2003 Buick LeSabre Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Buick marks its 100th year with a Celebration Edition package for its 2003 LeSabre. LeSabre is America's best-selling full-size car and comes in Custom and Limited models, with the Celebration Edition a Limited-model option package. All use a 3.8-liter V6 and automatic transmission. Antilock 4-wheel-disc brakes are standard. Front side airbags are standard on Limited and optional on Custom. Traction control and General Motors' OnStar assistance system are standard on Limited, optional on Custom. GM's Stabilitrak antiskid system is available on Limited. The optional Gran Touring Package includes firmer suspension and 16-inch wheels vs. 15s. The standard front bench seat allows 6-passenger seating; bucket seats are optional. Leather upholstery is standard on Limited, optional on Custom. Power memory front seats are optional on Limited. Buick will build 10,000 Celebration Editions, distinguished by body-color exterior trim, chrome alloy wheels, 2-tone leather seating with embroidered logos, Black Cherry woodgrain interior trim, and turn-signal indicators in the side mirrors. XM satellite radio is a new option available on the Limited.

Competition

Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, plenty of power, and hefty manufacturer discounts. Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are our Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability and don't want an SUV, Ford Crown Victoria, with its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis, is an option. Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.

News

Buick's perennial top-seller keeps losing sales ground: off 6.4 percent in 2002 after a 2.2-percent year-to-year drop in '01. There won't be much new to tempt buyers before model-year '05, when LeSabre will be "restyled and reengineered," say reliable sources. That suggests a heavily modified version of today's car rather than a ground-up redesign, but we'll have to wait and see. However, the new LeSabre reportedly gives up today's old overhead-valve V6 for a new 3.4-liter V8 with lightweight construction and dual overhead camshafts.

Meantime, one source says a top-line LeSabre Ultra will debut soon with full-house luxury equipment and the same 240-hp supercharged 3.8 V6 used in the related Park Avenue and other GM cars. No word on when it's coming, but we'd guess this fall for '04.

2003 Buick LeSabre Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Automatic-transmission performance	Rear-seat comfort

Instruments/controls

Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
6	6	5.5

Quick away from stops. Ample passing power. Smooth gear changes; prompt, sure downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
4	4	4.6

Averaged 17.9 mpg in our tests.

Ride Quality

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
6	5	6.8

Base suspension is absorbent but floats over humps and dips. Gran Touring suspension does a poor job of absorbing sharp bumps and ridges, feels jittery on rough pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
4	5	5.5

Competent large-sedan handling, though steering feels artificially heavy. Moderate lean in turns, good grip. Stabilitrak works well. Brakes are unexceptional but easy to modulate.

Quietness

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
7	7	6.3

Wind and road noise are well-muffled, but tires whine on some surfaces. Engine is quiet at cruise, producing a muted growl in hard acceleration.

Controls

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Large, simple, well-placed. But shiny faceplates make it hard to read some panels, automatic climate controls are difficult to adjust while driving, and console's cupholder is awkward to deploy.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
7	7	6.9

Roomy for two, but tight for three adults. Cushions are pillowy but not uncomfortable.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
4	4	5.9

Disappointing for a full-size sedan. Cushion is too low and soft for good support. Leg room is tight without front seat moved forward. Too narrow for three-adult comfort.

Cargo Room

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
6	6	5.8

Big trunk has a large opening and low liftover, but lid hinges intrude. Limited's rear-seat pass-through is handy.

Value within Class

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
8	7	6.9

LeSabre imparts a feeling of size and substance, and its standard-equipment list is well-thought-out. Subpar rear-seat accommodations and indifferent interior furnishings are letdowns. Base prices are competitive, but options add up quickly.

Total Score

Custom	Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.	Class Average
57	56	59.8

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		54
Average Score		59
High Score		66

2003 Buick LeSabre Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/07/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Custom 4-door sedan	$25,645	$23,465	$725

Limited 4-door sedan	$31,420	$28,749	$725

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Custom

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, 8-way power driver seat, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, automatic level control, 215/70R15 tires, wheel covers.

Limited adds to Custom:

Powertrain

Traction control.

Safety

Front side airbags, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), front dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, leather upholstery, heated 10-way power front seats w/driver-side power lumbar adjustment, trunk pass-through, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, steering-wheel radio controls, tachometer, trip computer, heated power mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Best Seller Pkg. 1SD
Custom	$1,365	$1,174
Traction control, upgraded sound system, automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors, driver information center (including tire-pressure monitor and trip computer), illuminated passenger-side visor mirror, alloy wheels.

Luxury Pkg. 1SE
Custom	$2,840	$2,442
Best Seller Pkg. 1SD plus OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), 8-way power passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.

Celebration Edition Pkg. WH8
Limited	$1,885	$1,621
Antiskid system, memory pkg. (driver seat, mirror, radio, air conditioning), head-up instrument display, 2-tone leather upholstery, special woodgrain interior trim, mirror-mounted turn signals, unique interior and exterior trim, cargo net, 225/60R16 touring tires, chrome alloy wheels. NA w/front bucket seats.

5-Passenger Seating Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$150	$129
Front bucket seats, center console w/storage, leather armrest, additional cupholders and power outlets. Custom requires Pkg. 1SE.

Comfort and Style Pkg.
Custom	$1,400	$1,204
Leather upholstery, cargo net, 225/60R16 tires, cross-lace alloy wheels. Requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE.

Gran Touring Pkg.
Custom, Limited	$285	$245
Sport suspension, rear stabilizer bar, 225/60R16 touring tires. Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or Pkg. 1SE. NA w/Comfort and Style Pkg.

Memory Pkg.
Limited	$190	$163
Memory driver seat, mirrors, radio, air conditioning, driver-side automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Safety
Front side airbags
Custom	$350	$301


Antiskid system
Limited	$495	$426


Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar System
Custom	$695	$598
OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available)

Power sunroof
Limited	$995	$856


Leather upholstery
Custom	$995	$856
Requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE.

Heated front seats
Custom	$295	$254
Requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE, leather upholstery, power passenger seat.

Head-up instrument display
Limited	$300	$258


8-way power passenger seat
Custom	$330	$284
Requires Pkg. 1SD.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Custom	$125	$108
Includes steering-wheel radio controls. Requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE.

Satellite radio
Limited	$325	$280
Requires monthly fee.

Automatic day/night rearview mirror
Custom	$80	$69
Includes compass. Requires Pkg. 1SD, OnStar System.

Cargo net
Custom, Limited	$30	$26
Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE.

Cross-lace alloy wheels
Custom, Limited	$375	$323
Includes 225/60R16 tires. Custom requires Pkg. 1SD or 1SE. NA w/Gran Touring Pkg.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
Custom, Limited	$35	$30


Special paint
Limited	$550	$473
Requires Celebration Pkg. WH8.

2003 Buick LeSabre Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	200.0

Overall Width, in.	73.5

Overall Height, in.	57.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	3567

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	18.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	230 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Buick LeSabre 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2003 Buick LeSabre Photos

Also in the 2003 Buick LeSabre Review:

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Buick LeSabre Road Test

Buick LeSabre Prices & Equipment

Buick LeSabre Specs & Safety

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