Overview & Reviews

Park Avenue. Monopoly buffs and New Yorkers hold that name dear. And so do those whose automotive tastes run toward old-school American luxury, the kind that's reflected in the Buick Park Avenue. To these folks, soft, pillowed seats, smooth and quiet powertrains and a ride quality that shields occupants from the nasty noises and jolts of the outside world are of paramount importance.

Originally introduced in the mid-1970s as a super-posh trim level for the Electra model, the early Park Avenue boasted velour upholstery so thick and soft you'd swear you were sitting on Queen Victoria's sofa. Other hallmarks of this 455-cubic-inch, V8-powered, disco-era bruiser included more faux wood trim for the cabin and more chrome trim for the body.

Downsized in 1977, the Electra Park Avenue was still a big car that could be powered by a large V8. A more serious downsizing program took place in the mid-'80s that saw the big Electra morph into a slimmed-down, squared-off sedan that was much shorter and lighter. The powertrain did an about-face as well, as the new Buick flagship adopted front-wheel drive and exclusively used fuel-efficient V6 power.

The dawn of the 1990s saw the Buick Park Avenue transition from a trim level to its own model when it replaced the Electra. Slightly larger than the boxy '80s version, this Park Ave boasted an elegant, softly curvaceous body. An available supercharged V6 sated the appetites of those who longed for the thrust of the distant past, while luxury features such as dual-zone climate control kept the hedonists happy.

For 1997, a more polished Park emerged and loyalists of the isolationist school of auto design were not disappointed, as the big Buick still prioritized a plush ride over precise handling. For the new millennium, however, Buick's managers decided a changing of the guard was required. The Park Avenue (and the LeSabre) was replaced by the Lucerne.

Most Recent Buick Park Avenue

The most recent Buick Park Avenue, produced for the 1997-2005 model years, served as the brand's flagship large sedan. This model's stiffer platform improved ride and handling characteristics and also minimized the chance of any squeaks and rattles as compared to the previous generation. Styling was evolutionary, with the same silhouette shaped with smoother body sides and crisp fender peaks. The cabin redesign included larger gauges and more easily used controls, though storage spaces were in short supply and the radio still had too many small buttons.

Base and Ultra trims were offered, with the latter providing additional luxuries such as leather seating, a power passenger seat and an upgraded audio system. With the front bench seat, the Park Avenue could seat up to six passengers.

Engine choices were a tried-and-true pair of 3.8-liter V6s. The standard Park Avenue came with the naturally aspirated version (205 horsepower), while the Ultra boasted the supercharged version (240 hp). Both models drove their front wheels through a four-speed automatic.

In a review of the Buick Park Avenue Ultra, we lauded the car for its strong acceleration (zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, surprisingly good steering and traditional ability to gobble up vast amounts of Interstate in supreme comfort). Noted downsides included disappointing interior build quality and mediocre braking performance. Some drivers will also find the car's ride quality to be overly floaty, especially if the car isn't equipped with the suspension-stiffening Grand Touring package.

Key upgrades through the years include available OnStar communications in 1998, stability control (standard on Ultra) in 2000, available park assist in '01, and a new grille, 17-inch chrome wheels and the addition of fender "portholes" for the '03 Ultra.

As a used car consideration, the Park Avenue fares respectably. Draws include relatively low pricing, a roomy interior, good engine performance and fuel economy, and the pride of owning something that truly fulfills the "rides like a Buick" cliché. Potential buyers might want to also check out the Toyota Avalon, as it provides very similar traits.

Past Buick Park Avenues

The previous generation of the Buick Park Avenue was produced from 1991-'96. Well-equipped base and more luxurious Ultra versions were offered. With its curvaceous body and (on the Ultra) supercharged V6 power, this Park Avenue was a showroom star for the tri-colored-shield division of General Motors.

Initially, both Park Avenues came with Buick's bulletproof 3.8-liter V6 that made 170 hp, but for 1992 the Ultra received a supercharged version that pumped out 205 hp. There were a few other upgrades during this model's run as well. In '94, the Ultra got 20 more hp and heated seats were a new option. The base Park Avenue got its power boost for '95 so it made 205 hp. The last year ('96) of this generation saw the Ultra receive the Series II supercharged V6 (with 240 hp) and variable-assist steering.

Whether one chooses the standard Park Avenue or the Ultra, this Buick is a solid choice for a used luxury car thanks to its comfortable ride, power and admirable fuel efficiency.

Prior to this Park Avenue was the 1985-'90 version, which marked a major downsizing of the model and a switch from rear- to front-wheel drive.

User Reviews:

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  Great car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By perk - July 10 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Park Ave. They have lots of gadgets (that work!), real comfort,safety, and outstanding gas mileage. More pricey foreign cars are greatly overrated by the "pundits" who seem to hate Detroit.The P.As are very popular with owners.

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  97 park ave - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By jaamo - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle with excellent potential. comfortable and quiet. Decent acceleration, good handling(with touring suspension) an honest 30 MPG highway and room for six -- in compfort Minuses: mechanicals not as robust as they should be. Replaced brake rotors twice from warpage, replaced a waterpump at 32000 miles (disgraceful), the power window switch has been replaced once and has failed again, the moisture sensing wipers have never worked properly -- but who needs them. Now, the oil pan gasket is leaking and its a $375 repair, and I know three others with same engine and same oil pan problem. Id buy another, though, as nothing else in the domstic market compares.

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  Ill never buy another - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By mrmark - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the third Buick I have owned. The two previous ones were LeSabres. I have just spent $5100 on a new engine because the plastic manifold plenum used by GM caused my engine to fill up with water and caused major damage. The window switch has broken, the car gets water inside the passenger area when in a car wash or in the rain. The rotors have been replaced because of warpage, the water pump was replaced, the air compressor was replaced, the sensing wipers have not worked properly, the ash tray broke and will not close, the seat control panel snapped off.

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  The best car I have ever owned. - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By nettiemaria - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Bertha, the white Buick - is now at 214,000 miles and still going strong. Its very solid - inside and out. Its a shame that GM disc. the 6 cyl. 3800 series motor b/c now - Bertha might be replaced with a crossover and they dont have those motors anymore - only smaller V6s. I have never done any kind of major repair - only maintenance, in fact - not as I should have. As long as one does regular minimum maintenance, This car is unstoppable!

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  97 Park Avenue Ultra - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By topnotch36580 - April 4 - 10:33 pm

  This has been a very reliable car and is very comfortable to drive and is user friendly.

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  A Complete Road Car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By meyk - April 3 - 2:00 am

  just a nice automobile. Good road car,plenty of zip, very little road noise, except for some tire noise which can be bothersome.

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  Love this car - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By 1998 Buick Park Ave. - March 3 - 10:56 pm

  Gets 34 mpg on the road if you drive sensible. 22-25 mpg in town. Reliable, smooth handling, roomy, dependable, large trunk, great on trips, handles 5 tall or large people comfortably, plenty of leg room in the back

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  Love My Ultra - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By JrRidge - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Ultra in Woodbridge Virginia with 74,500 miles and it has been a great car. I like the size of the car and it rides like a limo on the highway. The only problems Ive had was with getting the fan, supercharger belts and water pump replaced at 125,000 miles for over $700. Ive also had the front brake roters replaced twice due to warpage. The car runs great still and I now have over 144,000 miles on it. I believe Ill get over 200,000 on it like the Olds Regency I still own with over 211,000 miles on it which my son crashed it for me.

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  an average car - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By tri-ble - December 24 - 2:00 am

  an easy ride and handling car. the doors are not a good fit to the body,noisy engine when first starting out .the colder it is the worse it sounds,gets better as it warms up... if the door problems are corrected and the noisy engine problem is soved we would like this vehicle a lot better and feel that we were getting our moneys worth. not a quiet enough car for the price

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  Park number 2 - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By gbach11 - December 22 - 5:53 pm

  This is our second Park Ave and its the best luxury car for the money. I tried to talk my wife into looking at other cars, but as you know Ultras are getting harder to find. She test drove several, but nothing compares.