Would like some info on 1998-2000 ParkAve

[ltdltc]

I'm considering a PA for a second more fuel effeciant commuting vehicle. My primary driver is a 1995 Town Car.

In any event I'd like to ask a few basic questions to those that know their stuff about the PA.

Is this car the same platform as the Boneville?

What are the quirks?

Electrical?

Engine (though I know the 3800 is reliable)?

Transmission (4T60E seems good, friend has an Eldorado and it is super smooth)?

Chassis ?

Service (is it easy to work on, as I'd mostly do the work myself, like oil changes, serpintine belt, brakes, shocks/suspension)?

I'd be looking at the non supercharged models. Given that, can the non-Ultras come as loaded as the Ultras. I'd really like to have the HUD, Twilight Sentinel, leather, largest size rotors, larger wheels and No OnStar (what year were they made standard?).

How does it handle?

Hows the performance in acceleration for the N/A 3800?

Is there a given year that is best in terms of reliability/options/workmanship?

Thanks.

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by ltdltc

I'm considering a PA for a second more fuel effeciant commuting vehicle. My primary driver is a 1995 Town Car.

Nice Lincoln dude! My wifes pastor in Seattle drives them and swears by his Lincolns. I noticed you turned the white walls out. Good choice because it really looks nice that way. I have a 02 PA and though I can't answer all your technical questions I will say it's a nice car. I have the HUD and all in a non Ultra vehicle and really love the quite, luxery ride it gives. I also believe the suspension is programmable by the delear but I like the way mines is now.

Are you sure you're going to save gas with a PA? I was considering a rice burning 4WD truck for commuting with the way gas prices are going up but am noticing I won't save that much...

[deadring]

hi,

well i have a 92 ultra with a supercharger and i must say that not many cars that weigh close to 4000 lbs will be economical....on the highway at 65 MPH its alright, but in city mpg go down.

unless you find a PA with the GT suspension or dynaride, you wont have a semi-sporty handling.. mine has the dynaride and it handles better than my EX-corolla did. and outgunned it in power and confort as well.. which is not surprising.

sure tis not the same year but what i can tell you from what i saw around here, the major bugs are, the supercharger, (which wont be your case) , the intake manifold gasket and plenum which some crack. ( hope mine doesn't)
eletrical bugs.. as in all GM's

the rest is pretty much bullet proof.. the engine and tranny are almost indestructible and as for power and acceleration, well.. 80 % of the cars on the road will stay back at a traffic light...i surprised alot of people with it.. no one think it can move that fast..

but to sum it up, other that the normal electrical bugs you would get on your lincoln ( i saw some that had them) the reste is pretty tought, and the confort, even on a 1992, is just incredible..

[tman]

Originally Posted by ltdltc

I'm considering a PA for a second more fuel effeciant commuting vehicle. My primary driver is a 1995 Town Car.
**Good call**
In any event I'd like to ask a few basic questions to those that know their stuff about the PA.
**That's be, umm, lets see, me.**
Is this car the same platform as the Boneville?
**Not exactly. The car is more similar in platform to the Cadillac Seville**
What are the quirks?
**People look at you funny for driving a Buick, especially if your 17 years old.**
Electrical?
**Solid, but the dashboard lights like to go out sometimes**
Engine (though I know the 3800 is reliable)?
**you could run sawdust in the crankcase of the 3800 and you'd never tell. THere is a plastic fitting on the intake manifold for the coolant bypass hose that often fails. The metal replacement is cheap, and easy to replace.**
Transmission (4T60E seems good, friend has an Eldorado and it is super smooth)?
**Tranny is solid, as long as you keep enough fluid in it, change the fluid when it's due, and don't tow a trailer with it.**
Chassis ?
**solid**
Service (is it easy to work on, as I'd mostly do the work myself, like oil changes, serpintine belt, brakes, shocks/suspension)?
**Oil changes are a cinch, the belt is wrapped around a motor mount, these tons of threads here asking about that. Brakes are about like any other car, and the shocks arent bad to replace.**
I'd be looking at the non supercharged models. Given that, can the non-Ultras come as loaded as the Ultras. I'd really like to have the HUD, Twilight Sentinel, leather, largest size rotors, larger wheels and No OnStar (what year were they made standard?).
**Mom has a 99 PA, with all those features.**
How does it handle?
**Rather well, for a 2 ton car. The Grand Touring suspensaion will perform better, and I'd suggest it. (Mom's 99 has GT suspension)**
Hows the performance in acceleration for the N/A 3800?
**about 8-9 seconds to 60. Pretty peppy, but it's no corvett of course**
Is there a given year that is best in terms of reliability/options/workmanship?
**Nope, 97 and up for the new body style.**
Thanks.

The heated seats arent known for their reliability.

The fuel guage likes to turn itself around whenever there is a voltage spike, such as connecting a disconnecting the battery.

[RightWingZionist]

Hi, I'm searching for my first car and I heard Buicks are very reliable. I found a 1999 Buick PA 40K miles for 7G.
Carfax is clean. Averages 7K miles a year. 1 owner. In NY you need to pass the inspection every year which it showed in carfax.
I'm just worried about the Intake Manifold. I'm not going to drive more than 10K miles a year. I just need it to commute 25 miles a day to college.
I notice there's a recall:
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEELIVERY
Manufacturer Recall Number 04V090000
Issue Area FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEELIVERY
Units Affected 910,873
Defect ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Consequences THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Corrective Action DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 30, 2004, FOR THE 1998-2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE, LESABRE, 1998-2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY-EIGHT, AND 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

[bks81]

I've owned a 84 Celebrity, 88 Corsica, 95 Cutlass Supreme, a 97 PA, and 2000 PA which I still have. The PA's got me the best mileage believe it or not. I average 26 mpg around our small town, and around 30 on open highway. The only 2 things that I have had trouble with in my 6 years and 2 PA's is spark plug wires and oil pressure sending unit connector. It just amazes me how the biggest car I have owned gets the best mileage.

[RightWingZionist]

Wow thank's. I'm more confident now in the PA. I'm only goin to use synthetic and make sure I'll flush the anti-freeze every year and use quality anti-freeze. As fas as mpg, yes the 3800 series is an amazing engine. It's not too big and not to small so it gives great mpg for larger cars.
When i'll buy the car I'll be sure to go to a dealer and check the recalls. I hope they don't rip me off.