23k Original Miles: 1991 Buick LeSabre Custom Sedan

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There’s no doubt that 1991 was quite a year. NASA fired the Hubble Telescope into orbit, the New York Giants won Super Bowl XXV, Tim Allen was keeping us all amused in “Home Improvement,” and Macaulay Culkin had been left Home Alone…for the first time! It was also in that year that this Buick LeSabre Custom Sedan rolled off the production line. Thirty years have come and gone since that day, but this Buick has survived it all in remarkable condition. The seller uses the term “time capsule” in his description, and while that’s a phrase that generally makes me cringe, it seems appropriate in a vehicle that is as well preserved as this. If you find the thought of slipping behind the wheel of a thirty-year-old classic with a documented 23,000 miles on the clock too tempting to resist, you will find this Buick listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Horseheads, New York, and the bidding remains below the reserve at $2,850. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this gem for us.

The LeSabre presents superbly in its original shade of Claret Red Metallic, and it’s difficult to find a single flaw in the paint. The panels have remained remarkably straight, although a couple of tiny dents are worth noting. One is in the roof above the B-Pillar, while the other is in the passenger-side door. Both are pretty insignificant, and I think that one of those paintless dent removal companies would soon address those. There’s also some slight damage on the back bumper, but a good paint shop could fix this without the buyer resorting to replacement. The rest of the trim is in excellent order, while the same is true of the Soft Ray tinted glass. The original locking deluxe wheel trims are in as-new condition, and the wheels are wrapped in a fresh new set of Hankook tires.

The interior of this Buick has the “wow” factor in abundance, and life inside this car is guaranteed to be pretty comfy. The seats are upholstered in Deep Red patterned velour cloth, while the remaining trim features a combination of this material and Deep Red vinyl. It’s hard to find anything worth faulting, and this is hardly surprising in a car that has covered 23,000 very careful miles. Looking beyond the condition, you find that the interior is nicely equipped in a 1991 context. As well as recently updated factory air conditioning, there is power assistance for the windows, locks, driver’s seat, and trunk release. When you add a remote driver’s mirror, a tilt wheel, cruise control, a rear defroster, and a premium sound system with an AM/FM radio and a cassette player, life inside this classic would be pretty pleasant as the miles roll under its wheels.

The 1991 LeSabre was never likely to be mistaken for a muscle car, but it was always a competent performer with its fuel-injected 3.8-liter V6 producing 165hp. Those ponies find their way to the road via the front wheels and a 4-speed automatic transmission, while power steering and power front disc brakes are also part of the package. Pointed at a ¼ mile, this Buick would complete the journey in 17.6 seconds. More impressively, it is a family sedan that is capable of winding its way to 122mph. If the news surrounding the exterior and interior have been positive, the drivetrain continues this trend. The LeSabre has a genuine 23,000 miles on the clock, and this is fully documented. It comes with complete service history, along with all of the original Dealer Documentation and the Window Sticker. It is hardly surprising to learn that this beauty drives perfectly and that it’s ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.

Classic cars come in all shapes and sizes and, as such, they come in an enormous range of prices. We will have readers who might not consider this 1991 Buick LeSabre to be a genuine classic, but the simple fact is that it is a thirty-year-old car that is in remarkable condition for its age. A spotless muscle car or a classic pony car will command plenty of attention, but cars like this will do likewise because they present far better than many people would expect. If you are searching for a classic car and have a limited budget, vehicles like this offer a viable entry point into this world. I would be amazed if the bidding went far beyond $5,000. If that is the case, this is a Buick that offers an awful lot for the money. Is it enough to tempt you to pursue it further?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Bluetec320 Bluetec320

    At 23000 miles, this should be just about ready for it’s first 4T60E transmission replacement! Sorry, but due to the transmission reputation of the sixth generation C/H body car, it’s not worth the current bid.

    Like 16
    • Bob S

      Bluetec, that’s the 1st time I’ve ever heard that. I’ve known of a lot of people that have owned this generation, and the transmission has never been an issue. I would absolutely love to park this in my garage!

      Like 21
      • Bluetec320 Bluetec320

        I worked for GM in the 90’s and I rebuilt a lot of 4T60 and 4T60E transmissions. Those were the days that we would actually rebuild and not replace the unit like they do today. The most common issues that I saw were the valve body, shift solenoids, forward drum/input shaft cracking, failed piston seals, and torque converters. A lot of these failures occurred before 50K miles.

        Like 10
    • Poppy

      Maybe I’m just lucky, but I own or have owned 5 GM cars with the 3800 backed by the 4T60E. Never had transmission issues in any of them. Most have gone over 200K miles or getting close. My DD is a 235K mile Regency that pulls 400 miles out of a tank in mixed driving.

      Like 10
      • Gary M. Jacobson

        Proper timely maintenance is the key.

        Like 2
    • S

      By 1991 these transmissions did not have the issues that the early ones (1986 and 1987) did. By 1991 (really, by 1989) they were rock solid.

      Like 5
  2. VINCENT WILLIAMS

    It depends on how well it is taken care of, as with any car. I have owned three cars with this transmission and never had any transmission problems. This is one of the most reliable cars ever made and the little maintenance it requires is simple and won’t break the bank.

    Like 13
  3. Bob C.

    The proportions of this generation (1986-91) seemed just right for the time. The 92s were a little too bulky IMO.

    Like 13
  4. Jonathan A Green

    This was one of the best cars of the era. We had two, and never had a problem with either of them. If it was closer to me I’d be a bidder. I know they aren’t exciting, but now its’ nostalgia for a 30 year old car…

    Like 13
    • Big_FunMember

      By the the time 1991 rolled around, these were pretty much dialed in. Buick City, the factory in Flint, MI where these were built , won an award for being #1 in quality. This Custom example has a fixed antenna, non power mirrors, and one cupholder that flips out of the armrest…
      Go on ebay, and for $45.00-ish you can find an NOS trunk release. There is a guy who can sell you that same factory radio with a 3.5 mm jack for more audio choices. Simple updates I did to a LeSabre T Type.

      Like 9
  5. Raymond

    These weren’t very good cars, and they and the Olds counterpart seemed to be everywhere once upon a time, now thin on the ground…3800 wasn’t a bad engine but it wouldn’t be right til the series 2 but these were the first meh cars…that interior looks inviting but prob smells like Ben gay and aqua velva, there’s one in mint condition around the corner from me, about as exciting as a 25 cent pony ride….never got it

    Like 9
    • Pat Lamb

      Thumbs up for BenGay and aqua Velva!

      Like 13
    • Gary James Lehman

      These LeSabres (and Olds 88’s) were GREAT cars. 3800 was one of GM’s BEST engines.
      I don’t think Buick and Olds built these to be “exciting”.

      Like 8
  6. BhoweMember

    These era buicks were excellent cars. My folks had an 88 with the series 1 engine and a 91 like this with Limited trim and the series 2 3800. Fantastic fuel economy many times approaching 30 mpg. Never a problem with either other than oil changes and periodic brake pads. Sold the 91 to a buddy of mine and it was still going strong at 300k miles until some knucklehead handed into it and totalled it.

    I’ve just never heard of transmission issues with these. I know of many many of these that racked up 250000 miles are more with minimal problems. Imo one of the best quality and reliable american cars ever made and I’d put them up against any import for dependability. I’ve owned many cars both American and foreign and these were some of the best.

    In addition to mechanical reliability the I interior fabrics and plastics were of very good quality and you rarely find one with even a dash crack. Seat fabrics wore well and were very durable. Where my Toyota and Honda seat materials often disintegrated by 150k, these Buicks lasted a long time.

    Great find that I’d like to have.

    Like 19
  7. Jake

    Malaise era look-a-like? Count me out! I had a 1991 Buick Regal GS 2 dr. that had the cheap breaks and starter problems. Boy, was that car a real turd!

    Like 3
    • Gary James Lehman

      cheap breaks?

      Like 3
      • Jake

        Yeah. The bean counters at GM apparently mandated undersized breaks for these cars and they were wore out prematurely with resulting breaking issues. But I loved the standard rims that came with this car. That’s about it.

        Like 1
    • Rick Rothermel

      Too many doors, but I love these cars. I had an ’89 LeSabre coupe that I loved. That clamshell hood is beyond cool.

      Like 2
  8. HOMER COOK

    I had a client who was a Buick dealer from 1980 to 2010 and he said the 3800 v6 was the best engine GM ever built. I had a friend who was a travelling salesman and he put over 400K without any major problems.

    Like 5
    • Jake

      Maybe the series 2 version. I only had experience with the first version and not a good one.

      Like 0
  9. AZVanman

    Seems like several owners saying they were good cars while several spectators bashing them. I am just a spectator too, and know full well of GMs issues having sold them, but I believe the owners on this one.

    Like 4
  10. JoeNYWF64

    I bet this car rides better & inside certainly looks & feels better & is more comfortable to sit in than anything you can buy today. & has certainly much higher quality soft cloth seat materials.
    75 series(or better yet 78 series) aspect ratio tires & 14″ or 15″ wheels are a MUST for comfy ride.
    Not many front wheel drivers had hidden wipers either.

    Like 2
  11. Richard Isenberg

    Hi everyone, I may have missed it but where has this car lived it’s life. ?? Would like to see undercarriage. We had several of these in our families and never had anything but great low maintenance on them. Unfortunately in central PA the metal poison we put on the winter roads killed them underneath long before the mechanical parts were ready to say goodnight

    Like 1
    • Larry D

      @Richard Isenberg

      I’m sure you could ask the seller where this car has lived its life and he could tell you based on the Carfax or the Autochek which they use on ebay.

      Like 0
  12. Larry D

    Although the LeSabres are nice, I prefer the Buick Park Avenues. My wife and I had one. We bought it out of the original owner’s estate. It had 100k when we bought it. We sold it at 130k miles to some friends of ours. They drove it till it had over 250k before they threw in the towel and bought a newer car.

    Like 2
  13. PIU

    Adam you’re a good writer but there isn’t a soul in the world that cares about 1/4 times in a car like this. It seems to be that you post 1/4 times on every car you write about. Not every car was born to be a track star.

    Like 1
  14. PIU

    You’re an excellent writer but please stop posting 1/4 figures on every car. Some cars it’s appropriate but no one that ever bought a car of this nature with 1/4 mile times in mind. Didn’t bother me one bit when you used to say door cards whereas we call them door panels. Different countries, different terms.

    Like 1
  15. SSPBill

    Um, but I’m a Bill’s fan. Still hurts.

    Like 2
  16. S

    Amazing how these cars don’t seem old to me at all. There were lots of them around – but now I don’t know when I saw one last. I guess time passing does that to you.

    Like 1
  17. Chris

    Learned how to drive with an 88 LeSabre (same generation). Smooth as water to drive and floated down the road. You could turn the steering wheel with your pinky.

    Like 0
    • nycbjrMember

      Me 2! Drivers Ed had them exact color combo too lol

      Like 0
  18. Dino

    I want this vehicle. Anyone know who bought it? This was my exact first car.

    Like 0
  19. Prajeth Nagaraja

    Hi Adam,

    This particular car looks suspiciously the same as a car we had in our family, right down to the scratch on the driver’s seat door. My mother said she donated to an organization for Veterans, but we never received a form certifying it as a donation…and it just so happens that this article was published around the time that she gave the car away (Summer of 2021). I was wondering if you knew who the seller was and who ended up buying the car, since the e-bay link in the article no longer works. I had a lot of sweet memories with this car growing up.

    Thanks!

    Like 0
  20. Ronnie lafleur

    Where can I go to try and purchase this car

    Like 0

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