Buick LeSabre

Buick LeSabre: which version to buy, and why the numbers pick it

If you are choosing a Buick LeSabre rather than cataloguing it, the data pick a clear default: the 8 generation (2000–2005) 3.8 AT Sedan at 208 hp.

If you are choosing a Buick LeSabre rather than cataloguing it, the data pick a clear default: the 8 generation (2000–2005) 3.8 AT Sedan at 208 hp. It is the only version with a measured 0–100 km/h time of 8.8 s, the only one with measured fuel use (11.8 / 8.1 / 9.8 L/100 km city / highway / mixed), and it makes 33 hp more than the 7 generation 3.8 AT (175 hp) from the same 3791 cm³ Gasoline 6 V-shaped engine. That is 54.9 hp per litre versus 46.2 hp per litre. Weight per horsepower is 8.0 kg/hp (1665 kg kerb / 208 hp) versus 8.9 kg/hp on the 7 generation car (1560 kg / 175 hp). If you want torque and open-top RWD instead of that default, the 2 generation (1961–1964) 6.6 AT / 6.6 MT Cabrio at 280 hp and 575 Nm is the other honest pick — 6.7 kg/hp where kerb weight is measured (1873 kg). Do not buy a 3 generation (1965–1970) or 4 generation (1971–1976) LeSabre from this catalogue: both list 0 versions, so every spec is not measured.

The model ran eight generations from 1959 through 2005. Body types in the data are Sedan (6, 7, 8 generation plus 5 generation) and Cabrio (1, 2, 3, 4 generation). Drive flips from RWD (1–5 generation) to FWD (6–8 generation). Gearbox labels stay Automatic on most cars; Manual appears only on 1 generation 6.0 MT and 2 generation 6.6 MT. Boost is No wherever it is measured. There are no prices in the data, so “what you get extra” below is displacement, gears, power, torque, and kilograms — not money.

Generations: what actually changed when you move one step

8 generation (2000–2005), Sedan, 1 version. One 3.8 AT: 208 hp / 153 kW at 5200 rpm, 312 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3791 cm³ Gasoline, 6 cylinders V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.4, bore × stroke 96.5 × 86.4 mm, fuel 92, Automatic 4, FWD. 0–100 km/h 8.8 s, top speed 200 km/h. Kerb 1665 kg, gross 2016 kg, tank 70 L, clearance 140 mm. Front brakes Disc, rear Disc. Suspension Independent, spring at both ends. Versus the 7 generation 3.8 AT, power is +33 hp (+19%), torque +7 Nm, 0–100 is 1.2 s quicker (8.8 vs 10), tank +2 L (70 vs 68), kerb +105 kg. Payload from the weights: 2016 − 1665 = 351 kg, versus 2030 − 1560 = 470 kg on the 7 generation car — the later Sedan is heavier at the kerb and carries 119 kg less to gross. Rear brakes change from Drum to Disc. City / highway / mixed mpg figures exist only here; CO2 and eco class remain not measured.

7 generation (1992–1999), Sedan, 1 version. The 3.8 AT at 175 hp / 128 kW at 4700 rpm and 305 Nm at 3200 rpm is the same 3791 cm³ Gasoline 6 V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92, Automatic 4, FWD layout as 8 generation, with compression, bore × stroke, city / highway / mixed consumption, CO2 and eco class not measured. 0–100 km/h 10 s, top speed 200 km/h (same peak as 8 generation). Kerb 1560 kg, gross 2030 kg, tank 68 L, clearance 140 mm (same as 8 generation). Front Ventilated disc, rear Drum. This is the lightest FWD LeSabre with a measured kerb. Versus 6 generation 3.8 AT 165 hp it is +10 hp and +20 Nm on the 3791 cm³ engine; versus 6 generation 3.8 AT 150 hp it is +25 hp and +35 Nm, though that 150 hp unit is 3800 cm³.

6 generation (1986–1991), Sedan, 2 versions — both named 3.8 AT. Distinguish them by power. 3.8 AT 165 hp / 121 kW, 285 Nm, 3791 cm³ Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, boost No, Automatic 4, FWD: rpm, valves per cylinder, engine position, injection, compression, bore × stroke, fuel, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, weights, clearance, wheels, rear suspension, rear brakes, CO2, eco class all not measured; front Independent, spring; front brakes Ventilated disc. 3.8 AT 150 hp / 110 kW, 270 Nm, 3800 cm³ Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.6, 89 × 84 mm, fuel 95, Automatic 4, FWD: engine position, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, weights, clearance, wheels, rear suspension, rear brakes not measured. The 165 hp car makes 15 hp and 15 Nm more from 9 cm³ less; specific output 43.5 hp/L versus 39.5 hp/L. The 150 hp car is the only LeSabre specified for fuel 95. This generation is the first FWD Sedan in the set.

5 generation (1977–1985), Sedan, 12 versions shown (catalogue field lists 13). Last RWD Sedan, last Carburetor Gasoline majority, only Diesel. Every version: Front, longitudinal, Automatic, RWD, Independent, spring front, Ventilated disc front, Drum rear, boost No. Consumption, 0–100, top speed, tank, gross, clearance, wheels, rear suspension, CO2, eco class not measured. Power spread: 106 hp (Diesel 5.7 AT) to 163 hp (Gasoline 5.7 AT). Versus 6 generation, drive changes RWD → FWD and the 3791 cm³ 3.8 AT jumps from 112–117 hp to 150–165 hp.

2 generation (1961–1964), Cabrio, 4 versions. Two 6.6 AT (280 hp, Automatic 2) and two 6.6 MT (280 hp, Manual 3), all 6572 cm³ Gasoline 8 V-shaped, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, Carburetor, compression 10.25, 106.36 × 92.46 mm, RWD, 575 Nm at 2400 rpm. Boost, fuel grade, 0–100, top speed, consumption, CO2, eco class, clearance, wheels not measured. Pair A: tank 75 L, kerb not measured. Pair B: kerb 1873 kg, tank not measured. Highest measured power in the whole model (280 hp) and highest torque (575 Nm). Specific output 42.6 hp/L — below 8 generation’s 54.9 hp/L, above every 5 generation Gasoline eight.

1 generation (1959–1960), Cabrio, 2 versions. 6.6 AT 269 hp / 198 kW at 4400 rpm, 559 Nm at 2400 rpm, 6572 cm³ Gasoline 8 V-shaped, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, Carburetor, compression 9, Automatic 2, RWD, tank 75 L, kerb not measured. 6.0 MT 254 hp / 186 kW at 4400 rpm, 515 Nm at 2400 rpm, 5957 cm³ Gasoline 8 V-shaped, boost No, Carburetor, compression 8.5, Manual 3, RWD; valves, engine position, bore × stroke, fuel, tank, weights not measured. Versus 2 generation 6.6 AT, same 6572 cm³ and 2-speed Automatic: 2 generation adds 11 hp and 16 Nm, compression 10.25 versus 9.

3 generation (1965–1970) and 4 generation (1971–1976), Cabrio, 0 versions each. Years and Cabrio body only. Engine, hp, gearbox, drive, weight, tank, 0–100: not measured. They cannot be compared on arithmetic, so they cannot be a buying recommendation from this data.

Engine options and specs (every named version)

Use the exact names. Same name, different power or gears, is a different car.

3 generation and 4 generation: no rows. Injection on 8 and 7 generation 3.8 AT and 6 generation 3.8 AT 150 hp is Distributed injection (multi-point); 6 generation 3.8 AT 165 hp injection is not measured.

Horsepower across the 3791 cm³ 3.8 AT line: 112 → 117 → 165 → 175 → 208. That is +5, +48, +10, +33 hp. Specific output: 29.5, 30.9, 43.5, 46.2, 54.9 hp/L. The 8 generation 3.8 AT extracts 96 hp more from the same 3791 cm³ than the weakest 5 generation 3.8 AT (208 − 112).

Performance, mpg, and where the stopwatch is silent

Measured 0–100 km/h exists on two cars: 8 generation 3.8 AT 8.8 s, 7 generation 3.8 AT 10 s. Top speed is 200 km/h on both. Every other version: 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured.

Measured consumption exists on one car: 8 generation 3.8 AT 11.8 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, 9.8 mixed. Tank 70 L. Range on mixed figure: 70 / 9.8 × 100 ≈ 714 km. 7 generation tank 68 L with consumption not measured, so range is not measured. CO2 and eco class: not measured on all versions.

Torque peak rpm on the later FWD sixes sits higher than on the 5 generation sixes: 4000 rpm (8 generation 3.8 AT, 312 Nm) and 3200 rpm (7 generation 3.8 AT, 305 Nm) versus 1600–2000 rpm on 5 generation 3.8 AT (258 Nm) and 4.1 AT (278 Nm). The 5 generation 5.7 AT 157 hp has the highest 5 generation torque at 380 Nm at 1800 rpm — 68 Nm more than 8 generation 3.8 AT’s 312 Nm, from 5724 vs 3791 cm³, at 157 vs 208 hp. Torque per litre: 8 generation 82.3 Nm/L; 5.7 AT 157 hp 66.4 Nm/L; 2 generation 6.6 AT 87.5 Nm/L (575 / 6.572).

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Wheel size is not measured on every version. Length and wheelbase are not in the data.

Clearance 140 mm: 8 generation 3.8 AT and 7 generation 3.8 AT only; all others not measured.

Tanks that exist: 8 generation 70 L, 7 generation 68 L, 2 generation pair with tank 75 L, 1 generation 6.6 AT 75 L. All remaining tanks not measured.

Kerb weights that exist (kg): 8 generation 3.8 AT 1665; 7 generation 3.8 AT 1560; 5 generation 3.8 AT 112 hp 1584; 3.8 AT 117 hp 1654; 4.1 AT 4-speed 1668; 4.1 AT 3-speed 1584; 4.9 AT 1704; 5.0 AT 142 hp both gearboxes 1745; 5.0 AT 152 hp both 1718; 5.7 AT 157 hp and 5.7 AT 163 hp 1730 each; Diesel 5.7 AT 1833; 2 generation 1873 kg pair. Gross only: 8 generation 2016 kg, 7 generation 2030 kg. 1 generation both versions, 6 generation both 3.8 AT, 2 generation 75 L pair: kerb not measured.

Weight per hp where both exist: 2 generation 1873 / 280 = 6.7 kg/hp (best); 8 generation 8.0; 7 generation 8.9; 5 generation 5.7 AT 163 hp 10.6; 5.7 AT 157 hp 11.0; 5.0 AT 152 hp 11.3; 4.9 AT 12.0; 5.0 AT 142 hp 12.3; 4.1 AT 3-speed 12.6; 4.1 AT 4-speed 13.2; both 3.8 AT 112 and 117 hp 14.1; Diesel 17.3 (worst). Extra kerb on 8 versus 7 generation is 105 kg for 33 hp; you pay 3.2 kg per extra horsepower on that step.

Which version to choose

Daily FWD Sedan, 1992–2005 (searches for 2000 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 1995 specs). Take 8 generation 3.8 AT 208 hp if you want the measured 8.8 s, 200 km/h, 9.8 L/100 km mixed, Disc rear brakes, 70 L tank, and 54.9 hp/L. Take 7 generation 3.8 AT 175 hp if you want 105 kg less kerb, 119 kg more payload to the 2030 kg gross, Ventilated disc front / Drum rear, and accept 10 s, consumption not measured, and 33 hp less. There is no second engine in either generation.

1986–1991 FWD, still a 3.8 AT. Prefer 3.8 AT 165 hp over 3.8 AT 150 hp: +15 hp, +15 Nm, 3791 vs 3800 cm³. The 150 hp car’s documented extras are fuel 95, compression 9.6, Distributed injection (multi-point), 2 valves, 89 × 84 mm — all of those on the 165 hp car are not measured, so you cannot claim they are worse, only that they are blank. Weights and 0–100 on both: not measured.

1977–1985 RWD Sedan — pick by arithmetic, not by badge litres. Do not assume a larger name is stronger. Diesel 5.7 AT 106 hp is the weakest LeSabre in the catalogue (18.5 hp/L, 17.3 kg/hp, 1833 kg, compression 22.5) — choose it only if the fuel type Diesel is the point. Gasoline 5.7 AT 163 hp is the 5 generation power peak (163 hp, 366 Nm, 5737 cm³, 10.6 kg/hp) but 5.7 AT 157 hp makes more torque (380 vs 366 Nm) from 5724 cm³. 5.0 AT 152 hp beats 5.0 AT 142 hp by 10 hp and 7 Nm at 27 kg less kerb (1718 vs 1745); 4-speed versus 3-speed does not change those engine figures — same hp, Nm, 5033 cm³ — so the extra gear is the only difference between those pairs. 4.9 AT 142 hp (319 Nm, 4942 cm³, 8 cylinders) versus 5.0 AT 142 hp (325 Nm, 5033 cm³): same 142 hp, +6 Nm on the 5.0, +91 cm³, +41 kg. 4.1 AT 126 hp is the only fuel 80 car; 4-speed kerb 1668 kg, 3-speed 1584 kg — 84 kg for the same 126 hp / 278 Nm, so the 3-speed 4.1 AT is 12.6 kg/hp versus 13.2. 3.8 AT 117 hp versus 3.8 AT 112 hp: +5 hp, same 258 Nm, torque peak 2000 vs 1600 rpm, +70 kg (1654 vs 1584). Specific output on 5 generation Gasoline sixes and eights clusters around 27–31 hp/L; the FWD 3791 cm³ later leaves that band.

Open Cabrio, 1959–1964. 2 generation 6.6 AT or 6.6 MT at 280 hp / 575 Nm if you want the model’s power and torque ceiling. 6.6 AT is Automatic 2; 6.6 MT is Manual 3 — same engine numbers. Use the 1873 kg pair when you need a measured kerb (6.7 kg/hp); use the 75 L pair when you need a measured tank. 1 generation 6.6 AT 269 hp is 11 hp and 16 Nm behind the 2 generation 6572 cm³ Automatic; 6.0 MT 254 hp / 515 Nm / 5957 cm³ is the smallest early eight and the only 1 generation Manual. 3 generation and 4 generation Cabrio: do not choose from this table — 0 versions.

Reliability and problems, from specs only. The data do not list failures. What they do list: boost is No on measured engines (2 generation and 1 generation 6.6 AT boost not measured). Fuel 92 on most Gasoline cars that name a grade; 95 only on 6 generation 3.8 AT 150 hp; 80 only on both 4.1 AT. Rear brakes: Drum through 7 generation where measured, Disc on 8 generation. Independent, spring front everywhere measured; rear Independent, spring on 8 and 7 generation, Dependent, spring on 1 and 2 generation where measured, not measured on 5 and 6 generation. Eco class not measured on all.

Short list. Want the complete measured spec sheet (hp, 0–100, mpg, tank, both masses, clearance): 8 generation 3.8 AT. Want the lightest measured FWD Sedan: 7 generation 3.8 AT. Want RWD eight-cylinder Gasoline torque: 5 generation 5.7 AT 157 hp (380 Nm) or 163 hp (163 hp). Want Diesel: only 5 generation 5.7 AT 106 hp. Want Cabrio and 280 hp: 2 generation 6.6 AT or 6.6 MT. Skip 3 generation and 4 generation until versions exist in the data.