1971 LeSabre vs 1971 Impala - which is better?

Even though this is a Buick forum, I would like to hear some objective commentary on which one you prefer and why?

I have always loved the 71 impala but could never find one. The 71 LeSabre is very similar and I have found one. The other car was a 1968 Impala formal back not fast back. Im hoping the LeSabre will satisfy me and I can forget about the other two, at least the 71 impala. Any big car guys out there?

This pic kinda says it all though doesnt it?

 

My vote is with the Buick, but then again I'm very biased. (Gee, go figure) The Impala just never did it for me. Everyone's parents had one when I was growing up, so they were common, and downright pedestrian. Sure, the SBC was good and peppy for about 100,000 miles, and by then the bodies would be starting to rot off and the interiors were looking pretty ratty. The Buick had better fit and finish, was more luxurious, and yes, I'll say it, was a lot more refined in it's handling and road manners. Impalas, well, they were just "cheap"... IHMO...

 

Even though I owned (1999-2002) a 1972 Chevrolet Caprice two-door hard top, I would go for the Buick if I had a choice. When new, the LeSabre was a nicer car than an Impala and 45 years later, it is still a nicer car. Plus, it looks better!

I liked my Caprice but the only reason I bought it instead of another Buick was because it was such a great deal, I couldn't say no. $2500 for a two-owner, nearly perfect car inside and out with the original 400/350 combo was hard to turn down...

 

First car was a 1972 impala custom coupe. Loved it bit I was always intrigued by the 2 door fastback version. In some ways the fastback version looms a little cleaner.

Does 71 lesabre 2 door have different roof styles as well? If so which roof styles do you like better?

 

I didnt know the 72 2 door had different roof styles. I would love to see them side by side. As far as LeSabre 2 doors, I dont know either if there are different roof styles. I bet Smartin would know all things 71 B body. Smartin? can you advise?


here is a 72 i believe

I had one just like the gold one. I never knew there was another roof style ike the blue one until today.

 

There was only one roof style for the model year 1971 LeSabre 2 drs hardtop coupe.

The LeSabre and LeSabre Custom was also available as a 4 drs "pillared" sedan:

 

Yup, gold is a custom coupe, what I had. Had that bowed in rear glass and what my friends called a "cowl induction trunk" Hehe

 

71 Impala had one year bumpers and brackets. The 71's were bolted directly to frame via brackets, and the 72's used pistons, to beat the federal regulations by one year apparently. A better looking car (71) imho, with the more tucked in bumpers.

 

and what about vs the 71 LeSabre? which one is better?

 

No, 72's were direct bolt to frame via brackets as well. 73 started the pistons. I know because I remember pulling those bumpers as a 16 y.o. kid. As a kid I was brave to lift such weight But I had to see what it looked like w/o a bumper in the front, kinda cool but the turn signals were dangling so back on it went. I think I'm STILL sore from that.

 

The 1972 model year LeSabre still had the regular bumpers, model year 1973 had the "picnic table bumper" up front:

 

I would love to own either but the buick will always be the nicer of the two.

 

Well the Impala had a little 350 .At least the LeSabre Custom and the Centurion had the 455 option.

I had a 72 and a 73 which was a street strip car believe it or not, it went 19's with the stock 350x2, then I dropped a smoothed over 455x4 Quadrajet then went 14.60's .With me the car weighed in at 4985!!!!

Talk about a track tank!!! This was in the early 90's. Some guys didn't believe it has a Buick power plant. That swore it was a BB Chevy!!! Ha!! The Chevy BB didn't have the torque that our light weight 455's made .


Buick all the way 

 

My 72 went 14.0. I rebuilt the 400 sbc to 10:1 punckrd 30 over, 350.heads th350 w/3000 stall, 4:10 posi. I liked to challenge the hot new 5.0 mustangs of the day. This was the early 90's

 

if a chevy can do it a buick 350 71 lesabre shoud be able to do that to right?

 

The model year 1971 Impala had even more engine options:
A 250 CI inline six, a 350, a 402 (396) or a 454 V8 :TU:

 

Absolutely! Buick 350 torque was the most.

 

I used to regularly surprise people with a big huge Buick...455 of course, still, no one ever expected the car to be able to do what it did. To this day I "school" the uninitiated on just what a big Buick is capable of doing. The Electra is the most fun, because it just screams "old man car".

The only problem is, I'm now an old man cruising around in a big, long convertible wearing a leather jacket. Can't whistle at pretty women or leer anymore, I now resemble the creep we used to ridicule back in high school...amazing how time does that.

 

nature can be cruel. remember the good times.