Hi all, I'm an American car enthusiast living in the UK. I current drive a Saturn and am thinking of moving up to an early 90s full-size Buick. I would love to know what you guys think is the best option between an early 90s Buick Roadmaster, or a LeSabre or Park Avenue of the same vintage? I am aware that the Roadmaster is rear wheel drive and V8 powered while the LeSabre and Park Avenue are V6 and front wheel drive, but which is the best proposition as a daily driver? How do these models compare it terms of fuel consumption, performance, ride quality and handling? Thanks!
I would go w/ an roadmaster. Great styling, excellent performance coming from a 5.7 litre 350 powerplant, and rear wheel drive that really make the car move! :TU: I don't know about fuel consumption though, the lesabres/park avenues might get a tad bit better gas mileage but I wouldn't be surprised if the roadmaster was comparable in the gasoline consumption category! As far as handling, once again, I would say that the roadmaster would probably win in that area to! They are pretty nice cars and you can find one pretty easily for not too much money! The reason the roadmaster is better than the lesabre/park avenue from that era is the fact that roadmaster was made w/ top of the line quality, and you can't beat the quality when the price is right! :3gears:
roadmaster or lesabre/park avenue i would go with the lesabre or park avenue. front wheel drive much better in bad weather than rear wheel drive.mileage on the 3800 motor better than the 5.7. as for the roadmaster being top quality, its basically the same car as the chevy caprice wagon.
If you go RoadMaster, go with a 94-96 version as they were equipped with the Corvette -based LT1 350 chevy motor sporting 260 hp stock. the earlier 5.7 (also 350) motors were under 200 hp. These motors are known to go 200,000 even 300,000 miles and not need a major rebuild. Roadmasters in good tune can easily get 25 mpg highway. Its the last of the full frame cars and has a very solid road "feel"
Simon, Look around for a 96 and up Park Avenue Ultra, or Riviera with the supercharged 3800 V-6. 240 HP, and 280 ft lbs of Buick torque. They ride beautiful, handle decently, haul a$$, and get up to 31 MPG. I have a 98 Riviera, and it's a great car. The 3800 engine is one of the 10 best engines ever built, and they go for 200,000 miles easy.
well, i'd go roadmaster, my mother has one, has over 259,000 miles is on it's 2nd 350, and despite smoking when started, and condensation problems with the oil, it is very dependable
Well, they're both nice cars, but personally, where you live I would chose the 92 and newer Lesabre or Park Avenue. They are more suited for your motorways (size wise) they can keep up with anything you have over there and are frugal on gas. Much better suited for your round-a-bouts and easier to park on your sidewalks!! Plus if you do take you car over to the continent, the style/size of the vehicle shouldn't pose any problems for their road systems. I had both and they are 2 different mannered vehicles. Good luck in your selection.
Thanks for all the replies guys! So it looks like the LeSabre/Park Avenue is the more practical choice and perhaps the best all-rounder.... But the Roadmaster has better performance and is more highly rated for its build quality and reliability. The plot thickens!
depends on your driving style and were you drive i get about the same mpg out both usually in the 22-23 range from either.....the v6 does better on the interstate but on these country roads the usually do about same the v6 outshined it by a few me id rather have the roadmaster
As Alan said, the 94-96 Roadmaster with the LT1 engine was the best of the bunch!! They got better mileage than their predecessors too. The early to mid 90's LeSabres/PA's are an excellent car though. The 3800 is one of the best V6's out there. It's nothing to get a bit over 30mpg on the highway with these. I was talking to my brother earlier, he and a friend went out in the car my friend was driving.....which was a 93 LeSabre. The car had been in their family since new.....had 379,000 miles on it!! He said the motor didn't make any noises and ran smoothly. :TU: You won't get that to happen on a pre-94 Chevy engine. Out of all the suggestions though, I'd go with what Larry posted above. Look for a 96 & newer Series II 3800 powered Ultra PA or Riviera. As good an engine as the Series I was....the Series II is that much better!! :Smarty: A decent alternative would be a pre-95 Park Ave. with the Series I SC3800. Turn the boost up a bit and they're not a bad little engine. :TU:
