Wearing optional locking wire wheelcovers, this 1999 Buick LeSabre Custom isn’t just a Custom in its model designation – with that fancy, faux convertible top, it’s a custom Custom. With only 43,000 miles, it’s barely broken in, even though it’s 25 years old. Along with the Oldsmobile Cutlass sedans, LeSabres like this example seemed to be everywhere a decade ago but aren’t spotted as often today.
Call me crazy, and most of you do, but I really like this era of the LeSabre. The seventh-generation LeSabre was made from 1991 for the 1992 model year until 1999. In June of 1999, the last car was squeezed out of the Buick City factory in Flint, Michigan and it just happened to be a LeSabre. I’ve never quite understood the faux convertible vinyl top on a four-door sedan, but a lot of folks like this look.
This is reportedly a one-owner car and has only traveled 43,000 miles over the last 25 years. The seller has included dozens of photos but no underside shots. Being a Maryland car, even with so few miles on it, I’d be interested in seeing the underside – although there doesn’t appear to be any visible rust shown in the photos. With options, this car was priced at $25,888, which is $48,722 in today’s dollars.
The only issue I see inside is the top of the steering wheel appears to either be dirty or the color has faded out of it. Otherwise, it looks great inside. Power front seats for both driver and passenger are a nice touch – both are optional – and this car has the Prestige Option Package with all sorts of luxurious features. The seats look great both front and rear and there was a Limited model poised above the Custom with even more luxury.
Does anyone else have a burning desire to clean this dusty engine compartment? This is Buick’s Series II 3.8-liter OHV V6, which would have had 205 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the front wheels through a four-speed automatic. The seller has this car listed here on eBay in Severn, Maryland, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $1,802. This car is a steal at that price, obviously. Have any of you owned a car with a faux convertible top?
I’ve seen videos that said those 3800 engines can last 300-400k miles. This one looks like a great winter or daily driver.
I had a white ’94 LeSabre Limited, and in the 24 years I owned it, I racked up 413,000+ miles on the original motor. Three transmissions, but the original motor! Believe it or not, it never burned oil!
It’s so ugly that I actually like it because of that, what an oddball exterior combo.
That top adds even more elegance to this Custom LeSabre Buick. 👌
That top is pretty much an east coast thing. Just a dealer added accessory that makes more money for the dealer.
Sure, it’s a profit builder for the dealership. Should be. There were a lot of people who came in wanting the upgrade. I owned a ’92 Riviera with the quarter roof from EG&G. Looked really good in the triple red color.
Want it? You bet I do! My late MIL had an ’01 Custom sedan similar to this one. She bought it as a Mechanic’s Special in 2007 for $7,500
at the Dodge dealership in Winter Haven. It had 85K miles when she bought it. And when the timing chain
gave out, it had close to 250K miles on it was running fine up to then. Man, did I love that car! It was everything you could ever want in a car. Room, ride, power, and a whole lot more. We often think of big ’60s
and ’70s land yachts as highway cruisers, but folks, I’m here to tell ya’
this car ranks right up there with ’em.
That 3800 V-6 just seems to loaf along as you float down the interstate
casually eating up the miles. Said it
before and I’ll say it again: Yes I’d
really rather have a Buick– especially
s LeSabre like this one.
In this color especially, they are also pretty much invisible to the law. I speed often in my LeSabre and have yet to get a ticket in the 10 years I’ve owned it. They just don’t attract any attention.
Reminds me of my ’92 USA road trip. Me in a rented Cutlass Ciera in a similar colour. Now ex brother in law in a red Porsche 944 convertible. Guess who got the tickets?
I’d take it for $1802.
Me too…but no more.
Great looking car even with that top, I have a 2000 Century, great cars, 3800 powerful for 200hp. Keep antifreeze changed , these will last forever.
What’s amazing to me is the number of people who actually believe cars with this type of roof are genuine convertibles.
That’s a lot of wear on the steering wheel and center armrest for 43,000 miles.
Plenty of power and they can get up to 30 mpg.
The comparison was made between this car cans a Cutlass. The correct comparison would be between this car and an Olds 88. The Cutlass and the Regal were sister cars.
You’re correct on the Olds 88 being this car’s cousin, ACZ. I was just thinking about the sheer number of Cutlasses that used to be on the road, not necessarily what the LeSabre’s Olds cousin was.
If the plastic intake manifold and plastic coolant elbows are original, replace them both ASAP with upgraded parts. The EGR valve passages can melt the intake and permit coolant into the cylinders. Worst case is instant hydrolock, or it could just leak a little and ruin the engine slowly over a few weeks or months. I wouldn’t drive a Series II without those upgrades. Even at 43K miles.
Great info Poppy
I’d probably add draining the Dexcool completely out and replacing with regular coolant. Did that to my mother’s Series II 3800. No more brown crust buildup around the rad cap and no more filthy overflow bottle. That Dexcool can turn sludgy if not changed out every few years.
These were really well built cars that provide long service if properly maintained. I’d drive it in a heartbeat, handsome roof and all.
How about super looking clean dependable low mileage car with no reserve that you could possibly get for under 5k what’s the problem? Some people will find fault with pepper being hot.
Auction update: with two days left, this one is only up to $1,952!
10 minutes to go and bid to $4900!
You still see a lot of this generation on the road – that’s saying something.
SOLD for $4,900.
That seems like a good deal when compared to what 5K buys on the used car market in 2024.
Thank you, sir! That sure seemed like a heck of a deal.