1990 Buick LeSabre Limited from North America - Comments

Very FEW problems!

Around 70,000 miles the transmission needed to be rebuilt.

A few years later the water pump went out and had to be replaced.

Seats began to show some very minor wear to the plush after 15 years.

A narrow strip of foam-backed vinyl over the glove compartment peeled up a little after many years-that is the only interior flaw and it is pretty minor (on the underside of the dash).

I had some minor rust touch-ups done on the fender panels when the car was about 13 years old.

When I had the transmission rebuilt and the water pump replaced, the mechanics commented on the high quality of the car and the fact that it took 12+ years before anything on the car needed work. Remarkably few problems for a car that is 15 years old - and I drive quite a bit.

This car is amazing! It was my first and only car, having previously been owned by a relative and then by my mother.

It is extremely comfortable-I really like the plush upholstery-I did some spot cleaning and it looks new except for very minor wear on the edges of the ribbed parts of the seat. My mother still thinks that it is far more comfortable and rides better than her 1998 LeSabre-she says the 1990 LeSabre is the most comfortable car she has ever ridden in. I am over 6-foot and this is one of the few cars that I fit in comfortably-there is lots of leg room. The seats are electric and still work like new.

The trunk is huge and was extremely convenient for moving in college. You can fit about 4 full-size laundry baskets in there, or a small piece of furniture.

The LeSabre has good pick-up-it is pretty powerful for a family sedan. It is also pretty fuel efficient considering the huge interior and enormous trunk. I usually get between 22-24 MPG combined. If I only drive in the city I get closer to 19 MPG. It gets comparable gas mileage to similarly-sized 2005 luxury cars (compare Lexus, etc.).

My LeSabre has the silver-blue-gray paint color (not silver, or light-blue, or navy, which were also produced) with little metal flecks that was typical of Buick during the late-1980s-early-1990s. It is just about the most perfect color for a car because it can get dirty and dusty without showing it. When it is washed it looks brand new. The interior is in the corresponding light gray. I think the burgundy interiors that were produced for the burgundy LeSabres that year look old and dirty no matter how clean and well-preserved they are-the light gray interior of my car barely shows any signs of age and looks great.

Also, I think this is one of the best LeSabre models as far as its styling. It was an update of the body style introduced in 1987 and I think the 87-89 LeSabres look much older and somewhat awkward. The 1990-1991 models featured significant changes to the front and rear. The horizontal grille (which looks plasticy and 1980s) was replaced with a vertical waterfall grille which looks a lot more like chrome (but it is plastic), and the tail lights were re-designed in a more streamlined fashion. The back end is strikingly similar to designs Honda introduced on its Accord model around 2000-it shows that classic style lasts. In 1992 the next generation of the LeSabre was introduced, and I think it was a far less appealing body style. The 1992-1998 LeSabres were just kind of mediocre in appearance. A 1999 redesign brought back some of the flair and elegance seen on the 1990-1991 model. I have driven newer LeSabres and I think those models have more of the little old lady proportions-I feel awkward and uncomfortable driving them because I am too tall.

Buick has produced some promising new vehicles-I particularly like the new LaCrosse, but for now I am going to stick with my 1990 LeSabre. I have seen identical cars with well over 150,000 miles, so I do not expect to replace it any time soon.

I agree with most of your comments. These truly are great cars. The best cars GM has made within the past twenty years, in my opinion. I used to have a 1990 LeSabre, and I currently own a 1991 LeSabre. Both of them had the foam backed vinyl peeling above the glove box. Seems like a common problem. I also agree that the burgundy interior shows a lot of dirt. It also fades a lot, but that seems to be common with this interior color regardless of make or model. That's the color of my current LeSabre (burgundy inside and out). My old 1990 LeSabre was silver with a light gray interior, and the gray interior never looked as dirty or worn as the burgundy one, even though it was. I also agree with your assessment that the front and rear styling of the 1990-91 LeSabres is more appealing than earlier models-it looks classier. I must correct you on one minor thing, though: this style LeSabre was introduced for the 1986 model year. The 1986 model looks just like the 1987-89 models from behind. The front of the ‘86 is unique: it has rectangular quad headlights (two on each side) of the old-fashioned sealed beam type, and it has a really busy-looking egg crate style grille that makes the plain horizontal ‘87-‘89 style grille elegant in comparison. I disagree with you about the 1992-99 LeSabres. I think they look great-better than the 2000 and newer models, but I guess it's all a matter of personal taste. I also have to disagree with you about the newer Buicks, especially the LaCrosse-a car that shows no originality of design at all; looks just like a Ford Taurus, from the side windows to the taillights to the oval grille. Yuck. I don't think any of Buick's new vehicles can hold a candle to the old ones in terms of styling, except perhaps the outgoing Park Avenue, which I think is a great looking car. The newer ones don't seem to be as reliable either, from what I've been reading. I'll gladly keep my ‘91 and when it finally dies, I might just buy another LeSabre of this vintage in spite of it's age, if I can find a nice one.

I'm kind of surprised that you had to have your transmission rebuilt at 70,000. Neither one of mine were ever rebuilt (to the best of my knowledge, bought them both used) ; my 1990 had 169,000 miles when I parted with it (and was still running great), and my ‘91 currently has 138,000 miles. The Series I 3800 V6 engine in these cars is bulletproof and will last a long time if properly maintained. It was first available in 1988 as an extra cost option, and was the only engine offered from 1989-on.

I'm glad to hear that there's a fellow LeSabre owner out there who loves their car. Good luck!

I have a 1990 Buick Le sabre with only 48,050 miles on it. It was parked in a garage for nearly 15 years. But was driven once a month. I agree with your comments that it is an absolutely amazing machine. I would not ever consider buying anything else. I am only 16, and it is my first car. I will keep it in mint condition, so as it will last me for many years to come. I am happy to hear that someone else is so enthusiastic about the style of the exterior. I love it. Good luck to all of you out there who are still driving their good old Buicks!

255000 miles, new plugs and wires every 30000 miles, oil change every 3000 miles will keep you driving. Some like mine, may not look so great after 16 years, but runs like new. Even A/C still works.

I just bought a used 1990. 220,000 miles and the only thing broken is the radio. I'd say that's pretty indicative of the high quality of the automobile.

I got `89 lesabre with 70000 miles. I`ve driven many cars, but this one is far MOST COMFORTABLE one!

I LOVE THIS CAR!