130000 - Fuel pump replaced.
135000 - Rotors replaced.
Horrible wind noise when I get a cornering headwind from the passenger side. I am pretty sure it is due to the previous owner closing the door by pushing on the top of the window (frame-less windows), so now the window is loose on its seating, causing a small bit of separation with the wrong aerodynamic conditions.
Was recently told my passenger front wheel bearing looks a little worn.
Was recently told my oil pan gasket was seeping. I use Mobil1 synthetic, very thin, so a little seepage might be OK to a thicker oil.
Absolute dream car! Supercharged speed meets leather sofa driving down the road. I have driven this car for a 10 hour stretch only stopping for fuel and food, and was ready to get out and do something when I arrived. Front seats and back seats are all very comfortable, although the back seats require a small learning curve to get in and out.
Overall MPG is about 24-26, and my highway mileage when I go on long trips nets me around 30-33.
I usually get good comments on the style. It is very unique for a Buick, and I love the way it curves around the hood and the trunk - very sleek.
For a 4700 lb. car, it handles extraordinarily well, taking curves and corners like it knows what you want to do before you get there. The steering pump must be enormous, as it takes the slightest amount of pressure to turn the wheel full circle.
Buy one, make sure it has the Series II 3800 engine, and you will not be disappointed.
I would check that weight. A loaded Park Avenue only weighs about 3800-3900 pounds. That's curb weight so you may be referring to gross weight, although I really don't know the difference.
The reviewer is off by about 1000 lbs. Actual curb weight of a 97 Riviera is 3690 lbs.
Suspect that his calculation of 30-33 mpg hwy is similarly flawed, as there is no way this car would achieve that kind of mileage.
A little known fact: Full size cars with the 3800 engine can achieve 30mpg highway mileage. I have a Park avenue and have actually achieved up to 33mpg one time. But usually average around 30-31mpg going 70mph on trips. City mileage though is not really that good; anywhere from 18-21mpg, but it's OK. Guess everyone thinks only Honda's and Toyota's can get good gas mileage.
Why not, LeSabres and Park Avenues are known for getting that kind of mileage on the freeway. I don't know much about the Riviera, but I can't see why it couldn't get the same since it has the same engine and basically weighs about the same.
I couldn't believe it, myself. I thought my gas gauge was broken when I first got the car. My Riviera regularly gets 31-33 miles per gallon on the highway. This car, when it was designed, spent many hours in the wind tunnel - very aerodynamically clean. I use my Rivi as our vacation car, and it goes to Vegas, quite a bit; matter of fact, 4000 miles round trip. This is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. Only draw back, it's easy to "speed" in this car because it's so quiet and comfortable.
Engineer in Wisconsin
Full member of the S.A.E. (Society of Automotive Engineers)
30-33mpg is very normal from a 3800 series II s/c'd engine. I had a 4-door GTP that easily got this mileage when I commuted in highway traffic without stop and go. City driving, where acceleration and the boost is used, is where you can expect 16-22mpg realistically depending on your habits.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site