| One thing most car buyers know is that the Buick | | | | announce there will be no nonsense involved in |
| Division of General Motors makes big, comfortable | | | | getting into this car. |
| sedans. | | | | The trunk offers a substantial 17.1 cubic feet of |
| Buick may not be on the cutting edge of the auto | | | | space with easy access at bumper level, and it's |
| industry, but it usually builds cars with the solid | | | | deep enough so that luggage can stand upright. A |
| handsomeness that mature, more conservative | | | | trunk net is a nice option to keep cargo from being |
| buyers seem to find attractive. This year's LeSabre | | | | tossed around. The trunk's interior was finished with |
| Limited is no exception. | | | | a molded felt-like material that we wished was more |
| Buick's sales leader underwent substantial restyling | | | | substantial. |
| two years ago, and there are just a few additional | | | | The LeSabre is a roomy, comfortable car. A tall |
| changes this year. One welcome new feature, | | | | person will find plenty of headroom even with the |
| standard on both the Custom and the more | | | | driver's seat raised to full height. |
| expensive Limited models, is a passenger-side air bag. | | | | We found the LeSabre's independent front and rear |
| The LeSabre is classified as a full-size sedan and | | | | suspension system, supplemented by automatic level |
| shares the competitive arena with the Ford Crown | | | | control and optional variable-effort power steering, |
| Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler Concorde | | | | provided sure control and a stable ride in various |
| and Dodge Intrepid. | | | | driving situations. |
| Both the LeSabre Custom and Limited are | | | | Our LeSabre carried us over an unpaved road, quietly |
| fron-twheel drive, four-door sedans with 3.8-liter V6 | | | | leveling out the bumps. In city traffic, it maneuvered |
| engines that produce 170 hp at 4,800 rpm and 225 | | | | smartly with the firmness of a sportier car. At |
| pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm. Independent | | | | highway speeds, we cruised smoothly, very much in |
| front and rear suspension and anti-lock power front | | | | control, appreciating the quietness of the ride even |
| disc and rear drum brakes are standard. | | | | when encountering potholes in a construction area. |
| The LeSabre does not indulge in dramatic styling | | | | The low center of gravity and automatic level |
| statements; on the contrary, styling is very | | | | control, part of the Gran Touring suspension package, |
| straightforward. There is a hint of the old Jaguar in | | | | resulted in stable cornering and sure handling with no |
| the hood and grill presentation, but that is a design to | | | | noticeable roll. |
| which we are all accustomed by now. More | | | | The 3.8-liter V6 engine produced adequate power |
| LeSabre-like is the protective chrome and hard-rubber | | | | with excellent acceleration, both from a standing |
| beltline that encircles the automobile. On the sides, it | | | | start and when passing. Gear transition was very |
| provides a more than adequate shield against other | | | | quiet, very smooth. |
| doors in a parking lot. In the front and rear, it is | | | | The anti-lock brake system was sure and earned our |
| substantial enough to form the fascia of the | | | | confidence after repeated testing at both low and |
| bumpers. | | | | high speeds. |
| Because of its clean, unencumbered design, there's | | | | There are few new bells and whistles on the 1994 |
| not much doubt that this car is aerodynamically | | | | Buick LeSabre - dual air bags and an improved |
| sound. The large door handles do stick out, but that | | | | traction control system top the short list. However, |
| is what we've come to expect from a Buick. On | | | | we weren't disappointed with the lack of change; the |
| most cars, handles are recessed and hidden in the | | | | LeSabre, in all its glory, is still a satisfying and |
| door. On the LeSabre, they stick right out, as if to | | | | comfortable family car. |