2000-2005 LeSabre - Which Year and Model to Buy?

[incommunicado]

Can the mods move all of the posts about brakes to a new thread so we can UnHijack this thread? Because the OP was asking which Buick Model to buy

 

[G-370024]

I don't know much about Buick but my 2005 Lesabre has taken untold amounts of punishment and abuse even though it had 200+++ on it when I got her ..
So I will recommend a 2005 .. I am curious to know what's the difference between a custom and a limited when I go to buy a few more of these

Wheels and interior upgrades is about it.

 

[G-837403]

I own a 1994 LeSabre that I purchased. Rand new in 10/1994. My car has 187,000 miles and still runs great. Best of all, I have never had anything serious, mechanically happen to my car other than a starter, alternator, water pump x2, but that's it. Yes, living in the Midwest results in salted roads in the winter and my car does have rust minor issues but it is 31 years old so, no biggie! I love that car and will say it's the best, and most reliable car I have ever owned (this coming from a senior)

 

[Shel]

The Limited comes standard with the leather interior (including a rear armrest). It also has the tachometer and the Driver Info Center which allows you to check oil pressure, voltage, gas mileage and other things. Also included is the Auto Climate control with rear seat air ducts in between the front seats.

My 2003 Custom had those features. I'm sure, however, that they were optional. Certainly the DIC.

 

[silverbullet04]

I have a 04 limited. I wish I didn't have leather seats. They are very clean with very minimal wear, but I prefer cloth. I would gladly swap them with someone who has clean cloth seats.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I have a 04 limited. I wish I didn't have leather seats. They are very clean with very minimal wear, but I prefer cloth. I would gladly swap them with someone who has clean cloth seats.

so you have 6-8 way seats? I think cloth came in partially electric and fully manual, iirc
make sure to match interior color
Do you have buckets? Or bench? Your buckets would be valuable to park avenue people, the bench would too but in terms of selling them off if you were to buy some cloth ones.

You could also replace the rear seat cushion and bottom cushion if you wanted to match it

 

[silverbullet04]

so you have 6-8 way seats? I think cloth came in partially electric and fully manual, iirc
make sure to match interior color
Do you have buckets? Or bench? Your buckets would be valuable to park avenue people, the bench would too but in terms of selling them off if you were to buy some cloth ones.

You could also replace the rear seat cushion and bottom cushion if you wanted to match it

Yes I do. Mine is the front spit seat.

 

[2003LesabreDriver]

I had a 2003 custom, cloth seats, normal issues made it to 291K but Michigan rust got the best of her which was a shame as the drive train was great.
Currently have a nice 2005 custom, cloth seats from Florida. Rock solid body with zero rust and had 21K original miles on it when I bought it. This one I baby.

Last fall I picked up a 2000 custom, cloth seats also, Michigan one owner car with 54K miles on it. Using it as my "winter ride". No body rust but the brake and fuel lines were questionable as the car sat for 2 years undriven so I replaced all the lines just to be safe and flushed all the fluids, did the transgo shift kit with magnets and such. I do all my own wrenching also so thats a bonus. This was the first year for that body style. This 2000 does not have the long crowbar shift lever as my others Lesabres and I really dont care for this short lever. I sometimes find my hand slipping off of it. Its a "normal" shift lever and this car has traction control which I could care less about. I had the underbody "krown oil sprayed" to help the body last longer. I think it helps.

So I would say get a 2003-2005 custom, as you see I prefer cloth seats. Dont care for the limited versions with leather, HUD, and all those extras to eventually cause issues. These cars are just good, reliable practical transportation and easy to maintain and repair.

Thats my 2 cents.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I had a 2003 custom, cloth seats, normal issues made it to 291K but Michigan rust got the best of her which was a shame as the drive train was great.
Currently have a nice 2005 custom, cloth seats from Florida. Rock solid body with zero rust and had 21K original miles on it when I bought it. This one I baby.

Last fall I picked up a 2000 custom, cloth seats also, Michigan one owner car with 54K miles on it. Using it as my "winter ride". No body rust but the brake and fuel lines were questionable as the car sat for 2 years undriven so I replaced all the lines just to be safe and flushed all the fluids, did the transgo shift kit with magnets and such. I do all my own wrenching also so thats a bonus. This was the first year for that body style. This 2000 does not have the long crowbar shift lever as my others Lesabres and I really dont care for this short lever. I sometimes find my hand slipping off of it. Its a "normal" shift lever and this car has traction control which I could care less about. I had the underbody "krown oil sprayed" to help the body last longer. I think it helps.

So I would say get a 2003-2005 custom, as you see I prefer cloth seats. Dont care for the limited versions with leather, HUD, and all those extras to eventually cause issues. These cars are just good, reliable practical transportation and easy to maintain and repair.

Thats my 2 cents.

Can you show me the shifter? I don’t know what you mean

 

[jotzgr]

2000 up to 2003 (I believe) has a shorter shifter lever. It’s not “short” as compared to a normal GM shift lever, but 2004 (I think is when they changed) & 2005 are a much longer lever, better feel and easier to use, IMO. You wouldn’t even notice unless you had them side by side or drove one of each on a regular basis (as I do). I like the “long crowbar lever” acronym!

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

2000 up to 2003 (I believe) has a shorter shifter lever. It’s not “short” as compared to a normal GM shift lever, but 2004 (I think is when they changed) & 2005 are a much longer lever, better feel and easier to use, IMO. You wouldn’t even notice unless you had them side by side or drove one of each on a regular basis (as I do). I like the “long crowbar lever” acronym!

pictures
It appears my 99 park avenue has a shift lever end thats more like the late lesabre but the text is like the early one, does this look like your later lesabre or is it noticeably different you think? The columns arent the same so I like to learn more about them

 

[jotzgr]

This looks identical to the early Lesabre shift levers, the short ones, except without the traction control button.

 

[Irish1]

I have had 2000, 2003, 2004, & 2005 Buick Lesabre Limiteds over 20 years. On the 2000, which was the first year of that body I think all 4 power window regulators failed. On the 2003 the drivers window failed. No problems with the 2004 and 2005. I replaced the regulator in the 03. My daughter had the 2000 and moved across the country so I wasn't there to fix it. It cost her a lot to get it done.
I remember the headlight switch and the cruise control on off switch on the steering wheel going bad on the 2000 as well. Not a problem with the others.
All were very good cars and a pleasure to drive.
The 2005 was a limited, but not a Celebration Edition and had the best ride. The 2003 and 2004 were Celebration Editions and had the Grand Touring Suspension and 16" wheels. the 2005 had 15" wheels and the standard suspension. The Grand Touring Suspension on both the Park Avenue and the Lesabre is more firm.

 

[02LTD2.0]

The weakest spot on these cars is the tranny.

 

[Irish1]

The transmission issue that I had was the solenoids failing and causing very hard shifts. It happened at least 3 times with the Lesabres and Park Avenues that I owned. Cost about $800 to replace the solenoids the last time it happened, but that was probably after 200,000 miles. The hard shifting was an issue when the transmission got hot on hot days or driving in stop & go traffic. I tried pulling a trailer with an ATV on it for about 10 miles one time and the transmission didn't like that at all so I never towed with the Lesabres again. I change the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and used Amsoil synthetic ATF. I would say the transmissions were adequate for their intended use, but not more than that.

 

[silverbullet04]

The weakest spot on these cars is the tranny.

For sure. I installed the transgo kit and my hard shift is gone, but sometimes I get a hesitation in the tranny. They are definitely weak.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

For sure. I installed the transgo kit and my hard shift is gone, but sometimes I get a hesitation in the tranny. They are definitely weak.

unless you have varnish or a leaking circuit, im more inclined to think your hesitation is engine operation or some other transient

 

[silverbullet04]

unless you have varnish or a leaking circuit, im more inclined to think your hesitation is engine operation or some other transient

Definitely not a engine issue. My engine has been swapped and this issue has been going on way before the swap.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Definitely not a engine issue. My engine has been swapped and this issue has been going on way before the swap.

what I said actually doesnt preclude that, I said operation which I was thinking more like computer /wiring

 

[Traz]

If I were buying a LeSabre and had the option to buy the latest (2005), that's what I would buy. I don't know much, but I do know that Buick was making improvements, for instance, the hardened overdrive in the transmission was introduced sometime in 2003, I think.