How are 99 Park Aves? Lesabre 2000 on Vs. Park Ave

[happydog500]

I have a 97 Lesabre. In the next few months I may be getting a settlement. I'm thinking of upgrading to a Park Ave, or the last gen Lesabre 2000 on.

Looking at a 99 PA for sale, this thing is nice! It has seprate climate control, vents in back, leather. Nice!

It's a one owner car, with 99,000 miles on it. It's on consignment, asking $4,800. I would offer $4,000.

I remember someone telling me last year that about the 99 year the Park Aves got real cheaply made. Lots of plastic parts that go out.

How is the 99 Park Aves? Others could pop up, but now I'm looking into this 99 PA, and a first few years of 2000 Lesabre. Has anyone had experience with the Park Ave, or who went to or from a 2000 on Lesabre or a 99 Park Ave?

My 97 lesabre is a plain Jane. Didn't even come with a keyless remote system. The Park Ave I know doesn't have the heads up display. What other optitions/features should I look for on the Park Ave?

Thank you,
Chris.

Here is a picture of the Park Ave.

[bigsky]

Check the RPO codes for the F41 "Gran Touring" Firm Suspension package. The chrome wheels are not the standard ones included with the GT, but were an option as well so may still have GT. If you have FE1 (soft suspension) then no GT (GT adds stiffer springs, thicker sway bars, and NV8 magnasteer). NV8 was standard on the Ultras (97-05); F41 is standard on Ultras (03-05).

The "plastic" someone referenced was probably the upper intake which has caused problems from around 95/96 to 2005 for the Series II 3800 (Series III went to an aluminum upper about time).

Sometime in 99 GM went to a smaller diameter EGR stovepipe which reduced the incidence of a failed upper, though it can still occur. Fixable with a Dorman upper or better yet a sleeved upper from API.

Another common problem is the seat motors with the plastic gear which strips out. Check the up/down control front and back of seat.

The "Prestige" package will have the driver info center, steering wheel controls, memory seats, universal garage transmitter, moisture-sensing wipers, auto-dim RV mirror, and heated outside mirrors with driver side auto-dimming.

This is not the "Ultra" version which has supercharged 240 HP vs. the 205 HP of the base Park Avenue.

[happydog500]

Thank you for the reply.

I've been looking around at the PA's, and some Lesabres. Man, the Park Aves are very hard to find. Not sure if it's because there so nice?

Tons and tons of Lesabres. In towns with hundreds of Lesabres for sale, there may be 2 - 3 Park Aves.

How hard is it to fix the gear in the seat? I've herd it is a problem.

[happydog500]

I've never had an supercharged motor. Is it mean more problems, or is it better? What are the pros and cons when deciding to go after a Regular or Supercharged?

So many nice, good deals on "Limited" Lesabres, it would be a lot easier getting one, but almost all the Park Aves I see are so nice. I like the look of the ones with the three round things on the body.

The PA's are so nice. I think there the nicest cars ever made. For sure by GM.

Chris.

[happydog500]

Ran by a guy who works at the dealer. I asked him about the Supercharged PA's.

He said if you drive the supercharged, then the regular, you will want the Supercharged one.

However, the Dealer said if you have a Supercharged, the motor will last about half as long as a regular motor.

More air, bigger explosion, lots more wear.

Chris.

[enslow]

Originally Posted by happydog500

However, the Dealer said if you have a Supercharged, the motor will last about half as long as a regular motor.

More air, bigger explosion, lots more wear.

Chris.

I haven't heard about that before, and it doesn't quite make sense. I could be wrong, but it just doesn't make sense. First, most wear occurs on cold startup. Secondly, the supercharger operates under certain conditions only, when the extra power is needed. The supercharger does make a more power bang, but the rings still slide in the cylinders the same. You may have more stress on bearings, transmission, and differential/axles. But if you don't drive the heck out of it, I don't see why it wouldn't last nearly as long as the regular motor.

If you have a supercharger, you also get the aluminum intake, so no UIM problems to worry about, just LIM. However, if you have a supercharger, you must use premium gasoline, so your expenses go up.

[enslow]

If your looking at 99 Park Aves, have you considered a Grand Marquis? I think it has a smoother ride, quieter engine, and slightly higher quality interior. Depending on how you drive, and where you drive, it may be a little heavier on gasoline, but I got about 12.5L/100km in my Grand Marquis. My Lesabre, in similar driving conditions, gets 11.5L/100km. A Park Ave is heavier, so it will be a little worse than 11.5, closer to the Grand Marquis.

[TopherS]

I've had my Park Ave for 6 years now... a 2001 Park Avenue (not Ultra) with the Prestige Pkg mentioned above. Also has the Head-Up Display and the reverse sensors. Bought it with 64,000 miles...just turned 123,000 miles. It's been a good car for me. I still love it. If I were to get another, I would stay with the 2001-2005 models, because I want the reverse sensors (helps in parking in downtown). I love the Head-Up Display. These cars (Park Avenues) are reasonably priced usually and ordinarily well-cared-for.

The pros: Solid, sturdy car. Good handling, even with FE1 suspension. The 3800 engine seems to be pretty reliable and parts are readily available. I love that EVERYTHING is automatic (memory seats, windshield wipers, A/C, lights, mirrors, rear-leveling...etc). It is truly a "point and drive" car. Very easy to live with.

The cons: The seats can be very problematic (motors/gears stop working, heated seats stop working...make sure you check all functionality of the seats). The leather is poor quality, but finding cloth (97-99 models only) is next to impossible. Some people have had problems with the auto-levelers in the rear. The upper intake/EGR issues need to be addressed.


As far as the 2000+ LeSabres, I believe they are very similar to the Park Avenue. I know that the reverse-sensors were not available on them. I don't remember if the auto-windshield-wipers were. Head-Up Display was available on higher-level (Limited) LeSabres. If the reverse-sensors were not that important to you, I would bet that you would be just as happy with a LeSabre Limited as you would a Park Avenue.

Hope this helps.