[net.auto] New 85 Buick Parklane

mls@harpo.UUCP (11/16/84)

Somebody several weeks ago asked about the new Buick Parklane or 
equivalent Oldsmobile 85 cars.  My wife bought one in April and was the
first car the dealer sold of this type.  My wife is in eal estate and
has 11,00 miles on the car so far.  She is very happy with it except
for two exceptions.  The electric fuel pump makes noise, however the dealer agreed to replace it but did not have it in stock.  It had a vibration
in the front end at 47 and 55 at certain power settings.  In particular
a slight grade with a slight addition of throttle.  It was in the sop
for two days and no improvement.  Two weeks later it was in
the shop for a week and it came back fixed.  The first time around
they looked for engine trouble--fuel injectors.  On two of the cars
that were in the shop, a can of GUMOUT cured that problem.  The
second time around they found sticking valves in the transmission.
The car has a one year or 120000 full warantee and 2 additonal years
with 100 dollar deductible or 24,000 additional miles whichever
comes first.

I like the way the car handles.  It is not too soft, has loads of
power, has plently of space.  The gas mileage around town is in the
order of 18-19.  On trip, I reaaly don't know.

I would buy the car from a dealer who sells a number of these cars
so they will have some experience is fixing them.  In spite of the
problems we have had, I am sure my wife would buy the same thing again.
Consumer Reports is uspposed to have a report on them in the Januiary issue.
Irv McNair
ATT Bell Lab 
Whippany, NJ