2004 Buick Park Avenue Ultra - The Supercharged Sedan That Keeps On Going!
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Merch & Blog: www.ZackPradel.com
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DISCLAIMER!
The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. I highly recommend consuming other reviews of this vehicle before making any form of financial decision.
#Buick #ParkAvenueUltra
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:13 - Engine / Transmission
3:10 - Interior
6:05 - BFB Test
6:39 - Seats
7:08 - Back Seats
8:57 - Trunk / Cargo Space
9:31 - Exterior
10:12 - Final Thoughts
12:38 - Outro - Авто та транспорт
I used to be a mechanic, and I always loved it when our older customers who had these cars would come in. Always so clean and so comfortable. They're huge but so fun to drive! I'd rather drive one of these over a lot of newer cars. New subscriber here. Keep it up!
7:23 Let's all take a moment to appreciate the fact that the foam-and-felt headliner hasn't sagged... at all!
It was a major selling point when I bought it.
The headliner in my Riviera hasn't sagged either, and it's seven years older. This is what garaging a car will do for you.
@@jrcars7017 I think it's lack of smoking. Cigarette smoke residue is very heavy
Humidity has a lot to do with it
Yep our LTD Crown Victoria 1980 sure did sagged after a few years or ownership.
I have the same car in the dark blue. Only has 110,000 miles on it and it runs like a dream. Pure comfort with enough tourqe to make you giggle. I've owned a lot of cars but this one is my favorite. Praise the the GM 3800!
Those steelies with the trim rings and center caps are lit!
Thanks!
Nearly 308K miles! Wow, that's awesome for a Buick from this Era. Nice ride and nice review ✌️🙌
She just turned 309 yesterday!
wym for a buick. whatchu tryna say 🤨
Buick was regularly in the top brands for reliability in JD power's during the 1990's. Also the Buick LeSabre (same platform and engine (sans SC) as Park Avenue) was the best selling large sedan through most of 1990's.
318k now!
Those 3.8 V6’s are absolute tanks.
I always thought the LeSabre of this generation looked too blobby and bloated. This park avenue added a few sharp lines and other small design elements that sharpened it up a good amount. Overall a nice looking car
This was the statement I was thinking about that you put into words! I 100% agree!
I'm an owner of a LeSabre, 100% agreed.
I agree, the lesabre and park avenue redesigns were a total downgrade. The previous gen of those 2 cars looked much nicer, the newer ones just look misguided.
@@broman260 I disagree about the 1st gen Park Ave, its design has aged horribly and looks every bit its age. The 2nd gen 97-05 Park Ave is a much better looking car, especially the tail lights and whole tail treatment including rear 3/4's.
@@hakeemsd70m 2nd gen is obese, 1st gen is sleek
This car is mint. If it weren't for the wear on the buttons you'd never guess it's got 300k. This looks like a one-owner senior citizen's car. While not RWD, these are some of the best land yachts. Super comfortable yet surprisingly powerful. This is peak Buick, refined yet with a bit of hidden performance. It's a shame GM lost its way and has Buick churning out rebadged Chevy crossovers with seats that feel like folding chairs. Early 2000s was peak GM. Decent enough quality, very comfortable seats, modern enough to have good reliability and performance while not being overly complex.
This reminds me of my grandmother's supercharged 2003 Regal. I'm sad I didn't get to drive it before she traded it for a Cruze. The stuff in the trunk also reminds me of her car. If I needed a cheap but comfortable car in a hurry, I'd be looking for an early 2000s Buick. The volume knob moving by itself is so unnecessary but cool. The wheels look like Impala police car wheels but they work surprisingly well.
What damn gem! These Buiks are bullet proof. Had one back in the day (not an ultra) but man it never let me down.
That color is called Ming Blue....I had a 2004 3.8 non supercharged i kept it all stock ,it was clean non tinted windows,i use to drive my 4 buddies to NFL games down here in Houston and it was comfy with a huge trunk for cooler and chairs......loved it and got thumbs up from people....a hurricane hit the gulf coast and took that car from me.
I still own a 2004 Park Avenue with the Prestige Package. It has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned. The 3800 V6 is a great engine, very reliable.
I love the Ultra! I've had two: a 1992 PAU--the first year of supercharging--and a 1989 Electra Park Avenue Ultra (with no supercharger but 22-way power seats). Sadly, I've sold both already.
A few things of note: They started calling it the 3800 in 1988. It was painted on the intake manifold that year "3800" in bold red letters. Prior to that, it was known more-or-less as the 231 (literally the same displacement but in cubic inches. Apples to apples). It was first 3800 CC's (or 231 cubic inches) in 1975 when Buick took back the design and tooling from Kaiser/Willys/AMC. Yes, the Buick V6 was originally developed by the division in 1961 and the tooling and design was sold to Kaiser/Jeep for a spell... before they needed it back because oil crisis.
I have the same blue Buick park Avenue, not the ultra. Got it for $2100 bucks with 103k ,got it from an old lady who was the first owner! I’ve kept it stock and clean for it deserves to be taken care of. Absolutely love these Buicks! If only Buick would make these again, I bet ford would come back out with the crown victorias and have a big sedan make off again.
Great channel too!
My grandpa had a 1999 Buick Park Avenue for a few years and it was so comfy and really nice for its age. Also had a lot of features for the time it came out
I had an 03 Park Avenue that my father bought for me while I was in Daytona Florida. My Dad is gone and so is the Buick but I will never forget that ride..ON BUTTER! I live in London but I wish I still had my Park Avenue. Pure Class!
Growing up, I was also surrounded by GM Products. My Grandfather owned a dark blue 82 Bonneville and a 95 light blue LeSabre. I certainly resonate that feeling you get from being around these Buick's and other 90s GM Products, there's just something about them thats simply fulfilling and warm. Hopefully I can get my hands on a 90s front wheel drive GM car as an ode to my Grandfather, and then you can review it! haha
I have a perfect Ultra 2004 Park avenue paid 3500.00 for it 2 years ago and this has the 4-T65E HD transaxle
Great cars these were. I've got my grandfather's '91 LeSabre Limited with just over 180,000 miles on it. Smooth cruising and great memories every time I fire it up.
You're definately one of the hardest working men on UA-cam! Thank you for awesome content
Also, if you can find a Buick Regal GS - that would be a fun review! The definition of 'sleepers'
The 3800 is one of the best engines and not super difficult to work on. Only problem I had with my 03 Park Ave I've had since 03 was the intake gasket. Got it fixed and was ready same day. Mines currently sitting at 61K miles.
Missing the great American sedans!
Love it. My dad had a buick regal gs with that engine.
You mentioned the 3.8 V6 reliability, we purchased a used 2010 Buick Lucerne, equipped with the 3.9 V6, for that very purpose. the larger Buick V6's are among the most reliable engines out there. Still going strong at the end of 2022
I love my 2000 Ultra! Best riding and driving car I’ve ever had. I deliver food in mine, she’s a bit big for that, but I manage to wheel her around quite nicely…and she Goes!
your original review of one of these was what brought me to your channel year ago!
just picked up one of these last night, its my second one and i love it.
I saw a nicely kept ultra at a Target parking lot, almost pristine condition.
I own an 07 lacrosse with the 3800 and I totally get what you mean when you say it feels like the car cares for you. It feels so homey and like a friend. I have this urge to keep it running smoothly and on the road
Beauty car those first gens.
Yeah man...that's a good car. Take care of it and it will take you anywhere you want to go 🔥👌🏾
I agree. Beautiful car all around
LOVE THE CHANNEL!
Dude - first of all want to praise you for your hard work and consistent content. You should start to incorporate more driving footage - would love to see some of these cars accelerating down the road or going around a corner
This is actually one of the most slept on budget cars
I'm impressed to see a W-Body vehicle that actually made it to 300k normally the ones I've seen over the years particularly the Chevy Impala, Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix are usually rode hard and put away wet. Makes me wonder why the hell GM discontinued the 3800 series engines they would make more sense in the current generation Chevy Silverado/ GMC Sierra instead of a turbo 4 cylinder in a full size truck.
Buicks were mostly bought by old people. Most old people keep their cars immaculate and this one looks to be one of those. Usually once these get to the second or third owner is when they become hoopties.
Not a W Body. C Body which is derivative of H. This is my second one with over 300k. I've had many with over 250k.
I wonder if auto journos always crapping on old tech pushrod engines had anything to do with it. Along with killing the comfy seat, floaty ride, and durable 16" rim. Hey, at least you get to experience fast-car-slow instead of slow-car-fast in nearly every new car now.
I had a '90 PA Ultra - fully loaded: sunroof, Delco-Bose stereo with power antenna, and 22-way adjustable power seats (even the headrest could tilt, and go up & down. It even had it's own RadioShack 'Mobile' phone, with it's own base & mini antenna! Absolutely, the most comfortable car I've ever owned, and reliable to a fault. The best $800 I ever spent. I was sold on the 3800 Series long before I bought the car, because my grandfather had a '76 Buick Skylark with the 231 odd-fire V6 (essentially the previous gen of the 3800, as it was 3.8L), and that car had well over 300,000 miles on it as well. The body rotted away to the point that it would creak when you were braking, but that beast would fire every morning with two pumps of the gas, and a half turn of the key. These are fantastic engines!
Bought a 2004 Ultra three years from an estate sale. Boy, was it well cared for. It is in showroom condition with only 110,000 miles on it. I've taken it to car shows and people can't believe it's age. Everybody loves these GM cars from thay era as they were very reliable.
beautiful car.... i always loved the Park Avenue, one of the nicest cars out there
Love it too! You should get one, Zack
Nice car. Grew up with Buicks. I currently have two LN3 3800 (pre series one; 1989 and 1990) cars and they are a very simple reliable motor. Remembering how common the drivetrain was for so long I'd bet many went to the junkyard with perfectly fine engines under the hood and in the Southwest where rust is out of the equation you can still see many 90s Buicks running about. I've owned almost every 3800 generation except the Supercharged variants, I'm holding out for a really nice example preferably in Buick form....
Nice car, love the wheels!
As a parts dealer I can tell you the weak link on these things are the transmissions and mileage is wholly dependent on the temperament of the owner. The transmissions (even the HD ones) dont seem to tolerate nearly as much abuse as some of their contemporaries. Ive seen mays odos that has barely scratched 140-150k and the trans goes kaput. Ive seen a few savy owners take get their hands on the HD version and stick it in their non supercharged lesabre/park avenue just for the peace of mind.
It was the mid 1980, I was four. My parents had a Chevy Nova concord. They traded it in on a 1984 Buick Century 2.8 L V6 carbureted. The transmission wasn't the best in my car and I got a 1986 Buick Century with a 2.8 L carbureted engine. I learned to drive with that 86 Buick.My first car was a 1984 Cutlass with a 307 V8 carbureted bucket seats shifter on the floor rear wheel drive. We also had some Fords and for me Chevy and Ford will always be a part of my life. You ask what do I drive today?.? I drive a 1998 Subaru Legacy wagon with a 2.2 flat for mated to a 5-speed manual all-wheel drive custom exhaust and I enjoy that car. over 230,000 miles and with a little misfire it still keeps driving strong. I would love to own the Buick in this video the 3.8 L it was a very strong engine I know that for a fact.
A lot of the techs I work with love these old cars with the GM 3800 in them
I love the rims on this one!
Love the PA I have a 99 in a kind of rose gold metallic color, great car for any age!
The 3800 came around in 1988 after GM revised Buick 3.8 but both are very different motors. The 3800 has a balance shaft and staggered cylinder banks (so the crankshaft wasn’t offset) the earlier Buick 3.8 didn’t have a balance shaft and had a offset crankshaft and connecting rods
That rims looks very cool 👍
Thanks!
I daily my 92 park ave ultra, couldnt ask for a better more comfortable daily
I own a 2005 Buick park avenue with 82,205 miles on it and I freaking love this car!
What is it about 90’s and 00’s Buicks that I like about them? Big and comfy with 2wd? Don’t know but it’s wonderful
I had a 99 buick park avenue with 263 thousands miles on it and it has never left me stranded I absolutely feel in love with it I called her the silver buick bullet when I bought it and it had ALOT engine issues 'sensors , matiance, shit like that. The body where the spring purge connects decided to go bluetooth and I don't have time to fix it it hurts I love that car I really really do I bought it with 168 thousand miles on it and it always got me home and broke down there so I can fix it without being on the road (Thank you my silver buick bullet. I raced a 2015 caddalic I lost on the first poll but I absolutely ghosted him on the second pull and after that I knew me and that car had something special so I fixed every thing I could let the car know I love it and I know cars don't have feeling and probably don't care If your fixing some stupid interior trim peace but it helps fill the whole that the car was before and it makes me happy to see a car come back to life after being treated so poorly
I had a 2000 Park Ave. I bought it in 2002 with 30k miles. It was black it was loaded the only options I didn't have was the Supercharged 3.8 and the moon roof. I went to start it one morning and it had a bad rod knock. I sold it in 2010 for 2k bucks lol I took and ran.
2004 Ultra wheels were 17"x8". He probably got tired of them leaking along the bead. Mine do! It's the white powdery crap when the chrome on the aluminum starts corroding. I wonder if the rear air ride is still working? My 2005 LeSabre the system was replaced with regular struts.
6:27 I have a 2000 Buick Lesabre and those cup holders are so small it’s ridiculous. I have trouble finding bottles that can fit in them 😂.
Oh my aunt has one since new she got it after retiring her 92 Volvo 240
What’s cool about the 3800 is just how stout of an engine they are! The 3800 v6 handles low and high end boost very well so you can make very good power from this old style pushrod v6! Not only that but all the different variations of the 3800 all share very similar parts! So to switch from the NA 3800 to the supercharged variant all you need to do is swap over the top half of the engine with the cylinder heads to the NA block! Absolutely my favorite engine
😂😂😂 i can tell you rage when you play games, i love it bro
This is a sign
I feel like the spirit of Roger Ebert lives in you.
Sooooooooo nice 👍🏼
I'm 51, and my grandparents owned Buicks too! When I see someone under 30 drive a Buick, the first thing I think is "grandparent must've passed away or given up their keys due to age"...which is a pity, as some of their models were quite rugged and reliable and cheap to own and maintain for the long haul. Toyota and Honda have this reputation today (with Hyundai and Kia moving in too).
The rims look really good! Which ones are they ? !
10:52 yes, AND don't forget Panthers... Crown Vic/Gr Marquis/Lincoln TC's, extremely durable and long lasting.
Just sayin.
The roadmaster looking like yeah " that's my lil bro" just ignore him
Twilight Sentinel was available as an extra cost option on the 1960 Buicks 62 years ago.
So cool
Ultra Combo!!!!!!
Do the 97 LeSabre next!
if i could find one of these where i live id buy it as my daily driver ASAP
oh yeassssssssssss, praise the big granny sleepers 🎉
I’d want that car 🙌🏽
My 90s lesabre just got totaled and im sad af, don’t even want a new car tbh im gonna get one of these. These cars were just too good
I miss my White Buick Park Avenue Ultra i had the Transmission fixed 3 times
Do a 2001-2005 1st gen ford explorer sport trac i have a white 2001 and i know itll fit the big friggin bottle bcus it fits my 40oz beer in it lol
I loved when you played the game😂😂😂
"ROOTS" of this engine... The irony of that statement did not escape me...
One of GM's best motors!
I can attest to the comfort of those seats. Until I fixed the radio in mine it almost put me to sleep, especially with the floaty suspension rocking me
The later 3.6’s aren’t that bad. The earlier engines did have the oil consumption and stretching timing chain issues, but pretty much by 2012 they were sorted out. I would like to point out that the 3.8’s earlier variants such as the 3.0 and 3.3 had more than their fair share of teething problems. Which were sorted out by the time those evolved into the 3.8 we all know and love.
Park Avenue, Crow Vic, and Prius you cant go wrong.
Best boat Buick made in the 2000’s by far!
Hey my 3.6 GMC Terrain has 275k on it but I really had to be aggressive on the oil changes which is every 3 to 5 k miles........
Interior quality for Ultras took a massive nose-dive with the introduction of the second generation (like this one) in 1997. You've got to find a first gen Park Avenue--those seats were incredible and the fit and finish was a little more old school and chrome and a little less GM's plastic-fantastic-late-90s-nightmare.
I drove a new one to Florida.
Europe didn’t have a thing on them
Meaning it would give anything on the road/highway a run
Plus you could take a foursome to the golf course on a weekday
I had bare Steelies cause I ripped off the poverty caps, everyone said hahaha look at ur " police wheels"
Wow, those control buttons for CD/tape have been through hell. Ô_o
Unfortunately mine's just base model and I can only wonder what it'd be like to finally own a car with forced induction.
From what I hear, the fanbase for the 3800 engine like to mod the hell out of them for all of the horsepowers!
Biggest problem with my Park Avenue is the snapped driver door lock rod and other things under the panel. It's the ONE part discontinued by GM.
Bop It! I have the same reaction when I screw up when playing that game! 😅
What steelies are those I’m looking for my park avenue
Picture that car with a smaller supercharger pulley, free flowing exhaust, bigger fuel pump/injectors and high flow air intake. Definitely would surprise a lot of today's sports cars.
What are those rims??? I want those for my 93 park avenue! It's the same color as that one.
i was driving a gifted 91 pontaic bonneville called it the bonerville. it's essietialy the same but older generation . one time i was going in the ally way lookiing for a parking spot and the alley ended and i hoped a curb , oh shit ,. but this is a buick 3.8 and there was a dent in the oil pan but its a metal oil pan so it was good, unlike my buddies 95 chrysler concorde that oil pan is plastic in a mid 90s! thats bullspit . only reason i quit driving it was the gas mileage was terrible at 14-16 , stuck some injector cleaner and clogged the cat and then i got another car .
Is premium gasoline necessary for this Ultra? I've seen different opinions. -I'm on the fence on purchasing a 2003 PA Ultra, but don't want to spend too much on gas every day. - Thanks in advance for any reply!
Those are not the original wheels these had 17 inch Chrome wheels Heads up display was a 1000 option even on the Ultra1SE package
Check out a 1996 Buick Riviera
Where can I get a driver window regulator???
it was named 3800 in 1988?
Aaah…old person blue hair blue instead of hearing aid tan!
I have the same car, her name is “Betty Love” and I’ve owned her for nearly 5 years - got me through the last 2 and a half years of college, the pandemic, several multi state road trips, everything - my aunt liked it so much, she bought one just like it a few months after I got mine. But now, I’m getting married, I need money to save and pay off debts, so I’m gonna have to sell her soon. Breaks my heart.
actically it was bumped up to 3.8L in 1975
Where can I find those center caps those would look nice on my Lacrosse?
Those look like Impala police car wheels with Buick center caps. The center caps just pop in and out of the silver trim piece.
They are from a 97 Park Avenue with Chrome wheels.
Is the paint original? Looks great for 100k let alone 300k!
Yes it is original as far as I can tell.
@10:25 “when I reviewed that first Park Avenue I didn’t know what I was doing…” correct and I wanted spank your ass for that review of the beige, 2000 Ultra. I’m 45 and have owned my 2000 Ultra since I was only 22. It’s sitting in my garage right now; I should start posting vids of it because it’s now a pseudo-modern classic. I could NOT wrap my head around your review of that car. I really couldn’t. It’s a lovely car from bumper to bumper and has enough torque to rip out tree stumps. I can’t wrap my head around people loving these damn rice rockets that aren’t nearly as comfortable or as big or go as fast as the ultra. They don’t even have any style or grace to them. Sitting next to my 2000 Ultra in my garage is my brand new ‘23 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport. I’ve owned it since September and have enjoyed driving it so little that it has only about 4500 miles on it. I like it, but I go to my Park Avenue Ultra almost every day. Anyway, I’m glad you’ve seen through light. Lol