Imagine being the guy who posted that Pontiac listing and watching the Car Wizard roast your ass 😂😂

I just picked up a mint 1995 Olds 88 with the 3800 V6 for $1000. 80k miles. The last owner bought it new, and it never spent a night out of the garage. What sold me was the engine. I remembered Hoovie and the Wizard both raving about it, so I picked it up. Couldn't be happier with it.

I guess I'm getting old because that le sabre looks good to me.

Another good rule of thumb: If the seller says "You drive it, you buy it." don't even look at it, because it means that there's a major problem that only presents during driving. They want you to buy in without a test drive so you can't figure out something's wrong until it's too late.

If GM had any sense they would start remaking these engines and putting them in their new vehicles !

9:13 “When they don’t show much, that means they’re trying not to show much, they’re hiding something” .... sounds like online dating !!!

This has to vibe of a "community access TV show". And I mean that in an entirely positive way. Your content feels "real", "homey", "comfortable", "honest". I feel like the Car Wizard is my next door neighbor, and not a work famous celebrity.

Those 3.8s are like Timex watches, they just keep on running. I love the LeSabre and Park Ave.

The GM 3800, historically speaking it’s a beast. You nailed it Wizard, cheaper than a Toyota and extremely easy to repair. Nice job....

Grandma knew best.

Best vehicle to buy according to Car Wizard: A car driven by a senior citizen.

Thank God for honest mechanics like the Wizard. 👍🏾

That GM 3800 V6 was indestructible even without proper maintenance they'll still last 300k miles or more. GM should've never got rid of the 3800 v6

That Buick looks like a nice car. The only problem with them is the turn signals quickly wear out from driving for miles with them going. ;-)

My second car was a 2001 Grand Prix. It eventually needed intake gaskets, coolant elbows, and a MAF sensor. But I had it for 12 years and 180k miles, not having a car payment was nice because I could buy other stuff, like a house.

I'm pushing nearly 400,000 miles on my buick Lasabre and I love my car.

When I worked in auto parts, I was known for giving good advice... and the Car Wizard sounds just like I did! When he does a "buy this, not that", I am right there with him and this is a case in point. I have been recommending these cars for years for the same reasons the Car Wizard just gave. I would add one more positive point: these cars are usually some of the best performing in crash tests. A very important consideration when putting your child into a car, especially when you hear about how many kids are involved in crashes-- whether their fault or someone else's. Our son's first (and second) car was a Saturn... first, an SL1 and then an SC2. Believe it or not, he was involved in three crashes in those cars (none of them his fault!), and they lived up to the hype about how well they performed in a crash. After all, it's about keeping them safe! Thanks, Car Wizard. Just my two cents...

I freaking love Buicks..I always recommend these when buying a used car..I driove mine another 100k miles and sold it then repurchased it when the guy wanted to sell it..

Another point besides reliability, is the ride quality. I have a 2004 LeSabre Custom and I absolutely love how it glides down the road. It rides just as cushy as my former 1994 Jaguar XJ6. The plus side, my LeSabre is 1/10th the price in parts when I work on it compared to my old Jag. I had to get rid of the Jag because I was fixing it constantly. My LeSabre never complains with just simple maintenance.

"What 'cheap' car was your best daily driver?" That's a tough one. My aunt and uncle gave me a free 1986 Ford Tempo with the Mazda diesel 2.0 with a 5 speed. Clear title, only cost was to tow it home and the needed repairs. Had squirrel nests from the oil pan up to the hood. Literally packed with leaves, nuts, twigs, nests and such. Started by, putting on a starter just to see & hear it run. Which it did, actually ran great! Put on an exhaust and went through the brakes. Little bugger got me over 50 mpg routinely. It was ugly as sin and puffs of 'stuff' would fly out of the vents when the heater was turned on. But only had @$600 in it, starter, exhaust, brakes, title, register, etc. This was back when fuel was very expensive, but diesel was slightly cheaper. Great little car, but my wife hated it. Now, my newest cheap car might be one of my favorites. A 2008 Toyota Prius. Girl where my wife works couldn't get it started so she was going to pay to have it towed to the local junkyard. Instead, I said we'd take it. Again, clear title, just the cost to tow it home. Saved her the cost of the tow bill. Added gas and it started right up and began charging the battery! But, it had been neglected. Windshield is cracked, but I can live with it, needed a drivers side wheel bearing, has a dent in the passenger door, the front bumper had to come off to push out a large dent, the HID lights got changed to LED because the HID unit would randomly shut the light off, had to replace 2 of the cells later on along with cleaning the fan it was packed with gunk. Total after smogging it, lights, wheel bearing, 2 battery cells, title, registration, etc @$500-600 VT247

I have a 2000 Lesabre..... it was my Grandma's! I got it almost 2 years ago with 42k on it! I did replace the engine mounts, replaced the rear air shocks with hydraulic shocks, valve cover gasket, and a cv joint.... otherwise, all good.....

Buick built some solid cars back in the 90s

17:24 "Sports cars for kids means insurance thru the roof". Crazy true. I have a distant family member who's 18 year old just got a V8 Camaro. Insurance is $500 per month.

I bought a Buick Regal from an old lady after hearing you sing praises of the engine, I'm so glad I did. lots of trouble free miles so far. Thanks wizard!

12:32 "If I was looking for a car for my daughter" Wizard's daughter "I HAVE A HUNGER FOR PRELUDES"

The Aussie Holden Commodore used these in rear drive configuration from 1988 -2004. You can get in and have a dance between the radiator and the pulleys of the engine! Child's play to replace components. Toyota had it's own version with a deal with Holden called the Toyota Lexcen. I had one for six years. Who'd imagine a Toyota with a Buick 3800!

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with the 3800 Series II. Bought it new and it now has 183,000 miles on it and is still a joy to drive. The only significant issues I've had were with the upper and lower intake gaskets and the normal oil leaks. Great video, Wizard!

I really like this guy and his channel. Simple straightforward common sense coupled with decades of experience CAN NOT BE BEAT. Character and quality are very important ingredients in almost every kind of decision and circumstance, The Car Wizard has four aces in those two areas. He's one of my go-to's.

My Dad had a 90"s Buick Park Avenue Ultra. Took it on a trip and got 30 mpg. Amazing for a Supercharged big car.

I got a 3800 Buick engine to 400,000 miles, 1988 Buick Electra T-Type. Loved that Car

"Toyotas bring a lot more money, because they are that good" Scotty Kilmer enters chat.

I have you to thank for selecting my current car. When I got my 1991 Buick Century with the 3300, I was told it was the smaller cousin of the ultra-reliable 3800. I then watched your video about the 3800, and decided that would be my next car. So, when the transmission went out on my Century, I started looking for all the cars with a 3800. I found a 1998 Olds Eighty-Eight with 140,000 miles for $1800. I've had it since May 2020, and the only issue I've had is a bad O2 sensor, which will be remedied by the end of the week. This Eighty-Eight is the nicest, smoothest, and quietest car I've ever owned. And I hope I never have to give it up.

I've had my Buick Park Avenue (3800 series 2) from 20K miles to currently 180K miles. The only repair I've had to make is the coolant "elbows" on the water pump. GM put plastic ones it, i bought aluminum ones from orileys for $12.

I love how he adjusted the seat in parallel to the floor dimension, like it have changed something, lmao.

It really is an awesome engine. I have an 87 Lesabre T-Type with 540k on it. It looks and runs like it's got less than 100k on it. Great cars.

My first car was a 1998 LeSabre. Ran really well, but after a dozen Canadian winters there was quite a bit of rust-related issues that started to pop up. Made for an excellent daily driver though.

I've been picking at a 97 Bonneville SSEI...car sat for over 2 yrs, put some fresh gas in it, fixed a gas leak...boost and it started right up. The 3.8 still sounds great

(Half second in:) Wiz! You give back my car, NOW! I loved my LeSabre (but not the gas use), but I gave mine to my Mom-in-law. She loves it too. However, I'm done with GM crappiness (all 4 of my sedans had their fuel gauges malfunction pre-100k, among other stuff), so I'm only doing Honda/Toyota now. My engines never died, though, just other pieces. An '83 Skylark 6-cyl, an '85 6000 4-cyl, and '94 and '05 3800 engines. All were bulletproof.

I had a 1999 Lumina LTZ with the 3800 and it was an absolute tank. The dash was lit up like a Vegas casino but I drove it to Alaska and back with zero breakdowns.

Im from Australia, bought one of these in Canada for $1100 (with rust) for a road trip across the US. Paid someone to give me a ‘safety’ certificate and drove it for 6 months. BEST CAR ever. Drove the nuts off it, never let me down, comfortable and not too bad on fuel. I miss it badly. Now I drive a VW :(

People ask me for car recommendations. I’ve joked for years, I think I’ve helped sell more 3800 series GMs, than GM assembled.

Please give us a video on the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Panther platform cars, Wizard, highlighting common issues, what to look for, etc! Would love to see your take on them. Love your channel. My best to you and Mrs. Wizard.

Keep making these vids, Wizard! I have been a fan of those engines for the same reasons and other, seemingly undesirable cars, that should be desired need to be brought back to memory.

Please make more of these type videos. They are great for people who are looking for value/inexpensive used cars.

Thanks for all of the car tips Wizard, I have learned a lot by watching your vides.

What he never mentions with the Series II is that the plastic lower intake gaskets leak need to be changed 99% of the time. Mechanics will charge $1200-1500 for it, unless you DIY at about $60. Series III doesn't have this problem.

Car Wizard is right on the money. Back in 2005 I was on my way to the airport in Phoenix when I spotted a mint champagne colored 1998 Buick Park Avenue with a RARE custom Landau Roof on display in front of the Buick Dealership. An older couple had bought it new from this dealer and just traded it in on their 4th new Buick. Being garaged and dealer serviced, it looked brand new inside and was without even a scratch in the paint, interior or glass. It had gorgeous leather interior and every option Buick offered, with only 91K miles on the odometer. I took it for a quick test drive, bought it wholesale for $8K from the Sales Manager, turned in my rental car, cashed out my return ticket home on Delta and spent the next 2 days "floating" down the freeway at 80 mph (and 32 mpg) to give this beauty to my recently widowed 82-year-old mother in Idaho. Oh, how she loved to be driven around the countryside in elegant car by my sister and myself! Sixteen years later after mom passed at age 98, with only another 35K miles (now 126K mi) I recently sold it to a middle-aged couple for a bargain price of only $3,000, as it was ready to have the intake manifolds and the air shocks replaced. After they snatched it up they showed me a photograph of their OTHER mint Burgundy Wine colored 1998 Park Ave with a Landau Roof! The happiest (and wisest) couple in the USA are now "toasting" the world with His & Hers, Champagne & Burgundy Park Avenue Landaus..... ❤❤

I had an 02 Lasabre and I loved it very nice and comfortable ride with well over 200k miles only expensive thing that had to be fixed was the transmission. My current vehicle is an 01 Tahoe with the 5.3 and 342k miles and climbing. Back when GM made vehicles that lasted.

Love my 2001 Buick LeSabre 3.8 with only 50K on her!! 30+mpg on highway.... They knocked it out of the park when they built this car. (That's WHY they don't make them anymore...!!!!)

I would also consider a Ford Crown Victoria or a Mercury Grand Marquis as well. The Ford Panther platform tends to be solid.

I've had really good luck with these engines except for one. I helped my cousin buy one from a little old man, beautiful mechanical condition, new struts, new alternator and starter. 120k and itnwas great for a month until it spun a bearing out of nowhere. Didn't overheat, didn't run out of oil, fresh oil change. Oh well, onto the next

Very helpful as always !!

My 1979 Ford Fairmont with the straight 6. Smooth as a sewing machine

One of my favorite cars especially for the highway was a '89 Buick Park Ave... What a cruiser. Plush velour interior nearly 8 inches thick. All the goodies too.

Car wizard.my father after he retired from the defense department. Took a job delivering pizzas,he had a cutlass supreme,with a 3800 engine.he couldn't kill that car.thats my only experience with those engines,thanks for the honest recommendation.👍

Thanks for making this video I'm sure its plenty helpful to alot of people!

This is a great video! I use to work at the DMV for 2 years and one thing I learned there is to always check the title, make sure they have it clear in hand and in their name. Don't trust the oh I've got a way to get a clear title. No they do not.

Thanks car wizard. High school aged daughter needs a first car. Great suggestions!

You have such incredible integrity! Thank you!

Dang you, Wizard!!! I was already looking for one of these grandpa cars because I want a reliable comfortable cheap second car to commute in and I just know your video is going to make values jump!

If there's no title on your car when selling it then I'm looking at you like it's stolen. Lol

Hey Wizard, Long time listener here. I haven’t even watched the video yet. But when I saw the three cars, I automatically picked the Buick. That six will last forever!

Great video!! I would love to see more engines explained in depth like this.

Wonderful, captivating video, presentation and review. My friend has the 3800 Series ll in his silver 2004 Monte Carlo SS, non-supercharged. He has 135,000 miles on that engine, and not a single problem. Great car, incredible engine.

A video like this on the Panther platform would be excellent

Thanks Wizard, great info!!!!

That Olds. could be a good one for a student. Especially one going to college. Like you said, scrape off the inside of the roof. Maybe take it to a cheap Spray Shop. People don't realize such shops charge extra to remove the old paint so the car can be prepped for new paint. Do that yourself if you can, or just pay for that too. If those are hub caps, a new cheap set can easily be found. Would really improve the looks. Maybe skip the giant novelty red bow on the hood. Fantastic graduation gift! Car they can use for college. Car they can use when they get out into the real world after college.

I did love my 2000 Grand Prix GTP 2 door…3.8 Supercharged. Easy to work on. Parts were reasonable. Kinda big but fun.

When you can find a supercharged 3800 for around that price is awesome! Ive had a couple

really appreciate videos like this - and the this or that videos - good work

I had two Buick LeSabres. They were the best cars I ever owned. One was a 2001 and the other was 2005. They got 27-28 mpg. I sold both of them at 200,000 miles. The only money I ever stuck in them was that one of them had a front wheel bearing start howling at 175,000 miles and it was only $73 in parts and the other one had the blower motor in the cab go bad at 190,000 miles.

3800 Was a great engine however GM usually paired them them with a week and and unreliable automatic transmission. If anyone is considering one of these cars they should pay close attention to the condition of the transmission mostly

Best layout for the 3800 Series 2 would definitely be the RWD Holden Commodore/Calais/Statesman Everything is easier again to access, better intake manifold, etc

🏆 1997-1999 Oldsmobile 88 LS I’ve owned 3 & I LOVE THEM!!!! Very smooth & comfortable ride.... just like my 1983 Buick Electra Park Avenue sedan 🏆

I bought a 2005 Buick lesabre a year ago from your recommendation it kicks ass bro the stock sound system is sick, the ride is nice, heated seats, good power, cheap parts, leather interior, ac ice cold, and only 115k miles. Thank you 🤝

First Rate mechanic and First Rate advice ! I completely trust everything The car Wizard does and talks about. He does everything the right way and I enjoy his calm voice and work ethic. Thanks so much for these videos!

LeSabre is really an easier car to work on than most, access to components is good, parts are readily available, and they were usually owned by older folks. I saw a lot of these at the Buick dealer I used to work at, they are not fun to drive, but they are comfortable, and from what I've seen, reliable as well.

Thanks for all the tips and recomendations.you are an honest man, i wish you were in nyc 😍

Car Wizard seems like a pretty smart guy!

Good choices. I'd always look at an old Corolla or maybe a versatile Pontiac Vibe as well, which is a Matrix underneath without as high a price. The Buicks are good value as well.

These engines were also the bread & butter of the Holden Commodore (in RWD configuration) from the late 80s until the mid 2000s. I've had many of them and am a huge fan - can't beat the overall package of power, reliability, economy, ease of maintenance and price. A shame that they are getting to the age where good examples are dwindling and the later 3.6 V6 is an overcomplicated piece of junk in comparison. One of the best engines GM ever designed.

Thanks Wizard! Awesome video.

I had a Pontiac Bonneville with this engine (non turbo). Loved that car. Comfortable and very nice interior, decent power and never had any problems at all with it. What todays cars wish they were.

I've had a few regal gs models and love them.

Great engine I had a olds 88

Car wizards quieter voice under the hood makes him like the Bob Ross of cars.

Hey Wizard! Thanks to your numerous videos singing the praises of the 3800 and the LeSabre specifically I just bought perhaps the cleanest 2004 Custom in the country, and I’m giddy over this thing. I foresee a long time and many miles in this yacht, and as a DIY mechanic on a budget your perspective on the design, reliability, and economy of this car definitely spoke to me. My friends are already teasing me about the grandma car, but it looks like a new luxury car and rides like a dream and I’m happy-happy. And that stereo… The ONE con I was unaware of is the lack of folding rear seats or a pass-through to the trunk for carrying long items, but may go with universal roof rack bars and a pod to increase the day-to-day practicality, we shall see! Thank you for what you do, keep up the good work.

3rd buddy before it starts i had the impala with the 3800 it was great was my 1st car i loved my girl so much.

3800s are the way to go, i really like our 01 lesabre. been pretty easy to maintain, have had odd issues but nothing a couple hundred cant fix. just glad it doesnt cost thousands each time to repair.

Well done, Wizard! Very practical and helpful.

I can't argue at all with you on that Series II 3800. They put them in SO many vehicles. I've had terrific luck with them

Thanks. I was on the fence about getting rid of my 98 Buick LeSabre.

90’s movies lied to me. I thought all USA 🇺🇸 college students drove yellow Jeeps and beat up 356 Speedsters 🤣🤣🤣

id say this is my favorite of your series now Wizard!

I have a lasabre with 3800 i drive from AR to chicago 4 times a month railroad . bought it off a firend was his moms she passed and i got the car with 100 k on it its been the best car i have ever owned for the money. Plus great gas milage , It has 160 on it now and just had to replace a coil, along with tires and brakes but it has saved me money all the way around and would drive it anywhere. Great Video thanks.

Could you do an entire video on deciphering used car ads for little hints that tell you about if it's a good deal? Things like the new back tires only on the Pontiac or other shady things people do

Absolutely cannot kill that 3.8 gm v6. However, based on my experience with my 02 lesabre and my grandfathers 00 lesabre, the transmissions could possibly be a no go. Both our transmissions went out at 80k. So if you find one of these cars with the 4t60 or 4t65 fwd transmissions and are under or around 100k miles, definitely change the trans fluid.

Thanx to both of you Car Wizard. Helpful, practical advice on buying a classic comfort, reliable Ford, Buick car with the 3800 :-) "Make sure it has a clear, clean title!" is great advice 🚗 👍

Best advice I have received from KZfaq! Got one with 60k just replaced the intake gaskets. Smoothest ride I have ever owned.

Great motors! Series 1 and series 2 3.8 are really quality engines! I have a 1990 series 1 with 256k on it. Never had many problems at all!