2000 Buick LeSabre Limited 3.8L 205 hp V6 from North America

Summary:

An excellent value with American virtues

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong since I bought the car used two weeks ago.

General Comments:

- I was in the market to upgrade from my 93 Chevrolet Lumina, which has 230000 miles on it. Being a bus driver, my budget was rather tight and I would not have been able to afford anything beyond a Toyota Yaris or Chevrolet Aveo if I bought new. I came across a red 2000 Lesabre limited. The mileage on the car was certainly high, but I knew LeSabres have a good reputation for reliability so I figured for 8500 it was a steal.

- After doing some more research, I bought the car and have had no regrets so far. The LeSabre has a grand interior with plenty of comforts and space, not to mention a powerful V6 that has plenty of power for accelerating briskly from stoplights. My only complaint at the moment is that the seats are positioned a little too low to the ground. Nevertheless, I can't understand people's obsession with used Japanese cars. For the sake of comparison, I found a Honda Civic sedan of the same model year for 500 more than my Buick and took it for a test drive. One word sums it up - overrated.

- I strongly believe that full-size American cars like the Lesabre are excellent value in the used car market because of what you get for the money. Assuming they ever were the clumsy dinosaurs some believe them to be, they certainly aren't anymore. Granted, there are reasons why you never see a body kit on a LeSabre or Intrepid, but who needs one anyway?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2006

29th May 2006, 14:42

Just correcting a typing error in my review-the price on the car when I bought it was actually $7500.

2000 Buick LeSabre Limited 3.8 from North America

Summary:

This Buick ain't my '92 Regal

Faults:

Window regulator, window regulator, window regulator, and I suspect very soon... window regulator.

General Comments:

The window history on this model is a disgrace.

A/C is very loud and controls are a nuisance. Not tactile at all. Give me temp sliders, not digits. How does one know that he wants it 2 degrees cooler or 12 degrees? Doesn't remember certain settings such as airflow direction. Takes 4 steps to blow cold air at my face. What's the point of "Auto" anyway?

Also, absolutely worst console/cup holder design imagineable. There are still coins from the previous owner rattling around in the abyss below the cup holder and I'll never get them out. Put some change in the cup holders and flip it closed if you want to play the magic disappearing coin trick. The cup holders themselves are two different sizes (!) and neither one holds a standard 12-ounce can. I kid you not.

Otherwise, a decent ride and dependable, exc the windows, of course.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th May, 2006

2nd Nov 2006, 22:19

I love my 99 buick. My windows work just fine because I don't abuse my ride in any way and I never use the windows when there is ice on the car. People need to know and learn more about preventive maintaince.

11th Jul 2007, 15:30

Your complaint about the digital climate control is silly. The readout of the actual temperature is much more accurate than trying to figure out how warm/cold you want it on a slide or dial. I have the exact set-up on my Park Avenue and find it very nice to use although I have had to have the unit repaired twice due to the LED's dimming. It is relatively easy to remove yourself and if you look hard enough you can get it repaired for a fraction of what the dealer would want.

23rd Dec 2007, 23:46

I have to agree with the cup holder comments and the window controls. This car runs nice, but have spent a fortune in getting things fixed such as that computerized display showing where the air flow is going and what the temp is. My cup holder is broke and I can't seem to find a replacement.