QuestionHello again, I'm Chip from the Car Repair Ministry who just asked about an'85 Park Ave.
I should have done a little research before asking for your time, but I will still value your response.
It seems that an '85 ELECTRA Park Ave is not that unusual and worth very little, even if in superb condition. But, nowhere on this vehicle or it's original owner's manual or
bill of sale (one owner) does it say, or mention, Electra.
I don't if this is because it's considered a "given" or if
it does make it a rarity.
Cosmetically, inside and out, the vehicle is near perfect, garage kept.
Driver's pwr. seat does everything but forward and back, which I believe is in the switch; two types used, one is NA, but I haven't had time to check which is in car.
Power mirrors were not working, found problem in switch,
replacement NA.
Power passenger seat
Drivers pwr window inoperative, other three intermittent; again I believe is that block of the switch.
Vinyl roof and dash are like new, no fading or cracking.
Found, at the end of the day, that #2 cylinder needed (has) an extension on plug to slow oil fouling; noticeable misfire
even with new plug. I hadn't been able to find first thing because had no battery to check engine performance.
Edmunds quoted three to five hundred, depending on if engine was not mentioned.
Kelly only went back to '87 although the '85 was the first model year; and for an '87 quotes were zero with engine
mentioned to 875 for Excellent.
I guess all of this is mute if the fact that Electra is not mentioned makes a difference in it's rarity.
Thank you for your opinion and time; I know what it takes because all of my labor is free and the ministry helps or even pays for needed parts. I live in a relatively low income area with no mass transit, so a lot of people can't afford to pay for repairs, and then lose their jobs because they can't get to them.
I expect that you, like I, get more out of helping than what we put in, but I would like to say God Bless you for your giving, more people like you would make for a much better world.
Thanks again for your evaluation and opinion;
Chip from the Car Repair Ministry
AnswerPersonally, I'm a big fan of GM's first front-wheel-drive, full-sized models (1985-1990 Olds 98, Buick Electra/ Park Ave), with one exception: the 1985 model year. The first year out for this car, it's just a reliability disaster; you name it, it will break or fail. I don't care how nice one might be, an '85 is to be avoided at all costs. It just isn't worth the headaches. I like the size, the style, the room, the comfort and the way they drive, but I'd send this one packing and look for a later model ('87-'90 are the best). You'll pay just a few hundred more and get a much better car.
BTW, the base model Buick in this series was called the Electra 380, the plusher version was the Park Avenue. Not 100% sure, but I think it started out early in the model year as the Electra Park Avenue, then it became just the Park Avenue. Which would explain why the word "Electra" doesn't appear on your 1985.
