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We are having a problem with a wind noise howling sound that occurs at between 50 and 70 MPH. It is the kind of sound that you can make by blowing across a soda pop bottle. It is intermittent but annoying. Anyone else having this problem?
kazoo - a small musical toy
ROAD NOISE, however, was minimal - much less than my car.
The LeSabre had the GT package with 16 inch wheels. It felt big and heavy and very substantial but well-powered and responsive.
Although it drove great and rode like a dream, I was a very disappointed with visibility - especially the big reflections from the defroster vents in the windshield. If they were set closer to the glass, they would fall lower in the field of view.
99s and earlier LeSabres had bigger glass and much better visibility but I never cared for those front ventaplanes.
Not that the Buick we had, nor the 2000 model weren't good cars tho.
We thought the 2K model was much improved over our 96, and aside from one major fix (Warranty service on leaking head gaskets), our trade in gave us good results.
In short, we felt that the Avalon deserved the edge, and chose it over the Buick.
They are very close in price--optioned up to the max--and the Avalon is referred to by many as Toyota's answer to the LeSabre.
However, what convinced us was the fact that the AV seems to have more bang for the buck, in terms of quality, comfort, and little things like storage, cup holders, etc.The car is a pleasure to drive (And our Buick was as well),but the AV is far quieter--I've never been in one as quiet!
The one item which really convinced us was the Toyota reputation for reliability, and its positive effect on trade in value. Everything we saw pointed to this as being a decided strength for the AV.
Hope we haven't angered any Buick fans, but we thought maybe an alternative opinion might be of interest.
We also looked at the Avalon before we bought the Le Sabre Lmt. I agree that the Avalon is quieter and shifts smoother than the Buick. BUT there was about a $5000 price difference. (We are in Central Florida near Ocala) We did get the retired GM employees discount on the Buick. And didn't feel the price difference warranted the Avalon
First a bit of background:
Age 35, married, 3 kiddos. Traded in a 1994 Toyota Camry for the Lesabre. I wanted something bigger and more comfortable for my 54 mile round trip commute into Atlanta from the N.E. suburbs. Before buying the big buick, I drove an Avalon, V6 Camry, VW Passat, Volvo S-70 and new 1999 Lesabres that were being heavily discounted. My wife drives a 1998 Plymouth Voyager. The van is used for all vacations and highway driving since we need the room for 3 kids with one car seat.
Selected the 2000 Lesabre because it seemed to do everything right - nice styling, handling and ride, acceleration, safety, and price. It is simply a lot of sled for the bread compared to the competition. Mine is the Custom (lower line) with a cloth interior and 15" standard tires. Not that it matters, but it is light bronzemist in color with tan interior. The only goodies it has is the driver information center package and CD player. The option codes were 1SD for $1593 and UPO for $350. Anyway the sticker price was about 25,448. I figure it cost me about 23,300 or about the invoice price after putting a realistic number on what the trade was worth. Of course the dealer gets the 3% holdback.
Now the car has about 16,000 miles. It has been a real pleasure to drive. Its only been on one real road trip which was a 600 mile round trip from Atlanta to Jekyl Island. The rest of the miles are all stop and go rush hour and around town.
The car has had 2 minor issues.
A highway vibration developed at about 13,000 miles and the tires were showing a lot of wear on the edges. I had them rotated every 4000 miles since new. Had a local tire place align the car and balance and rotate the tires. The problem persisted. The tire store told me the original General tires are poor quality.
I took the car to the dealer where I bought it. After having the car for a day, they decided it needed a new front axle because somehow mine was not turning true at highway speeds. They ordered the part and installed it the next week.
After getting the car back it still vibrated. In addition, the power steering started to shudder and groan at low speeds in the parking garage. After some begging the dealer sprung for 2 General tires. Dealer also ordered a redesigned power steering hose under a TSB campaign covering the steering noise.
Vibration got worse but steering noise was cured. Took the car in again for the vibration and they put Michelin tires all the way around it. That was the culprit. The car rides great again.
In summary, its a realy nice car that had bad tires. The power steering hose was no big deal. The dealer did right by me although it took too long to resolve Yes, I'd buy another Lesabre if I could do it again.
After reading the comments about tires, it has re-confirmed my feelings that the Firestone tires alone were worth the cost of the GTP. I now have over 10,000 miles & have had no tire problems and am getting good wear (est. 70,000 miles).
My first experience with Generals was on a '74 Olds Cutlass Wagon. I junked the tires with over 2/3 their tread for they would not stay balanced more than a few hundred miles. I replaced them with Michelins and never re-balanced nor had trouble even though I often pulled a 21' camper. My next Generals was on an '82 Buick Century and I went through the same troubles until I got rid of them at @ 10,000 miles. One bad case, shame on me - twice, shame on you! As a result of my troubles and that of others I have talked to made me vow that I would never buy another car with Generals. So far I have been able to stick with that as all the new cars since have had Good Year Eagles until I bought the Buick with Firestones.
Too bad General have not been able to get their act together.
For your parents, I would suggest the "Base" Impala with the 3800 V-6 and equipment option package 1SB. Since the 6-seat capacity and the bench seat is a must, the Base/1SB/3.8L engine package is the best combo they can get for the money. The car is priced some $4,000 below a "custom" LeSabre and get the same powertrain and close to the same amenities!.
If you have any questions, come over to the "Impala VI" topic here in Edmunds....and see for yourself.
However, have them test drive the LeSabre/Impala to see which one they like better.
Good luck
Well they are selling to the tune of 15,000 units per month so I don't think they need much propaganda.
CIAo
I was very surprised to find out that the OnStar System is now standard on the Limited. That was a nice bonus, since my salesperson also did not know this until the car was delivered.
I have driven about 500 miles so far in mostly highway driving and have averaged about 28 mpg on regular fuel.
I love the Rainsense wiper's and the steering wheel controls for the radio and the HVAC system.
I had also considered a Chrysler Concorde LXI but it did not even come close to the features in the Buick.
If you are like me and don't buy foreign vehicles, this is the most bang for your buck in a US built sedan for around $30,000. I would not hesitate one second to recommend this vehicle to anyone who is looking to purchase a new family sedan.
By the way, I am 44 year's old, married and I have two children ages 6 and 10. They happen to like the convience of their own cup holder's in the back seat. My wife also appreciates the passenger temperature control on her side of the front seat.
I have replaced THREE alternators in less than six years, is this average ?
A great car overall, would and will plan to buy another.
Wish they would come up with some brighter colors.
I like the LeSabre as it has many good things going for it, included the excellent crash ratings. But I preferred the Impala LS as it came with the same 3800 Series II engine, same 5 star crash test scores for about $4,000 less than the LeSabre. Visibility in the Impala is better than the LeSabre. I didn't like the "Tunnel" effect of the LeSabre from the driver's seat. Also didn't like some interior details such as the lack of a rear seat headrest and fold away armrest (Impala has them). Didn't like the design of the fold down console and cupholders. Not a biggie but nothing to brag about the LeSabre either for the kind of money being asked. The Impala is more youthful (I am 29 so the LeSabre "senior" image didn't appeal to me that much).
Overall both of these cars are excellent choices and can't go wrong with either one. By the way the fit and finish and built quality of my Impala LS is a cut above for anything that Chevy has produced in the last 20 years. Kudos GM!.
I have had it in to the dealer 7 times. They have readjusted the doors, checked and fixed seals, and per a technical bulletin from GM, "plugged up some areas." Don't ask me where; the noise is worse.
Within the first two months I had a rain leak in the overhead over the driver's side. Again, to the dealer for repair.
Area Rep from GM has suggested replacing the whole rubber seal around front windshield. He states may have to replace the windshield.
This car has been "tweeked" so many times, in my estimation it is no longer new. Should I resign myself to live with the wind noise? What about your wind noise problems? Did you resolve?
Big disappointment in my purchase, although the car does ride nice. I have had Japanese cars for the past 35 years. Never a problem.
Other than that we really like our 2000 Buick Limited. We bought it in Feb. 2000 and didn't get the On star package. Bummer.
Also, we check our fuel economy by actual mileage and gas pumped at the station and always come out about 2 miles per gallon less than what is stated on the autos Fuel Average read out. Always....
I am realizing it was not such a great deal, as the car I bought has a lot of wind noise, as mentioned by several others. Last Thursday, my local Buick dealer adjusted the doors and stated there was nothing else they can do. After a lot of pestering, the service manager took a ride with me today. He stated there is wind turbulence coming in the rear windows and around the left passenger mirror. I am supposed to take the car back next Tuesday for their "leaks & seals" specialist to fix. In the interim,I wrote to Buick (via their web site). Today I received the 1-800 number of their Customer Assistance Center. They indicate they will follow up with the dealer in Atlanta if I call the number and provide all of the details.
Has anyone tried to get the front license plate mounting package or locking gas cap for the 2000 LeSabre? Although the front license plate mounting package is listed as a free option, the Buick dealers are now telling me there is not one for the 2000 LeSabre. They say the tag is to be mounted directly to the front bumper with self-tapping screws! Who in their right mind would want to break the paint on a brand new $31,000 automobile by screwing screws directly into the bumper?!?
may 18, 2000 and just took a road trip of 2500 miles and had the suprise of the kazoo wind noise
it seems to me that it only happens above 50 mph
and only when the outside wind is at a certian
angle to the car. please tell me if anyone has
been able to get this fixed. otherwise i really
like the car.
On two longish trips the car has averaged just a squeak over 31 mpg. I test drove this car against some fine competition in the Mercury Gran Marquis. But have never regreted my decision to go with the LeSabre.
One thing I have noticed is that the tire warranty is Firestone but the tires are Generals. I have the 16 inch wheels w/o gran touring suspension.
My last two cars were Toyota's and this is not a pleasant welcome back to GM. Let's hope we all do not regret our purchases.
It comes and goes. On 90 deg. days and above it acts up, on cooler days(early mornings) I've had the car up to 125MPH (this car will fly and still had power to go)there was no noise. Go figure! Thanks to "marvd" I have something to take to the dealer. With this percentage of problems, you would think a service bulletin would be sent out.
Thanks for all the information all you fellows have posted. I will report back soon. By the way "marvd" , where did you take your car, I may be close enough to take it there?
The Ford and Merc are able to give you excellent size and strength (a mini Town Car) for a great value. Plus, who can say 'no' to a V-8, even if the 3.8 is just as fast! However, its greatest drawback is the RWD, which, even with traction control, is no match for the front drive LeSabre. (We have two '95 Chevy LT-1 Caprices,(As well as a 96 Chevy SS) which also were marketed as competing vehicles, but are totally different in every way. I love the size, strentgh and power of the Chevies, but they are wide, and, like any very powerful RWD car, without traction control, are a nightmare in anything more than mist!)
Our '97 LeSabre, by far, it is the cheapest vehicle we have ever had maintain. Like most GM cars, serivice is minimal, and cheap. The tires seem to last forever, (my experience has been 50K on previous FWD GM's), the 3.8 is like an anvil, has no timing belts (Like almost all GM's), which most of the imports, and Chrysler's have, has super long life anti-freeze (unlike the Fords and most imports), plugs are good for 100K, no scheduled tranny service, (though I will at 50K), the brakes, even in the harsh city life this car lives, also seem to last forever.
Try that is most other cars, especially the imports. (Although the 3.8 is old fashion, anyone can fix it, it can be abused, and not having a timing belt is a real plus for those few who actually own their cars for the long run.) The only servicing this car has had, besides 3K synthetic oil changes by me, has been a fuel filter and drive belt at 30K. The build quality was the best of any car.
Drawbacks are a small guage cluster, (it has the full guages,) and a wimpy suspension, despite the grand touring. Also, on a car like this, I wish it would have what even the cheapest Chevy Cavilier has -- pass-thru trunk, and map pockets. (The car has NONE!) The traction control, which is overpriced on other cars, was a bargain.
Also, unlike the imports, the car can be heavily discounted, and has various rebates and incentives, (+ AARP discounts) at times.
As compared, my Chevy's go thru belts, brakes, and tires at a much faster rate, (the car is a tank, though), and there is much more to service, such as rear-end differential, and repacking bearings in the front.
Soon to be ordered will be an 2001 LeSabre, with all the "good stuff" (traction, touring susp, stabili-trak) for my dad. Although I wish him to stick to the rear-drive sedans,(like the CV or GM) he's alway's owned, (He has one of the Chevy's), the RWD has now turned him off. The control in the bad weather of the Buick is night and day compared to the Chevy.
As for long term life of the big sedans from Ford and GM, my family still has an '83 Olds 88 (Dad's former, former, car!) no engine work ever, never burned a drop of oil!) his former 88 Merc GM (original everthing, no problems ever, except for the A/C which stopped last year), and mom's 88 Pontiac Bonny (NEVER a problem, everything works, car looks like new, even though it was never pampered.) (As a confession, the current LeSabre is hers).
As an added benefit, these American Sedans are very cheap to insure.
If any Q's about any of these cars, or maintenance, let me know. As a disclaimer, I have been a high school auto and driver ed teacher for 15 years, and a true motor-head and car nut. I truly beleive in sticking with American designed, and American owned car companies, and furhter believe that we do not operate on a level playng fieled in this country as compared with American companies trying to sell abroad, especially in Japan. Overall, many American have an inferiority complex, knocking our cars, even though many have never even been in one, lest drive and own one!
By the way, the salesman that sold me the car was also aware of the problem and knew of the 'fix'.
On my car, the sound is at the driver side post---you can feel the vibration point at the edge of the windshield.