2003 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 3.8 supercharged

Summary:

Great car. Expect repair costs

Faults:

We got this car for the ride. Both me and my wife have bad backs, and this car has literally given us our freedom back. Being a motorhead, I had to get the supercharged version.

Something is still loose in the front end. Feels like a tie rod end; vibrates the whole car at highway speeds. It's even wearing front tires irregularly. I replaced every steering part in front end, and both axles and motor mounts. Still vibrates. 3 mechanics say nothing is wrong. Ha!

Numerous stories all over the net about guys getting tires balanced and replaced over and over again, to still have vibration.

I think something is screwed up with the steering column itself.

Gas mileage is more like 17 to 20 MPG. I don't know how guys are getting 28 MPG out of these cars?

Late 90's and early 2000's GM products seem to have crazy electrical gremlins. Mine is not too bad, but does have some issues.

Overall, even with the common problems, if you have a chance to get a supercharged Buick, get it! Just expect crazy problems. It's like you're getting an excellent ride and performance, and having to deal with crazy problems for the privilege to own and drive one of these 5000 pound beasts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2014

11th Jan 2014, 10:10

Try changing the hub bearings.

12th Jan 2014, 12:37

5,000 lbs? Try closer to 3,900. I had two Park Avenues (a '99 and '05) I would love to have the '05 back. It was a loaded White Diamond non-Ultra. I preferred the non-Ultra because I wanted the smoother Dynaride suspension and you don't need premium fuel. My first Park Avenue was not an Ultra either, but had the Gran Touring suspension and I felt that the newer one without the sport suspension rode a lot smoother.

The modern Buick products don't come close in comfort or looks in my opinion. I am leasing a 2012 Enclave, which I do like, but not like the Park Avenues. I am thinking of buying a low mileage used Cadillac DTS when my lease is up next year. Closest thing you can get to a Park Avenue in a newer car.

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2003 Buick Park Avenue 3.8 V6

Summary:

100,000 miles, and this traditional full-size Buick still runs like a bear

Faults:

2 stretched motor mounts were replaced.

Blower motor.

Driver heated seat inoperable (live in a southern climate and don't care).

Wipers some times get stuck in the up position when turned off.

Plastic coolant elbow was seeping coolant (this is a stupid design, and the replacement part is still made of plastic).

General maintenance; oil, brakes, plugs, filters.

General Comments:

My father, who has been buying Buicks for over 50 years, is the owner of this car, and I'm posting this review because I know the car's history, seeing that I'm the one who takes care of it, and performed the minor repairs listed above.

This car has a great smooth and quiet ride, just as good and if not better than my Town Car. The legendary 3800 motor has very adequate power for a car this big. The large seats are comfortable, and the diamond white paint and chrome wheels really set the car off. Loaded with options (too many if you ask me).

The only bad things in my opinion are that this should be a rear-drive car, and the dash has too many buttons for various info. and the climate control.

This is the last full-size Buick that actually looks like a Buick.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2012

21st Jan 2012, 13:06

Yes, I traded a loaded 2005 Park Avenue, same color as your dad's, with under 42,000 miles in May. What a stupid mistake! My grandparents have a '99 Town Car and I agree that the Park Avenue with Dynaride has a smoother ride. If I could find another 2005 just like the one I had with under 15,000 miles, I just might sell my current 2011 Buick and buy it. Most likely though I will end up trading it this summer for an Enclave. These, the Cadillac DeVille/DTS, and the Lincoln Town Cars were the last bastions of the true American luxury cars. If you are a fan of real American luxury cars, you know the modern ones just pale in comparison. I am glad that I was fortunate enough to be able to own and enjoy 2 Park Avenues; I know that I will always think of them as my favorite cars.

31st Jan 2015, 23:37

UPDATE, at 140350 miles and 8 years of excellence, this car has been traded in. The only repairs since the original review were outer tie rod ends and the throttle body gasket.

Seeing how there are no real Buicks left, a 2010 Ford Escape is the replacement, which doesn't worry me. Fords have also always been good for us, including the 2 we have now.

I myself am truly going to miss this car, even though it wasn't mine.