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Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I just don't agree with yours.
I will not slam you though as I hold my opinion that these forums are more specifically to discuss problems and issues and you are welcome and requested to continue participation.
jimsxn:::::as stated, it's for your info only and I certainly wasn't slamming Buick but after 250k miles of swift travel in those cars the tire problem was a major concern..My son-in-law has a 96 Riv which suffers the rear tire cupping scenario as explained..Both of my Intrigues, 98 and the 99 for a total to date of 73k miles have never gave any indication of cupping or flat spotting..The normal cruise speed is 75/85 to top end..At 47k on the 99 3.5 Intrigue the tires are getting thin; but they are still perfect, absolutely no irregular wear pattern-same balance as new and same alignment..Worst rutty roads in the USA are in Mich but the stiff suspension of the Intrigue is a blessing..Before I bought the 98 Intrigue, I drove a 98 Regal GS and within two blocks the old rocking chair motion was there..
The suspensions are totally different..
The new G-bodies from GM are probably the best chassis they make outside the Vette. The new LeSabres are noticibly tighter with a much stiffer suspension than before. Add the Gran Touring setup and you've got a car that cruises like a dream on the highway and handles like a dream when you need to toss it around.
Enjoy your Olds. Hang on to it or you might be buying a Buick Aurora one day.
Our driving habits are totally different for I don't nurse a car..
Maybe they have changed the Touring pkg since my test drive of a new 98 Regal GS which was about 10 minutes after I drove a GTP Pontiac..
Each GM division concocts their own suspension setup and shared body shells really doesn't reflect the final handling or ride outcome..
As for the Pontiac--excuse me--no, don't bother, it is not a pretty sight to behold. But I can see you buying one if you want handling and don't mind a kidney transplant in the future--they offer three differnt suspensions. But driving a Buick like a sports car or driving hard and pushing it into turns, etc is just not usually the reason folks buy Buicks to start with.
Enjoy the floaty ride..A Bonneville is no sports car but does exhibit some of the finer points of sedan driveability..
Personally, I prefer the interior to that of the LeSabre since I wanted the buckets and console with floor shifter this time out after 2 Grand Marquis. Some prefer the bench - SE has it available.
The styling of the upper classmen SLE and SSEi is more controversial than the SE which carries a nice chrome strip down the side rather than plastic body cladding, and the SE front is less confrontational too.
Price is very attractive - new list is $26K for mine - no leather or SR. I bought mine in Jan this year - preowned with 18K miles for $16K - and am totally thrilled with the car.
Give it another look - it's a great car.
Ken
Well stated! Could not have said it better myself! I had a 91 LeSabre once before that my brother sold to me for a song. It was getting a little floaty after 150,000 miles, but it still rode and handled well for a car of that size and weight and after 150,000, what do you expect! The new LeSabres are a totally different animal. Mine has the Gran Touring setup, but I had the dealer put on a set of chrome wheels from a Park Ave with Goodyear LS tires. Not the best set of rubber out there, but I didn't want Firestones on my new car. I drove the car before I had the new wheels/tires put on and there was a noticible difference between the Goodyears and the Firestones -- the handling was much better. As soon as the Goodyears wear out, I'll put on a set of Michelins. I have no doubt the handling will improve even more. Regardless of the improved handling, the car is a super highway cruiser. Great combination of ride and cornering.
tpken:
Whasssss up Bonneville cuz! Been out of the forum for awhile but I still lurk around from time to time. Heard you had a broken foot -- hope everything is going well. I actually saw a black 2001 SSEi today for the first time. I have to admit, I'm no great fan of the SSEi styling, but black is a color on that car I could live with. It was sharp. The LeSabre is going about its business without any problems. My daughter gets on my case because I clean it all the time. I guess we've all got our vices. Hope the SE is treating you well.
I have to admit that I get a kick out of hearing the cupholder complaints in the Bonnie forum. It doesn't look like the best setup out there, but really, when you think about it, who really does have a good cupholder design. Maybe C&D or R&T or Motor Trend should do a feature about cupholders! It seems like every review of a new car has something negative to say about cup holders. Mine work OK as long as you have the right size cup in it. You can also fit in a regular size coffee mug -- it has slots for the handle to fit in. Not a bad design, but it takes up alot of real estate. I've heard they redesigned the cup holders for 2002. I'll have to take a look sometime.
Later buddy.
- Mike
Yet, the knees are still to this day an all time classic!
- Mike
Mike - The foot's doing better thanks - went to doc today - just have to go easy for a while - no hiking or water skiing this summer. Thanks for saying "Hi" - glad to hear your LeSabre is soldiering on. I've driven 14K miles on top of the original 18K the car had on it - Bonnie now has 32K and running great!
Ken
We are looking at '99 LaSabre. Anyone have any comments on this particular year? Reliability, repair histories, comfort for longer trips, short driver, etc. Thanks!
If it doesn't crank, or cranks slowly, then perhaps your battery connections are loose or corroded.
If it doesn't seem to 'fire up' so to speak then you have to determine if you have fuel and spark.
How do the plugs look? The wires could be fine, or appear fine, but still have poor connections. The plugs could be worn. If you are still on the original plugs at 51K, it wouldn't hurt to change them out.
Also, how is the connection to the coil pack? Both plug wires and the "computer connections"
Do you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn on the key. It should run for a few seconds to build fuel pressure until the engine starts. I know I can hear the pump on my 1987, it is really loud.
Other sensor connections such as the crank position sensor, cam position sensor. If these are not making a good contact the computer may not know when to send the spark.
Just a few basic thoughts.
TB
Thanks
Spindel
Spindel
- Mike
I noticed recently that the top of the rear bumper is starting to look like a small roller coaster. The thing is warped all along the top of the bumper. I showed it to my dealer who basically told me that "they all do that".
Wonderful.
A $33,000 car with a bumper so thin that it can't stand a few hours of sunlight a week. The dealer told me that the owner's car (also a LeSabre) does the same thing and he pointed out several other LeSabres that had the same problem.
I don't care "if they all do that". This is crap! It makes the car look like a cheap toy!
Has anyone else had this problem with their rear bumpers in 2000 or 2001 LeSabres. My old Corvette bumper did the same thing, but it took over 13 years and who knows how many thousands of hours in the sun for that to happen.
I hope the dealer has an answer for this. If I get one, I'll pass it along. Putting a new bumper on and painting it is not an option. The same thing will probably happen again.
- Mike
Thanks.
At the same time, I don't believe that ride quality has suffered at all. With the GT suspension, the LeSabre is still a smooth highway cruiser that soaks up bumps very well. It's a great combination.
Highly recommended. It should be standard on all LeSabres.
- Mike
along with the filter (Purolator Plus). Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be tappet noise or maybe the fuel injectors? Thanks for your help.
Bill
Mike,
I have not noticed any warping with my rear bumper and my car is outside 24 hours a day. I don't know what part of the country you live in Mike, but I am in the Northeast. That might be the difference. If not then I would definately get it checked out by Buick.
I'll talk to some other dealers in the area and get their input, but in the end, I'll probably end up taking the car to a place that is willing to reinforce the bumper with some hard plastic or metal on the other side. That way, the problem is hopefully solved and I've still got a bumper with a fatory paint job on it.
If I'm really bold, I'll try doing this myself. I've got the Helms manuals for the LeSabre and taking off the rear bumper is not as hard as I thought. I've been tinkering with cars for ages now, so this really doesn't scare me.
I guess I'm a little disappointed (but not surprised) at the dealers reaction to this. From their point of view, they don't care and they're not going to go the extra mile to solve my problem. Actually, the dealer did say he could try stuffing some styrofoam under the bumper and seeing if that would keep it straight. It was all I could do to keep from laughing when I heard that.
I think Buick has a problem here. It's only cosmetic, but it is something they should address. I do plan on sending them a letter regardless.
- Mike
scott
Otherwise, get the fuel pressure tested, it may indicate the pressure is low. Your local parts store may even be able to loan you the fuel pressure gauge to make the test. (After all, they'd like to sell you a fuel pump!)
Until you said may be more frequent at 1/4 tank or below, I was thinking battery going bad or a bad ground.
Of course, I just went through the bad battery thing on my 87, so I know it well. The car never died, just intermittently lost power. I'd hit bumps and the dash would turn into a Christmas tree. One of the terminals was making intermittent contact and warrented battery replacement.
FWIW
TB
Should we or shouldn't we???
This is the question. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Go build it Buick. I'll buy it tomorrow.
- vtech83
http://www.lsjxtra.com/news/010804_gmtoys_7C.html
- vtech83
I have to start modding it someday...I plan to go from suspension (bars, better shocks) to intake/exhaust and lastly to supercharger. This will be the sleeper sedan of the century.
An Ultra based on LeSabre, priced below present Ultra would be a sweet addition to the line.
Mike - got your checkbook ready?
Ken
Actually, it's sounding more and more like Buick is going to be one of the sedan survivors in GM. I've been hearing the rumors about the Bonneville and other Pontiac sedans. It looks like Chevy will be building trucks/SUVs/Vans, importing small sedans, and of course, building more Vettes. Pontiac is supposed to be focusing on sporty SUV models and possibly a successor to the Firebird/TransAm. Olds is gone. Saturn has their own little world. That leaves Buick and Cadillac as the primary sedan makers in GM. Hopefully Buick will start sprucing their lineup a little to reel in a different market group. Cadillac will still be the premier division, so I don't see a mass shift of GM sedan buyers to Cadillac, even though the new CTS looks pretty hot.
Hope everything is going well in the wake of the September 11 tragedy.
- Mike
God Bless America
Ken
Ken
Ken
I think the CR/CG must be estimating a bit and have gotten it really wrong.
I've hit the 30MPG in my 87 when I drive 5 under the speed limit and am really gentle with the throttle.
I would imagine the newer ones are even more fuel efficient.
TB