Discontinue Park Ave?

[pjm215]

Can anyone tell me if the Park Ave is being discontinued? The dealer in my town said there will be no PA's in 2006 but he did not know what was taking its place if anything.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by pjm215

Can anyone tell me if the Park Ave is being discontinued? The dealer in my town said there will be no PA's in 2006 but he did not know what was taking its place if anything.

that would be the first thing I'm hearing. Why would they do that? They got all the JD Power ratings, and are taking the customers from Cadillac that don't want to pay Cadillac prices...

[volkerc]

oh, oh,
just checked the Buick site, no park avenue listed anymore.
They are coming out what is called a "Lucerne". Looks to be the replacement...

[volkerc]

But it's got a Northstar V8! A V8 back in a Buick, nice!

[kaspr]

The Lucerne I guess is supposed to replace both the LeSabre & Park Avenue. Basically, it's a LeSabre replacement that also has a high end with a V8, and that's supposed to get the PA customers.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by kaspr

The Lucerne I guess is supposed to replace both the LeSabre & Park Avenue. Basically, it's a LeSabre replacement that also has a high end with a V8, and that's supposed to get the PA customers.

the Le Sabre is still being produced. Check the line at Buick.com. They replaced the Century and the Park, and they keep the Le Sabre., It's a bread and butter car to them.

[kaspr]

True, It's correct that it's staying for the 2006 model year, but I've heard that it'll be gone after that. It's kind of like when the Lacrosse replaced the Regal in '05 but the Century stayed one last year to squeeze every last ounce out of it that they could.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by kaspr

True, It's correct that it's staying for the 2006 model year, but I've heard that it'll be gone after that. It's kind of like when the Lacrosse replaced the Regal in '05 but the Century stayed one last year to squeeze every last ounce out of it that they could.

If they do that, then they are slowly following in the footsteps of Oldsmobile....gone...

Seriously, those new shapes do not look like they would please a lot of people, especially elderly folks that bought the majority of those, If I look at that Park Avenue replacement, I first thought it looked like a Toyota. The interior is nice, ok, the engine will be a V8, it looks decent from the side, but overall Buick in my opinion is going to much european style, not good. Also they broadened their models which will hurt them in the long run, to me it looks like they are throwing some models out there to see what sticks. They had excellent ratings for their Century,Le sabre and Park Avenue, as well as the Rendezvous from JD Powers, but now, to many changes, but that is just my opinion...

[LeBuick]

From what I understand Buick is only worried about names/image. They feel their names attract and are known by the older, dying generations but not the young new consumers. Park Avenue is the name of a car their dad would drive but not the son. I'm not one for lables and have always liked the ride and luxery of big Buick's without the price of a Caddy. Lacrosse may attact somebody but I think they missed the mark with Lucerne. Of course, I am from the older generaration that associates that word with milk...

[itsmyway12000]

im a 23 year old any i love my 99 park ave i feel bad that its ganna be gone

[keithy67]

I grew up with Electras and Park Avenues in the driveway. My parents have owned 7 since 1972. They bought a new 2001 PA and didn't like that body style from the 1996 which they didn't like from the 1990, which they didn't like from the 1984, which they loved better than the 1979 and the 1976 and the 1972, LOL. But they stuck with the cars and the body styles grew on them.

The 2001 has 96k on the odometer and my Dad went shopping on the net to see what changed. You CAN find the PA on the site, under "Build Your Buick" on the left side of the site. click here It is true that they are getting rid of the PA making way for the new Lucerne. My Dad went to the dealership and they skipped around the subject(?). They wanted to put him in a new PA. He called GM and they confirmed the Lucerne will be replacing the LeSabre and PA. LeSabre will be discontinued to run in the V-6 slot and the Northstar V-8 in the PA's previous slot.

Poor old guy when he took a look at the Lucerne. "This 2001 is my last Buick. I don't like the new car." I can understand why this new "Park Avenue" won't be the car to grow in him. No chrome, no hood ornament, no nothing. He is shopping for a Town Car as I type. It's the closest thing to the current shape he has grown to like. I feel sorry for him because he likes Buick, but I feel more sorry for Buick/GM. They are making a big mistake. They are making the same mistakes Olds did. They lost their identity. Even younger buyers want that magic that they grew up with. Leather seats and performance does not make the Buick. It's the look. Lucerne and LaCrosse look like freaks on wheels.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by keithy67

I grew up with Electras and Park Avenues in the driveway. My parents have owned 7 since 1972. They bought a new 2001 PA and didn't like that body style from the 1996 which they didn't like from the 1990, which they didn't like from the 1984, which they loved better than the 1979 and the 1976 and the 1972, LOL. But they stuck with the cars and the body styles grew on them.

The 2001 has 96k on the odometer and my Dad went shopping on the net to see what changed. You CAN find the PA on the site, under "Build Your Buick" on the left side of the site. click here It is true that they are getting rid of the PA making way for the new Lucerne. My Dad went to the dealership and they skipped around the subject(?). They wanted to put him in a new PA. He called GM and they confirmed the Lucerne will be replacing the LeSabre and PA. LeSabre will be discontinued to run in the V-6 slot and the Northstar V-8 in the PA's previous slot.

Poor old guy when he took a look at the Lucerne. "This 2001 is my last Buick. I don't like the new car." I can understand why this new "Park Avenue" won't be the car to grow in him. No chrome, no hood ornament, no nothing. He is shopping for a Town Car as I type. It's the closest thing to the current shape he has grown to like. I feel sorry for him because he likes Buick, but I feel more sorry for Buick/GM. They are making a big mistake. They are making the same mistakes Olds did. They lost their identity. Even younger buyers want that magic that they grew up with. Leather seats and performance does not make the Buick. It's the look. Lucerne and LaCrosse look like freaks on wheels.

Can't agrre with you more. The Lucerne looks to much like a Toyota to me, if people want to buy a Toyota, they will, they are not going to turn to Buick because it looks like a toyota now. And yes, Buick will go the same route Olds did, , downhill and off the map.Sorry to say,..
And of course the dealers are dancing around the issue, they already have a tough time selling the Park, because of the price, now telling the customer a new car will come out, the customer will say, as he did in the past and rightfully so, I'll wait til the new one comes out, whoever buys a Park now will lose a few thousands of the bet, because the model will be discontinued, but if you want to buy a big car and take advantage of the nervous dealers, now is the time to deal,....they need to clear the lot, expect to see some big discounts,....

[keithy67]

I think it's just ashamed the direction Buick is going. I used to think from looking at all the years of "morphing" from one shape to another they were getting off course. Take the 1984 PA against the 2001 PA. The 2001 looked like a spaceship or something way too modern. But looking back they all seemed to hold those "cues" of Buick luxury, quality and presence. And that "mean" look coming down the road like the cars were literally eating up the pavement.

I'm just glad I'm not my parents. They look so bewildered. They like the Town Car then they really don't want one, even though it costs as much as the Ultra. They are not Lincoln people. And the Cadillac is just over the top in price and their quality is not that great. The PA is always neck to neck with Cadillac regarding features with exception to the engines. The great thing about the bigger Buicks is that they "roll". You let off the gas and it still goes for a good distance like you are still pushing the accelerator.

You are right about the Toyota thing. The Lucerne does look Japanese. I think it looks like an Infiniti. But where are the Buick cues? The venti-ports on the front fender? Well you could slap that on any car. The tri-shield ornament on the grille? It looks like it doesn't belong there. I agree about going ahead and getting the latest PA but my parents want the latest. A serious flaw of their own, but that is just how they are. If it were me I would go for the Chrysler 300. Very nice sedan. It definetely harks back to the old days of big, strong looking cars that Buick once owned the market. But I am not buying the car. I really feel sorry for all the older folks that walk into the dealerships. I know they will look around for the car that means status with intelligence. And the Lucerne will be sitting right there under their noses.

I think once Buick has realized their mistake it will be too late. they might as well go ahead and dig their grave right beside Olds, another great make that got lost in the race.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by keithy67

I think it's just ashamed the direction Buick is going. I used to think from looking at all the years of "morphing" from one shape to another they were getting off course. Take the 1984 PA against the 2001 PA. The 2001 looked like a spaceship or something way too modern. But looking back they all seemed to hold those "cues" of Buick luxury, quality and presence. And that "mean" look coming down the road like the cars were literally eating up the pavement.

I'm just glad I'm not my parents. They look so bewildered. They like the Town Car then they really don't want one, even though it costs as much as the Ultra. They are not Lincoln people. And the Cadillac is just over the top in price and their quality is not that great. The PA is always neck to neck with Cadillac regarding features with exception to the engines. The great thing about the bigger Buicks is that they "roll". You let off the gas and it still goes for a good distance like you are still pushing the accelerator.

You are right about the Toyota thing. The Lucerne does look Japanese. I think it looks like an Infiniti. But where are the Buick cues? The venti-ports on the front fender? Well you could slap that on any car. The tri-shield ornament on the grille? It looks like it doesn't belong there. I agree about going ahead and getting the latest PA but my parents want the latest. A serious flaw of their own, but that is just how they are. If it were me I would go for the Chrysler 300. Very nice sedan. It definetely harks back to the old days of big, strong looking cars that Buick once owned the market. But I am not buying the car. I really feel sorry for all the older folks that walk into the dealerships. I know they will look around for the car that means status with intelligence. And the Lucerne will be sitting right there under their noses.

I think once Buick has realized their mistake it will be too late. they might as well go ahead and dig their grave right beside Olds, another great make that got lost in the race.

Can't agree with you more, I sold Buicks and the Century,Le Sabre and Park all sold well, I was in a Chevy Buick dealership and the Buicks flew off the lot while the Chevys sat like lead. Unfortunately Buick will go the same way Olds did, right now they are trying to please people that they can't please, because they buy different brands. Buick was a "escape route" for people wanting to have Cadillac Luxury without the big price tag. Well what can I say, welcome to tomorrow,I find it sad that the car industry has to change so much and will have to change because of modern times, I don't like them and I'm not an "old" person. I'm 38 myself, and I had a 91 Park as a rental when it was new, and I found it to be a great car, that is why I bought one, and it is my daily driver, with the hot iron in the garage. Now the 2001 or newer style as you mentioned is an even better car, It has been build even more solid than the previous models, a sweet ride, if I were your parents, I'd probably take one of the last Parks they are building, and that will bring me around town for a few more years. I mean it is somewhat nice that Buick brings back the V8, but lets face it with gas prices that high and no end in sight, what are they thinking? GM and the other manufacturers already are having problems selling their Suv'S....???

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by keithy67

But where are the Buick cues? The venti-ports on the front fender? Well you could slap that on any car. The tri-shield ornament on the grille? It looks like it doesn't belong there.

Hood ornament, my first buick had one and for some reason they make me feel proud to fly one like a flag. My 2K Lesabre didn't have one so I bought one off ebay, drilled a hole and mounted that baby in. When I sold the car the buyer played with it and said, "now that's what I like, a hood ornament". I didn't think he needed to know I added that baby myself because he was so pround his new car had one.

Does Buick run consumer polls? Why don't they have a feature on their website where their owners can tell their likes and dislikes? Trend common problems like how the cupholders break and cost $65 to replace? I also like a full front seat and not a console but it is getting harder and harder to find a car like that. Even Caddy's are going to consoles. I would also like to see the memory seats go into the exit position automatically when you put the car in park and turn off the ignition.

I would also like a eject button for the back seat. Sure it would be good for Cabby's when they are getting robbed but I would like the last thing my mother in law to hear is, OOoop's as she exits the car. Hell, I'd let her drive and push the button myself if it would get me a moment of peace!