Buick engineers have done some fine-tuning on the 1993 LeSabre.
It was just last year that Buick overhauled the LeSabre. But Buick engineers haven’t been given much time off; there are a few improvements in the 1993 model.
This year, for instance, the seats are top-notch, the engine’s performance has been beefed up and anti-lock brakes are standard on all models.
The LeSabre exceeds what we’ve come to expect out of American cars in general and from General Motors in particular.
I see no difference between the LeSabre or a Lexus or a Mercedes-Benz in the quality of the way the vehicles are assembled.
In fact, the LeSabre is one of the most impressive cars I’ve driven this model year.
PERFORMANCE
There’s a terrific engine under the hood of the Buick LeSabre – a 170-horsepower fuel-injected V-6 of 3.8-liters.
This engine has gotten better every year. For 1993, some minor tweaking has sharpened low-speed responsiveness and slightly increased fuel economy.
TheLeSabre’s performance is excellent. Its smooth and powerful engine provides crisp acceleration and good all-round performance.
At 3,454 pounds the LeSabre is a fairly heavy car, but it can easily sail past slower moving traffic. The V-6 is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that shifts so smoothly you probably won’t notice it.
In a week of driving, the LeSabre used unleaded fuel at the rate of 22 mpg in city driving and 29 on the highway.
Some four-cylinder import econo-boxes can’t even top that.
HANDLING
Our test car came with the optional Gran Touring Package. If you are interested in a LeSabre, I recommend this option. For $464, you get a stylish set of 16-inch aluminum wheels and high-performance Eagle tires. Those items alone are well-worth the money.
But you also get an automatic level control, a firmer suspension and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The test LeSabre, which had a beautiful Polo Green paint job, offered sporty handling – the ride was firm, refined, stable and smooth.
Underneath there’s an independent suspension system, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and disc/drum anti-lock brakes.
FIT AND FINISH
In the past, I’ve felt that Buick’s interior designers could have done a better job in creating comfortable seats.
They came through in ’93. Generally, I don’t much care for bench-style seats. But the leather-covered bench seats in the LeSabre are the best I’ve seen in a midsize GM car.
They were firm, well-padded and, with their six-way power adjustments, able to accommodate a wide range of different-sized bodies. Rear seats also were comfortable, and passengers have plenty of leg and foot room.
The stylish dash also gets high marks for its sensible layout. Our test car came with a full complement of easy-to-read analog gauges.
Buick also has moved the light switch to the upper edge of the door panel, making it e asy to reach. In past models, it was somewhere behind the steering wheel.
Thedual-zone air conditioner, which allows the passenger in the front seat to set the temperature on that side, is a nice touch.
LeSabre is Buick’s best-selling car, and the 1993 model should enhance the car’s sterling reputation for quality, reliability and value.
Truett’s tip: The LeSabre ranks as Buick’s finest sedan to date. It’s a well-equipped car with graceful road manners, and it offers good fuel economy and solid value.
