1980 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon

Let's take a moment to enumerate, in list form, everything he says is wrong with the car.

1. "Underpowered by a Pontiac 301 V-8"
2. "She'll get you there, but not swiftly."
3. "puff of smoke at start-up"
4. "leaks a drop of oil here and there"
5. "About 79,000 on the odometer, but the gauges are not original, so your guess is as good as mine."
6. "The gear indicator is inop because the trim piece around the steering wheel is cracked that holds the tab"
7. "The woodgrain is pulling away by some of the wheel openings"
8. "A few small rust spots are starting to appear under the chrome trim"
9. "Cruise is inop"
10. "A/C is there but not working"
11. "The speedometer bounces around at lower speeds"
12. "The rear air shocks are leaking"
13. "The front brakes will need to be replaced soon."
14. "Bumper inserts are starting to get frail and crumble"


Some of these are minor and/or only cosmetic, but some (3 and 5 taken together, for instance) could indicate significant problems. The puff of smoke could indicate a ring job is needed, and that would be consistent with the engine having not 79,000 miles on it but maybe 179,000 or even 279,000. Number 10 alone could cost a grand to get fixed, and who wants a big car like that, even in the northern U.S., with no A/C?

Of course, we appreciate the seller's honesty, but, in short, taking all of these together, it's not surprising, at least to me, that it hasn't yet been scooped up.

 

Fair enough assessment - what it's worth then if it needs a mechanical rebuild assuming body and interior are essentially sound?

 

I think the $1500 is reasonable, actually. We who frequent this site and who hold station wagons in high esteem have to remember that the typical person who sees that craigslist ad and who might buy a car like this is not like us. To most people, this car is just a very old (almost 35 years) used car with a number of problems, big and small. Anyone looking for a car in this price range as simply basic transportation and not as a collector vehicle doesn't have much money to begin with, and if they're looking for semi-decent transportation in the $2,000 price range, they can probably find something not as old and in perhaps a bit better mechanical shape for the same money.

What scares these people about this particular car is its age, its cost of operation, and its cost/ease of maintenance. A car this large will be perceived as getting relatively poor gas mileage. It will be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as being difficult or expensive to get parts for. These people can go out and find a 10 or 15 year old Ford Contour or Chevy Malibu for the same money that will be much easier to find parts for and will be more economical at the gas pump, which is no small concern when you're on a budget and it's the age of $3.50 to $4.00 per gallon gas.

The seller of this car will just have to be patient until either a collector comes along or until someone who wants it as a used car for everyday transportation who is also mechanically-inclined decides to take a chance on it. The seller might help himself by getting the brakes fixed. One can live with no A/C, some rust, peeling woodgrain, no cruise control, some oil drips, a shift indicator that points to R when you're actually in D, and things like that, but you can't live without brakes. For his asking price, one should expect a basic, functioning automobile. The frills don't have to work, and it doesn't have to look like it just left the showroom yesterday, but it should get you from A to B safely.

 

Price drop again to just $1399. Seller clearly wants it gone - practically a giveaway at this point.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/4644741016.html

 

Does this Buick really deserve the scrap yard!?

 

Stupid cheap now at $1200.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/4721034823.html

 

Now down to $1000.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5078044433.html

 

I bet a damn derby freak ends up with it at that money.

 

I'm afraid you're right. After this length of time, seller probably just want this Buick gone, regardless of buyer's intentions.

 

With every old car you just know something will need to be fixed and seller is honest I'll admit, but sheeeeeeeeeeeeeze! After reading that everything is wrong with it and the sales pitch no wonder nobody is calling, not even the derby guys.


Cool and unique cruiser. Stands out in a crowd. Great for a first time classic car owner. Parts are readily available and the B-bodies are easy to work on. Power steering, brakes, windows, locks (all work except the sometimes fussy tailgate). The tailgate works in both directions.
Underpowered by a (Pontiac) 301 V8 and an automatic transmission. She'll get you there, but not swiftly. There is a puff of smoke at start up. She keeps up with freeway speeds just fine. Leaks a drop of oil here and there. About 81,000 on the odometer, but the gauges are not original, so your guess is as good as mine. The gear indicator is inop because the trim piece around the steering wheel is cracked that holds the tab. No tilt wheel. The woodgrain is pulling away by some of the wheel openings, and it is starting to rip on the right front fender. A few small rust spots are starting to appear under the chrome trim. Cruise works. A/C is there, but not working so I pulled the belt. Heat and all HVAC choices function. Single CD Alpine stereo with removable face. The giant, tacky clock still works. The speedometer bounces around at lower speeds. Headliner is still intact. The 3 rows of vinyl seats will leave you wet and sticky within seconds. The rear air shocks are leaking (they inflate and go flaccid quickly). The front brakes will need to be replaced soon. Tires have a lot of tread. Better dashboard inserts (2 out of 3) and gauges are included, but it will be up to the new owner to install them. Bumper inserts are starting to get frail and crumble. Driver's door lower molding fell off and is included. One of the center caps recently flew away. Trans sometimes shifts funny around 35-45 mph. I believe it is a vacuum issue as it started happening right when I pushed the cruise button. Price is negotiable. Bring all fair offers.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping to see this one again. $1000 is a little above what I can handle at this point but I know the 301 two barrel is decent on mileage. Better than the Suburban for sure.

I've added it to my Older Cars Under $1000 list along with the '69 Impala sedan needing a steering columns for $700, the decent but not perfect '75 Valiant for $800, and the '87 Cutlass Supreme two door for $700 that looks rough but drives well.

Sadly my wife will probably have me pick from the "Newer Cars Under $1000" list or the "Minivans Under $1000" list and probably more like $600-$700 and local, not up in Det-Riot.

 

Actually I like this wagon. Just the thought of going to Detroit is a turn-off. Sadly we used to go there often.
This is a nice looking wagon no matter what problems it has. Most have similar problems that we don't know about till we buy them.
As for the AC my son just rebuilt his basically everything but evaporator, or whatever that is under the dash, for $450. $100 of that was the two hoses from the compressor. I rode in it today in 100 heat and it froze me out.
If I ever get back to Illinois I could get by with out AC. Only need it a few months a year if it doesn't rain.

 

I like the looks also of this wagon, but the turn off for me is the Pontiac 301.... mite be the first time I'd say DAM I'm glad I have a Olds 307