2002 Buick LeSabre Review
2002 Buick LeSabre Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Modern interior with room for six, huge trunk, torquey and economical V6.
Cons
- Fuddy-duddy image, no split/folding rear seat, lacks V8 prestige.
What’s new
Buick's LeSabre receives only minor trim changes for 2002. Limited models get additional standard features and new 16-inch wheels, while all models get new radios, manual trunk release latches and the LATCH system for securing child safety seats.
Edmunds says
A crowd-pleasing large sedan that offers space, safety, and surprisingly good mileage in a value-packed, economical package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$203/mo for LeSabre Custom
LeSabre Custom
vs
$219/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Evolutionary in style outside, and revolutionary in style inside, the Buick LeSabre appears to have met its designers' goals: keep the good stuff and improve the rest. Give Buick credit for acting on customer input and coming up with a surprisingly competent overall package.
Fans of the previous-generation LeSabre will not be put off by the current iteration, which uses an aircraft fuselage styling theme to achieve a look familiar to loyalists. Buick's signature "waterfall" chrome grille is in blatant evidence, and the clean-looking front and rear fascias set off the clear-lens headlamps and large tail lamps. This year, Limited models get revised 15-inch aluminum wheels (also available on the base Custom), as well as new optional 16-inch seven-spoke chrome-plated aluminum wheels.
Safety has also been a LeSabre hallmark, and the 2002 LeSabre doesn't disappoint. In addition to incorporating side airbags, the comfortable and supportive front seats have built-in "self-aligning" head restraints, reducing the risk of whiplash. Front seatbelts are integrated into the seat frames, and all five seating positions come equipped with shoulder and lap belts. The LeSabre's interior meets the government's latest head-impact requirements ahead of the federal deadline.
Buick buyers place a priority on comfort, and the LeSabre delivers. Front seats are wide, soft and flat, accommodating a large range of body types. Six-passenger seating is standard, while front buckets are available. The LeSabre gets an improved center convenience console for 2002 when the buckets are ordered. Rear-seat occupants aren't forgotten, with rear headroom proving as good as the Ford Crown Victoria's or Mercury Grand Marquis'. And even though legroom back there isn't best-in-class, it is still comfortable for adults. Trunk room is a solid 18 cubic feet, bettering the 17 cubic feet found in the Chrysler Concorde.
Two kinds of LeSabre are available: Custom and Limited. Custom includes the usual round of sedan basics, like power windows/doors/mirrors, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, cruise control, tilt wheel, power driver seat and cassette stereo. This is the rental car special. If you want to feel special, select the Limited, which adds traction control, alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, OnStar GPS communications, CD player and heated seats. We'd opt for the LeSabre Limited with the Gran Touring Package, despite the fact that the top-of-the-line P225/60R16 touring radials are not super handlers. Four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS are standard on both trim levels.
The only available powertrain in the LeSabre remains the trusty 3.8-liter Series II V6, mated to a smooth four-speed automatic transmission. This motor makes a healthy 205 horsepower and still manages to earn an EPA mileage rating of 19 city/30 highway. What's more, GM's V6 meets federal low-emission-vehicle (LEV) standards.
LeSabres have consistently ranked better than average in ownership ratings over the years, and the 2002 will no doubt continue that trend. While the median age of most LeSabre buyers has long been in the 60s, more family-oriented buyers are finding themselves in Buick showrooms than ever before. That should help the Buick brand shake some of its fuddy-duddy image and keep the LeSabre at the top of the full-size sales charts for yet another year.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Buick LeSabre.
5 star(65%)
4 star(20%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
65 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
My LeSabre Story
buickowner2013, 11/08/2013
2002 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
I got my LeSabre from a great-grandma who had stopped driving in 2012 and had put only 39,000 miles on it. Despite it's "fuddy duddy" image it has been a great car. Its very roomy, actually gets decent gas mileage on the highway (mid-upper 20's?) and makes for a good road tripping car. With the exception of one additional window that had to get fixed, and one that may stop working at … some point, it has had no significant issues. Of course as the car aged normal wear and tear started costing me as things started needing to be replaced.
5 out of 5 stars
Greatest Car I Ever Owned
Norm Hradec, 09/04/2016
2002 Buick LeSabre Limited 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Buicks best year for overall safety, reliability, comfort and operating cost.
Car now has 220,000 miles on it and still performs like new.
5 out of 5 stars
Still In Love With My Buick
Jay, 04/30/2017
2002 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
While I have never had a complaint with any General Motors vehicle owned by me in the past, without doubt my 2002 Buick LeSabre has been the most reliable automobile ever owned by me. I purchased it in February 2014 for $5,000 with approximately 86,000 miles on the odometer; and I now have approximately 223,000 miles showing on the odometer. In 27,000 miles this vehicle will exceed the … "Quarter Million Mile" threshold. In January 2018 I needed to install a Jasper re-built transmission (181,000 miles on the odometer), but the engine runs as strong as ever without any need for overhaul. I change the engine oil/filter and rotate the tires every 3,000 miles. I change the spark plugs and wires very 100,000 miles. I use Valvoline's standard (10W-30) oil which is considerably less expensive than synthetic oil now required in modern vehicles; the engine has a cast iron block thereby alleviating need for the plastic "under motor protection" panel; and according to my records (which I religiously maintain) the four General Tires which were installed back in October 2014 now have approximately 120,000 miles use! I use regular grade "Top Tier" fuel and average 22 mpg. The acceleration is most acceptable; and while my wife's previous Volkswagen Jetta TDI and current Honda CR-V have better handling, I cannot say that the Buick's ability to tackle curves is any way unacceptable. Most importantly, the exterior of the car remains unblemished and without rust; the interior leather seats have not cracked or faded; and the dashboard controls and gauges remain easily visible and accessible. It is a proven work horse, and I can only hope (and reasonably expect) Buick is continuing the same quality in its current production models. I will not soon know, of course, since I have no plans to sell my 17 year old sedan.
4 out of 5 stars
My first car
Emilio parker, 03/10/2016
2002 Buick LeSabre Custom 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
The car has only broke down on me twice. Once because of the cheap plastic elbows. I replaced them with metal once. Second time because of intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket (front) and tensioner pully. Cheap fixed thought but I love this car because in city I get 28.2 mpg.
2002 LeSabre Highlights
Custom
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,660 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $203/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the LeSabre include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 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 – OriginalGood
- 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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