1985 Buick LeSabre Collectors Edition review from North America
"Big reliable car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Rebuilt engine at 250,000 km due to flooding carburetor, causing a main bearing to prematurely wear out. But I could have continued running the engine indefinitely.
I'm on my third rad and third water pump.
Most of the front suspension parts have been replaced over the years.
Three sets of front rotors and pads.
Replaced original rear brake drums and all rear brake components at 350,000 km.
Rust in floor-board, rear wheel- wells, rocker panels, front door posts and roof.
Vinyl Roof deteriorated and was removed.
Paint started to fade so it was repainted in 2000.
General comments?
This car spent most of its life in Ontario where they salt the roads every winter. I had the car sprayed with oil every fall so the car is still solid. All the rust spots were small and repairable with new metal and fiberglass. Every mechanic comments on the good condition of my vehicle.
I don't plan on buying a new vehicle any time soon. The V8 engine is running strong and the car handles well with 205/75/R15 's on the front and 235/70/R15's on the back.
I have driven this car from Toronto to Vancouver three times in the winter using Yokohama all season tires. I got caught in a blizzard on I90 somewhere in Minnesota and had to run for twenty miles on a closed highway. Also I've driven all day on pure ice, passing numerous 4X4's in the ditch.
This is an excellent highway cruiser. It will run all day at a hundred miles an hour pulling a trailer. The trunk is huge.
The interior is crushed velvet with fake wood everywhere and chrome which is very cool. Also armrests which fold into the seats and seat-belts for six people. The front bench seats split for a drivers side power seat. It's a very comfortable ride. Everybody says how smooth it runs.
The Olds 307 motor is stock except for a chrome air-cleaner which makes a nice sound when the four-barrel kicks in. It could be more powerful, but the gas mileage isn't too bad for a large car, 18 to 25 mpg if you don't race. It comes equipped with a four speed auto which is very nice, at legal highway speeds the engine sounds like its barely working.
Overall I'm very happy with it.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 1992 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | Olds 307 4bble Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 135000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 355000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Dodge Dart |
| Date of Entry | 29th September, 2002 |

