There were many cars loaded with promise that came out of GM’s Buick and Pontiac divisions in the late 80s through the early 90s. The goal was simple: build a model compelling enough to tempt a BMW shopper and/or someone under the age of 52 to waltz into a Buick showroom and try a LeSabre on the for size. Did it work? Not really. But the T-Type was a valiant effort to change the conversation about a fabled model like the LeSabre, and relatively few are left in this blacked-out version of the bread-and-butter two door. This LeSabre T-Type is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.
It was clear at the time that Buick was aiming for a European car shopper based on appearance alone. The low stance, subtle rear spoiler, blacked-out trim, and amber/red taillights are all traits that you’d find on a modified BMW or Mercedes from the same era. The color-matched center cap is a small but noticeable touch to tie the entire black theme together. Overall, there’s no denying the Buick looks quite sporty – but did the driving experience measure up? Well, that asks the age-old question as to whether the drivetrain can cash the check that the body is writing.
The interior wasn’t what you’d expect from the outside. I mean, if you’re going after a 3-Series shopper, you need narrow, thick-bolstered sport seats at a minimum. You also need an instrument cluster with some small, central dials, not the vast expanse of dashboard that reminds me of the Great Plains in terms of its expansiveness and lack of detail. The leather seats look comfortable, but someone in the targeted demographic didn’t want comfort as much as they wanted grippy tires and seats that held you in place when the chassis was being pushed to the limits.
The steering wheel was classic in style, but that dash! What a shame. The engine was a standard-issue 3.8L 150 horsepower V6, while stopping power is also right out the playbook for every other model at the time with a disc/drum setup. Not even 4-wheel discs? For a car that was clearly marketed as a more exciting/engaging model, the actual performance credentials fall far short of what a car like the BMW 325is was offering with 4-wheel discs, a limited-slip, 5-speed manual, Recaro-like bucket seats, and more. Still, these T-Types are nearly extinct, so if you’ve been hunting for one, here’s your chance.
I’ve always loved Buicks, but you are completely right Jeff with all of your points. It’s like they threw a dart at the board, didn’t even bother to aim and hoped they would hit the bull’s-eye.
T-Type name deserves a Turbo ↩️
T-Type appearance package
Yup, T-type was just Buick’s sporty package in the ’80s, briefly replacing their traditional GS/Gran Sport package. Most T-types didn’t have turbos; the T was apparently meant to stand for Touring.
Growing up as a young adult in the 80s every T-Type Buick had a Turbo i seen. So this one is very nice but non-turbo is weird . So then why call it a T-Type if its not Turbo? So I now i understand why people were confused when there call something and its not!🤦♂️Well good luck to the seller. 🇺🇸🐻
You could also get T-Type Skyhawks without turbos.
The Lesabre, Electra, Skylark, some Skyhawk’s, and some Regal T types didn’t have turbos either.
Oops, and the Century T type wasn’t a turbo.
1 of 5389 built in it’s final year ’89.
LeSabre T-Types were ’87-’89 only.
Electra T-Type went ’85-’90, with only ’85 offering a 2 door model.
I ordered as many as I could get of both as fleet manager at Fanning Cadillac-Buick in Chicago.
They only came in 4 colors, Black, Arctic White, Sterling Silver and Flame Red if I remember correctly.
I had a silver one 2009-2016, but also a couple as demos when new.
Only ’89 had that steering wheel and the 100 mph speedometer.
Only ’88 & ’89 had the rear spoiler.
I was told by the Buick Zone office that they had tried a turbo in early testing, but that the transmissions could not take the torque due to the transverse mounted engine.
The turbo had worked in prior FWD Rivieras, because the engine was standard mounted.
And in Skyhawks the engine was much smaller although transverse mounted.
That seller is in our LeSabre T-Type Facebook group.
A 3800 could have been shoehorned into the Skyhawk, likely. That would have given very lively performance, but not sure what transaxle they used in the J-cars.
A 3800 J-car would be the sort of car that should be manual only, even as a Buick, and certainly in the ’80s.
Would’ve made more sense as a Pontiac though, a step up from the Chevy Cavalier Z24 with its narrow angle 2.8.
I had both an ’88 and ’89. They were good, tight builds and that 3800 is one of America’s most durable and reliable motors ever. My ’88 was bone stock, but a previous owner swapped an L32 series III supercharged 3800 into the ’89 making about 260 hp, (I believe it came from a Grand Prix GTP). Along with some stiffer suspension and stickier tires, these changes absolutely transformed that car.
A BMW 325si now is priced 2 to 3 times the price of this Buick. New they were almost 80K so comparing this Buick to the BMW is not reasonable.
Also I would wager that operating this Buick would be a lot cheaper than the BMW and be a lot more dependable.
I drove some these when they were new and they were not race cars like the Regal T-Type and Gran Nationals I owned at the time but they were nice riding and driving cars.
If you are going to compare please compare apples and oranges not rocks and diamonds.
Just my opinion.
I think the comparison was made by the marketing folks at Buick not Barn Finds. Personally I’m liking the looks of this car better than a Grand National, not that they compare in performance. For one thing the LeSabre is front wheel drive, bummer, but Rebop above made a comment about improving the performance and handling of a T Type with a turbo charged engine and beefier suspension and tires. The seats aren’t as supportive but I bet they’re more comfortable. And that wide expanse of dash holds some round gauges not the sweep style speedometer of old. The only problem as I see it is the lack of a manual.
these were neat but to work on it the way the hood opened really sucked for sure. 8k is a bit high.5k is about the right number. hard to find specific interior and body parts for.
Perfect for a Boomer like me.
The result of Lloyd Reuss’s reign at Buick.
I think the LeSabre’s dash looked a lot better than the companion Olds 88 dash of the same year. The Olds dash look like it was pulled right from the Cutlass Cierra
I remember seeing a car exactly like this at my local Buick dealership showroom, they were trying to continue the “Grand National” vibe, as they had this one sitting right next to a leftover GNX, that they had marked up to $100K….The leSabre looked good, as the one I saw was black with grey interior, but sadly was just to underpowered. i ended up buying a used 1987 GN a year later for $11K at a Ford Dealership
Always did like the style of these and thought they at least looked the part of a worthy successor to the Grand National, too bad about the FWD and puny engine. Reckon a later supercharged 3800 powertrain could swap right in without much trouble and finally give it the Go to match the Show.
Very rare to see anymore!! Cool Buick!!
This generation of LeSabre coupe was rare in any form even as the 4 doors were everywhere. I’d think anyone would either go for a Regal or Cutlass Supreme if they wanted a 2 door, or stretch to a Riviera or Toronado.
A late friend of mine bought a red one (don’t recall the year). After he passed & re-sold, it was discovered that it’d been hit and wasn’t as nice as it looked.
I like this one for the rare lather interior and, well, I’ve always thought these were good looking cars. I get the hood thing having owned a ’86 Electra 380,
Decent price.
I had an ’87 with no rear spoiler AND no front air dam. I just assumed it was an early production car as there was no signs of any damage from an impact. It had the same cloth interior as my ’87 GN. While going to school near Toronto I wore the inner tie rods out entering and exiting the 401 at high speeds. It was not beefed up steering wise for the look it had. And if I had ever thought the LeSabre T type was competing for bmw sales I would have been very insulted! bmw…YUK!
They offered a T Package separate from the T Type.
But the T Package had no console shift.
Only ’87 T Types had the black seats with grey inserts.
The T Package had standard Custom seats, but Limited seats were optional but rare.
Also a black T badge on the front fender, upgraded suspension and different wheels than the T Types.
The gauge package was optional in the T Package, and standard on the T Type.
Can’t remember the years maybe ’86, but LeSabre and Century both offered a Grand Sport model, besides the T-type & GN & GNX.