2001 Buick Park Avenue Ultra

With all the information about SUVs being prone to roll over in the news last week, I was feeling pretty good riding around in this Buick Park Avenue Ultra. I figure the lower and wider my center of gravity, the better.
While the Germans and the Japanese continue to grab headlines with their ultra-slick, ultra-advanced, ultra-expensive luxury performance sedans and Cadillac and Lincoln scrambling right behind them, Buick sort of sits back and continues to make sensible, understated, satisfying luxury sedans. No status symbols, no hoopla, no headlines. Just nice cars.

That doesn't mean Buick isn't doing its share to improve the Park Avenue's performance, safety and comfort. To the contrary. But it's not competing in the who-can-outdo race that fuels many of todays luxury sedans to greater complexity and, most notably, exorbitant prices.

THE GOOD NEWS
As one who test-drives all sorts of fabulous cars, I confess I get caught up in the marvel of todays stunning engineering, seductive V8 engines and over-the-top extras. A week in the Park Avenue Ultra reminds me you don't have to shell out over $40K to get a luxury sedan that satisfies the criteria.

Not that this Park Avenue Ultra is inexpensive. It is, after all, Buick's flagship sedan, powered by a supercharged 3800 V6 (240 horses) and dressed out with everything from heated leather seats to side airbags to OnStar navigation/driver assistance. But compared to other full-size luxury sedans, it's a bargain.

There isn't much news here for 2001, except that GM's StabiliTrak stability enhancement system introduced in 2000 is now standard equipment on the Ultra model. It lends a hand in a skid or slide, along with full traction control. The ultrasonic rear parking assist system that beeps as you approach obstacles when backing up is an option.

Easy on driver and passenger, roomy, responsive, quiet, solid, refined: This Park Avenue Ultra meets all the measures of a luxury sedan, but for thousands less than most.

THE BAD NEWS
This Park Avenue Ultra is not, nor will it ever be I suppose, a young person's car. From its humdrum exterior to its responsive-but-never-sporting road manners, there is nothing sexy about this sedan.

It is somewhat sophisticated, however, and refined, and that's why two things bother me: One is so much overt GM plastic on knobs, console, etc. and the other is the high-pitched whine that resides just under the engine noise. I kept turning the radio down thinking there was a siren in the vicinity.

GAS MILEAGE
EPA rated 18 mpg city/28 highway

PRICE
Manufacturer's base, $37,490;
Price as tested, $39,330

IS IT WORTH IT?
Some might see this Buick Park Avenue Ultra as truly uninspired compared to other luxury sedans. But you'll note there is no "performance" in its title, despite the supercharged engine. This is not a sports sedan; it is a luxury car that behaves extraordinarily well.

It's not the kind of car you go bounding out to every morning with great anticipation for the commute. But it is a car that will make that commute as comfortable as possible, and, most significantly, you'll still have money in your pocket to enjoy a few of life's other pleasures.