1985 Buick LeSabre Collector's Edition 2 door Olds 307 5.0 V8 from North America

Summary:

One of our favorite and best cars of all time

Faults:

Power antenna.

Cassette player.

Chrome trim fell off the back of the front seat.

General Comments:

Great car. Nice formal looking 2 door body style with very comfortable cloth knit velour seats. Loaded with all the options (including a factory sun roof) made it very fun to drive. Ride quality was second to none; very smooth. Engine power was OK for the time and the size of the car. The Olds 307 (like all Oldsmobile engines) was durable as they come. Unfortunately this was the year that GM changed the cylinder heads which gave less power. We had a Buick Electra prior to this car with the same engine and you could notice a power difference. This car was very reliable and driven a lot in 5 years, which explains the high mileage in a short amount of time. Nothing mechanical ever went wrong.

You could say that this was an end of an era for the LeSabre. After this year they were no longer body on frame, rear drive V8s. We did have a couple front drive LeSabres after and they were also great cars, but not like these last of the traditionals.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2020

12th Apr 2020, 23:50

"last of the traditionals"?

Ever heard of the 1991-1996 Buick Roadmaster? Body on frame RWD with a V8 engine. Doesn't get any more "traditional" than that, and way better than those final RWD LeSabres (I've owned both).

In reply to 12th Apr 2020, 23:50

13th Apr 2020, 19:08

Read the last paragraph of my review again. Like the rest of the post it's devoted to the last of the RWD LeSabres.

Yes, I've heard of, worked on and driven those Roadmasters. The only thing IMO that is better is the acceleration. Still a B Body platform that didn't change much. Body style is OK, along with the ride quality; no 2 door was available and the interior was full of Fisher Price plastic. The wagons were pretty cool looking.

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1985 Buick LeSabre Collector 307 from North America

Summary:

It is a great highway car

Faults:

I bought this car new from the dealer. Before the warranty expired, I had a torque converter problem which the dealer could not confirm. Since I was barely driving, the warranty ran out and later I replaced the torque converter.

It had been garage kept and never driven in rain or winter. It had been sitting in garage for the last 20 years. It is in showroom condition.

I love this Buick.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th April, 2016

17th Apr 2016, 03:14

Keep up with fluid and filter changes - especially coolant - the intake manifold is aluminum, and the balance of the engine is cast iron. This combination does not suffer antique coolant gladly ;)

This engine is a mass of vacuum lines. They dry out, and cause drivability problems. Keep an eye on them.

Other than that - enjoy :)

1985 Buick LeSabre Limited Collectors Edition 307 from North America

Summary:

Bought it as a backup, now it's a daily driver. Fell in love!

Faults:

Rear door will not open, inside or out.

A/C clutch.

Squirrelly intermittent wipers.

Tape player failed.

Radio interference.

Cruise not working.

Passenger window will not open.

General Comments:

I bought this car cheap... Real cheap, to use as a backup because the km on my Honda were getting high and costly. After a big tuneup, the Buick was on the road for under $2000. Despite a number of smaller issues, it is easy to forgive the car because it rides so well!

Having owned 35 cars, could this be the best one? Yes! I don't mind throwing some repairs into a car that rides so well. Very quiet, comfortable, and smooth. 20 MPG mixed driving! The seats are incredible and plush, and the interior is Sage Green. It has character, style, and charm. Passengers are blown away by the interior. Outside it's fading.

GM B and C bodies in the 77 to 85 era are winners for their ride and comfort. I've had a few versions, Impala, Caprice, Parisienne.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2015

15th Jul 2021, 19:44

UPDATE! Still weekly driving THIS 1985 Buick LeSabre Collector's Edition 4 Door. Another 100,000 km on it! Currently sits at 220,000 km (137 K miles). No big issues. The 307 can pull a boat or camper but loses power over 130 km/hour (80 miles/hour).