Sabre Turbo

Updated 2 November 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

A souped-up American muscle coupé, the Sabre Turbo first appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002). It is a tuned version of the plain Sabre, and in the HD games it is built by Declasse and sometimes called the Sabre GT. Its look borrows from late-1960s and early-1970s General Motors muscle cars, above all the Oldsmobile 442.

What is the Sabre Turbo in GTA?

The Sabre Turbo is the hot version of the Sabre, a classic American two-door from the vehicle roster of the 3D era. It made its debut in Vice City (2002) and came back in Vice City Stories (2006). Compared with the normal Sabre it pulls harder, reaches a higher top speed and sounds different, with an audible turbo whistle on top of the V8 rumble.

When the series moved to the HD era the car was renamed for a while. In GTA IV (2008) and Chinatown Wars (2009) the menus call it the Sabre GT, while the stripe on its flank still reads "Sabre Turbo". GTA V (2013) and GTA Online switched back to the old name. The HD version carries a Declasse badge, using an older round logo than the brand's other cars.

Which games is the Sabre Turbo in?

What real car is the Sabre Turbo based on?

The GTA Wiki describes the car as a blend of several General Motors A-body muscle cars from around 1968 to 1972. The general shape follows the second-generation Oldsmobile 442, while the nose recalls the 1970 Buick GSX and the bonnet mixes Buick Skylark and Chevrolet Chevelle cues. Wikipedia notes that the 442 began as an option package on the F-85 and Cutlass before becoming a model of its own from 1968 to 1971. The Buick Gran Sport line, of which the GSX was part, was Buick's performance range of the period.

How does the Sabre Turbo drive?

In Vice City it is one of the best street-racing cars in the game. The GTA Wiki rates it alongside the Banshee, Infernus and Stinger for pace and notes that it is tougher than most fast cars, which helps in long races. In the HD games it uses a huge turbocharged V8, so it spins its rear wheels easily and needs a light throttle in corners.

Where can you find the Sabre Turbo?

In Vice City it appears at the Sunshine Autos showroom once Tommy Vercetti completes the second import list, and it can also be spawned with a cheat (see GTA cheats). In Vice City Stories one waits next to the transport police building at the airport, and one is parked outside every smuggling empire site Victor Vance owns. In GTA IV it is common in parts of Algonquin and Broker. In GTA V it starts showing up regularly after Trevor's Minute Men side missions, and GTA Online sells a version that can be turned into the Sabre Turbo Custom at Benny's Original Motor Works.

Notable missions

The best-known appearance is "The Driver" in Vice City, where Tommy races Hilary King, whose Sabre Turbo cannot be damaged by bullets, fire or explosions. In GTA IV a Sabre GT belongs to the target in the mission "Photo Shoot", and it is on the wanted lists of both Brucie's Exotic Exports and Stevie's car thefts. In GTA V one is left for Trevor at the start of "Minute Man Blues".