1998 Buick Park Avenue Base 3800 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A splendid car for relaxed driving

Faults:

When I bought the car it had bad paint and some rust under the doors, the A/C clutch was toast, the trunk actuator didn't work, and a rear window switch was faulty.

I had the car resprayed, replaced or repaired the other faults and have just started using the car.

General Comments:

Effortless driving experience, acres of interior space, comfortable and quiet. The original stereo still works perfectly. Cavernous trunk space for my wife's shopping!

Seems to give good gas mileage for a car of this size and performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2021

1998 Buick Park Avenue Base 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Reliable, thrill-less drive, that doesn't take money out of your wallet

Faults:

One coil pack.

A slow up and down driver's window.

Broken door handle.

Driver's seat control board broken.

Gas hand doesn't work.

Driver's seat warmer doesn't work (light says it's on, but no heat).

General Comments:

I bought this car a little over 3 years ago, and it has been phenomenal! It had a salvage title due to some front end damage that had been repaired by time of purchase.

I've driven it a bit over 90K miles, and the only mechanical thing to go wrong is a bad coil pack, which was a little less than $100 to repair.

Driver's door handle broke, which again, was a little less than $100.

The driver's seat control block wasn't thought out very well, and it broke away from the seat. I simply had a few screws put in it, and it has held fine since. That repair was $60.

The car gives me an average of 27 MPG, drives straight as a board, is comfortable (I'm right at 6'4), and starts every time! It does not drip a drop of oil either! I really believe the car will give me another 100K miles as long as I take care of it. Even the stereo system is on par with today's stereos.

The only "con" on the car is, it seems to struggle under heavy acceleration, but I don't have to accelerate like that often, and it's enough to do what I have to do. Other than that, it's almost a perfect automobile, that continues to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th September, 2018

12th Feb 2021, 18:35

I've just bought a 1998 Park Avenue, in the UK. It has 176k miles behind it. I had 3 other cars with the 231 V6 engine, in my opinion one of the best engines GM ever made. Only had a short drive in it so far, my wife loves the acres of interior space and quiet cushy ride - so do I!

It has a little rust, but I work in refinishing supply shop, so I know the good paint shops in my area. When I've done a little work I shall be leaving my own review. Update, the trunk release mechanism doesn't work. A new one will cost $74 including shipping. Many domestic cars have more expensive parts.

1998 Buick Park Avenue Base 3.8L L36 V6 from North America

Summary:

The best car I have ever owned

Faults:

Cracked windshield - a branch fell on it in a storm.

Battery terminals.

Driver's door handle twice.

Driver's window motor.

Driver's heated seat - never fixed.

Passenger door handle - never replaced.

Water pump at 215k.

Driver's side brake line around 255k - 260k; the reason I got rid of the car.

General Comments:

Out of the 4 vehicles I have owned, the others being a 1992 Geo Storm, 1987 Ford F150 5.0 and a 1995 Chevy Monte Carlo LS, this is by far the best and I will definitely be buying another GM G Body car in the future.

The only major maintenance I had to perform in the 130k miles I owned it was replace the water pump. That is outstanding reliability considering I owned this car from age 16-19 and I beat the living heck out of it.

The 3800 Series II is the best engine ever made in my opinion; it always started in these brutal Minnesota winters and never left me stranded once. It was also a sleeper to an extent while still getting a 30 MPG average in summer and 24 in winter.

Rode like a cloud, but that air ride suspension got a bit too bouncy at times and it did not corner very well, although it did drift nicely on gravel due to its weight.

I gave it away to my brother in Feb 2016 with 261k because I couldn't afford a full set of tires which it badly needed or fix the brake line that broke, so he fixed those and then sold it to his buddy who is still driving it today with around 330k. Everyone should get a chance to own a G Body.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2017