1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue ▼
- Price Range: $2,600 - $15,000
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Pros
- Acceleration
- Passenger room
- Cargo room
- Steering/handling (Ultra)
Cons
- Steering/handling (base suspension)
- Fuel economy (supercharged V6)
Vehicle Highlights
Redesigned for 1997, Buick's "flagship" front-drive luxury sedan faced such rivals as the Infiniti I30, Lexus EX 300, and Oldsmobile Aurora. Wheelbase grew by three inches, overall length by about an inch. Weight also went up, by some 250 pounds. Styling was strictly evolutionary. Two models went on sale: a base Park Avenue and the plusher Park Avenue Ultra. Each carried a 3.8-liter V6 engine, but the one in the Ultra was supercharged to deliver 240 horsepower. The base V6 was rated at a more modest 205 horsepower. Both were teamed with a revised 4-speed automatic transmission, whose new electronic torque converter clutch was designed to produce smoother shifts. A redesigned interior featured unique seats that anchored both the lap and shoulder belts to the seat itself. The belts moved with the seats, to improve comfort for very tall or very short drivers. Buick's Personal Choice system, standard in Park Avenue, included a remote entry transmitter that could automatically adjust the driver's seat, outside mirrors, automatic door locks, lighting, and other accessories to either of two settings. This year, it added sound and climate adjustments, retained accessory power, and daytime running lights. A newly optional head-up display projected speedometer and other gauge readings onto the windshield. Also joining the option list: rain-sensing wipers and a dust filter for the automatic climate-control system.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Buick Park Avenue Ultra Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 62 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
What do you get from a Park Avenue? Mainly, traditional American virtues-- roominess, power, and amenities--at a sensible price. This domestic sedan is definitely worth a close look, though some of its virtues can be found in Buick's LeSabre for less money. In addition, it must be said that Buick's customer satisfaction ratings have not been as high as those of some foreign competitors.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Buick Park Avenue Ultra Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 62 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $500 |
| Alternator | $265 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $850 |
| Brakes | $365 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $750 |
| Exhaust System | $475 |
| Radiator | $450 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $900 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $325 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2005 | |||
| Park Avenue | $13,500-14,800 | $12,300-13,500 | $8,000-8,700 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $15,000-16,500 | $13,700-15,000 | $9,500-10,400 |
| 2004 | |||
| Park Avenue | $11,200-12,400 | $10,100-11,200 | $6,000-6,700 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $12,500-13,500 | $11,300-12,200 | $7,100-7,700 |
| 2003 | |||
| Park Avenue | $9,000-10,000 | $8,100-9,000 | $4,700-5,200 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $10,000-11,000 | $9,000-9,900 | $5,200-5,700 |
| 2002 | |||
| Park Avenue | $7,000-8,000 | $6,200-7,100 | $3,300-3,800 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $7,600-8,400 | $6,800-7,600 | $3,800-4,200 |
| 2001 | |||
| Park Avenue | $5,500-6,200 | $4,700-5,300 | $2,300-2,500 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $5,900-6,600 | $5,100-5,700 | $2,500-2,800 |
| 2000 | |||
| Park Avenue | $4,700-5,300 | $3,900-4,500 | $1,800-2,000 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $5,000-5,600 | $4,300-4,800 | $2,000-2,200 |
| 1999 | |||
| Park Avenue | $4,000-4,600 | $3,300-3,800 | $1,300-1,500 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $4,300-4,900 | $3,600-4,100 | $1,500-1,700 |
| 1998 | |||
| Park Avenue | $3,600-4,200 | $2,900-3,400 | $1,000-1,200 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $3,900-4,500 | $3,200-3,700 | $1,200-1,400 |
| 1997 | |||
| Park Avenue | $3,300-3,900 | $2,600-3,100 | $800-1,000 |
| Park Avenue Ultra | $3,600-4,100 | $2,900-3,300 | $1,000-1,100 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.8 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 206.8 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 74.7 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.4 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3740 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 19.1 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.8 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.4 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.0 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.1 | |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| Supercharged ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 240 | 280 | 4-speed automatic: 18/27 | 4-speed automatic: 17.5 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 205 | 220-230 | 4-speed automatic: 19/29 | 4-speed automatic: 19.5 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Park Avenue |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








