Faults:

Very FEW problems!

Around 70,000 miles the transmission needed to be rebuilt.

A few years later the water pump went out and had to be replaced.

Seats began to show some very minor wear to the plush after 15 years.

A narrow strip of foam-backed vinyl over the glove compartment peeled up a little after many years-that is the only interior flaw and it is pretty minor (on the underside of the dash).

I had some minor rust touch-ups done on the fender panels when the car was about 13 years old.

When I had the transmission rebuilt and the water pump replaced, the mechanics commented on the high quality of the car and the fact that it took 12+ years before anything on the car needed work. Remarkably few problems for a car that is 15 years old - and I drive quite a bit.

General Comments:

This car is amazing! It was my first and only car, having previously been owned by a relative and then by my mother.

It is extremely comfortable-I really like the plush upholstery-I did some spot cleaning and it looks new except for very minor wear on the edges of the ribbed parts of the seat. My mother still thinks that it is far more comfortable and rides better than her 1998 LeSabre-she says the 1990 LeSabre is the most comfortable car she has ever ridden in. I am over 6-foot and this is one of the few cars that I fit in comfortably-there is lots of leg room. The seats are electric and still work like new.

The trunk is huge and was extremely convenient for moving in college. You can fit about 4 full-size laundry baskets in there, or a small piece of furniture.

The LeSabre has good pick-up-it is pretty powerful for a family sedan. It is also pretty fuel efficient considering the huge interior and enormous trunk. I usually get between 22-24 MPG combined. If I only drive in the city I get closer to 19 MPG. It gets comparable gas mileage to similarly-sized 2005 luxury cars (compare Lexus, etc.).

My LeSabre has the silver-blue-gray paint color (not silver, or light-blue, or navy, which were also produced) with little metal flecks that was typical of Buick during the late-1980s-early-1990s. It is just about the most perfect color for a car because it can get dirty and dusty without showing it. When it is washed it looks brand new. The interior is in the corresponding light gray. I think the burgundy interiors that were produced for the burgundy LeSabres that year look old and dirty no matter how clean and well-preserved they are-the light gray interior of my car barely shows any signs of age and looks great.

Also, I think this is one of the best LeSabre models as far as its styling. It was an update of the body style introduced in 1987 and I think the 87-89 LeSabres look much older and somewhat awkward. The 1990-1991 models featured significant changes to the front and rear. The horizontal grille (which looks plasticy and 1980s) was replaced with a vertical waterfall grille which looks a lot more like chrome (but it is plastic), and the tail lights were re-designed in a more streamlined fashion. The back end is strikingly similar to designs Honda introduced on its Accord model around 2000-it shows that classic style lasts. In 1992 the next generation of the LeSabre was introduced, and I think it was a far less appealing body style. The 1992-1998 LeSabres were just kind of mediocre in appearance. A 1999 redesign brought back some of the flair and elegance seen on the 1990-1991 model. I have driven newer LeSabres and I think those models have more of the little old lady proportions-I feel awkward and uncomfortable driving them because I am too tall.

Buick has produced some promising new vehicles-I particularly like the new LaCrosse, but for now I am going to stick with my 1990 LeSabre. I have seen identical cars with well over 150,000 miles, so I do not expect to replace it any time soon.

Faults:

I have replaced the altenator four (4) times.

The brake system had to be totally overhauled.

I have rebuilt the transmission 246,000 miles.

Seats have badly worn.

Can't seem to get it to pass inspection in the state of Maryland.

Recently I have had my starter go out.

General Comments:

As you may already know -- the Buick is a great automobile. The car keeps on going and with routine maintenance you can probably own the car for at least a good 300,000 miles or more (I'm on my way).

Recently my starter has gone out, but with the mileage and age of the vehicle I am not surprised.

The car has a majority of the original factory parts on it still to this day.

Otherwise my car is a gem and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

It is still comfortable and as dependable as ever (again with proper maintenance).