Comments: 1-15, 16-23
Birds like to poop on it.
When Toyota diagnosed my Tacoma with 80 percent rot and rapid spreading, I had the unfortunate task of searching for a new vehicle to fill the void. She was averaging 30 miles to the gallon on the highway, and I knew it would be impossible to find a vehicle that would give me 8 years of 100 percent no problems.
I started my research, and quickly became attracted to Buick. I've owned several Grand Marquis (mind you I'm 19), and I decided to step down from a V8.
I found Bertha for 4995 on sale with just 75,000 one owner miles. She had just been completely serviced and detailed, so I bought her, and she's been a dream.
I get 22 miles per gallon city, and 29-31 highway.
The options are insane. I have all but the supercharger and heated leather.
It's comfortable, easy to drive and decent on gas for a car of this size.
Don't mind the bad reviews on here; if you can track one down that's been maintained right, then you can be sure that you're getting a good deal.
Sorry, but I find your claimed gas mileage figures hard to believe, considering the EPA mileage ratings were 17 city/26 highway.
I am 23 and have driven a Park Avenue for about 3 years now (a '99 with 140,000 miles). It has been very reliable and I am currently averaging over 27 mpg riding in complete comfort. I am now looking at a loaded 2005 with 13,000 miles. It is pricey at nearly $25,000, but these cars are worth it. It probably sold for over $40,000 new just over 3 years ago. I would recommend this model for anyone who appreciates a traditional American luxury car. No boring Japanese cars for this kid.
I'm 20 and own a 95' park avenue. I average 21-22mpg mixed city driving and 31mpg on trips. The only time I average under 20mpg is when I having racing moments (full throttle acceleration,90mph+). Even then I get 18mpg, so the EPA estimates are what the say they are, just estimates. Also I wouldn't mind getting another Park Ave (supercharged this time) when this one dies. BTW I have 138,000 miles on mine.
Over $40K new? LOL not unless it was the Ultra version with supercharger.
And with a book value of well under $20K, paying $25K for a 2005 model, even with only 13K miles, would be a great deal, indeed.
For the seller, that is.
I checked my 2004 brochure and the EPA figures were 18/28. I have a '99 and am currently averaging over 27 mpg (according to the driver information center). It is not unusual to get over 30 mpg using the cruise control on the freeway. Buicks with the 3.8 are known for getting great fuel economy.
You can dispute my mileage all you want, 5000 miles of 99 percent but city driving and my average is 23.2 miles per gallon. The fuel info button tells me that so I'm not pulling it out of my butt.
The highway trips are few in far between (100 miles round trip the days I don't carpool to work) I get an instant economy of 29.8-31 depending on my speed, air and cruise control. A lot of people are shocked when they see a big guy covered with tattoos getting out of a classy Buick. But that just adds to the fun. Leave the ricers to the kids with parents to bail them out of the sh*tcreek. I work too damn hard for my money to keep up on that stuff.
Bottom line, get a Buick.and I've seen more younger guys driving them lately, and more old guys in Civics then I ever thought. You can get them affordably,and if you need parts there's no shortage of wrecked ones with good parts.
The 17/26 EPA mpg are based on the revised standards for 2008 which more accurately reflect real-world MPG, not the ideal-conditions 2004 figures.
If you are relying on what the trip computer is telling you for mpg, you may want to compare that with a miles driven/gallons consumed calculation. Chances are you will find a significant discrepancy.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think gas or how your car runs has changed. The gallons used + trip odometer are exactly dead on with what the computer is reading. The only things that have changed is 75 dollars to fill the tank. But in order to roll with the big dogs, you gotta pay I suppose.
It is not valid to dispute his reported mileage just because it is higher than EPA estimates. I have beaten the EPA estimates (even the old, ideal ones) on every car that I have ever driven, whether Dodge, Ford, or GM. I generally beat the ideal EPA estimates by 5 mpg. I also hand calculate, rather than relying on a trip computer.
I would rather that the window stickers still reported the ideal condition estimates, because for me, those are closer to realistic, knowing that I can beat them. Now with these revised estimates, they all seem dismally low to me, and unrealistic.
Either way, these cars are quite economic. I was at the Chicago Auto show this year and a new loaded '08 Accord was only rated at 27 or 28 mpg on the highway (frightening considering the CAFE standards for 2020) with the new figures. According to you, that is only 1-2 mpg better than my full-size Buick is getting. Now why would I want the Honda??
15:30, yes a loaded Park Avenue could cost close to $41,000 in 2005 depending on options. A steal when compared to the DeVille or Town Car.
And yes, the current blue book value for an '05 Park Avenue is about $18-19,000. But Kelley Blue Book does not figure in the low miles. Get the value on a car with 40,000 miles and compare to one with 5,000. The value would be about exactly the same when of course it really is not.
I agree that $25,000 is pretty pricey for a 3 year old Buick, but these cars are rare and I would be willing to pay it for a pristine one. I have a '99 and I know what a gem I would be getting, and I know it would serve me well for years to come.
I'm the person who posted the original review. And today (June 19th) I had to sell my beloved Toyota Tacoma back to Toyota.
So I started driving Bertha, and guess what, upon turning on to my street I was greeted by a horrible shaking noise and loss of acceleration. I checked to make sure I hadn't blown a tire. All 4 are fine. Then I get back in to try to pull it home, and the shaking starts but no movement. Park doesn't even work; I had to set the E brake.
I may have just made a huge mistake buying this car. Thankfully its under warranty. And I haven't even made ONE payment on it yet.
Time for a new transmission.
Double-A beep-beep! M-C-O.
Yup. I hope the trannies gone since its under warranty. Still, I'm kinda angry because it was a one owner "fully serviced" car.
The price you paid is very low for the mileage on the car. I would seriously wonder if the dealership changed the gage cluster out with one with much lower miles. Your car could have a lot more miles than you think. Usually if something seems to good to be true it is. Overall, Buicks are great buys but I would recommend buying one off of a Buick lot instead of a budget used car lot.