1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue: Overview

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.