Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Buick LeSabre Buick LeSabre
1497 messages, Last post on Aug 13, 2009 at 5:54 PM
You are in the Buick LeSabre Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
|
|---|---|
|
"even remotely use the word "stiff" in describing either. Boy, you really must be used to a floaty, sailboat ride!" Beach15: criticism accepted! You're right on. I'm used to soft 98 LeSabre Limited. Great interstates, controlled, but smooth. Hit a wavy road and it's not controlled at all. 93 was even softer. But 2003 has less than 1000 miles on it. It's taut! Michelin tires and 16 in. wheels. It's like a friend's Jetta felt driving on interstate highways. I haven't had it on Ohio sideroads with waves and hills in them yet. I like the feel of the 2003. I'd like suggestions on what struts to put on the '98. I put Monroe road sensing struts on the 93 and they were tight for 40K -- got a little soft after they were on for 100K. Does anyone have suggestions of good riding but controlled struts to use? |
|
|
|
|
I just noticed my 93 lesabre rev to 3.5 rpm while doing 80 kms. It stayed that way until I pulled over to check the tran oil. Oil was fine and the rev went back to norm. Took it to my tran mech. and under a quick scope said it could be a faulty torque converter or electrical. He also said if it was a torque converter I was looking at a 1000 dollar bill. Wont know until a full scope determines. My question is , is this a common occurence for a 93 at 177,000kms or am I being scamed? What can I do to make sure? |
|
|
|
|
Barkhouse1 At 3500 rpm at (52 mph) 80 kph, that sounds like it dropped into 2nd gear. Were you accelerating and it stayed in 2nd gear? Could just be a one-time quirk. I'd be tempted to drive it and just be alert to strangeness in characteristics. You might ask at a dealership where the service manager knows and shares info about others of year and age and mileage they are seeing -- if they have any problems or not. My service manager told me about a Century trans that was rough, drive it and if it goes out completely it costs the same to replace as if you try to troubleshoot it early. You might clear the computer by taking out the fuse for a few minutes. Disconnecting battery loses radio settings and might lose remote opener settings. My 93 with 150K miles had no trans signs like that. IT was a solid piece -- better than 98 LeSabre trans feels in the other car. Good luck. |
|
|
|
|
The first LeSabres I checked on were the 1984 and 1985 Limited sedans. I admit. They were built more solid than the 2003 Limited I just recently checked. And the older ones were longer and had more passenger room. But they were not as fuel economical as the 2003. It is equipped with a 3800 Series II V6. However, after checking under the hood, I found there is plenty of room for a bigger V6 or a V8. I did suggest this to GM for 2004. They got back to me. And they told me they are seriously considering it. There is more. The one I checked was equipped with all the standard and optional features available for the 2003 LeSabres. But due to its smaller engine, it was overpriced. I hope a bigger engine is added.
|
|
| ....do not go together well. This is a serious chassis design issue. GM would be loathe to introduce waywardness in this best-selling quiet luxury rig. That said, I hope they come up with a way to make LeSabre more powerful and more responsive. | |
| Agreed that front-wheel-drive is not the best for high horsepower setups, but the Bonneville (same platform as the LeSabre) offers a supercharged 3800 Series II, and next year a 300 HP V-8 will be offered. Also, the Aurora (also same platform) offers a V-8. We're not talking about smoking power here, but people have modified their supercharged Bonnevilles and Grand Prixs (for example) and been able to get good performance without any handling sacrifice (or so they say; I haven't done it myself). | |
|
|
| I think Buick is blowing soot up your tailpipe and here is why. Buick puts a supercharged V6 in the car series just below the LeSabre (Buick Regal) and in the one just above the LeSabre (Park Avenue). Now the Regal's engine bay is smaller than the LeSabre and the supercharged engine fits in just fine. The LeSabre and the Park Avenue have the same dimensions underhood so the supercharged engine will fit the LeSabre just as it does the Park Avenue. My thought is that the LeSabre is the best selling full sized car in America for like 9 years running and they don't want a performance image ruining that. (Don't rock the boat-we have a good thing going) The Regal is a big engined Century and the Park Ave needs the power to handle it's weight and be competitive against those in its price range. Based on this I don't think you will see Buick adding a V8 or supercharger to LeSabre (but maybe a Park Avenue V8). Just my two cents worth | |
|
|
| I heard on the radio that you should remove the new pink Dexcool antifreeze from your car or truck and replace it with the old green glycol stuff. Failure to switch will supposedly ruin the cooling system of the car after a few years. Is this true? Also, will the warranty be invalid if the green coolant is used? | |
|
|
| I am tempted to switch. I replaced the water pump in my car because of a gasket leak which I suspect was caused by the dexcool. I flushed the system and put in new dexcool at 3 years but the leak happend after that. The cooling system looks clean. I have read in some Edmund's forums about dexcool starting to solidify. Try doing a search here in maintenace and repair for archived discussions or topics related to head gasket failure. | |
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Buick LeSabre Buick LeSabre
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2005 Buick LeSabre
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
