lilranch2001
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Don't forget the backseat, and the potential for an "accident"
Opinions on 1998 Buick LeSabre Limited
- Thread starter QueBota
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Don't forget the backseat, and the potential for an "accident"
Heywood Jannockitov
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LeSabre - good car, great engine. Amazing fuel economy for a vehicle that size and weight. My mother had a supercharged Park Avenue which would not have been a good choice for a teenaged son as the burgundy leather interior looked like a bordello!
Decent motor (non-supercharged), it's one I'd consider in that era of vehicle.
Pressure test the cooling system - many of these 3.8s have plastic fittings that will be well aged by now. So long as a leaky plastic fitting pulls out of the engine in one piece, it's not that bad to change - it's just something you want to know before your son starts driving it, and could be a bargaining point.
A neighbour had to have the plastic intake manifold on his 3.8 in his Pontiac replaced - something fell apart inside and stopped the motor from turning. While not a really common problem, I got the impression that it wasn't totally unheard of either....
The pricing seems high, but as you said, the convenience may be worth it. If your mechanic gives the car a clean report overall, I'd vote go for it.
Rgds, D.
Pressure test the cooling system - many of these 3.8s have plastic fittings that will be well aged by now. So long as a leaky plastic fitting pulls out of the engine in one piece, it's not that bad to change - it's just something you want to know before your son starts driving it, and could be a bargaining point.
A neighbour had to have the plastic intake manifold on his 3.8 in his Pontiac replaced - something fell apart inside and stopped the motor from turning. While not a really common problem, I got the impression that it wasn't totally unheard of either....
The pricing seems high, but as you said, the convenience may be worth it. If your mechanic gives the car a clean report overall, I'd vote go for it.
Rgds, D.
The 3.8's are known for the intakes manifolds leaking. The 3.8 is a good engine. The transmission they put in those cars is not the greatest. Check the brake lines on it, they are know to rust really bad. I have replaced several on this era of Buick. They cost around $700 to replace them all. I really don't know what these cars are worth, the price sounds a little high. I'd look at KBB.com and see what it is worth. Also check for some other for sale locally to see what they are asking.
puckgrinder85
Platinum Member
Great engine and great fuel economy for what it is like said.
I'll add to the problems list we run into.
1) Upper intake manifold- Just behind the throttle body the EGR tube is running through the lower intake up into the plenum, this is plastic and were known to burn through and leak coolant into the engine. Also the coolant would degrade the plastic passaged running into the throttle body for frost control. Not a big deal to replace the upper intake and they give you a new EGR fitting that replaces the old one and is necked down to keep heat away from the intake itself. If it is leaking or shows sign of leaking, REPLACE it when you get it. The last 10 I've done all had enough coolant to fill the lower intake cavity level with the intake runners and every one of these blew a rod through the block within 3000 miles, like clockwork. You want to catch it before it gets to that point.
2) Tensioner/ heater pipe assembly- These are the little elbows people might talk about. Not a huge deal, they are again, made of the same plastic as the upper plenum and rot out over time. They now make them out of aluminum. You need to removed the belt tensioner assembly which doubles as a coolant flow through, there are two 90* elbows that need to be replaced.
3) MAF- Mass air flow sensors were pretty high failure rate items on these. Car wont run right or at all if this is failing. Not much in the way of preventative maint. you can do for that.
After that normal stuff, rotted brake lines and fuel lines near the rear of the car. Didn't see whre you are from but may or may not be an issue for you (road salt).
Overall not a bad car, just remember it has some age and check the blue book value, seems really high. A trusted mechanic should give you a good look over to see if it is in need of things now or soon.
I'll add to the problems list we run into.
1) Upper intake manifold- Just behind the throttle body the EGR tube is running through the lower intake up into the plenum, this is plastic and were known to burn through and leak coolant into the engine. Also the coolant would degrade the plastic passaged running into the throttle body for frost control. Not a big deal to replace the upper intake and they give you a new EGR fitting that replaces the old one and is necked down to keep heat away from the intake itself. If it is leaking or shows sign of leaking, REPLACE it when you get it. The last 10 I've done all had enough coolant to fill the lower intake cavity level with the intake runners and every one of these blew a rod through the block within 3000 miles, like clockwork. You want to catch it before it gets to that point.
2) Tensioner/ heater pipe assembly- These are the little elbows people might talk about. Not a huge deal, they are again, made of the same plastic as the upper plenum and rot out over time. They now make them out of aluminum. You need to removed the belt tensioner assembly which doubles as a coolant flow through, there are two 90* elbows that need to be replaced.
3) MAF- Mass air flow sensors were pretty high failure rate items on these. Car wont run right or at all if this is failing. Not much in the way of preventative maint. you can do for that.
After that normal stuff, rotted brake lines and fuel lines near the rear of the car. Didn't see whre you are from but may or may not be an issue for you (road salt).
Overall not a bad car, just remember it has some age and check the blue book value, seems really high. A trusted mechanic should give you a good look over to see if it is in need of things now or soon.
deerseeker001
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I have had Two of them both are great Cars
terryknight
Veteran Member
second this. all makes/models from that era GM have issues with them
RollingsFarms
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If you are looking for a vehicle for your son may I suggest looking for a regular cab truck with a manual? My first vehicle was a Toyota pickup 4x4 regular cab and that thing was awesome! You won't be able to pile a whole bunch of people in it and driving a manual means less chance of him texting while driving or talking on a cell phone. Everyone needs to learn how to drive a manual in my opinion and I'm glad I learned how.
terryknight
Veteran Member
back when i was a teenager in MD insurance on a pickup truck was much higher than a four door sedan/wagon. i drove a 240 volvo.
