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What is this discussion about? Buick Century, Sedan

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#136 of 455 miscellaneous by occupant1 Oct 14, 2000 (9:38 pm)
The red strip on the door is merely a reflector. It does not light up on Centurys, some other Buicks have the door courtesy lamps but not the Century. The battery thing, well, regardless of the performance of the battery, the car should continue to run on the alternator. I have driven GM products off a jumpstart without any battery hooked up at all let alone a dead one or one with a dead cell. My father's 1992 Century and my mother's 1995 Century both have the four-cylinder engine and the only time the car lost power was when the sepentine belt broke. That cuts energy to the power steering, water pump, alternator, AC, everything, but the car would continue to run until it overheats, of course, every warning light on the dash came on! I have owned a few Dodge Dynastys and I like them because when my serpentine belt broke, the water pump continued to circulate and I drove the car ALL the way home before changing the belt. Of course I had no power steering and AC but the car ran safely. Keys...the pass-key is about $20. All you can do is have another one made, and taking it to the dealer is cheaper than a locksmith. At least it isn't $300-something like a Lexus or what have you. The percussion noise happens in many cars, including my 1988 Century. Roll down a back window and boom. In fact I can't think of a car I have ridden in or driven that doesn't pop when you crack open a window.
#137 of 455 Century is reliable! by bigmacva Oct 19, 2000 (10:39 pm)
I am new to Edmunds and while reviewing topics I saw alot of comments about the Century that I totally disagree with. Granted every has different likes and dislikes and every vehicle made is not always the same even if they are the same model. I just purchased my Father-in-laws 1996 Buick Century (a deal I could not refuse). It is in perfect shape with only 55K miles. He wanted a van! This is my third Buick Century. The first was a 1985 and I sold it in 1994 with 136K miles. The only maintenance I did was replaced the tires, brakes and muffler. It ran great when I sold it but really needed a paint job. In 1994 I bought 1993 Century that was used as a rental car by Avis. The A/C had to be repaired and refilled because a line rubbed through and let the freon out. Buick picked up the tab. I also had an exhaust gasket(donut)replaced by Buick at their cost, which was caught by their mechanic. Again the only maintenance I paid for was the tires, brakes and muffler. It now has 113K miles and runs great. The body and interior are in great shape with no rust or dents, the paint still shines. I would like to tell you it is because I take such good care of my cars but I won't lie. I buy my cars for use and comfort. I should have a truck but don't like the comfort. I don't always change the oil or rotate the tires when I should but it gets done eventually. When I wear out this 1996 Century, I will buy another. That is as long as they don't make too many changes. I am not crazy about the look of the 2000.
#138 of 455 . by ferne2000 Oct 25, 2000 (7:54 pm)
Regarding the percussion noise...It doesn't just happen when I open the windows, it happens all the time the back windows are open. It sounds like there are 2 flat back tires and it hurts your ears, that's why I said I can't ever drive with the back windows open unless I am able to open a front window too, which seems to lesson the noise. Thanks for your reponses. >>The percussion noise happens in many cars, including my 1988 Century. Roll down a back window and boom. In fact I can't think of a car I have ridden in or driven that doesn't pop when you crack open a window.>>
#139 of 455 Century 2000 - Heat? by ferne2000 Oct 25, 2000 (7:57 pm)
I don't seem to have much heat coming into the drivers side of the cabin. If I have the blower up all the way I might get a little more but I am wondering what's going to happen when it's below zero outside. I'll never warm up. Any one know what that might be? Could it be the wrong thermostat in it? Thanks. By the way, we're getting 26 mpg country, city and highway driving. That's okay to me.
#140 of 455 Shall I buy this car? by xinxin818 Oct 27, 2000 (3:39 pm)
I am interested a Century,1999. But the miliage is nearly 71K. The price is about $8500. Since the miliage is so high, I don't know if it is worth to buy it. Is there some comments? Thanks!
#141 of 455 xinxin818 by occupant1 Oct 28, 2000 (2:46 am)
A 1999 Century with 71K is worth about $7500 to me, but I don't go by the book. Also, the condition of the car is more important than the mileage. If the seats are all worn out and the cupholder and all the plastic pieces are broken, it wouldn't be worth it to me. Everything inside in my 1988 Century is perfect and working only because I replaced anything that wasn't by literally spending whole days in junkyards finding perfect parts. If you have the time But good luck finding a 1997-2000 Century for parts. Some pieces may interchange with older models or other GM cars like the Grand Prix/Lumina/Intrigue but the GM cars aren't as heavily badge-engineered as they were in 1988. I think if the car is in nice condition, with good paint, with clean interior, and with good tires and maintenance records, it is worth the $8500 if you can afford it. A 1999 Century from Budget Car Sales will run you $11,999 and will have about 30K on it. You might want to spend the $60-$80 to have a mechanic check it out.
#142 of 455 Cup holder and other things by macarthur2 Oct 28, 2000 (3:06 am)
Check the front end of the center armrest for the cupholder. Also some flip out from the top front of the center arm rest.. Why are folks comparing the Grand Marquis and the Century. The Buick LeSabre is the direct comparison for the Grand Marquis. Shorter by 13 inches, 4 inches narrower and exactly the same interior space. Okay you give up 2 cubic feet of trunk space but the Grand Marquis has a big tire cut out in the trunk giving it an unhandy shape.
#143 of 455 macarthur2 Gr Marquis Comparison by tpken Oct 28, 2000 (11:53 am)
I have posted some inquiries regarding the Century comparison to Grand Marquis because that is what I drive now and am interested in getting a new ride next year - smaller and more fuel efficient but retaining the great highway cruising ride of the big Merc. Assuming you have a Century - how do you like yours for long road trips? Have you an opinion of the Century vs Regal LS? I am aware of the LeSabre and would consider that also - no choice made as yet. Turnpike Ken
#144 of 455 Tpken by macarthur2 Oct 28, 2000 (6:24 pm)
I bought a new 2000 LeSabre in Jan of 2000. I have had no trouble with it whatsoever. I get 22mpg rural/city and an astounding 31mpg on straight interstate driving at 70-75mph. It is a very nice car. I drove both the Century and the Regal. They are on the same chassis and the big main differences with the century are bench seats only and a smaller 175hp 3.1 V/6. I was impressed with everything and thought the Limited with standard leather was a great value. The Regal is a Century with different front end, 3800 V/6 and bucket seats only. Other than that you can get pretty near the same options on either one. I did prefer the grunt of the 3800 V/6 in the Regal. Then we deceided to kick it up a notch and compared the LeSabre with the Grand Marquis. We deceided on the LeSabre after 3 back to back drives of both cars. If I had to pick between the Century and Regal I'd go with the Regal cause I like the power of the 3800 engine----the rest is cosmetics, you may like one front end better than the other. Good luck and test drive the heck out of them before you buy. Study consumer guides. I got $3000 off sticker (no trade in) because I knew the dealers cost.
#145 of 455 Thanks Mac by tpken Oct 28, 2000 (6:45 pm)
Buick does have some interesting cars to look at. I think the LeSabre is a terrific car and certainly most closely matches the GM. The 3800 has been tried and true and if I go with the General this time, that's the motor I want. Leaves me to Regal or LeSabre then since Park is out of question now - too expensive and not the image I want. The GS is more to my liking this time out but the premim gas is out of the question. Regal LS looks good. Another viable option is a used low mile Riv - 98 or 99 for the depowered airbag. Not so crazy about a supercharger from the long-term reliability perspective but that is one classy ride - a shame they dropped it. I wonder if that superharged engine requires premium gas too. Actually, I kind of like the Olds Intrigue - great looking and the new V6 is doing fairly well. Too bad they have so many other ancillary problems as evidenced by the forum posters here. I'll be watching to see how the more recent buyers (2000 models) fare. Hope to wind up with a car that looks classy and rides smoothly with decent handling and economy for the many highway miles I drive without screaming AARP - after two Grand MArquis I'm ready for something a little less stodgy. Thanks for the response. Ken

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