Summary:
Wish I had bought a 95 LeSabre
Faults:
The car belonged to little old lady who kept it garaged. Showroom condition and mileage was only 41K. Paid $2500, which was a bargain, so I thought.
Coolant leak. A couple of months after getting the car, found a puddle under the car of antifreeze. Pressure test found leaks in the intake, water pump, and radiator. Cost to repair, about $1200. Sitting around apparently is not good for cars.
Engine started missing badly, but would smooth out when it got warm. Had to replace the ECM. Cost $140.
Oil consumption. The car has 50 PSI of oil pressure, no leaks, does not smoke, runs perfect, gets 30 mpg on highway, but you have to add a quart of oil about every 1000 miles. I can live with this, but wonder if it will get worse. Family has owned several LeSabres and a 91 Park Ave. All had a different version of the 3.8 V6. All were great cars, and nothing major ever when wrong. Appears GM spoiled a good thing.
The car now has little over 50K miles, and is doing great except for having to keep an eye on the oil level. I hope to drive this car another 150K.
General Comments:
I love this car. Large, safe, good gas mileage, even the paint is still perfect. But GM, why did you have to mess with this engine? The type one 3.8 was a much better engine.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th November, 2010
8th Nov 2010, 02:22
The LeSabre and Park Avenue are identical mechanically, and both were good cars prior to 1995. 1995 and onwards they should be avoided due to the plastic intake manifold. 1994 and before this part was metal and the engine was one of the most durable and reliable ever made. Alas, GM ruined it in 1995. Progress, high technology, and all that.
8th Nov 2010, 16:48
I have had 2 Park Avenues ('99 and '05) with the 3.8 Series II engine, and have not had any engine issues so far. I always try to keep an eye on the coolant level, I especially kept a close eye on the '99, because I knew it had the plastic manifold and had over 145,000 miles on it when I sold it. As far as I know, it is still doing good for its elderly owners in Florida. I don't watch my 2005 as closely, because it only has 37,000 miles, and I believe it may have an aluminum intake manifold.
23rd Jul 2011, 19:38
It seems to me you got a very good deal on your car, even after having to spend an extra $1200 for the intake manifold. I just recently traded my 2005 Park Avenue (my second Park Avenue) for a brand new Lucerne. The Lucerne is a fine car, but I do miss my Park Avenue still even 2 months later. I hope to some day buy another Park Avenue to drive around as a second car to remind me of what Detroit iron used to be.
24th Jul 2011, 16:52
The last Park Avenue that was considered Detroit iron would be the 1984 model year. I'm not saying the last generation was bad; my father has been buying Buicks for almost 50 years, and he currently has an 03 model and it's a great car, but it doesn't come close to the 82 model he had many years ago.
25th Jul 2011, 17:39
Well I can assure you that the '03 Park Avenue he has is a lot closer to a true American car than almost anything on the market today, and it is only going to get much worse. Pretty much all of the semi-traditional domestic sedans are gone after this model year.