1981 Buick LeSabre Custom Coupe review from North America

Aside from routine maintenance:

Headliner sagged after 23 years.

Engine leaked oil from about every gasket there is after 300,000 miles.

Transmission leaked from speedometer cable and eventually pan.

Radiator leaked/oil cooler leaked after 320,000 miles.

Carburetor was a bit out of whack during cold starts.

Rear bumper begin rusting out a few years back.

Check engine light stayed on steady since 1994.

Transmission mount bolts broke one winter for some odd reason.

A/C compressor recharged one last time in 2004.

This car was purchased new by my Grandparents in 1981, and given to my oldest brother in 1986 when he started driving. I'm the youngest of four kids, and all of us had possession of this car at one point and time. Needless to say, None of us were very nice to it either. One of my sisters drove it 200 miles with a blown upper radiator hose 12 years ago, warning light blinking at her and everything. The fact that it was about 10 degrees outside may have saved the car that day. The Car has put my older brother, two older sisters, and myself through both high school and college.

Its been through 3 car accidents and 4 deer collisions. Its Literally hit something or been hit on all 4 corners during its somewhat "younger" years. I remember skidding off the road one icy winter night and hitting a tree dead on. I barely bent the bumper, and I know I had to be going at least 25 yet when I hit it. I'm glad I had a seatbelt on that night. The insurance Company still fixed part of it about 10 years ago, and newer paint and sheetmetal has kept the car looking not as bad as you might expect, but after over 300,000 miles time takes its toll.

The interior held up well to this day, I've never ridden in a more comfortable car. All the electronics worked too, even the massive power windows.

It never broke down to the point of stranding anyone. A month ago I noticed coolant in the oil and turns out it has a cracked head and manifold. Now that I make real money it was time to say goodbye to the old boat. I tried to take it to a push/pull/drag dealer special, and they gave me cash credit instead and told me to junk the car, it would cost them more time and money to get rid of it. On the drive to the junkyard, even with the Check Engine, Low Oil Pressure and Water Temp warning Lights on, The car still ran like a dream.

LONG LIVE THE LE SABRE!!!