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Buick Century

482 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2012 at 7:22 AM

You are in the Buick Century Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Century, Sedan

Messages Page 27 of 49

#259 of 482 Buick Century by holesnipe

Mar 11, 2002 (10:08 pm)

BTW, the name "Century" dates back to the thirties and was in reference to the fact that the car could achieve the then magical speed of 100 mph.
 
Just bought a 2001 Century Custom today for $11,999; 27,000 miles; rental return. Beautiful automobile. I'm a little concerned about earlier posts about the defective pistons from the 2000 model year run, this 2001 has what sounds to me like a noisy lifter when started cold (15 deg F outside), but it quieted down within 30 seconds.
The car is nicely equipped, I especially like the driver's side power seat's range of adjustment. My wife is only 5'0" and she can raise and move forward the seat to just where she needs it.

#260 of 482 Don't worry about that "lifter" noise.. by artwis

Mar 13, 2002 (5:55 pm)

My 95 Lumina with the 3.1 and 99 venture with the 3.4 had the lifter sounding noise. In warm weather you may not hear it at all but I only noticed it in cold Wisconsin weather and like you said it goes away in 15-30 seconds.I believe GM has a bulletin on this and maybe you can have a dealer pull it up for you. By the way we just bought a 2002 Century and it doesn't have the noise but I won't worry if it does start.
Art

#261 of 482 Paint problem by sharyn238

Mar 14, 2002 (5:44 pm)

My father bought a 2002 Century about 3 weeks ago. He just noticed there are some scratches in the paint. They are very deep and extremely fine. It's hard to tell if its a defect in the paint or not. Has anyone had this problem or knows of paint issues with the Buick's.
Thanks

#262 of 482 sharyn238 by yurakm

Mar 14, 2002 (6:15 pm)

Concerning the paint issue. Have one, but it is different.
 
My 2000 Regal bumpers, or at least the rear bumper, is of a bit different shade. The car is maroon, with a bit purple shade on the bumper(s).
 
We bought the car new, but is was built some 11 months before sale. Probably, the plastic bumper discolored somewhat different from the sheet metal, while parked on dealer lot.
 
I can see it under bright light only, like a good sunny day. Noticed some 9 months after buying. Our son have much better vision, and he told us he knew this from the very beginning.
 
It does not bother us, though. Even my wife, who pays more attention to appearence.

#263 of 482 No paint problem.. by artwis

Mar 14, 2002 (6:16 pm)

with our new 2002 Century paint. Go to the dealer he bought it from and see how they prepare the cars for delivery. Those scratches may have come from being buffed with an electric buffer. The guys that get the cars ready for delivery don't seem like the sharpest needles in the pack in my opinion.
Art

#264 of 482 Scratches by jpelder

Mar 14, 2002 (8:35 pm)

I was considering a Century last fall and took it for a test ride. I liked it, but noticed the rep put the magnetic license plate on the top of the trunk. When re removed it, it dragged it, creating som long, fine scratches. You could only see it in the bright light, but it turned me off that he could be so careless.

#265 of 482 rented one this past weekend... by gmusic7

Mar 18, 2002 (10:52 pm)

I originally wanted to rent an Impala but the rental place didn't have one. I decided to settle with what they had available which was a Century with 5700 miles.
 
I drove down to L.A. with my wife and my dad. Some positives: Very quiet and comfortable interior, decent space for 4 people, smooth ride, good power from the quiet engine and incredible fuel mileage...33 miles per gallon driving at a steady 70 mph.
 
Some negatives: No tachometer (only because the other cars I drive have tachs), the volume is weird when playing a cassette. At a certain point of the volume knob, one notch (detent?) louder and suddenly it's too loud. And the gaps in the steering wheel where the upper and lower sections meet the center part are just too large as if it didn't fit.
 
Overall, we were very happy with the car. I'm only 30 yrs old so I'm really curious as to how Buick Regal might be compared to the Century.

#266 of 482 gmusic7 by yurakm

Mar 19, 2002 (1:06 pm)

You wrote: I'm really curious as to how Buick Regal might be compared to the Century.
 
It is easy to do. Just test drive one .
 
However, it can be addictive. We bought Regal GS after test driving. Took 5 minutes for cooling, and put our deposit.
 
There is substantial difference between LS and GS, though. GS accelerates much faster.
 
By the way, GM used to send $40 or $50 cash cards just for visiting dealership and test-driving.

#267 of 482 Engine Tick by goatmeal

Mar 27, 2002 (3:49 pm)

I have a 2000 Century and notice a ticking in the engine when it is cold. I went to the dealer and looked at tsb 010601010A on his computer.
It is for engines with the J designation. [the eighth digit in the VIN ]
It says that the ticking starts 15 or 20 seconds after starting a cold engine. It says to replace the pistons on the affected engines.
It also states that this is a customer satisfaction issue and will not affect the longevity of the engine. I am to drop off the car tommorow night so that they can listen to it in the morning when it is cold. The car runs good and uses no oil. I cannot hear the ticking from inside of the car so maybe it is not worth pursuing. Anybody have any ideas on this?

#268 of 482 Ticking by jpelder

Mar 27, 2002 (4:44 pm)

Are you sure it's the engine that is ticking? Could it be the stainless steel exhaust system?

Messages Page 27 of 49

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