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#346 of 455 Want Opinion's regarding a rebuilt salvage Century by fordtrucknut Jun 08, 2004 (8:10 am)
Hello All!   I am seriously considering the purchase of a Rebuilt 2001 Buick Century Limited that was crashed. It was sold at a Salvage Auction and professionaly rebuilt by a 40 year body man that does this as a part time business.   It was hit in the left front side and all front end sheet metal was replaced including, the core support, radiator & A/C condensor, small under hood parts, and also had a new GM Sub-Frame assembly installed which included new suspension and left shock tower assembly. The Air Bags WAS NOT Deployed because of where it was hit. There was not even any damage to the drivers door, only the front end was damaged.   The car has less than 25k miles and is a loaded Limited model. It drives like a dream, looks new and smells new. But it does have a salvage title which I was made clear of. The price is $5500 Less than the KBB Retail Value. Should I really be concerned considering the quality of this rebuild and the reputation of the bodyman? I've restored Ford trucks by hobby for 24 years, but I don't know GM models. This car looks new on top and underneith. Give me your thoughts!   Thanks!   Dan Replies to this message: tsu670 (Jun 08, 2004 3:45 pm)
#347 of 455 Re: Want Opinion's regarding a rebuilt salvage Century [fordtrucknut #346] by tsu670 Jun 08, 2004 (3:45 pm)
Replying to: fordtrucknut (Jun 08, 2004 8:10 am) Okay, here are some thoughts. Sounds like a gem, but sorry, I'm skeptical of rebuilds. While the parts may be new, you don't know their quality. Is the fender and all sheet metal genuine GM? If not, don't count on very good corrosion protection. How 'bout the other parts? The reason a body man takes on a salvage rebuild is to buy it cheap and sell it at a profit. That means if he can skimp in certain areas to make a buck he will, especially in places that are difficult to see. Even if he offers to back it with a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty, how can you be certain he will honor it, especially if something expensive goes bad? And with a salvage title will you be able to sell it if the car doesn't work out? If you're not financially desperate for a vehicle, it might be best to let this puppy be someone else's problem.
#348 of 455 Re: Buick Century: Intake Manifold Gasket/Coolant Leak [nevamarie] by ldav31 Jul 31, 2004 (10:09 pm)
Replying to: nevamarie (Jan 23, 2004 5:01 pm) I have a 2000 Century with 115,000 on it. I started getting a whiff of coolant when I would lift the hood. In addition I started to see an oil spot under where I parked on the carport. I had read the posts here. I also started showing my oil getting low on the dipstick.   I took it to my mechanic who does my non warranty work and he told me right away what it was and explained why it happens on most cars who have that engine.   He did more than replace the gasket. I figured he may as well replace the plugs, wires, fan belt because none had ever been changed. Had an oil change with filter and new coolant. The cost was almost what I guessed, slightly less than $600.00. New PVC too.   He showed me the gaskets that he took out and it is apparent why they fail. They have a tiny rubber thread that goes around the outside just a bit off the edge of the gasket and I was advised that most of the time they fail first in one particular corner.   Does anyone know what that rubber was supposed to do? The replacement gaskets did not have any rubber in them.
#349 of 455 '05 Century - Special Edition by nickper Aug 01, 2004 (7:27 pm)
Replying to: driver26 (Sep 12, 1999 2:13 pm) I think the 16" chrome rims for the 2005 Buick Century special edition are the same chrome rims from the 2000-2002 Olds Intrigue. I was driving in Lansing, Mich. this evening (on s.b. Waverly Rd St. Joseph for those in the area) and pulled up next to a silver Century and though it was an Intrigue until I looked closer. The center lug cap has the Buick shield instead of the Olds symbol. I have an '01 Intrigue with these rims (minus chrome) and like them, but am surprised how GM used leftovers from Olds on Buicks.   Can anyone confirm this? Is this new for MY '05 or are these from the '04 year too?
#350 of 455 by a_l_hubcaps Aug 02, 2004 (3:09 pm)
nickper-   Yes, those are indeed Intrigue wheels. Maybe they had some extra ones in a warehouse or something.   -Andrew L
#351 of 455 Air Bag Light by walker1 Aug 03, 2004 (8:17 am)
I have a 2002 Century and it is a great car! Recently the air bag light will come on for a few seconds while driving my dealer has up dated the software and the computer shows every thing ok, yet the light will come ontwo or three time a day. Has anyone had this problem?
#352 of 455 Talk to the Press by Sylvia STAFF Aug 10, 2004 (11:26 am)
A reporter is hoping to interview Buick Century owners between 16 and 60 who love their Century and would like to be interviewed for a magazine article. Please respond to jfallonedmunds.com by Friday, August 13, 2004.   Jeannine Fallon PR Director Edmunds.com 310-309-4900 jfallonedmunds.com
#353 of 455 Head Gasket yet again by thriceshy Feb 04, 2005 (8:42 pm)
We've owned our 94 Buick Century Special Wagon for 3 years. At 1 1/2 years, the head gasket went, causing a catastrophic overheat which lead to the replacement of the entire engine. Today I noticed off-looking oil on the driveway, popped the oil cap off, and sure enough, coolant crusting on the inside of the cap. This time there have been no overheats, and a week ago the inside of the cap was clean. Can I hope to get away with a simple (only 500-700 bucks or so) head gasket replacement, or am I being overly optimistic? We've parked it, and will have it towed to the shop--not going to risk an overheat.   From what I've read, the 3.1 is notorious for head gasket problems--am I stuck with a vehicle that's going to require a 500-700 dollar repair every 18 months?   Thrice Replies to this message: yurakm (Feb 04, 2005 10:44 pm) thriceshy (Feb 09, 2005 4:45 pm) yurakm (Feb 09, 2005 10:25 pm)
#354 of 455 Re: Head Gasket yet again [thriceshy] by yurakm Feb 04, 2005 (10:44 pm)
Replying to: thriceshy (Feb 04, 2005 8:42 pm) May be it is not head gasket, but intake manifold gasket? They are leaking often with GM 2.8, 3.1, and 3.4 liter engines. GM changed the gasket's material recently, presumably for better. Replies to this message: thriceshy (Feb 09, 2005 4:45 pm) yurakm (Feb 09, 2005 10:25 pm)
#355 of 455 Re: Head Gasket yet again [yurakm] by thriceshy Feb 09, 2005 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: yurakm (Feb 04, 2005 10:44 pm) Good call--thank you! Still a pricy fix, but over 300 bucks less. Our mechanic says we can start with a stop-leak product, which may or may not fix the problem. If it doesn't, we'll move on to replacing the gasket.   Does this sound about right?   Thrice Replies to this message: yurakm (Feb 09, 2005 10:25 pm)

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