Is a 1988 Buick Park Avenue a nice car?

[Yung Magic]

I am 18 years old and I am buying my first car soon. My step brother wants to sell me his 1988 Buick Park Avenue, which has 96k miles on it. Is this a nice, reliable first car for me and does it use a lot of gas? Also how much is the car worth to pay?

 

[emcee minerva]

$1,000 at the most... that's a really old car and it will be a gas guzzler... as you surely know by now, american car companies don't make their cars gas friendly TODAY let alone back in 1988...

buyer beware my friend.... if something goes wrong, you'll be stuck with the bill to fix it and a transmission alone can cost $2,000 or more....

 

[Rick]

well, that car is kind of old school, and it almost has 100,000 miles, so I recommend u don't buy it, it's definitely not a gas saver, and I recommend you pay for it $1300 max, u can always get a small honda or toyota for that price.

 

[heythere]

I envy you!!!!

I had an '89 park avenue which is the same as an '88 basically. I loved that car and regretted selling it. The car is super reliable. It has the famous 3800 engine! It is incredibly fast! So comfortable. Mine was white outside and the interior was red leather. I bought it at 145,000 miles from a car dealership for $1,500 and then sold it at 212,000 miles, this was seven years ago---the only problem i had was it need a new blower motor for the heater which cost me $150 parts and labor. I then bought a 1992 buick park avenue and i did not like it like my other one.

I recently tried to find an 1988-1990 buick park avenue (the best years) but could not find one for sale, so now i drive a damn honda civic.

True, american cars suck and repairs on any car are costly, but this particular year buick park avenue and just a few other american cars are an exception. I know cars in and out. I'd pay $1,500 for that car, but i have to see its condition....hopefully its not junked out.

You are lucky to have that car!!!! I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT REALLY BAD ON GAS!

 

[imidazol97]

I don't know why someone would say a 3.8 is going to be a gas guzzler. They obviously don't know. Driven gently it will do very well in typical driving; I get 21-22 on short drives 1 mile and 5 miles max on my 98 and same on 93 I traded. On the highway you can expect 30 and up driven at speed limit and motor is in good repair.

I currently have a 160K 98 leSabre with a 3800 which I can't justify trading for a 4 cylinder Cobalt or Malibu because it gets GOOD mileage. The increase in mileage wouldn't be worth the money spent.

I wouldn't pay much because of the age and the potential for something to go wrong. However a replacement motor from the many in a recycling yard is low if you have someone to switch it in. Same for a tranmission and repairs on the trusty 4T60 trannies. Compare with automatics in many of the cheapie pop cars with age on them and a tin can for a muffler for attention. Honda is known for transmission problems.

 

[imidazol97]

I don't know why someone would say a 3.8 is going to be a gas guzzler. They obviously don't know. Driven gently it will do very well in typical driving; I get 21-22 on short drives 1 mile and 5 miles max on my 98 and same on 93 I traded. On the highway you can expect 30 and up driven at speed limit and motor is in good repair.

I currently have a 160K 98 leSabre with a 3800 which I can't justify trading for a 4 cylinder Cobalt or Malibu because it gets GOOD mileage. The increase in mileage wouldn't be worth the money spent.

I wouldn't pay much because of the age and the potential for something to go wrong. However if a motor should fail the price of a replacement motor from the many in a recycling yard is low if you have someone to switch it in. Same for a tranmission and repairs on the trusty 4T60 trannies. Compare with automatics in many of the cheapie pop cars with age on them and a tin can for a muffler for attention. Honda is known for transmission problems.

 

[woodchuck]

I loved my 86. 20+ mpg. It now has 250,000 miles. I have replaced the coils and I have had the transmission rebuilt twice. I bought the car with 80,000 miles on it. Change the fuel filter as soon as you get it.

 

[AC75]

If the car has been looked after, not abused and is in good shape I see no reason why I wouldn't buy it. As mentioned above a 3.8 is a great engine and it is NOT bad on gas. Obviously it is not a sub compact 4cylinder. It is a full-size car, heavy and comfortable. If you like what the car has to offer it's a good fit. If on the other hand you want a honda or toyota then it's not for you. Personally I would take the Buick everytime.