1991 Buick Park Avenue Base 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Good overall daily driver

Faults:

TPS sensor (twice).

Ignition modulator.

Struts.

Master brake cylinder.

Timing sensor.

Paint faring poorly.

Transmission mounts.

Oxygen sensors.

General Comments:

Overall, this has been a pretty good car. I reported first in Feb. 2010 when I drove the car up from my parent's house in FL. At that time I had the TPS/timing sensors/tires replaced.

The car ran good for about a year & a half. Then it began to really run roughly. My mechanic could fix some things, but his diagnostic machine was not as good as the dealers.

I decided to have the local Buick dealer fix things. After $1900, they replaced the oxygen sensors, some leaky gaskets & that was about it. The car still ran poorly & would stall frequently. They ruined the TPS sensor I replaced 2 years prior, & wouldn't replace it for less than $250. Had my mechanic do it for $110.

I had my mechanic really go over the car. He showed me the transmission mounts were gone (how the dealer missed this I'll never know!).

After much searching we finally figured the ignition modulator was faulty. Supposedly the dealer had replaced this (as I was charged for it) My mechanic feels all they did was "clean" it. It cost $210 for this (not a bad price)

Overall I'm pleased with the car. I mean it's over 20 years old. The paint is very dull as the clearcoat is now gone. I feel this happened when I took it to a "detailer" and he "buffed" it off when polishing the car. I'm thinking about having it repainted, but at $2500 for a top job, I'm not sure I want to put in that kind of money.

My best advice is to stay away from the dealer (except for warranty work) and have a trusted mechanic take care of your car.

The car still gets looks, due to not a spot of rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th May, 2012

25th May 2012, 18:41

I love the Park Avenues. I had 2 of the second generations, and loved them both. I really wish you could still buy one new. I drove a '94 once and it was so smooth and floaty (even better than my cars). It is really sad that Detroit forgot how to design and engineer cars.

15th Dec 2022, 16:46

Same, relatives in Florida had one of these cars back in the day brand new in the early 90's; lasted 20 years and many miles, great cars.

16th Dec 2022, 13:04

Agree. I bought a new Buick in the early 80’s which lasted me about 20 years as well.

1991 Buick Park Avenue Base 3.8 from North America

Summary:

My beautiful mess

Faults:

According to a computer reading, the throttle position sensor is bad. Was bad when purchased.

The engine electrical is the real problem. I've spent months and plenty of money trying to fix it, but it still idles rough.

General Comments:

This car is beautiful to look at. This is easily my favorite year of Park Avenues.

The interior is very comfortable. It's large, but also surprisingly welcoming.

Now I'm sure it's just this car, because I've owned Buicks before, but this car is a money pit for me. As a general statement, these are some of the best cars you can own, but mine has awful electrical problems. They should be easy enough to fix, but as soon as you replace one set of wires, it says that it's another set of wires that's causing the problem.

This car has never died, but it idles very rough and gets lousy gas mileage (~10 mpg). As soon as the car drives a while, the idling doesn't have a problem so long as I don't stop for long periods of time (like 5 minutes). If it got better mileage, the idling wouldn't bother me, but they have to be related, and I can't keep chasing wires.

Mine is a lemon, but I know that in general, these are wonderful cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2011

14th Jan 2011, 10:08

The rough idling you mention could very well be attributed to the faulty throttle position sensor the computer code indicated. That would definitely cause rough idling. If you haven't replaced the plug wires, I'd at least do that. If it has a cap and rotor, replace those as well. You might also want to check the throttle body and clean it. A dirty throttle body can also cause rough idling.

1st Feb 2011, 23:00

I did replace the throttle position sensor, but the code reader still says that is a problem. It also brings up a code about lean exhaust. What might cause that? I did replace the plugs and wires, but I think I'll take your suggestion on getting the throttle body cleaned. I noticed that this problem I have is directly related to the gas mileage. Does that give you any clue as to what other problem it could be?

20th Feb 2011, 21:03

UPDATE: I replaced to Idle Air Control Valve, and it runs perfectly! I'm very happy with it. Good car now!