1997 Buick Park Ave Ultra

[pontiac6269]

There's one for sale locally, $2500.00 obo, 142,000 miles. What should one look out for on these? I see they switched platforms for this body style, do the rockers rust out like on my 98 Olds 88? Since it's a pretty loaded car, moon roof, heated leather all kinds of buttons and switches, do they have any major electrical problems? I read on a Grand Prix forum that the 97 GTP used a trans that was weaker then the 98 and up, something to do with vacuum, is this tue? Thanks for any tips.

Thanks,
Eric

[00Beast]

Rocker rust is more a function of care than any given car. ANY car can suffer from rocker rust if it's not cared for.

The 97 Park Avenue has the 4T65E trans. It's similar to the trans in your 06 GP. It's not weaker, just has different weak points.

[Ken_W]

Rocker rust is more a function of care than any given car. ANY car can suffer from rocker rust if it's not cared for.

What care? Regular washings with underbody flush (especially in the winter)? Anything else?

[00Beast]

Washing is definitely a good start, you can also have the car coated with oil either by one of those chain places, or do it yourself with something like Fluid Film. Most cars in MN that have been regularly washed in the winter are still fairly clean underneath, and you can tell. My grandpa's 97 PA has been in MN it's whole life and is still very solid and clean underneath, while there are some 00+ Bonne's, etc that are already rotting out in the rockers and especially the gas door.