[vishalrao]

Awesome pics/info... these big/heavy American cars with their beefy motors have their own distinct charm on US roads

[Dippy]

The car looks great and I loved those interiors. Very clean indeed. Thanks for sharing the pictures and do keep updating this thread with your Buick experience.

[GTO]

You are so obviously having a blast, congratulations! That's a very detailed report of your luxo-barge. This car is big by American standards; I can only imagine what the LeSabre would look like on our roads. Welcome change from the Honda / Toyota / Nissan syndrome that us Indians seem to be affected by overseas.

I've driven this Buick off and on (friend's parents owned one) and must say - The car is built for long-distance comfortable cruising on the freeway. It's amazing the kind of value deals that one can get in the American used car market.

[svsantosh]

12KMPL for a 3800CC ENGINE!!! Wow. Thats great FE I must say. Also Kudos to the US roads and general ownership attitude. Looks like the car is 7.5 MONTH old, not years.!!!

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

12KMPL for a 3800CC ENGINE!!! Wow. Thats great FE I must say. Also Kudos to the US roads and general ownership attitude. Looks like the car is 7.5 MONTH old, not years.!!!

20 mpg (US gallon) suggests around 8.5 kmpl.

[filcord]

Us gallon = 3.785 litres
Mile = 1.609 km

[drvhplyevraftr]

Wow! The interiors are something to die for. Reminds me of the mercury sable which I used to drive in US between 2000 and 2004.

[akbaree]

Originally Posted by blackasta

20 mpg (US gallon) suggests around 8.5 kmpl.

Originally Posted by filcord

Us gallon = 3.785 litres
Mile = 1.609 km

Guys thanks for enlightening. I am relying on the DIC. And the MPG figure is for last 100 miles, while it looks like the KMPL figure is till date (for all the 1,00,000kilometers the car has done). So I must have got an average of 8.5 in last 100 miles but overall the car has given 12 KMPL so far. That's interesting.

[sumeethaldankar]

Aaah buddy,
a real "American Beauty'. With such a list of goodies what would anyone else want in a car.
I am a fan of big American cars, my other favorite being the Ford Crown Victoria.I remember reading somewhere the LCD display on the screen is useful for older people who have trouble reading the instrument clusters.
A wonderful feature neverthless , you never have to take your eyes of the road when you are driving.
Maybe you could post a pic of the LCD screen in action.

[filcord]

That brings back fond memories of a long trip across new England and Quebec in a Malibu. Yes the american cars are seriously underrated, they have oodles of presence, and seem to go on and on, my car was five years old, but seemed like five weeks old.

[akbaree]

Thanks everyone for your support and wishes.

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

...
Its a large car, just above 5m long, and can seat a kid in front (for 3 person seating) IIRC.
...

So nice na. It reminds me of old Ambassador days when I used to drive with my mom and dad in the front seat. Do you know if I can use a booster seat in the front? My son is two years old.

AFAIK You cannot put child in the front because of air bags. But that wouldn't be an issue in the front center seat.

Originally Posted by KishoreC

...
One concern if you are living in cold areas. During winter the GM vehicles have a knack of creating lot of problems. Strictly follow the 5 minutes warm-up ritual every day in winter.
...

I will.

Originally Posted by blackasta

I once drove a dodge intrepid on rental....that car was LONG! And it was my first rental after I received my drivers license!!!
Buick lesabre is on similar lines, a bit short than intrepid.
Just be a tad cautious while making turns, and mind the curbside.

I am with you. It is bigger than it feels. Couple of times I was surprised when I drove too close to the curbside without realizing it.

Originally Posted by Dippy

The car looks great and I loved those interiors. Very clean indeed. Thanks for sharing the pictures and do keep updating this thread with your Buick experience.

It will be my endeavour to keep this thread updated. Next update most probably would be from my detailing exercise.

Originally Posted by vishalrao

Awesome pics/info... these big/heavy American cars with their beefy motors have their own distinct charm on US roads

And I love that charm. If not more, they indeed have that old world charm.

Originally Posted by GTO

You are so obviously having a blast, congratulations! That's a very detailed report of your luxo-barge. This car is big by American standards; I can only imagine what the LeSabre would look like on our roads. Welcome change from the Honda / Toyota / Nissan syndrome that us Indians seem to be affected by overseas.

On Indian roads a 3 Series can easily look as big as 5 series and a 5 series looks like it is taking all the available space. Le Sabre- I don't know; I agree with you it is big even by American Standards in the Sedan category.

Originally Posted by GTO

I've driven this Buick off and on (friend's parents owned one) and must say - The car is built for long-distance comfortable cruising on the freeway. It's amazing the kind of value deals that one can get in the American used car market.

I am happy to have all support in this area. People I meet here are not very comfortable that I bought my car in the first 10 days. They think I may not have got the good deal. But you are absolutely correct, if you are looking out sincerely, are good at negotiating, and know what you want, you can get good deal. Adn with this economy, it is a lot easier.

I can't believe how overrated the Hondas and Toyotas are here. That's because Americans have taken in a big way to these cars. It is no longer just Indian phenomenon. I found these cars grossly over prized for what they have to offer. At least in the US used car market.

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

Aaah buddy,
a real "American Beauty'. With such a list of goodies what would anyone else want in a car.

So true

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

I am a fan of big American cars, ...

I too am becoming one - fast

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

I remember reading somewhere the LCD display on the screen is useful for older people who have trouble reading the instrument clusters.
A wonderful feature neverthless , you never have to take your eyes of the road when you are driving.
Maybe you could post a pic of the LCD screen in action.

Most of the people I spoke with told me it Grand Pa's car. I am enjoying the way car pampers you.

I will try to post a picture soon.

Originally Posted by filcord

That brings back fond memories of a long trip across new England and Quebec in a Malibu. Yes the american cars are seriously underrated, they have oodles of presence, and seem to go on and on, my car was five years old, but seemed like five weeks old.

I don't know about past, but in present market scenario, they are seriously underrated. Even Ford Mustangs- they are available cheap. I am happy to see so many Mustangs out here though.

[redfire]

Congrats akbaree. Enjoying an american car is different. She looks great and has her stance. Hope you will not have to answer too much questions (I am facing questions and stares after owning a Mustang!)

[sujaylahiri]

Originally Posted by akbaree

Engine

Considering this, I thing I got a very good mileage of averaging at 20 MPG where 40% driving was done on highways and 60% in city. You may like to consider the fact that my office is just 3.5 miles away and I reach office before my car reaches it's optimal operating temperature. And in such a situation, getting 12 KM/L is a decent fuel efficiency

You're doing way better than my Impreza, where the 2.5L 4 cyl. boxer motor gives me similar mileage in similar conditions. And that too with a manual transmission.

[prasadee]

akbaree,
Makes you wonder why anyone would want to buy a new car. GM and Ford used cars are so ridiculously cheap compared to the comparably equipped Japs. Good choice, and good luck.

I got a (3yr old) 2006 Saab for 1/3rd the price of a new one (still under warranty). I totally see your logic behind the decision.
-Prasadee

[GTO]

IIRC, the buick has tall top gears, which contribute to the excellent FE on freeways.

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

I am a fan of big American cars, my other favorite being the Ford Crown Victoria.

At the time of renting a car last December, the Philadelphia agent was pushing me into a Crown Victoria. Said "Drive her on the freeway, everyone will make way for you and no cop will pull you over" . It is, after all, the official cop car of American cops.

Originally Posted by akbaree

It will be my endeavour to keep this thread updated. Next update most probably would be from my detailing exercise.

We'd love that!

I found these cars grossly over prized for what they have to offer. At least in the US used car market.

Some people have similar sentiments in India too