We discuss applicability of the Fermi liquid approach to low-temperature properties of the Bechgaard salts, (TMTSF) 2X. Numerous phenomena in these materials are well described in terms of a model of two warped open Fermi surfaces with nesting properties. Although intrinsic one-dimensional interactions and three-dimensional effects renormalize parameters of the electron spectrum, at low temperature the system behaves as a weakly interacting Fermi gas. The fact that an SDW/CDW phase transition may take place in these compounds finds its reflection in properties of the metallic state, which arises if the transition is suppressed by applying pressure. We consider a few manifestations of these effects, including implications to the far-infrared conductivity. Some other phenomena are also discussed in the context of importance of electron correlations for these materials.