With gas over $5 a gallon here now the non supercharged 3800 series is looking better and better.... I just bought a 2002 Buick LeSabre limited and absolutely love it.
Hello @Captain ThirdGen, i just purchased a 1997 Park Avenue Ultra with 90k miles from the second owner. It needs a few things fixed such as the wipers. They don't park correctly. They stay in the upright position. What could be causing this? Also, how difficult is it to replace valve cover and oil pan gaskets? Finally, I need to replace the super charger coupler. Is that difficult? Thanks, paul
The Super Charger Is Just Fine...I Love These Cars...Currently Have A 04 Ultra 230000...Had An 97 And 01 Park Avenue...Rocksolid ...You Better Get One...☝🏾💯🚘⚒️👊🏾
Those generation Park Ave, Lesabre, and Bonneville up until 2005 are solid built cars. All are built on the same platform. We have a 2005 Lesabre . It’s been one heck of a car. 200 000 miles and still going strong
I got a 1999 out of the USA. Originally from Gunderson Motors in Mora Minnesota and eventually found it's way to Arizona. When it got it's out of Province inspection the guy was blown away...he pronounced it a "interstate queen" as it was such pristine condition...and all that with 390,000 kms on the odometer. Not a squeak or rattle and absolutely no rust. I love my park ave and wouldn't even think of selling it. Lovely.
In 2020 I bought a 97 Park Ave Ultra for $1200. Identical to the car in the video. Bought it from the son of the original senior owner. I literally put every ZZP bolt on part on that car. It was ridiculous how fast that old barge could get up and go. Sadly I sold it when I inherited my father’s 2002 Lincoln LS V8, but these days I’m driving a 2002 Lesabre, which is without a doubt one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
In a word Yes ! Got my 2003 13 months ago. First year only non maintenance items replaced were the OEM radiator and MAF. Last month took it on a 1400 mile round trip between FL and TN. Could not fault it in any way !
I have a 2002 Park Avenue that I bought in 2012. It had almost 75K miles on it when I bought it. It now has over 208K miles on it. It has a 3800 engine that still runs great. It has normal wear and tear, but no problems with the tranny. The only thing I had to replace on the motor was the intake gaskets. On the highway I get 30+ mpg, and in the 20s overall. I service it regularly and maintain it properly. At 70 years old, I'm hoping it will last as long as I do. I love the car.
Had a Park Ave and two LeSabres with the 3800...they are bombproof. In 400K+ miles, one needed a trans rebuild and another needed an intake gasket and a coil pack. Otherwise, just consumables. Rolling couches that can haul five in comfort with a huge trunk. We took them from FL to VA to NJ on the regular. Put a big stereo in one LeSabre, but agree that the Concert Sound is actually decent. I agree that the paint wasn't the best.
Hey guy, I just watched a couple of your videos about your Buick Park Avenue Ultra. I have a 96 version that was Tyler’s of Hooves Garage. I bought it in Kansas and drove it back to Connecticut with a lot of banging and clunking coming from the back area. It took a while to figure out but it was coming from the struts. The so-called car wizard had replaced them but they didn’t tighten the nuts at the top of the struts, and you have to remove the back seat to get to them. Now it all quiet back there.
Hell yes! I just picked up a 2003 base model for $2000, putting some elbow grease into her. Parts are plentiful and extremely CHEAP! I will get a solid 5 years out of this baby if everything I am seeing with this car holds. Maybe ten years. Very easy to work on, and plenty of RU-vid videos to walk you through all of the major stuff. Very happy! And will be looking for another one, the prices on these are too good to pass up!
Picked up an 04 Park Ave a few weeks ago and other than a few minor parts replacements and a radiator flush I did myself, it’s been great! I am noticing a bit of coolant loss but no water in the oil. I hope I find the leak eventually
In all likelihood you’re intake plenum needs replacing. The constant heat from EGR port causes the thermoplastic to break down, causing a direct antifreeze leak into the induction. Starts out gradual, but with time will get worse. It’s a very common issue with a high mileage 3800.
Based on my own experience with Buick Park Avenue, definitely it's a much better car to purchase. IMHO: Park Avenue has a more spacious interior, smoother ride, more luxurious and elegant design. My gallery on RU-vid proves this fact. Pictures worth a thousand words!
Park Ave definitely has a more pleasing style. And the rear doors and passenger compartment are larger than the LeSabre. I had a nice low mileage 2002, but my wife managed to wreck it when she borrowed it I really miss that car.
My CD changer in the trunk didn't work when I got the car. Took it to a shop that works on older stereo systems. They sent it to a repair facility in New York. It was sent back and I was told no parts available it's Obsolete.
I have a 2000 Buick Park Avenue. It's been a wonderful car for my family of eight cats. I haven't changed it's oil since 1998 and it has over 9000 miles on it, no problem. I'm planning a road trip from my hometown of Baghdad, Iraq to Bismark, North Dakota and it feels good knowing old Nephilim Killer will get the job done.
I have 2000 Buick LeSabre I bought it for 2400 bucks September 2021 I don’t think I did too it was put new tires on or he still had after them but they’ve been on the car for 16 years and they were starting to dry rot replaced the air shocks on the rear and did have to put a catalytic converter on a car runs great I’d like to have one for every day of the week in different colors so I can pick and choose I’ll take these any day over a brand new piece of junk that they’re making out there today gotta love my Buicks
I have a 92 Roadmaster 5.7ltr rear wheel drive, body straight clear coat peeling and white paint is faded. Interior are in good no cracking on the dash. It starts and runs good. Drove it to Home depot about 5miles away. Shut it off and when I went to start it it wouldn't start. Let it sit overnight and it starts just fine. Any suggestions any videos on the older Roadmasters. It's 31 years old and I want to use it while I pull the tranny out of my 2003 Buick Park Avenue Ultra. My Ultra has 200k miles and has been very comfortable and reliable. Plus easy to work on, which I enjoy doing my own maintenance. I spent 23 yrs in the AF worked on turbine and diesel engine driven Generators and compressors, Hydraulic test stands, and other equipment to support the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon. I don't have a lot of experience on Gasoline engines.
I have never used premium in our 03 ultra, I get 28.5 mpg, it's very responsive has 300K on it currently and is my daily driver 😊we paid 1100 for it and it has zero rust on it, I think I got lucky this time, ours has the aluminum hood and front fenders also
the knock sensors will pull timing to account for lower octane fuel. The problem is the knock sensors in 3800s are old and very primitive technology. They dont always react as quickly to knock as they should. This can lead to predetonation. Which essentially means you run the risk of blowing the engine up if the engine predetonates due to a knock sensor not pulling the timing needed to account for the lower grade fuel. so basically, you should be ok. But theres always a chance it could pre detonate. In my opinion, just run the correct fuel and dont worry about it
@@ItsaRomethingeveryday on regular gas the ecm pulls timing (so, less power). If you use premium fuel, the timing can be more aggressive (more power) In a 4k lb buick, the difference will likely not be that profound
I wasn't sure if I should pull the trigger on one of these Buick park nationals but after you mentioned it's great for kids that are smokers I'm definitely getting one now, thanks 👍
have a white 2004 Buick Park venue Ultra I paid 3500.00 for it 3 1/2 years ago. great car for cheap broke people on a budget. When something goes wrong everything can be fixed for under 800.00; parts and labor at most paces. Supercharged 3800 Series Ii always USE 93 OCTANE gas its a must or you get a bad spark knock Mine had 134,703 miles now has 150,150 miles. Mine has everything expect the bucket seats and sunroof. Those 17.5 inch Chrome wheels are 199.99 to 399.00 used not kidding. Mine has that it was a dealer installed option took it off didn't work mine has the factory cell phone and antenna. Mine is Pearl White with beige leather int, Mine has the heads up display i find it annoying. Took the back camera off saved it..I dont have the sunroof or bucket seats.Mine has the Concert III and the 6 disc changer in trunk and all chrome Mine also has OnStar that still works I have it until 2026m for free.
I'm about to buy an 03 Ultra. Maroon with all the bells & whistles. 155K miles. Excellent interior and exterior. 2 sets of wheels. Tinted windows. $4000. Is that a good price?
I got a 99 PA ultra with 245, 000 miles on it. Rides like a cloud. Only serious part that's been replaced is the water pump. White with tan. Great road trip car. Drive it daily. It's the third Buick I've owned because I love them!
bought mine. only issues were ones that were there (small ones) and ones i unfortunately created by not driving on roads while door dashing in rural areas
Love these. And I love the blue interior!! I am on my 11th 3800 LOL. Proudly rocking an 04 dale jr supercharged Monte Carlo SS and being a mechanic and detailer i love these cars. About the easiest cars ever to work on and very good quality carpet that is very easy to vacuum and shampoo. I love 3800s!
I've had a couple and still work on one for a customer overall yes but let's be honest alot of that plastic in that car is getting old and brittle at this point ,the struts up front always blown , seat gears always strip out , intake gaskets always start leaking and let's just say the transmission is iffy , parts are pretty cheap though I wouldn't buy one at this point but I still like them.
... Wife had a '96 Park Avenue.... a fine car for a FWD, and MANY TIMES BETTER THAN HER 2011 LaCrosse!!!!!! ....... Hey, do you still have to disconnect an engine mount to change a fan belt? .... Good luck if that happens on the road.. in the middle of nowhere!
I had a 93, & loved it regret selling it😭 can you add the supercharger to the regular Park aves?🤔 There's a 97 Park Ave close to me, iam considering picking up, but its not an Ultra.
you can, but its really not worth it. Havw to swap everything from the cylinder heads on up to L67 parts. And with gas prices, you arent going to want to have to run premium fuel. Because an L36 with a supercharger will actually have significantly higher compression than a stock L67, which already requires premium fuel. So all around, Id say the NA setup is actually better these days. Also easier to repair/maintain
@@d_dizzie_druck5753 be careful with the transmission they are funky but other than that a great car... Myself looking at going from lesabre to park ave
i loved my 01 lesabre limited. Id say I like the added length of the park ave but it does make it trickier to park than a lesabre. I also miss the simplicity of the N/A 3800 in my lesabre as well as regular gas! id like to get another lesabre at some point as a commuter car
mine has the "RARE AND SUPER EPIC" bucket seats. Would have preferred a bench lol. Its nice to be able to fit 6 people in a pinch, and be able to spread out a little more on long drives
@@CaptainThirdGen lol same here, I’m getting popular at the auto parts store. Latest mistake was buying a fail safe thermostat. It stuck open after two weeks. On my way now to get a better one
@@CaptainThirdGen I have a 99 ultra white and I like how the 03-05 ultra features were put it in your 98 that’s what I’ve been wanting to do instead of selling mines and getting me an 03-5
I own A 1998 Park Avenue regular stock not an Ultra. It will start then shut off I tried carberator cleaner when I had low fuel then filled it up and it still cuts off but will crank again. What would likely be the problem?
@@johna.4334 It runs ok will start but YES it's the Fuel Pump may try to buy one for it next year or a little sooner! It's a pre-owned cared for car now I have to clean and restore it..uh oh I better get MAACO!
i have not. I ended up taking them apart only to find that the top nut on the drivers side rear shock was loose. Tightened it up, all is well. The conversion kits I was looking at on 1a auto's website were about $200 if I recall correctly. I am going to have to replace the front struts this summer though, will make videos on that when I do the job :)
@@CaptainThirdGen Good to hear! I'm looking at a 98 park ave, 67000 miles for 3500. Hopefully all is well when I check it out. I'll be waiting on those videos, can't wait!
How well would 2 baby car seats fit in the back? I am about 6 ft and need room for my legs when driving with 2 car seats in the back for the grandkids.
as of today has 69k miles, had 62k when i got it. Its up for debate if those are correct miles, as the dash has been swapped. But thats the only info I have to work with
@@xaviermusic3075 my NA 3800 lesabre could pull 33mpg average on my 80 mile round trip to school. Lesabres are a little lighter than park aves so they can do a little better mpg
@@CaptainThirdGen Interesting, thanks. Aesthetically talking, I prefer Park avenues tho… Lesabres look nice too, hard choice! Pardon my English, it’s not my maternal language.
@@CaptainThirdGen Another common issue around 100k-130k miles these will need Upper and lower intake manifold gaskets and the upgraded metal cooling elbows. These also have valve cover issues that may need addressed with the replacement Dormen branded valve covers a set was 79.00 with gaskets included all the original ones leak from the factory along with the intake gaskets and also get rid of the Death cool antifreeze as this crap is corrosive to the gaskets and will eat the gaskets right out, I had a GM master tech tell me that was the problem with these engines was the Death cool would rum 25 to 35 degrees warmer than the universal green coolant. He said that their fix for these was THE Dorman valve covers and gaskets and the upgraded metal intake gaskets. One way to tell if you intake gasets are leaking if you look at the overflow bottle and you notice a leak but its using antifreeze and nothing is leaking out the bottom its 100 percent going to be intake gaskets.
@@CaptainThirdGen I did absolutely and I literally watched 30 seconds of it so I could put that post up LOL really? What I need to do is get a life and get off of here see I do have humility
@@CaptainThirdGen I also gave you a like so now you owe me LOL I used to be in the car business as we used to say there's an ass for every seat it's all good and it all works I'm even going to subscribe with as much sarcasm I wish you the best LOL and actually back in the day my mother had a 95 Park Avenue Ultra and it was an awesome car she actually kept it longer than any other car she had it ended up having 120,000 miles on it before we got rid of it