1977 Buick LeSabre Reviews

Delete this review

15th Feb 2010, 11:25

I'm not doubting you, but I wonder what five liter V8s were used in the 77 Lesabre? Maybe the 301 and the 305? I guess the 307 wasn't being made yet.

15th Feb 2010, 17:52

It was the 301 V8, I don't think the 305's were ever offered on the full size Pontiacs (up until 1983), Oldsmobiles and Buick's.

15th Feb 2010, 21:06

The 301 V8 was a 4.9 litre.

20th May 2010, 08:54

The 305 engine was a Chevrolet engine. This engine was offered in all lines in 1977, Buick, Chevrolet, Olds, and Pontiac.

The 4.9L (301) was a Pontiac engine. This was the first claimed fuel miser engine of 1977. They sold a ton of them; they were paired up with the GM200 Metric tranny, and that tranny was junk.

21st May 2010, 14:51

A friend of mine had a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 301 - sure it was a bit underpowered for that huge car, but it lasted well over 200,000 miles. I don't recall him having any trouble with the transmission, either, so I wonder if in the Grand Prix they put a beefier transmission?

In any case, is it possible to swap out the weaker 200 turbo for a 350 turbo in 301-V8 cars?

21st May 2010, 17:40

I owned a 77 Grand Prix, which was equipped with a 301 with a turbo 400 trans.

1977 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8 V6 from North America

Year of manufacture	1977
First year of ownership	2002
Most recent year of ownership	2004
Engine and transmission	3.8 V6 Automatic
Performance marks	5 / 10
Reliability marks	5 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.5 / 10
Distance when acquired	73000 miles
Most recent distance	86000 miles

Summary:

Ugly to look at, scary to drive

Faults:

The transmission was the biggest problem. About 3000 miles ago it began slipping like crazy, and eventually could barely make it up roads with even a slight incline. The one I replaced it with was from a junk yard (luckily this car's bell-housing could bolt a transmission from just about any non-Chevy GM auto 1969-1985), and though it does work, it seems to shift awkwardly.

The air blower died a week after I replaced the transmission (easy fix).

The front left caliper had to be replaced once (When I first got it about 10000 miles ago I replaced it, and its freezing up again now), the front right once (Started freezing about a month after I replaced the left).

The radiator coolant line had a leak (fixed while swapping transmission).

The left rear turn signal does not work (don't know how to fix).

Total exhaust had to be replaced (wear and tear).

General Comments:

This car is the slowest car I have ever driven, or seen. While on the thruway, most tractor trailer drivers speed around me and flip me off. Heck even senior citizens driving modern Buick's speed around me and flip me off because my car is so slow. I would much prefer to have the 5.7 L engine most older Buick's have.

It is impossible not to hit a pedestrian while driving this thing. It's enormous!

It is very, very roomy inside. The seats are comfy, too.

It stalls even on blazing hot summer afternoon.

Very solid. I had an accident with this car once, and totaled the car I hit. My car, on the other hand, just had a few scrapes.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th April, 2004

Comment on this review