2001BuickLeSabreBuick LeSabre2001 Buick LeSabre Limited SedanSedanSedanFWDDetroit, MichiganThe best-selling U.S. full-size car for eight straight years, Buick's LeSabre has been mildly updated after being totally redesigned last year. Changes include dual-stage airbags, standard OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and information service and the engine oil change interval has been increased to 10,000 miles.Modern interior with room for six, huge trunk, torquey and economical V6, dual stage airbags. Cheesy audio speakers, no split/fold rear seat, lacks V8 prestige.Evolutionary in style outside, and revolutionary in style inside, the Buick LeSabre, redesigned last year, appears to have met its designers' goals -- keep the good stuff and improve the rest. Give Buick credit for acting on customer input and coming up with a surprisingly competent overall package. Though this big, front-drive sedan is about an inch narrower than its predecessor, much of its shape and many of its dimensions are little-changed from the previous generation. Buick's signature "waterfall" chrome grille is still there, and the clean-looking front and rear fascias set off the clear-lens headlamps and large tail lamps. Flush, body-colored door handles add a clean look to the LeSabre, and even the bodyside moldings have an integrated look. Interior storage and safety has also been a Buick hallmark and the 2001 LeSabre doesn't disappoint. In addition to incorporating side airbags, the comfortable and supportive front seats have built-in "self-aligning" head restraints, reducing the risk of whiplash. Front seatbelts are now integrated into the seat frames, and all five seating positions come equipped with shoulder and lap belts. The LeSabre's interior meets the government's new head-impact requirements ahead of the federal deadline. The big news for 2001 is standard dual-stage front airbags. Rear headroom is as good as in the Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis, and though legroom back there isn't best-in-class, it is still comfortable. Large rear-door glass lowers nearly all the way down into the doors for better ventilation. Trunk room is a decent 18 cubic feet, bettering the 17 cubic feet found in the Chrysler Concorde. The LeSabre's platform makes for a stiffer, quieter body than its predecessor. While the front suspension features MacPherson struts with coil springs, the rear's semi-trailing arm / coil-spring setup makes for a more-controlled ride. We'd opt for the LeSabre Limited with the Gran Touring Package, despite the fact that the top-of-the-line P225/60R-16 touring radials are not super handlers. Antilock brakes are standard, with the rear drums being upgraded to discs for better stopping power. The only available powertrain in both the Custom and Limited models remains the trusty 3.8-liter Series II V6, mated to a smooth four-speed automatic transmission. This motor makes a healthy 205 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, with 230 foot-pounds of torque peaking at a useable 3,700 rpm. What's more, GM's V6 meets federal 2001 low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards. LeSabres have consistently ranked better than average in owner trouble complaints over the years, and the 2001 model should improve that score further. While the median age of most LeSabre buyers has long been in the 60s, more family-oriented buyers are finding themselves in Buick showrooms. That will not only do much to help the brand shake some of its fuddy-duddy image, but also keep LeSabre among the best sellers. Chrysler LHSDodge IntrepidMercury Grand MarquisToyota Avalon336,000336,000336,0006100,000NANANA63.8 litersV6205 hp @ 5200 rpm230 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm200 in.73.5 in.57 in.3591 lbs.112.2 in.38.8 in.37.8 in.59.1 in.58.7 in.56.1 in.56.6 in.42.4 in.39.9 in.18 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardOptionalRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested18.5 gal.19 mpg / 30 mpg352 mi. / 555 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$26,348$28,7967.35%$655N/A3% of the Total MSRPCUSTOM (4A): 3.8L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; battery with run down protection; front-wheel drive, 2.86 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; comfort ride suspension, auto-leveling suspension, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent trailing arm suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; class I trailering; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully auto headlamps with daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include underhood light; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P215/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, cassetteplayer, 4 speakers, window grid diversity antenna; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smoker's package; instrumentation display includes water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, turn signal on; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's and passenger's 1-touch down function; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 6, 55/45 split-bench front seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way power adjustment, 8-way adjustment, lumbarsupport, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment, lumbar support; rear bench seat; cloth seats, door trim with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood dashboard insert, simulated wood door panel insert; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; day/night rearview mirror; mini overhead console, locking glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel covered bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
LIMITED (4A) (in addition to or instead of CUSTOM (4A) equipment): Traction control; bodyside accent stripe; additional exterior lights include cornering lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors, driver's auto dimming outside mirror; dual zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; single CD player, 6 performance speakers, auto equalizer, theft deterrent; garage door opener, emergency S.O.S. (OnStar); instrumentation display includes tachometer, compass, exterior temp, trip computer; warning indicators include water temp, low oil level, low coolant, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, low tire pressure; tracker system, security system; rain detecting wipers; heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, lumbar support; rear center pass-thru armrest with storage;premium cloth seats; interior lights include 4 door curb lights; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; mini overhead console with storage and rear cupholder.