General Comments:
Hello, I’m 18 (baby Buick owner) and I have a 1995 Buick Park Avenue. I don’t see many reviews on 95's, was that a bad year?
While many think it looks like an old folks car I don’t think so. This is the best car I ever had (only the second car, the first one (mothers old car) was a Dodge Neon and was totaled by a mustang, thank you mustang driver) and I knew it would be a good car when I got it.
I did my research on cars while looking for a new one and ran across this sight and read all the good reviews for Buicks and the bulletproof 3.8 engine. I don’t know if mine is bulletproof because it has the plastic intake, hopefully it doesn’t go bad.
I was really looking for a cheap reliable car, maybe a early to mid 90's Oldsmobile or Buick. I wanted a reliable affordable car since I was starting college, not a race car or an underpowered car, (surprising for an 18 year old) but something that was decent.
When I went to the dealership were I got my car, after going to other outrageous dealerships, I was initially looking for a Buick LeSabre since it was a cheaper version of the Park Avenue and saw some, but the weren’t really that desirable or the were too high. I saw the Park Avenue early and decided that I would finally take a look thinking it wouldn’t be affordable because it had only a little over 100,000 miles. When the car salesman told the price for the car, I was shocked. After some more bargaining the car cost only a little over $2500 dollars before taxes. I think I got one over on the dealership. Other dealers were trying to sell me cars that were close to 200,000 miles and far less superior than my Park Avenue for more than $3000 dollars. Sorry about the long car buying experience, but it was my first (tear).
This car is far more that what I expected. It accelerates so flawlessly and smoothly that some times I don’t realize that I’m doing way higher than the posted speed limit. It seems to have no strain even with a car full of passengers and its speed surprises some (Some times people test you only to see your taillights in the sunset.).
The only problem this car has is that the heat only blows out of the passenger side, but not the drivers side, seems to be a common GM problem. I live in the south so the winter isn’t too bad (the highs lately have been the 60's and low 70's and it’s December) but I don’t want to freeze when it gets cold.
The only problem I’ve had was the coolant level sensor fell out the radiator and most of the coolant leaked. I glad I wasn’t far from home. The sensor was original and a cold spell came through and made the plastic connectors brittle and it fell out (theory), the part cost $40 dollars. That’s a lot for a college when student when it happens out the blue. Still I expect to have my Park Avenue a long time and hopefully it will last. I change the oil regular and plan to do all the maintenance I can to keep it running. I also hope I lose my lead foot because I don’t want to send my car to an early grave.
This car is faster than you would believe and I'm 18.
Doesn't mean you can drive it like a race car or small car. (I spent out a couple of times on turns and had some near rear end collisions)
Don't have to worry about hitting my head when I get in or out of the car (I'm 6'2)
Very luxurious for a cheap price.
Nice and roomy.
Looks good.
Insurance is cheap.
Can't seem to get better than 21mpg. I hope gas price don't go to $3 a gallon again.
19th Jul 2009, 10:49
You can pick up a used cd player on eBay for under $100 dollars. This unit was used in most Buick models for several years so they are plentiful. You may even be able to install it yourself if you buy an unlocked unit. As for your mileage, you may need a tune-up, I have had two of the 2nd generation Park Avenues which are even heavier than your car and have averaged about 26-27 mpg with both of them (over 30 on the freeway). I think that is pretty good considering most small cars won't average much more than 30 and are far less comfortable or roomy.