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Posted by: Swift Oct 23 2015, 02:48 AM

My new, well, not so new ride.
2003 Buick Park Avenue
3.8-liter V-6 (205 HP @5200 rpm/ 230 lbs.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm)
4-speed automatic w/OD
Seems to have most of the optional features on it.

Although,

It needs some moderate maintenance done to it.
-Passenger side mirror needs replaced.
-Rear struts are bad
-Tie rod on the front left is in need of replacement.
-Transmission for the windshield wipers needs replaced.
-Standard tune up (spark plugs, oil, etc..)
-Front bumper has cracks, needs replaced.

Right now I use it for local driving.

Posted by: Thor Oct 23 2015, 07:09 AM

I like that meme...

Posted by: Daniel. Oct 23 2015, 07:24 AM

Nice dude, good luck and have fun with it!

That meme is my life

Posted by: Swift Oct 25 2015, 03:08 PM

Thanks guys, I never expected it to be my first true ride. It's not what I wanted. Yet, I'm still very happy to have it.
I created that meme because I was bummed out seeing most of my buds get fun cars to tinker with.
Yet, that was before it was declared as mine.

Posted by: Daniel. Nov 2 2015, 05:13 PM

Word. after a long search i ended up buying that stupid honda, and even though it's perfectly fine, it's not the car i truly want.. to make things worse, i recently hit a pole and i need to get a new bumper now, which makes me lose even more love for the car..

Posted by: Swift Nov 27 2015, 04:25 AM

Update 1: Trying to get it legal. Currently riding dirty.


Story so far:
Took the car to the shop to solve the steering issues after a routine oil change. It would dance all over the freeway. It kinda reminded me of the older films and TV shows where the scene would show the driver steering left and right on a straight road. Same with the Buick, it had a bit of play. I had gotten used to it over time. It even scared a few buds. They would ask me, "how the hell do you handle it?". I told them you feel it out and get jaded to it.
Well, back to the garage. It took almost three weeks before it was fixed. Stopped by during the second week to find that they had an issue sourcing out the control arms. Which I don't doubt considering the age of the car (2003). We finally got the car out of the shop. It handles like a champ. No more vibrations, no more dancing. Tight, responsive steering.
During one of the test runs, while on the freeway. I was cruising at around 85 mph. Was approaching an old dark red Dodge Ram doing around 65, slowed down to 70 (70 mph speed limit.). Went to pass on the right (outside) on a long left turn. Old dude in the truck moved over to less than an inch from my left side. I had to swerve on him and shake him off or lose the side mirror and earn side stripes. I looked over at him like

I got off on the same exit and passed him on the way back home.
Well, later on that night, I found out that my front right low beam headlight has gone out. Which now goes along with the burnt out left taillight.
So with those along with a few other things including the out of date inspection sticker. The car is riding dirty. When I have to take it out, I take the back routes. At night I gotta roll with the high beams. The license plate/taxes/insurance on it is up to date. So it's kinda in a legal grey area.

Okay, parts fixed:
-Both lower control arms were replaced with nice clean new ones.
-The outer right tie rod replaced.
-New left wheel bearing on the front.
-Alignment.

Pictures:
Happy clean parts!




Next Step:
-New passenger side mirror

-New front bumper cover

-Windshield wiper transmission
-Fix the head lights and tail lights.
-Bath
-Get it inspected.

The reason I'm keeping this car and fixing it up is because it's been there during the rough times and the tranny has been replaced. Plus it has the Series II V6 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine#Series_II ). And bitches love heated seats.
A luxury car is a luxury car.
The valve cover gasket issue was fixed with this engine not long before the transmission was replaced.




Hopefully when everything is fixed up and I finish my degree. I'll be able to buy another car or flip this one. I would rather keep the Buick and get a project car like an S13 or something similar.

Posted by: Swift Dec 22 2015, 08:26 PM

Finally got my new mirror in the mail this morning. Rockauto was pretty quick with this order. Just in time for Christmas.

Chessie decided to help me open it.




Now I need to get it painted and installed.

Posted by: Swift Dec 23 2015, 10:08 PM

Finally got it painted and installed.

Posted by: Thor Dec 23 2015, 10:52 PM

Did the cat come with the mirror or is it sold sepperately?

Posted by: Swift Dec 24 2015, 08:34 PM

Ha ha, she's sold separately. She's the manufacturers mascot. A special deal during the holiday season.
It just feels great to have a nice looking car.
The Caddy DTS in the background is my fathers new ride. Which is why the Buick is mine.

Posted by: Sir KV Dec 24 2015, 09:08 PM

Nice, did also fix the holes in the bumper? Or is that still on your to do list?




Nice ride tho bruh, I wish I had a car ;_;

Posted by: kariverson Dec 24 2015, 10:51 PM

Lucky Americans. That engine would be an absolute beast in Europe. And the owner would have to be rich to take care of the taxes.

Posted by: Swift Dec 26 2015, 12:35 AM

Wow, really? That makes this ride that much cooler.
Although, needing a tune up and being compared to other newer cars. It's a slug. It's already lost two red light sprints. One I caught on film.

Posted by: Faяaп. Dec 26 2015, 04:09 AM

Basically any engine made for the NA market is a "beast" over there from what I hear. 1.3 L engines aren't really common at all in NA Gotta have those v8's for those long, straight, and empty roads. My 1.7L civic doesn't do so well outside the city, when you get to the country roads/highways. Fuel economy isn't so nice anymore when you are at 4k rpm keeping up with traffic.


Anyways, I was looking at pictures of your car model and the interior is really nice. (minus the steering wheel, but most cars from this time period have steering wheels that don't age well at all).

Posted by: Swift Dec 27 2015, 06:14 AM

Gosh, you guys are making me feel proud about my little engine.
I try to keep good care of the interior. And yes Faran, that steering wheel is disgusting. Something about the material they used for cars back then. Haha it doesn't matter how hard I clean the wheel. It funks up after the humidity goes up so far. I don't want to go with a wheel cover for the Buick is to high class.
Odd thing I learned in a geography class I took. It turns out that the upper middle class to high class women of China love Buick's.

Posted by: Swift Apr 2 2016, 03:06 AM

New update!
There are quite a few updates since my last post. The car is finally one step away from passing the state inspection. Also, I tried out headlight lens restorer. I used the Turtle wax brand. It does wonders! I also got two new air springs (struts). I think that I accidentally got two sets instead. If so, then that's less money spent when I return the other set. Plus the transmission assembly for the winshield wipers were replaced. Now I don't need to use RainX anymore. Pictures of updates below.

list of repairs:

• New brake pads
• New rear rotors
• Replaced windshield wiper transmission assembly with used one.
• Polished cataracts off of headlights
• New front tires
• New rear struts
• New fuel filter

Pictures:

Posted by: DrunkenMess Apr 2 2016, 07:50 AM

SSR multistuck rims will suit this babe

Posted by: Swift Oct 17 2016, 02:21 AM

Well, due to consistent unknown electrical issues. Transmission hiccups and weak engine. Plus no money. I'm going to have to trash it. Kelly blue book puts it at $500 at best with its current condition. I highly doubt anyone will buy it in my area. I wonder what the next daily ride will be.

Posted by: Swift Nov 14 2016, 09:25 PM

Took it to local shop (Tire Stop). Guy there said it was misfiring on pistons 2 and 5. Replaced one of the three coils. Still couldn't cure the issue. So, I was refereed to another shop (Bellomys auto) by a friend. The shop is very professional. Yet, they have been closed for about a week and the car has yet to be worked on.
I do trust this shop as the two brothers that run the place custom build race engines and cars. They are not grease monkey's. Yet, due to it being a family business, I've recently heard that one of the brothers has health issues. SO, that could be the reason for the shop being unexpectedly closed. Now it's just a matter of time. If nothing occurs soon. I might have to take it to another shop.

Posted by: Swift Dec 8 2016, 06:57 PM

Update:
So far so good. The shop fixed the engine, it was a bad ICU which caused pistons 2 and 5 to misfire. While I was at it. Had them check the shifting issues. Said the transmission was shot. So, now they are sourcing out a used one with low mileage. The car has 180k miles and they can not find a used tranny with less than 150k miles. Right now we gotta wait for a low mileage one to show up.

Posted by: Swift Jan 15 2017, 05:34 AM

Welp. Had to bite the bullet. Talked to the mechanic. He suggested a win - win solution. The solution was to go down to the Buick dealership down at the nearby auto mall (Everything from GM to Nissan and Mitsubishi. Side story, my father used to go there to get his Datsun parts from the Nissan parts department back in the 90's.)
So, was recommended to go down there and order a re-manufactured transmission from Pontiac Michigan. Next week, when the transmission arrives, I've got to meet the mechanic at the dealership to pay the 'Gasp' $2k (Mad respect to my fam for the help). Then the mechanic will transport it back to his garage and install it.
Looking on the bright side, it's straight from the plant and matched to this car. So hopefully it'll last a very long time.
I cannot wait till it's finished. I miss my car.