2
0
Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $2,900 – $8,000*


2001 Buick LeSabre Limited


2001 Buick LeSabre Limited


2001 Buick LeSabre interior


2001 Buick LeSabre Custom


2000 Buick LeSabre Custom

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Instruments/controls
  • Ride (base suspension)
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Rear-seat comfort
  • Ride (Gran Touring option)

For its core audience, the LeSabre imparts a feeling of size and substance, with a standard-equipment list that’s well-planned. Still, subpar rear-seat accommodations and indifferent interior furnishings are letdowns.

Overview

Redesigned for a mid-1999 debut, Buick’s full-size, front-drive family sedan has been the best-selling full-size model in the U.S. market. Slightly taller and wider now, on a longer wheelbase, styling resembled that of the pricier Park Avenue. Rivals included the Chrysler Concorde, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Toyota Avalon. New standard equipment included front side airbags and an independent rear suspension, along with remote keyless entry and an automatic-leveling suspension. Antilock braking remained standard, but now had an all-disc setup. Traction control was an option. Sole powertrain was an unchanged 3.8-liter V-6 and four-speed automatic transmission. Both Custom and Limited models were available with a Gran Touring package, including a firmer suspension and 16-inch tires (instead of 15-inch). The redesigned interior offered a split front bench or optional buckets, with a center console. Safety belts attached to outboard front seats, which had a “catcher’s mitt” design, claimed to reduce whiplash injury. New options included a trunk-mounted 12-disc CD changer, power sunroof, and rain-sensing wipers.

Yearly Updates

2001 LeSabre
Only a little equipment shuffling marked the 2001 models. OnStar now was available in the Custom sedan, as part of a Prestige option package that also included a CD player and power front passenger seat, to join the newly standard power driver’s seat. A Driver Confidence package no longer was offered for the Custom. On the LS sedan, that package added GM’s StabiliTrak antiskid system, which is designed to sense impending skids in turns and brake an individual wheel as needed to maintain control.
2002 LeSabre
Leather upholstery became standard on Limited, optional on Custom. Power memory front seats were also newly standard on Limited.
2003 LeSabre
Celebration Edition was distinguished by body-color exterior trim, chrome alloy wheels, 2-tone leather seating with embroidered logos, Black Cherry woodgrain interior trim, and turn-signal indicators in the side mirrors. XM satellite radio was a new option available on the Limited.
2004 LeSabre
No significant changes were made in ’04.
2005 LeSabre
OnStar assistance becomes standard on LeSabre Custom for 2005, its last year. Buick replaced LeSabre with the Lucerne for 2006. Also new for ’05 is Limited’s Celebration Edition option package that includes 16-inch wheels vs. LeSabre’s standard 15s, special body and interior trim, and outside mirrors with turn-signal lights.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Only one powertrain is available in LeSabres: a 205-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 engine, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 205
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/30

 17.9

Road Test

A generally capable performer, the LeSabre makes few demands on its driver. With a proven powertrain, it takes off smartly with ample passing power and smooth, fairly responsive gear changes. We averaged 17.9 mpg, and the engine takes regular-grade fuel. The base suspension’s smooth ride is marred by some body float over big humps and dips. The Gran Touring suspension option does a poor job of absorbing most sharp bumps and rides. Worse, it compromises control by imparting a jittery feeling over all but blemish-free pavement. Directional stability is good with either suspension, but steering feels artificially heavy in directional changes. Handling is competent enough, with moderate body lean in turns and good grip in steady-state cornering. Brakes are easy to modulate, but stopping power fails to impress. Wind and road noise are well-muffled, but tires whine on grooved or pebbled pavement. Quiet while cruising, the engine emits a muted growl during hard acceleration. Thick front pillars and slightly narrowed rear side glass produce a somewhat closed-in sensation. Seats are not wide enough to fit three adults without squeezing. Bucket and bench front seats are both roomy for two, though some folks find the cushions too pillowlike. Rear-seat comfort is disappointing. The cushion is low to the floor and its soft foam provides little thigh or back support. Gauges and controls are large, simple, and generally well-positioned. Automatic climate controls on the Limited are hard to adjust while driving. Glossy plastic faces reflect light to obscure some readouts. The interior has a lot of hard plastic surfaces, along with budget-grade upholstery material.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2002 Buick LeSabre Custom

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 3
30%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 54

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.2 200.0 73.5 57.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
18.0 17.5 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.8 37.8 42.4 39.9
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 LeSabre 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 4
80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 55
Injury 39
Theft 4

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: Transmission may slip, shift harshly or erratically due to sediment in the pressure-control solenoid requiring replacement. (2000)
Brake noise
Description: The original-equipment rear brake pads cause a humming or moaning noise, especially when the brakes are hot or warm. (2000)
Coolant leak
Description: The 3.8-liter V6 may leak coolant into the engine from the intake manifold. A new gasket kit, revised throttle body nuts, and sealing compound is available. Redesigned manifolds are also available in the aftermarket. (2000-04)
Coolant leak
Description: Coolant loss via plastic intake manifold is corrected by installing upgraded manifold and gaskets plus new PCV kit. (2000-04)
Horn
Description: If the horn becomes difficult to operate or sounds by itself in cold temperatures, the airbag module will have to be replaced. (2000)
Steering noise
Description: A countermeasure high-pressure power-steering hose will reduce vibrations, shudders, or moans from the steering during slow-speed turns. (2000-01)

Recall History

2000
Description: Loose inner tie-rod nuts on certain cars can result in separation of tie rod, causing unexpected steering input.
2000
Description: Some cars have internal fluid leaks in brake hydraulic control unit; when rear-brake proportioning, antilock braking, traction control, or stability-control feature is activated in some driving situations, feature may not perform as designed.
2002
Description: Gear-attachment bolts may be undertorqued or missing, causing uneven steering response or unusual noise during turns.
2002
Description: Airbag inflator could fracture during deployment endangering passengers.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on June 6, 2014.
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