2003 Buick Park Avenue Reviews

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2003 Buick Park Avenue 3.8 V6 from North America

Model year	2003
Year of manufacture	2003
First year of ownership	2007
Most recent year of ownership	2012
Engine and transmission	3.8 V6 Automatic
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired	43900 miles
Most recent distance	99395 miles
Previous car	Buick Century

Summary:

100,000 miles, and this traditional full-size Buick still runs like a bear

Faults:

2 stretched motor mounts were replaced.

Blower motor.

Driver heated seat inoperable (live in a southern climate and don't care).

Wipers some times get stuck in the up position when turned off.

Plastic coolant elbow was seeping coolant (this is a stupid design, and the replacement part is still made of plastic).

General maintenance; oil, brakes, plugs, filters.

General Comments:

My father, who has been buying Buicks for over 50 years, is the owner of this car, and I'm posting this review because I know the car's history, seeing that I'm the one who takes care of it, and performed the minor repairs listed above.

This car has a great smooth and quiet ride, just as good and if not better than my Town Car. The legendary 3800 motor has very adequate power for a car this big. The large seats are comfortable, and the diamond white paint and chrome wheels really set the car off. Loaded with options (too many if you ask me).

The only bad things in my opinion are that this should be a rear-drive car, and the dash has too many buttons for various info. and the climate control.

This is the last full-size Buick that actually looks like a Buick.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2012

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21st Jan 2012, 13:06

Yes, I traded a loaded 2005 Park Avenue, same color as your dad's, with under 42,000 miles in May. What a stupid mistake! My grandparents have a '99 Town Car and I agree that the Park Avenue with Dynaride has a smoother ride. If I could find another 2005 just like the one I had with under 15,000 miles, I just might sell my current 2011 Buick and buy it. Most likely though I will end up trading it this summer for an Enclave. These, the Cadillac DeVille/DTS, and the Lincoln Town Cars were the last bastions of the true American luxury cars. If you are a fan of real American luxury cars, you know the modern ones just pale in comparison. I am glad that I was fortunate enough to be able to own and enjoy 2 Park Avenues; I know that I will always think of them as my favorite cars.

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2003 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 3.8 from North America

Model year	2003
Year of manufacture	2003
First year of ownership	2004
Most recent year of ownership	2008
Engine and transmission	3.8 Automatic
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Dealer Service marks	0 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.6 / 10
Distance when acquired	0 miles
Most recent distance	51000 miles
Previous car	Chrysler New Yorker

Summary:

Still love my car.. just want it repaired

Faults:

When I first purchased my new car, I was in the store & my granddaughter triggered the start up of the car by clicking the door locks in any sequence. The dealership said the scenario was impossible.. they did duplicate the situation & stated they had never seen this problem before.. they couldn't fix the problem but said not to worry, as it wasn't a safety problem, because you have to put your foot on the brake in order to change the gears and at that point, the engine shuts off.

I have just had to "deal" with the locks over the past couple of years, but now I can't get into my car with the key or the remote either.. sometimes I can.. sometimes I can't.. if I hit the remote lock, the car keeps trying to start up & runs down the battery.

I am waiting for GM to contact me - I surely hope they take ownership on this one... broke in Midlothian, Virgina.

General Comments:

Love my heated seats...

Love all the various positions of the seat for long distance driving..

Handles really well, and leaves everyone behind on the interstate...

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

Review Date: 6th August, 2008

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11th Aug 2008, 18:29

I currently drive a 2005 Park Avenue and absolutely love the car. My previous car was a '99 model which I also loved. I had a similar problem with the '99. On one occasion the car started itself in my garage, luckily it shut itself off seconds later and it never happened again, but it was very strange and even a bit amusing. That car had an aftermarket remote start installed and I assume it malfunctioned, although my keys were in the ignition which usually disables this feature.