying how much over). Passed several BMWs and Audis on the way. This car has amazinlgy high limits. And it is so comfortable on long trips!!! The family loved it. To put in context...last year's trip of 500 miles one way in a Civic had put me out with back pain for a whole day.

#459 of 1520 2000 Lesabre Limited, Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds by spindel

Jul 24, 2001 (11:30 am)

2000 Lesabre Ltd with 17K has steering wheel vibration on US Highways at 60- 70MPH. I have 15 inch General Tires that are not worn. I've had the alignment and wheel balance checked. My daughter has a Honda Van with Michelin Symmetry tires that do not provide any steering wheel vibration.
Is there any way to correct this problem without spending a fortune for new tires, or is new tires the answer.
 
Thanks

#460 of 1520 Spindel by macarthur2

Jul 24, 2001 (7:43 pm)

Have a competent tire shop check the tires for being out of round or for a cord which may be crooked. There is also a chance for a warped rim.

#461 of 1520 2002 colors by eric227

Jul 25, 2001 (10:24 am)

Does anymore know if there will be any new colors for the LeSabre in 2002?

#462 of 1520 Life in a Buick by 9899olds

Jul 25, 2001 (2:19 pm)

It's kinda like a rocking chair; in fact at speed the long stroke struts don't have enough umph to keep the tire in contact with road and evidently the tires will start to cup/flat spot..
 
My encounters with Buicks is only with three of them, all bought new; 87 Electra T-Type,92 Regal GS, and a 94 LeSabre. The 87 was my wife's car and I flat spotted all four tires on a quick trip to S.Fla from Detroit when the car had less than 20K. Sold at with 34k miles.. 92 Regal GS creamed 4 sets of Eagles in 90k miles and the 94 went to 113k miles. The 94 LeSabre was given all new struts at my expense at 50k since the originals were totally shot--replaced with Monroes by the Buick dealer per my instructions..
 
The Grand Touring pkg is a sham; for no Buick suspension will withstand continual 75+ on a daily basis..It ain't a road car..
 
It's the soft creamy ride that is downright dangerous in any serious road maneuver..In panic stops I realize why seat belts are needed--to keep from sliding out of the seat onto the floor!!!!
 
The drivetrain is std issue GM which is okay, no excitement..The pricing is too high and someone is looking at a 2000 LeSabre for 25+; sheer madness..not worth much over 22 max..
 
For a similiar size car the Pontiac Bonneville is a much better handling car that will age gracefully, don't really like the looks but its geared for performance and roadability..
 
Just my two cents; after all it's your money..

#463 of 1520 9899olds by vtech83

Jul 26, 2001 (11:07 am)

Thanks for your glowing review of Buicks past. I suggest you spend some time in a 2000+ LeSabre or Regal GS before you start slamming the road manners anymore. I'm not expecting my LeSabre to keep up with a BMW 5-series through a twisting road but I also know that the Gran Touring suspension has alot more bite than you are giving it credit for.
 
Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I just don't agree with yours.

#464 of 1520 9899OLDS. by jimsxn

Jul 26, 2001 (12:15 pm)

Can only sympathise with you...and you are right...it's for everyone to decide himself. I have only to say that my personal experience differs from yours by a mile...
 
I will not slam you though as I hold my opinion that these forums are more specifically to discuss problems and issues and you are welcome and requested to continue participation.

#465 of 1520 vtech83/jimsxn by 9899olds

Jul 26, 2001 (4:44 pm)

vtech83:::::as stated it is real life experience and never did I compare the Buicks to a Bimmer..We are talking only about a suspension system working to hold the tire steady against the road. If your car is used 95% high speed interstate, my friend, you will find out..The quick trip down to the corner store or across town doesn't prove a thing..
 
jimsxn:::::as stated, it's for your info only and I certainly wasn't slamming Buick but after 250k miles of swift travel in those cars the tire problem was a major concern..My son-in-law has a 96 Riv which suffers the rear tire cupping scenario as explained..Both of my Intrigues, 98 and the 99 for a total to date of 73k miles have never gave any indication of cupping or flat spotting..The normal cruise speed is 75/85 to top end..At 47k on the 99 3.5 Intrigue the tires are getting thin; but they are still perfect, absolutely no irregular wear pattern-same balance as new and same alignment..Worst rutty roads in the USA are in Mich but the stiff suspension of the Intrigue is a blessing..Before I bought the 98 Intrigue, I drove a 98 Regal GS and within two blocks the old rocking chair motion was there..
 
The suspensions are totally different..

#466 of 1520 9899olds by vtech83

Jul 27, 2001 (6:55 am)

For what it's worth my commuting habits cover a range of driving conditions on a daily basis. Also for what its worth, I spent a couple of years in a 91 LeSabre and never once encountered any of your rear tire cupping or flat spotting problems. The car had 150,000 on it when I finally sold it and never once had a tire or suspension problem.
 
The new G-bodies from GM are probably the best chassis they make outside the Vette. The new LeSabres are noticibly tighter with a much stiffer suspension than before. Add the Gran Touring setup and you've got a car that cruises like a dream on the highway and handles like a dream when you need to toss it around.
 
Enjoy your Olds. Hang on to it or you might be buying a Buick Aurora one day.

Messages Page 47 of 153

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