20th Feb 2013, 09:17
Your comment pretty much sums up the point trying to be made here in the past few months. Yes, these are nice cars, nicer than the Delta 88 and Caprice in the same class of that era. Yes, you could ask 100 grand for one and you could ask 10 grand, it all depends who it's worth it to. I would have to disagree about the market not being there, I believe in ten years the value for a mint condition will be a lot more. Yes, and it's too bad they don't make the LeSabre or Roadmaster anymore.
20th Feb 2013, 16:32
Yes, there were a lot of big cars after 1985, but that was the last year of the rear-drive LeSabres, and the main reason it was dubbed "Collector's Edition".
Not to say front-drive LeSabre's were bad; we had an '89 and '97, which we still own, but nothing compared to the '85 2 door LeSabre we had years ago.
17th Apr 2013, 09:19
Here's the thing, I've heard of many Ford 302s and other V8s regularly going 500,000+ miles without problems if cared for. Is the Oldsmobile 307 just as long lasting? What about the other GM V8s (Chevy V8s, Cadillac V8s, other Oldsmobile V8s, etc.)?
18th Apr 2013, 07:45
If you cannot find another one, you aren't trying very hard; they are still quite easy to find just about anywhere.
25th Jul 2013, 07:09
"There will always be people who don't know the value of their car and want the moon"
Apparently the "top dollar" person (14:35) doesn't get this?
26th Jul 2013, 06:14
I don't ever understand dropping a 455 in a car year like this. And never will. What's it worth? Find an older high demand car, even a shell, and put time and money into it. How about a first or second gen Firebird? Or a Buick GS pre 72?
If anything, put a 350 in this one vs a 455. My favorite GM engine is a 60s 327 on today's gas, mated with a 4 speed. You don't always need a big block as handling and cooling can be affected. I was never a fan on a 307 motor as well.
After all is said and done, a 1986 up in my state has strict emissions to pass. I see a lot of ones modified that can't pass. That's why I buy 60s and early 70s, and get exempt and antiqued.
28th Jul 2013, 11:41
Generally speaking, the GM V8s are every bit as good as the Ford ones. People routinely get 200,000 miles plus with either the 307 or the 305 (and their permutations). The nice thing about the GMs is the transmissions are quite a bit better than the Fords, and will usually do a lot more miles without a rebuild.
28th Jul 2013, 20:09
Evidently that car was sold. Here it is 5 months later and it was never re-listed on e-bay. Maybe it sold for 10 grand, and maybe it didn't.
29th Jul 2013, 16:54
If I had $10,000 to spend on a used car, you better believe I would take a LeSabre of this vintage in perfect condition, as opposed to the generic plastic looking turtles of today.
27th Dec 2013, 17:55
The 1985 Buick LeSabre is a great car, and the Olds 455 V8 engine is very durable.
RWD are best, as the car is very reliable.
I don't think a 84-85 LeSabre sedan or coupe is rare to find like other people think.
These cars are smooth cruisers, and last a long time with great maintenance. Also most have low mileage.
Nothing ever needs to replaced, except for minor things or something that has worn out from when car was factory built. It's sad that they don't make cars like this any more. Wish GM didn't make those FWD sedans; those were nice cars, but suffered major repairs in later years and lots of recalls.
The older big floaters were so dependable. It's best to buy a 85 model; you can't beat a Buick for reliability.
28th Dec 2013, 11:45
Most of the early 80s LeSabres ever produced have alas long since gone to the crusher, and plenty of those that remain do have high mileage.
A well preserved, low mileage car of this type and this age is quite rare, and will only become more valuable.
5th Oct 2014, 15:12
Naturally, any model in good condition with lower mileage is going to be more desirable, and thus worth more than one that isn't.
Previous posters have made the dubious assertion that nice-condition 1985 LeSabres are now worth more than their original sticker price, however they remain unable to provide any proof of the validity of this claim (overpriced examples on eBay that remain unsold don't count!).
6th Oct 2014, 13:19
Buick had its own 455 V8 in the 1970s, completely different than Oldsmobile's "rocket". Pontiac also had a different 455, and Chevrolet's 454.
None of the 455s ever got mixed and matched between brands, but it was common with the 350s towards the end of the 1970s. Buick, Olds, Chevy, and possibly even Pontiac all had their own unique 350 V8 too. The Chevrolet and Oldsmobile 350 were better performing and more reliable in my opinion.
In the 1970s there was a Pontiac 400 V8 in there somewhere too, and it may be different than the late 1970s Trans Am motor.
Oldsmobile used a 403 small block from 1977-1979 (internals were similar to the 350, but the engine was not as reliable). It was shared with Buick.
Do some reading on why the V8 powered 1985 LeSabre is a bad motor (as well as the Olds Delta 88). Same 307 V8 as before, but the cylinder heads were reconstructed to meet emissions standards, causing them to perform very poorly. 1984 is the best year for the full size Buick/Olds of the 1980s.
6th Oct 2014, 21:52
Funny how you never see them re-listed on e-bay. Tell me, where do they go?
To an enthusiast who appreciates them for their sentimental value, unlike you.
7th Oct 2014, 01:34
So there is one comment from TWO years ago where somebody stated that these real luxury cars are selling for their sticker price. Obviously it still bothers you.
I happen to take a look myself at what these sell for these days, and have also seen a few at the ten grand mark, but mostly 5-8 grand for a nice one; not bad for a car that you saw everywhere in the 80's. We had one in our family and it was one of, if not the best.
Still waiting to here what you drive that is so much better.
19th Feb 2013, 17:01
Even though it's not the fastest V8, it is still quite durable and is capable of exceeding the 200,000 mile mark when taken care of; you may replace the timing chain or do a tranny rebuild around 170,000. All the 307's prior to 1985 did have more horsepower.