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Automotive News & Views GM News, New Models and Market Share
8695 messages, Last post on Dec 09, 2009 at 8:09 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Thanks to both for clarifying. Lemko, which suspension do you prefer for the PA/Utra? Also, did Buick firm up the regular suspension of the PA/Ultra,if only a little, with the '97 platform change. It seems to me that with the significant improvement in body stiffness, the suspension was firmed up a tad, but maybe you know for sure.
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 24, 2007 6:59 am) Redesigned for 1997, Buick's "flagship" front-drive luxury sedan faced such rivals as the Infiniti I30, Lexus EX 300, and Oldsmobile Aurora. Wheelbase grew by three inches, overall length by about an inch. Weight also went up, by some 250 pounds. Styling was strictly evolutionary. Two models went on sale: a base Park Avenue and the plusher Park Avenue Ultra. Each carried a 3.8-liter V6 engine, but the one in the Ultra was supercharged to deliver 240 horsepower. The base V6 was rated at a more modest 205 horsepower. Both were teamed with a revised 4-speed automatic transmission, whose new electronic torque converter clutch was designed to produce smoother shifts. A redesigned interior featured unique seats that anchored both the lap and shoulder belts to the seat itself. The belts moved with the seats, to improve comfort for very tall or very short drivers. Buick's Personal Choice system, standard in Park Avenue, included a remote entry transmitter that could automatically adjust the driver's seat, outside mirrors, automatic door locks, lighting, and other accessories to either of two settings. This year, it added sound and climate adjustments, retained accessory power, and daytime running lights. A newly optional head-up display projected speedometer and other gauge readings onto the windshield. Also joining the option list: rain-sensing wipers and a dust filter for the automatic climate-control system. 1998 Buick Park Avenue: Park Avenue sedan gained some enhanced safety and convenience features for 1998. Dual airbags got reduced inflation power to deploy with less force (but still meet federal safety standards). A new passenger-side mirror, standard on Ultra and optional on the base model, tilted downward when reverse gear was engaged. Buick dealers could now install GM's OnStar communications system. That system linked the car by satellite and cellular telephone to a 24-hour GM center from which advisors could provide directions and travel advice, and also notify local authorities during an emergency situation. 1999 Buick Park Avenue: Changes were modest for '99, including the addition of "Elite Walnut" interior trim to the Park Avenue Ultra, and availability of a tire-pressure monitor gauge. The tire-monitor was standard on the Ultra edition. 2000 Buick Park Avenue: Front side airbags went into both 2000 models. GM's StabiliTrak system became standard on the Ultra and optional on the base Park Avenue. Designed to sense an impending skid in a turn and apply the brakes to an individual wheel, to keep the car on its intended course. Both models also gained child-seat anchors on the rear package shelf. 2001 Buick Park Avenue: Ultrasonic rear parking assist was a new option for 2001, while leather upholstery and an interior memory system became standard on base models. 2002 Buick Park Avenue: Steering-wheel radio and climate controls became standard on both models for 2002. 2003 Buick Park Avenue: Ultra gets three chrome-plated "VentiPorts" on each front fender. Associated with Buick since 1949 and last seen in the 1980s, these design icons also increase engine-compartment airflow, Buick says. Other retro additions to Ultra are a "waterfall" grille, tri-shield Buick insignia, and chrome exhaust tips. 2004 Buick Park Avenue: No significant changes were made in '04. 2005 Buick Park Avenue: In '05, Park Avenue gets revisions to grille and taillamps, and the base model gains the front-fender "portholes" previously reserved for the top-line Park Avenue Ultra. Buick says 2005 is the final model year for Park Avenue. |
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Good info on the PA/Ultra, but nothing about the touring suspension.
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 25, 2007 2:43 am) My Aurora did handle a bit better than the Seville. My Seville was the luxury sedan, not the touring sedan (STS). But neither car was a sport sedan, and I doubt that the Park Avenue with the Grand Touring Suspension is a lot better than the base suspension. The big difference is probably the upgraded tires that came with the suspension package. I find that my Cadillac SRX is way better handling that any of the G-bodies that I owned, and I have yet to find a driveway steep enough to cause either the front or rear end to scrape pavement. |
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I thought this car would be fine with the 430hp from the base Corvette. But now I realized why GM decided to go with the 505hp 7.0 V8. The car is some 200-300 pounds heavier than its competitors. Let's just hope it can keep up with the handling.
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Replying to: torque_r (Oct 30, 2007 1:16 am)  I remember complaining that the old IS 300 was overweight at 3200. 
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Replying to: bumpy (Oct 30, 2007 8:51 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Oct 30, 2007 4:59 pm) Specifications: Length (in): 183.5 Width (in): 71.5 Height (in): 55.7 Wheelbase (in): 107.5 Legroom, front (in): 43.9 Legroom, rear (in): 30.6 Headroom, front (in): 37.2 Headroom, rear (in): 36.7 Maximum Seating Capacity: 4 Cargo Volume (cu-ft): 13.3 Maximum Cargo Volume, rear seats down (cu-ft): Not specified Manufacturer Curb Weight (lb): 3,780 (3,780 as tested) E55 and IS350 specs Cars.com doesn't have the IS-F up yet. The E55 Looks to be about 6 inches longer but about the same curb weight.
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Replying to: british_rover (Oct 31, 2007 7:25 am) |
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I was just curious ????? Lemko, could buy one of these for his girlfriend !!!  -Rocky |
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