2000 Buick LeSabre Limited

Not everyone craves the spotlight. Many are more comfortable as the quiet, dependable hero who hugs the shadows or, as in this case, the shoulder. For others, only a fast-lane-scorching red Corvette with side pipes or a screaming yellow Viper with roof-tall spoiler will do.

Of course, the problem with image-projecting transport is the unwelcome attention it tends to receive from the knights of traffic enforcement. But let us offer a pleasant solution to this unwelcome notice-a tasteful Buick LeSabre Limited, the highway equivalent of a Klingon warship with its cloaking device activated. For 2000, it's been targeted at a slightly younger (ahem) buyer.

Under its curving hood, the LeSabre packs one of GM's best engines, the gutsy 205-horsepower 3800 Series II V-6. This compact paragon of pushrod power generates a V-8-style 230 pound-feet of sedan-slinging torque at just 3700 rpm. Nail the gas without the traction control that comes with this Limited's $715 "Prestige Option Package," and the front tires would smoke for half a city block. Our instrumented blast to 60 mph took a scant 7.4 seconds, quicker than your neighbor's slick-looking Lexus ES 300. Drive, however, like a reasonable citizen and gas mileage hits 20 mpg in town and up to nearly 30 mpg on the highway. Plus, the four-speed automatic shifts sweetly.

The completely redesigned 2000 LeSabre's other attributes, beyond gobs of fuel-efficient power, are a quiet, roomy interior; an exceptionally smooth, damped ride; and a vaguely Jaguarish look, particularly on the 1.4-inch-longer wheelbase of its new G platform. Except for its softish ride tuning, this is the same premium front-drive chassis architecture and foundation braking system shared with the bigger Buick Park Avenue, Olds Aurora, and Cadillac Seville and DeVille models. The nicely balanced four-disc brake system stops the 3600-pound sedan from 60 mph in a class-competitive 131 feet. In the handling area, though, the LeSabre needs to get a grip. A 60.8-mph pass through our slalom puts it in the same dynamic territory occupied by the Lincoln Town Car, biggish sport/utes, and cushy front-drive minivans.

Inside, the cabin is a huge improvement over the previous chrome-and-small-gauged design. The leather seats are comfortable and supportive. Engine and road noise are muted. Cupholders are large. There's ample head, leg, and hiproom. The single disappointment is the plastic panel face. Despite excellent control and instrument placement, the dash looks terribly low-budget. And with close to $30,000 on the sticker, the LeSabre is high value, but it's certainly no cheap ride.