the entire GM warehouse, which is a plus. A stiff chassis makes easier

for the suspension engineers to create ride and handling traits appropriate

to a particular car's target market. It also makes it easier to keep noise

out of the car, and pays long-term durability benefits.

Given this start, it was interesting to see the handling distinctions

made between the basic Park Avenue and the flagship Ultra. The ride and

handling traits of the standard '97 Park Avenue are all but indistinguishable

from its predecessors, traits that have earned big Buick sedans a stodgy

image over the years--floaty ride quality, pronounced body roll in hard

cornering and vague power steering, particularly when the wheel is at or

near dead center.

The responses of our Park Avenue Ultra test car, equipped with Buick's

optional Y56 Gran Touring suspension package, felt much more closely related

to the Riviera. The steering system, which is different from the basic

Park Avenue, varies the amount of power assist as vehicle speed and/or

steering wheel angle increases, providing a significantly better sense

of where the front wheels are pointed in the process.

More important, the stiffer Gran Touring suspension package--which also

reduces ride height--yielded much sharper responses in quick maneuvers.

It's not quite as firm as the Riv, but it's far from flabby and the tradeoff

in ride quality is minor.

All in all, the Ultra's en-hanced control and firmer ride lends a contemporary

feel that's a pleasant step forward for Buick.

Quiet operation has always been a top priority for Buick sedans, and

here too the new Park Avenues represent a step forward. Wind noise has

been reduced to a mere whisper, and the all-new unitbody does a superior

job of keeping road and engine noise out of the cabin.

Add roomy seats with real move-around comfort, and the going becomes

positively serene. The new Park Avenues aren't quite as quiet as a Lexus

LS 400, but the distinctions are academic.