The 1997 Buick LeSabre Limited has an image problem. It’s like support hose vs. tanned legs. It’s like cod-liver oil vs. wheat germ. It’s solid, but stodgy. But that hasn’t fazed readers of Family Circle magazine who named the LeSabre the Family Car of the Year in 1993 and 1995.
They apparently don’t go in for tanned legs or wheat germ.
She: Somewhere in America, there’s a funeral director who’s crying. Or she will be when she finds out you can’t get black any more on the ’97 LeSabre. That’s OK. Majestic teal looks pretty good, too. And dark cherry pearl – tasteful, yet conservative. Plus you can get gold pinstriping for no extra charge.
He: I have a bad feeling this test drive is getting off on the wrong foot. Talking about funeral directors, cod liver oil and support hose.
She: Don’t worry. I’m not writing the LeSabre’s obituary. I actually think it’s a good family car and a super value. I was just having a little fun.
He: Funny you should mention obits. With the big General Motors sedans like the Roadmaster and the Caprice facing extinction later this year, there aren’t many full-size six-passenger sedans left any more. LeSabre is one of the few, and it is loaded with features for a reasonable price. You get the power and reliability of the 3800 V-6, an exceptionally roomy cabin and a comfortable ride, plus the gas mileage of a much smaller car – all for well under $30,000.
She: Those LeSabre designers sure know their audience. They launched a major effort to improve the protective door moldings on the ’97 model. So buyers who are driven to insanity by errant grocery carts will now have some peace of mind. You’ll also be happy to know they improved the license-plate brackets, made the coin holder bigger and restyled the grille.
He: Gee, I hope you don’t have anything snotty to say about the car.
She: Actually, there are some things I don’t like. I hate those fake side-vent windows that don’t open. Talk about being in a time warp. The outside mirrors are too small, and the inside handles are hidden too far in the door. If you’ve just paid $50 for a French manicure, you may find yourself saying a few unprintable things as you reach for those door handles. But you’ve got to give Buick credit for giving families a really affordable package with good safety features. Antilock brakes are standard, and traction control is only $175 extra. And the car has a reputation for durability and dependability.
He: You know, I almost never see families driving this Buick. It’s usually an older man or woman in their 60s or 70s, on their way to church or bingo or the VFW. I can see why they’d love the LeSabre. It’s big, it’s safe, it’s not too expensive and it’s totally non-threatening – sort of like a Bill Knapp’s on wheels.
She: You’re sounding more like me every day. What I hear you saying, and what I think those buyers are tuned into, is the fact that all the safety features, plus the optional Gran Touring susp ension, give you a car in which you can go any place, any time, anywhere, in any kind of weather. This is such a large car, and yet it’s still pretty manageable. It’s very easy to park. And unlike the Roadmaster, the LeSabre gives you the extra security of front-wheel drive.
He: I thought the LeSabre still handled like a barge. Sorry, but even the Gran Touring suspension didn’t do much for ride control. The Buick tends to wallow, especially at higher speeds on our favorite pockmarked freeways. You also get the special variable-assist power steering with the Gran Touring package, but even that feels too vague and isolated when you’re on the highway, and far too slow to respond to driver inputs. It’s almost like you’re disconnected from the road. But maybe that’s what the Buick crowd is looking for.
She: You sound so cranky, maybe YOU belong at the VFW. You’re just not seeing the attributes of the LeSabre. It’s idiot-proof. Everything on the engine is supposed to last for 100,00 les, or shut itself off if it fails. It even has battery rundown protection and lockout protection. And I love the delayed power locking feature, which gives you an extra five seconds after locking up to get groceries or packages out of the back seat. And the cloth seats are practical and comfortable, especially in the summer. OK, I will admit the headlight switches in the driver’s door are dumb. But that’s a real minor issue.
He: And the engine is still one of the best in its class – frugal, but plenty muscular, with more than 200 horsepower on tap. Yes, you’re right, dear. The ’97 LeSabre IS a great value. I just wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of 50.
She: I’m not close to 50 and I’d buy one.
He: Yeah, but you’ve got a birthday coming up in a couple of months. So what size support hose do you wear anyway?
1997 Buick LeSabre Limited
Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, six-passenger full-size sedan.
Price: Base, $25,505; as tested, $27,416 (inc. $590 destination charge).
What’s new for ’97: Mildly restyled exterior, redesigned seat-belt buckles, revised trim, new optional 15-inch alloy wheels.
Standard equipment: Dual-zone automatic climate control, power door locks, twilight sentinel, remote keyless entry, tilt steering column, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear defogger, tinted glass, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power mirrors, AM-FM stereo cassette, power front seats, remote trunk release, power windows, battery run-down protection.
Safety features: Dual air bags, antilock brakes, child-proof rear door locks, traction control (optional).
Options on test vehicle: Prestige option package (SE), including automatic level control, cornering lamps, steering-wheel radio controls, theft-deterrent system ($609); Gran Touring package, including 3.06 axle ratio, sport suspension, 16-inch touring tires, alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, variable-assist power steering ($337); CD player ($200); traction control ($175).
EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg city/30 mpg highway.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6; 205-hp at 5200 rpm; 230 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm.
Transmission: Four-speed automatic.
Competitors: Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, Pontiac Bonneville, Chrysler New Yorker, Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision.
Specifications: Wheelbase, 110.8 inches; overall length, 200.0 inches; curb weight, 3430 pounds; legroom, 42.6 inches front/40.4 inches rear; headroom, 38.8 inches front/37.8 inches rear; shoulder room, 59.1 inches front/58.9 inches rear.
12-month insurance cost: $1,074
AAA Michigan rates based on an average family of four from the Livonia area whose primary driver is aged 40 with no tickets who drives 3-10 miles each way to work. Rates reflect multicar discount and, where appropriate, discounts for air bags and seat belts.
Where built: Flint.