I sold my '99 Chrysler Cirrus  and looked for something nicer to drive.  I sort of missed my older Lincoln Continental which I had sold because it was getting expensive to repair and was very poor on gas.

I found a '99 Buick Park Avenue.  What a luxury vehicle. 

This Park Avenue has almost 200k miles.  That might scare many people.  However, the car was bought at a Buick dealer and its repair record was there for all to see.  It had been well maintained.  Its previous owner finally traded it in for a new vehicle.  That says a lot to me.  Plus, the interior is in mint condition, another good sign. 

The styling is nice.  It has a luxury look, but not a 'grandpa' image.  The Buick symbol hood ornament gives the look of a Mercedes.
The alloy wheels are nice and fit the style of the Park Avenue. 
Plenty of chrome trim on this vehicle, all in near perfect condition.  The rounded back end is more modern and actually looks like the more expensive Park Avenue Ultra.

The engine is a 3.8 L V-6, one of GM's most reliable, and one of the most reliable engines made, in my opinion.   This car moves quicker and smoother than my previously owned Lincoln, which had a huge gas guzzling 4.6 L V-8.  I'd compare it more with a 2002 Chrysler Concorde LXi I had bought, used, a couple years ago.  The Concorde had the high performance V-6 3.5 L, which also felt likethe power of an 8 cylinder, without the gas guzzling of a V-8.  But, the Chyrsler's 3.5 required high-octane premium gas, whereas my Park Avenue uses only regular gas.  That's a 20 cent savings per gallon every time I hit the pump.

My Park Avenue is very well equipped, having many of the options which come standard on the Ultra.  This is a vehicle which originally carried a $40,000+ price tag.  In my opinion, such cars are built better than the bottom end of the manufacturer's line and therefore will last longer.  Also, it is more likely the owner(s) of such expensive cars took care of their vehicles, which in turn makes them a better buy as a used car.

The interior was very well kept and is downright gorgeous.  Seats are a very soft leather, feeling as plush as my living room furniture, even after 9 years.  The leather is still soft and supple.  That is a sign of quality.  The carpeting is very nice.  Original mats still holding up well.  Heavily padded leather on the doors.  Real wood paneling, not plastic. 

The doors have a heavier 'feel'.  You feel a little more secure in this car.

Even the steering wheel is padded.  It feels as soft and cushioned as the aftermarket steering wheel covers you can buy at the local auto parts store.

The dash lights up green.  As do the buttons on the steering wheel, the buttons on the doors, and of course the center dash climate/audio controls.

The trunk is huge.  The lip of the trunk is low, making it easier to lift items into and out of the trunk.  It is also well illuminated.

I have the bench front seat.  More room to move, with the shift knob up on the steering column.

So many toys:

Automatic dual climate control.  Set the digital temp to how you'd like it and you're done.    The computer controls the amount of heating or cooling to maintain the selected temp.  The display briefly indicates the fan speed and fan direction, such as floor, vent, windshield, etc. 
Another nice thing about automatic climate control is the fans do not turn on 'high' until the computer determines the heater is ready to blow out hot air.  You don't have to worry about cold air blowing on your body or feet.
Separate manual temperature control for the passenger.  A sliding control on the dash makes it easy for the passenger to adjust their side of the car to their liking.
Rear passenger vents are mounted on the Center fold-down armrest, for rear passenger comfort. 
And the center fold-down armrest is also heavily padded.

Also in the fold-down armrest is a fold-out pair of cup holders.  These work really well.  Holds larger drinks easily and does not block one's use of the dash, center console, etc.  So many vehicles have poorly placed cup holders which, when used, just get in the way.  They can be virtually useless.  The manufacturer simply installs them so that they can claim the vehicle has the option.

CD/Cass/Radio Concert Sound III sound system.  Plays CDs perfectly, even when riding over a bump or chuck hole.  I'm not sure if it will read my burned CDs.  I count 9 speakers!  Two on the rear deck, one in each rear door, one bass speaker in each front door and one tweeter speaker in each front door at about mirror height, and a single front in-dash speaker.   What a fine sound.  Bass is full, midrange is very good and highs are crisp.   
After several days of playing the audio system, I find the radio reception is somewhat less than expected, sometimes sounding a little fuzzy, even when tuning-in strong local stations.  May be an antenna issue.  The Park Avenue does not have a standard rod antenna.  I think it is built into the rear window defroster.
On the other hand, the CD player sounds excellent.  Very clean sound when playing a CD.

After some research, I believe the 9 speakers are being powered by 8 separate discrete amplifiers!  This is an expensive, high-end audio system for sure.

UPDATE ON AUDIO SYSTEM:
I really enjoy the overall sound of this Concert Series III OEM audio system.  The full sound which envelopes you from all directions is great.  The bass output is excellent.  Maybe the best bass I've ever heard on an OEM factory system.  Bass is very deep, extending into the lowest bass harmonics.  The sound is better than the JBL system in a Lincoln Continental I had owned and it is better than the Infinity system in the Concordes I've owned as well.  Bass is fuller, more balanced and deeper.  Midrange is excellent.  Highs are very good.  
The volume can attain high levels without distortion.
 

A computer tracks many systems and displays them on the dash.  It monitors tire pressure, coolant temp, oil pressure, fuel level, fuel range, and so on.  The display warns the driver if one of the systems needs attention, or if there is simply a door open.

The tire pressure monitor is not like the tire pressure monitors required on new 2009 vehicles.  New vehicles must have special tire valves which are connected to a monitor which detects a variation in the tire pressure.  These valves are expensive and drives up tire replacement costs because they require replacement every time the driver replaces tires.

On the '99 Park Avenue, the monitor indirectly detects a tire pressure variation by examining the tire rotation, I believe.  This is an 'approximate' warning system at best, but is still useful.  This system also does not tell the driver which specific tire is low, only that there is at least one low tire on the vehicle.
On the plus side, there is no additional cost to the driver when replacing tires.  No special tire valve is required.
Having a tire pressure monitor is a nice feature, I think.  Especially for someone commuting a longer distance to/from work, or, when driving across country.  It's better to know there might be a problem before a tire blows and/or an accident ensues.

The Park Avenue also has an oil change monitor system.  After changing the oil, you must reset the oil change monitor.  It then calculates the approximate percentage of use remaining for the oil in the engine.  When the oil percentage drops to a certain percent, then the driver is alerted to have the oil changed.  I can't as yet vouch for this system.  If it works, I'll update this review in the next 3-5 months.

Power driver and power passenger seats.  Power lumbar support with 4-way settings (very nice).  Power back with adjustable angle.  Memory seating with two buttons.  You can program the memory to adjust the driver's seat and include such things as your favorite radio stations, mirror settings, and so on.
I love the power lumbar support.  Honestly, between the comfort of the seats themselves, and the added lumbar support, I never feel stiff in my back anymore when I exit the car after driving. 

Power headrests for both driver and passenger.  Never seen that before.  Also, the headrests can rotate forward or backward for additional comfort.

You can turn on a side view mirror automatic parking feature, which turns the passenger outside mirror downward when backing and then brings the side mirror back up when shifting into Drive.  This helps the driver see the curb, or the parallel lines, for straighter, easier parking.

Heated seats for both driver and passenger, with low and high settings. 
Works very well.  On high, I almost started to perspire, even in this brutal winter cold.

Automatic headlights turn on at dusk, off at dawn.  Daytime running lights.  (no fog lights)

Side headlights turn on to correspond with your left or right turn signal.  These side headlights illuminate the left or right side curb.  Very useful at night, especially in dim lit areas where a curb, medium or other low lying obstruction might not be so easy to see.

Automatic windshield washer/wipers sense moisture and turn on by themselves.  You can adjust the sensitivity of this automatic feature. 

Electrochromatic rearview mirror and side mirror, of which the latter is also heated.  Dims headlight glare from vehicles behind you so as not to blind you.
I really missed this feature.  I think every car should have this option as standard.  The fact that the driver side mirror also dims makes driving at night a real pleasure.

On the rearview mirror is a compass which gives the direction in which you are traveling.

On the center dash climate control is also an outside temperature indicator.

The displays are large, especially the audio display.  Nice large numbers and large, easy to see and find buttons.  I really hate aftermarket stereos.  I know I might get some flack for stating so, but I'm sorry.  The tiny buttons and almost invisible lettering upon them are invisible to all but young people in their teens and twenties.  I love audio equipment, hence my epinion name of LOVEHIFI, but I can't stand the poor user designs of aftermarket audio equipment.  Easy to find and use controls and displays result in safer driving.  On several occasions I've witnessed accidents caused by younger people playing with their car stereos, taking their eyes off the road to do so. 

Adjustable fold-down sun visors for both front and side windows with built-in lighted mirrors.

Heavily padded cushions over center armrest and door armrests. 

Universal garage door opener learned my garage door remote.  Took about a minute to set it up.  There are 3 buttons, allowing the universal remote to learn up to 3 different garage door openers.

Seats six adults with no problem.  This Park Avenue is large.  I'm actually a little awkward in parking this car. 

Quality:

This Park Avenue was obviously well maintained.  It did not need any immediate attention except for 2 tires and some cosmetic work to the hood, which was chipping.  

Tires are cheap.  The '99 Park Avenue uses standard 225/60/R16 tires.  I was able to buy 2 tires for under $65 apiece, before mounting/balancing, and get $15 off with a coupon I printed on-line (NTB). 

Paint chipping, on the other hand, might cost several hundred dollars to have done at a body shop.  I'm told the paint is rather expensive.  I hope to touch-up the hood myself and 'blend' the paint, for a decent looking repair.  I'm not looking for a professional 'like-new' appearance.  The car is 9 years old.  I try to keep my expectations reasonable.
Actually, I'm going to order an on-line paint chip kit.  It's only about $40.  If it works, I'll review it at epinions.  But, I have to wait for a warmer day, or use a heater in the garage.

Other than the above 2 issues, the car needs nothing.  All options work properly.  Car runs and drives well. 

The ride:

This Park Avenue rides like on a cloud.  You have to like this kind of ride.  Very 'cushy'.  Quiet, with little outside noise.  
The ride does not give the driver a feeling of full control of the road, as does a sports car.  I enjoy the comfort of a luxury car ride, but, I do not feel comfortable racing down a street or turning tight corners at higher speeds.  It isn't that this car does not feel safe, by any means, but it sits much higher as a luxury sedan should.  Power and speed feel like they are there when the driver needs them.   

Very easy to enter and exit vehicle.  There's even an 'exit' button which moves the seat back to make exiting and entering easier.
This car sits high, so there's no strain to have to lift oneself out of the seat.  I'm 6 foot, and I don't have to 'duck' my head to fit through the doorway into or out of the Park Avenue.

I actually enjoy being sent on errands now.  Driving is a pleasure again.  What a beautiful car. 
Amount Paid (US$): 1800
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1999
Model and Options: Buick Park Avenue