Buick Le Sabre

Buick Le Sabre Models

Two Buick Le Sabre models are available: Custom and Limited.

LeSabre Custom comes with front and side air bags, air conditioning, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, cruise control, power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette four-speaker stereo, power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment, adjustable steering column, automatic level control, theft deterrent system and a power trunk release.

The Limited model adds automatic dual-zone air conditioning, driver information center, upgraded Concert Sound II six-speaker stereo, remote keyless entry, heated power seats and alloy wheels.

For those who want better handling, the optional Gran Touring package comes with firmer suspension tuning, magnetic speed-sensitive power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch wheels and fatter 225/60 all-season tires, and a 3.05:1 final drive ratio for quicker acceleration. Other options include traction control, leather seats, heated seats (for Custom) and a 12-disc CD changer.

Driving the Buick Le Sabre

Big Buicks have not been known as cars that excel in the handling department. Their suspensions have been designed primarily to provide a soft, cushy ride, where the car tends to float over undulations and provides little feedback to the driver. At slow speeds this is fine, but at higher speeds, or on a winding road, a soft-sprung car is not as stable as one with a firmer suspension.

But when Buick redesigned the LeSabre last year, the engineers vastly improved its roadholding capability. As a result, the LeSabre now handles much better than previous versions. While you still cannot compare LeSabre's handling to that of a BMW, it is much improved over the old model. That floating sensation is gone. When you jam on the brakes, the nose does not dive the way the old one did.

Our LeSabre Limited was equipped with the Gran Touring package, which helped give the car more road feel. But even the base LeSabre should offer good handling.

The 3.8-liter V6 engine is one of GM's best. It performs well in the LeSabre, even though it has to propel a relatively heavy car. Likewise, the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifting between gears. Braking performance is good and, with anti-lock brakes acting on all four wheels, we never had any dramatic moments.

LeSabre packs plenty of sound insulation for a quiet ride. Although not officially billed as a luxury car, it provides a more luxurious environment than most luxury cars of just a few years ago.