BUY ONE! Cadillac/Lexus comfort with a more reliable engine!

Just bought this car a few weeks ago, with 116,000 miles on it. Usually, I would wait a little longer before writing a detailed report, but this car has clearly proven itself!

ENGINE: I bought the Ultra model with the 3.8L V-6 supercharged engine. A dream to drive! Starts instantly! So far, getting well over 20+ MPG, and that is with me really enjoying the power. If I drove normally, there's no doubt I would get the 26-29 other Ultra owners have reported. This engine accelerates the car 0-60 in about 6.6 seconds, according to many automotive Web sites. I have no doubt these numbers are accurate. It has the power of the Cadillac Northstar with a much better track record for reliability (meaning no blown head gaskets or oil leaks).

The long-term maintenance on the Buick engine should be MUCH cheaper due to the exotic components costing major $$ to repair, such as dual overhead cams, variable valve timing and other neat but expensive technologies on other engines.

TRANSMISSION: Incredible GM example of a smooth-as-silk automatic.

HANDLING: The Ultra comes with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. It also has GM's Stabilitrak, which keeps this 4,000 lb. car exactly where you point it in turns, emergency maneuvers and other dangerous situations. This car also has the Gran Touring suspension package, which eliminates any wallowing, drifting or understeer in turns. And, the ride is still Buick smooth.

INTERIOR: Full leather appointments on the seats and steering wheel, and they look as if they are brand-new! This would NEVER look, sound or feel like a 5 1/2-year-old car if you didn't know it is a 2000 model. And yeah, I COULD spend hours in those seats! Adjustable (up/down and front/back) headrests, with POWER seat belt anchors mounted on the tops of the seats. COOL!

Absolutely NO squeaks, rattles, strange noises or vibrations on a 5+ year old car with more than 100,000 miles! The seats are heated and have dual adjustable lumbar supports. LOADS of room front and back.

FULL instrumentation, including DUAL trip odometers, analog tachometer, speedometer, temperature and fuel gauges. Digital readouts through the LED panel they call a DIC (Driver Information Center) that provides instant and average fuel economy, gallons used, range to empty, water temp, oil life (displayed as a percentage of oil life remaining) TIRE INFLATION, oil pressure and a battery monitor. All gauges are clear and very easy to read, day or night.

Dual programmable memory seat settings that also adjust other user preferences. Compass in the rear-view mirror, with auto dimming feature, and outside temperature is displayed in the Climate Control panel.

Dual sunshades on both visors, allowing the driver or passenger to position the main visor along the top of the front door, and still have a smaller secondary visor to use when turning without having to move the main visor. If it sounds confusing, you will understand how great this feature is when driving in the sunrise or sundown conditions and suddenly have the full sun in your eyes.

This car also has the heads-up display. I would have never ordered this option ($325) but after using it, I have found myself NOT looking down while driving, and I miss it when I drive one of my other cars.

CLIMATE CONTROL: Awesome. Cools off this big car after sitting in a 100+ degree San Antonio asphalt parking lot in a matter of minutes. REAR A/C VENTS adjustable by the back seat passengers.

SOUND SYSTEM: THIS is a big deal for me! In my last car, I removed the factory system and added a Blaupunkt head unit, amp and speakers. The system in the Buick is called Concert III, which I thought at first was just something made up by the marketing guys. But it works, and works well. VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT bass response, and very crisp highs. Nine speakers positioned throughout the cabin, and full controls mounted on the steering wheel.

FIT/FINISH: Some people may be skeptical about Buick's advance in the J.D. Power Quality Awards, but I can tell you Buick has earned it after spending some time with this car. If a 5+ year-old car has no wind noises, it had to be made well from the start. This car is QUIET! The car has the diamond white (or pearl white, if you prefer) paint, and it looks like new.

SAFETY: Four airbags; two on the dash, and one side airbag in each side of the front seats. Four-wheel disc brakes, with antilock. Stabilitrack, that adjusts braking pressure via the computer if it detects you are about to go into a skid or spin during emergency or quick maneuvers.

PERCEPTION/'COOL' FACTOR: Yeah, I know; most people would laugh if you called the Park Avenue Ultra cool or stylish. But, take your friends or office workers out to lunch one day in it, and suddenly they will never want to ride in their little Toyota or Nissan when everyone needs to ride in one car. They will instead be thinking up excuses to take your car! If people WANT to ride in your car, isn't that a perfect definition of cool?

UPDATE: (2 May 06) I've owned this car for nearly a year, and put more than 20,000 miles on it. It is holding up extremely well, with no major problems. When minor maintenance has been necessary, parts have been readily available and reasonably priced. I'm still impressed with how quiet this car really is!