200k miles and still purrs like a kitten

When I was 16, I bought a new 1988 Buick Lesabre Sedan. 4 doors, dark blue paint job, and more room than I ever knew what to do with. It was a grandmother car I told my dad as we were looking at the cars. He wanted me to drive a nice reliable and safe car. I was looking for something a little more sporty. The choice was mine to make, my father went with me because a 16 year old cannot buy a car.

As I said, the choice was mine to make, the money was mine. I had saved every penny I could. I mowed more lawns than I could ever count for over 3 years. The goal was that I would be able to buy a car when I was 16. Sure I did not need to buy a new car. But I saved enough money to do so.


Almost 12 years later, I am still driving that very same car I bought when I was 16 years old. It has over 200,000 miles on it. I have never had to do any major repairs on it over the 12 years i have owned the car.
Everytime my car has had something go wrong with it, it either happend in my apartment's parking lot, or now in the driveway of my house. I have never, ever been stranded on the side of the road, in a strange city.

This car has been everywhere with me, from highschool, to college, to different cities/states, jobs. It is almost like my best friend. I have known my car just as long as I have known my best friend. And neither have ever let me down. They are always there for me.

The years have been kind to my car. There is only minor rust on the car in 2 spots. All of the power seats, mirrors, and everything electronic works perfectly. Only recently did the window washer mechanism quit working. That was a 20 dollar fix and it took me less than 20 minutes to fix.

As I walk to my car in the mornings now, I have thoughts of buying a new car. The adventures in my life are getting to be fewer and fewer. I do not think that is fair to my car. I think it is time that it had a new owner. I think if I found the right kid, I would give my car away. As long as he/she promised to change the oil every 3000 miles and the air filter every 10,000 miles. And maybe a few visitations from me ;)

Well for you epinionators out there that want some specifics on why this brand of car has stood the test of time here are a few of the features.

It has a V6 3.8L (3800) engine
Power seats, locks, mirrors.
This model year has either a cloth seat or leather. Mine has the cloth.
4 door
16 gallon gas tank.
It has consistantly gotten 25 miles a gallon for 12 years. (I still have the sticker from the window. It says it would only get 18 city 23 highway)

The best feature of this car is the way the hood goes up. The hood actually unlatches from the front as a normal car. However there are hinges in the front. SO yo uwalk back to where the hood is by the winshieldwipers. You lift up. And it opens the opposite way that normal cars do. IT is very useful for doing some work to the car. I know this feature has made my life very much easier over the years.

I know it might sound funny to refer to a car as a member of the family. But this car has definatly been there for me. We even have a lot of memories to share ;) But that is a different epinion hehe.

With the luck I have had with Buick products, Id definatly give them another chance with my trust and money. As a matter of fact, I will be stopping by the dealership later today. And if I see something I like, Ill probably have to buy it.

So if you are looking for a good used car for a student, an extra car. Do not pass by a 1988 Buick Lesabre too quickly. Even used, it will be a great investment.