Faults:

WARNING!!! Major frame rot!!! The frame in front is supported by four rubber bushings. When the vehicle gets excess rot under the body, these mounts give way causing the motor, transmission and whole frame to drop out of car. As this happens, the steering rod pulls apart, causing steering loss. The Park Avenue has this problem throughout different model years. The car's top body looks like new. Beware under the car! Look for rot in the spots where the rubber mounts attach. Also the rear frame area has the same issue. Please take this advice seriously!!!

General Comments:

WARNING TO ALL!!! This car has major frame rot issues, causing frame-to-body separation!!! This problem happens when the lower front frame gets slightly rotted, causing the rubber mounts to slip out of place. Thus, the whole frame sub-body drops, pulling on the steering rod which separates from the gearbox.

This is a classy, smooth riding car. It has a great interior and a really good, strong motor- except for this major problem.

Please take my advice seriously!!! I have had three Buick Park Avenue cars, all had the same problem. Take care!

Faults:

When I bought this from the dealer, the only problem it had was rust on the rear chrome, and a malfunctioning headlight control module that would keep the headlights on at night (a problem that was fixed by cleaning pitted contacts that were keeping the lights switched on.)

Needed a new ignition control module at 45000. Not an uncommon problem for a 16 year old car. Costs about $75 bucks for a new one, and took about 20 minutes to replace.

No other maintenance other than general stuff like new brakes, tires, oil changes around 3000-5000 miles.

Dynaride air suspension motor will run way too long, so I unplugged it. I imagine the rear air shocks are shot, but I haven't had to replace them.

The rear tail-light is a one piece assembly. Meaning if you break one tail-light, you replace everything! It's very expensive in the "book" ($745), but can be found in junkyards for about $25-$75 bucks. I've sadly had jerks break two of these tail-lights now! The first time I replaced it with a junkyard find for $25. The second I found one on ebay for $60. The good news is it's easy to remove and install the taillight assembly. There's maybe 12 plastic screws you can remove by hand. 10 minute job tops.

General Comments:

Fantastically reliable and a sharp looking car. Interior is fantastic for anyone looking for comfort. Front wheel drive is awesome in snow areas. I've driven through intense blizzards in this, and it got me home while SUV's and trucks were sliding into ditches all around me. Will start at the lowest temperatures known to man (regularly left out in 9 degree temps and starts quickly and warms fast.)

The other great thing about this car is the cheapness and availability of replacement parts. New parts are cheap and it is very easy to find parts cars in junk yards for stuff like tail-lights and bumpers. I usually peak at the odometers of the junked PA's and they average 200,000 miles!

It's big. A must have for the land yacht lover!