1997 Buick LeSabre Review
1997 Buick LeSabre Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Six-passenger capability, powerful engine, standard anti-lock brakes
Cons
- Antiquated dash design, dull styling
What’s new
Buick freshens the LeSabre with new front and rear styling. Redesigned wheel selections, new seats on Custom models and walnut instrument panel appliques round out the visual changes. Structurally, the LeSabre now meets side-impact standards.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$195/mo for LeSabre Custom
LeSabre Custom
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
The LeSabre is the most popular full-size car sold in America today, and has been for four years running. It isn't hard to understand why. This award-winning Buick has a reputation for trouble-free, comfortable motoring with accommodations for six passengers, front-wheel drive, and a torquey V6 engine pulling the whole package around town.
LeSabre is available in Custom or Limited trim, and we recommend the Gran Touring Package, which includes very handsome alloy wheels, a more competent suspension, magnetic variable effort steering and automatic level control.
This year, changes to the LeSabre appear substantial, but, in reality, are nothing more than a styling freshening. Expected early last year, Buick delayed the new sheetmetal until winter of 1996. A new hood with integral grille, revised headlamps, and a new front bumper fascia are the most obvious changes. Also new are wheels, moldings, taillights, rear bumper, and nomenclature. The rear license plate surround now has a handy pull-down surface. Inside, a larger coin holder makes life more convenient for tollway drivers, and redesigned seat belt buckles are easier to unlatch. LeSabre Custom gets revised front seats for improved comfort. Like all 1997 models built after September 1, 1996, the LeSabre sports beefed up side-impact protection.
Pathetically, two reminder chimes are standard. One tells the driver that the parking brake has been engaged for more than 50 feet. The other reminds the driver that the turn signal has been blinking for nearly a mile. These features are scary commentary on the abilities of the average driver in America.
Priced in the 20's, LeSabre competes with such cars as the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis, both of which offer V8 power, larger interiors and rear-wheel drive. We like the Gran Touring model of the LeSabre, but sporting drivers may prefer the bigger rear-wheel drive Crown Vic or the slick Pontiac Bonneville.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Buick LeSabre.
5 star(64%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(3%)
33 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Bullet-proof
Robert, 11/11/2010
1997 Buick LeSabre Limited 4dr Sedan
Bought used from a friend with 227,000 miles and 11 years old. Now with 271,000 in Nov '10. All I do is change the oil ($10 at local dealer). Repaired a couple of minor things (rear springs and struts, front struts and both wheel bearings, rear defroster repair and auto A/C repair), but for as old as my car is, and with as many miles, it gives me excellent service every day. 14 years … old, 271K miles, and I still get 26-27 mpg, YES! 27. No need to buy a new car to stretch your gas dollar; if you can find one of these late-90s in good condition with low miles, snatch it up! (would make a good second car in case your new expensive one your making payments on leaves you stranded).
5 out of 5 stars
I love this car!
Happy Camper!, 05/29/2010
1997 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan
I live in Alaska and this car is absolutely awesome. I have owned a few cars in the past 34 yrs. up here and NONE are as comfortable for me to drive on the snow and ice as this one. Driving in winter is not my favorite, but this car does so well, I don't mind anymore. I've had it five years now. It's roomy and visibility is great in it and gas mileage is anywhere from 17 to 24 mpg for … me. Oh, and it's pretty! Heater works great too!
5 out of 5 stars
LeSabre
lesabre, 10/24/2009
1997 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan
I imagine that in 30-40 years, the 1997 Buick LeSabre will become a true showroom classic, it has sporty details and a modest classy look that you wouldn't expect from a Buick. The exhaust tone is like a quiet version of a muscle car. It feels like driving on air, no matter what you drive on. As i said before, the sporty details are the holes on the bottom of the front bumper that cools … the radiator, the side mirrors mimic sporty cars, and etc. I wouldn't be surprised to see this car going up in value dramatically, that's why I'm going to take of this one.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Solid car with surprising fuel economy!
Benjamin Kromminga, 09/09/2008
1997 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan
I purchased my LeSabre Custom exactly a month ago to drive back and forth to college. This is an excellent highway car. The ride on the open road is very smooth and power from the 3.8 liter V-6 comes on strong when you need it to. Carving corners, however, the Buick feels slow and heavy. After driving a Ford Tempo for two years, parking the LeSabre is a bit of a chore. Inside, … everything is very accomadating. The seats are large and comfortable, and the radio controls are large and easy enough to use. For a car this size, the itsy-bitsy glove box is a bit of an embarrassment. Despite the weight and size of this car, it has averaged about 27 miles per gallon in mostly highway driving.
1997 LeSabre Highlights
Custom
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $195/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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