1973 Buick LeSabre Custom 4-door Hardtop review from North America

Alternator would slowly drain the battery - replaced.

U-joint broke once.

Water pump.

Valve cover gaskets.

Oil pan gasket.

An awesome buy for $700 considering its age and size. I bought it when I was in a bind after my new S-10 was lost to my wife after she divorced me.

350 V8 keeps going, and going, and going. The average novice or shade-tree mechanic can even work on this car without having miles of sensors, wiring harnesses, computers and nonsense in the way. The spark plugs can even be changed easily, by one person, without turning yourself into a pretzel.

I had it repainted the original dark navy blue color. I don't drive it anymore in winter, to avoid rust. The interior is immaculate. This was a one-owner, maintained anally by a crabby old geezer who finally moved to the old folks home after his alzheimer's really kicked in. They say the average Buick owner is about 70, but I'm barely half that.

I do wish America still built cars this roomy, reliable and powerful, but maybe not quite so big on the outside.