1980 Buick Park Avenue 4-door review from North America

Manifold gasket.

Radiator.

Heater core.

Starter.

Front brake calipers.

Windshield (was badly sand-chipped).

Sucks a lot of gas - oh well.

Repainted it for $1000.

Wiper motor.

2 power window motors.

Power steering pump.

Alternator.

When I first bought it for $700, I just wanted it to get me through the Winter. Over 100,000 miles and over 6 years later, it continues to amaze me.

The engine is unbelievably smooth considering the age and mileage, and the transmission shifts as smooth as silk. It has a surprising amount of power and speed for such a beast, and is amazingly stable at high (90 MPH+) speeds. I had my cousin follow me down the interstate with his Z-28 once while I hammered it, and I actually started to LOSE HIM around 125 MPH!!! I suprise many local teenage punks with their wimpy Civics, Accords, Corollas and Camrys when I blast away from them at a stoplight and they smell my tire smoke and exhaust fumes. I laugh at all my relatives and friends who used to criticize me for driving an "unreliable American gas guzzler", but I have the last laugh every time their Accord or Camry rolls into the shop.

Fuel economy is the only advantage they have over me, and I think 15 MPG city/20 Highway isn't bad for a 2 ton hunk of steel. The above repairs I mentioned may seem like a lot, but parts for this car are dirt cheep and EASY TO INSTALL, unlike modern cars there's not ten thousand wiring harnesses in your way with an already cramped engine bay. There's practically enough room under the hood for a DETROIT DIESEL.

Also considering the age and mileage, the above repairs aren't much to complain about at all. My girlfriend has spent TRIPLE what I have maintaining her '94 Honda Accord over the past three year than I have over the past 6 with my car.

The soft velour interior looks just like new, and can actually seat 6 LARGE adults in comfort, more than I can say for these new CRAP JAPANESE cars. Power everything, and it all still works.

This car puts new Buicks to shame. The trim and fit and finish still look good after 22 years, instead of the way modern GM cars fall apart.

To the unobservant, this car is stodgy and boxy. But there's a certain magic I've found in my beast. From the howling understeer around hairpin turns, to its uncanny ability to burn up tires, to its limousine-like interior, to its ability to take a beating and ask for more (actually I baby it now more than ever). Show me a better car for $700!!!