2004 Buick Park Avenue Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Buick's flagship sedan comes in base and Ultra models, both with a 3.8-liter V6 and automatic transmission. Ultras have a supercharger that boosts horsepower from 205 to 240. ABS, self-leveling rear suspension, and leather upholstery are standard. A front bench provides 6-passenger seating; bucket seats are an Ultra option. Optional on the base Park Avenue and standard on Ultra is the Gran Touring Package that includes a firmer suspension. Ultra also replaces 16-inch alloy wheels with 17-inch chrome-plated wheels. Optional on the base Park Avenue and standard on Ultra are OnStar assistance, StabiliTrak antiskid system, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitor. A rear-obstacle-warning system and a head-up display are optional on both.

News

After no little dithering, Buick has confirmed what many in Detroit suspected: Park Avenue is headed for history's scrapheap. Buick wants to forge a fresh image while pushing upscale in price and luxury, so it's retiring old names and stale designs. The first such moves come for 2005 with the midsize LaCrosse, a heavily updated Century/Regal replacing both those lines, and a renamed, redesigned successor to the full-size LeSabre.

Park Avenue, both name and car, bow out for 2006. Taking over as Buick's flagship sedan will be a new rear-wheel-drive design based on GM's global Zeta platform devised by the company's Holden subsidiary in Australia. No word yet on the replacement's name or other particulars, but V8 power is almost certain, though a V6 could be the base engine.

An expanded lineup is also part of GM's plan to rejuvenate Buick. That's already underway with the addition of the Rainier SUV and the 2005 Terraza "crossover sport" minivan. Sources say Buick will next add a sporty crossover wagon on GM's long-delayed Lambda platform. Sister brands Pontiac and Saturn will get their own versions. All should offer V6 power and choice of front drive and all-wheel drive. One report says the Buick will start production in the first quarter of 2007 as a replacement for the minivan-based Rendezvous. It may also keep that name, and could bear hallmarks of the recent Centieme concept. It will certainly be priced so as not to steal sales from Cadillac's similar but technically different SRX crossover.

2004 Buick Park Avenue Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy (supercharged V6)

Passenger and cargo room	Steering/handling (base suspension)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Ultra	Class Average
5	6	5.5

Ultras impressively quick. Base models have ample power. Both aided by smooth, alert transmission.

Fuel Economy

Base	Ultra	Class Average
5	4	4.7

Base Park Avenue averaged 19.8 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Test Ultra averaged 15.3 mpg in mostly city work, 20.3 in primarily highway travel. Buick recommends regular-grade fuel for base model, premium for Ultra.

Ride Quality

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	8	6.7

Standard chassis favors comfort over handling and delivers a cushy ride, though with too much float over dips. Firmer Gran Touring suspension provides better body control without being harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Ultra	Class Average
4	6	5.4

Mushy, imprecise with standard suspension. Gran Touring suspension reduces body lean, front-end plowing, steering numbness, but not enough to disguise Park Avenue's generous length and weight. Cumbersome turning circle. StabiliTrak works well. Brakes strong, but nosedive pronounced in quick stops, especially with base suspension.

Quietness

Base	Ultra	Class Average
8	8	6.5

Nicely quelled road noise. Engine only mildly intrusive in full-throttle acceleration, wind only above 65 mph.

Controls

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	7	5.8

Gauge layout seems squeezed into dashboard, though available head-up display suits some drivers. Lots of buttons, switches, and not always logically grouped. Oddly, traction-control on/off switch is at tip of transmission shift lever. Cabin decor is old-school Americana, with lots of shiny faux wood. Ultra's plastic center console bin covers work with embarrassing lack of smoothness.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	8	6.9

Abundant head and leg room on comfortable seats, though bench seat is too narrow for three adults. Available buckets hold driver in place better. Outboard front safety belts anchor to seat; they're easy to reach, but not all testers find them a comfortable fit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Ultra	Class Average
6	6	5.9

Roomy for two adults and more spacious than in LeSabre, Buick's other full-size sedan. Still, three's a squeeze, and slightly firmer cushion would increase long-distance comfort.

Cargo Room

Base	Ultra	Class Average
6	6	5.6

More than in most near-luxury cars. Enhanced by flat trunk floor and low load lip.

Value within Class

Base	Ultra	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Park Avenue represents the full-size, luxury-oriented side of this class and plays its role well by delivering traditional American room, power, and amenities at a competitive price.

Total Score

Base	Ultra	Class Average
62	66	59.7

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		53
Average Score		59
High Score		67

2004 Buick Park Avenue Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/05/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$35,250	$31,901	$795

Ultra 4-door sedan	$40,425	$36,585	$795

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, front split bench seat, 10-way power front seats w/driver-seat lumbar adjustment, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, rear defogger, power remote decklid and fuel-door releases, map lights, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, automatic level-control suspension, 225/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Ultra adds to Base:

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 supercharged engine, traction control.

Safety

Antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, woodgrain/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, heated front seats w/power lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, climate controls, radio), heated power mirrors w/turn-signal lights and passenger-side mirror tilt-down back-up aid, automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors, compass, rain-sensing windshield wipers, AM/FM/cassette/CD player w/upgraded sound system, trip computer, universal garage-door opener.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Gran Touring suspension, 235/55R17 tires, chrome alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Option Pkg. 1SE
Base	$2,140	$1,840
Traction control, OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, heated front seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, climate controls, radio), driver information center (tire-pressure monitor, trip computer), rain-sensing wipers.

Prestige Feature Pkg. PCR
Base	$2,150	$1,849
Antiskid system, rear-obstacle-detection system, heated power mirrors w/turn-signal lights, automatic day/night driver-side and inside mirrors, compass, universal garage-door opener, head-up instrument display, chrome alloy wheels. Requires Option Pkg. 1SE.

Diamond Edition
Base	$2,155	$1,853
Power sunroof, heated power mirrors w/turn signals and driver-side automatic day/night, automatic day/night rearview mirrors, chrome alloy wheels. Requires Option Pkg. 1SE.

Gran Touring Pkg.
Base	$285	$245
Gran Touring suspension, variable-assist power steering, 225/60R16 touring tires, unique alloy wheels. Requires Option Pkg. 1SE.

Luxury Pkg. PCR
Ultra	$1,875	$1,613
Power sunroof, front bucket seats, center console, rear air-conditioning vents, 12-disc CD changer.

5-Passenger Seating Pkg.
Ultra	$185	$159
Front bucket seats, center console, rear air-conditioning vents.

Safety
Antiskid system
Base w/Pkg. 1SE	$495	$426


Rear-obstacle-detection system
Base, Ultra	$295	$254
Requires head-up display. Base requires Option Pkg. 1SE.

Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Base	$215	$185
Includes steering wheel radio controls.

12-disc CD changer
Base, Ultra	$595	$512
Base requires Option Pkg. 1SE, Concert Sound III speakers.

Concert Sound III speakers
Base w/Pkg. 1SE	$295	$254


Power sunroof
Base, Ultra	$1,095	$942
Base requires Option Pkg. 1SE, universal garage-door opener.

Head-up display
Base, Ultra	$325	$280
Requires rear-obstacle-detection system. Base requires Option Pkg. 1SE, universal garage-door opener.

Heated power mirrors
Base	$80	$69
Includes turn-signal lights, driver-side automatic day/night. Requires Option Pkg. 1SE, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Automatic day/night rearview mirror
Base	$80	$69
Includes compass. Requires Option Pkg. 1SE, heated power mirrors.

Universal garage-door opener
Base	$100	$86
Requires Option Group 1SE.

Cargo netand cargo liner
Base, Ultra	$90	$77


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
Base, Ultra	$35	$30


Special paint
Base, Ultra	$750	$645
Base requires Prestige Pkg. 1SE.

Chrome alloy wheels
Base	$800	$688
Requires Option Pkg. 1SE.

2004 Buick Park Avenue Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Buick Park Avenue 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.	3778

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	19.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

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.	41.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	Supercharged ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5200	240 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	230 @ 4000	280 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/29	18/28

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Buick Park Avenue 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear 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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Buick Park Avenue Photos

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Buick Park Avenue Road Test

Buick Park Avenue Prices & Equipment

Buick Park Avenue Specs & Safety

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