1991 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L from North America
Summary:
Expensive power and comfort
Faults:
Here goes... Since I've owned it, brake lines, Front Hub and Bearing, Both struts including bearing, all ball joints... yes all of them, alternator, battery, cruise control, turn signal lever, Fuel tank and sending unit, blower motor, fuel lines.
General Comments:
Great ride, good mileage and ample power. Comfortable interior. On the negative side it has left me at the side of the road three times in two years. Constant, never ending repairs. One thing after another. Granted it is not new and I did not expect a trouble free car, but this thing is unbelievable. I drove my previous Chev Astro Van well over three hundred thousand clicks, through tough Ottawa winters and it never once left me high and dry. Sure it had repairs, most often the alternator, but this Buick has been a financial nightmare from day one. I've never owned a vehicle that is so unreliable and prone to breakdown. I WANTED this car to run well, I am a GM person, but holy smokes this thing, has destroyed my faith. I'm going Japanese next.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 21st February, 2007
22nd Feb 2007, 16:00
"I'm going Japanese next."
Great. Let us know how your next 16-year-old japanese car works out for you. My guess is that it will also need a new muffler, signal bulbs, timing belt, and the rest of the routine maintenance items that any old car needs. Maybe you made a poor decision in buying this particular used car, but you shouldn't switch car brands forever because you got taken on an old wreck.
31st Aug 2007, 08:51
When buying any old car, how well the owner took care of it will be a factor. My 1991 Buick Lasabre was given to me because of the terrible condition it was in. Most people told me to sell it to the junkyard and forget about it. It now runs like a new car. I still have things to repair before it will be completely like new, but my point is, with a car that old, you should start by giving it a tune up and then start replacing parts before you have a breakdown. It's my understanding that fixed up; old Buicks are excellent cars, but you never know how well or poorly older cars' previous owners took care of them.
29th Oct 2007, 11:41
Brother, you and I are in the same boat. I've been a GM man all my life, but I'm ready to throw in the towel and buy a Toyota. The best car I ever owned was an '87 Buick, the worst a 2001! I'm now driving a '90, but it's just like your '91, constantly having issues. I couldn't agree with you more, a used car is expected to need extra care, but not this much!
19th Jan 2008, 19:57
I bought a one owner 91 Buick Custom with 79000 miles. He said the brakes locked up on him once, but showed me receipt where he fixed them. He paid 2500.
Interior in excellent condition, exterior in very good condition, but now I hear a knock in the engine. If anybody has had this problem, please email me at v_fulcher@yahoo.com and tell me if it was a bearing or just oil pump or lifters etc.
Also I had a front wheel bearing put on. The owner said he had maintained it regularly at the dealership.
22nd Feb 2007, 11:51
I forgot to mention I also had to replace the exhaust system, including the cat converter and also the A/C compressor clutch siezed. So many things I can't keep track.