Overview & Reviews

The Buick Century is a nameplate that was produced for almost half a century. It first appeared in 1936 and ran for six years, then reappeared for four more in 1954. Both of these generations were known for having shorter bodies with V8 engines to create a performance-oriented Buick -- a descriptor that would apply to the reborn Century in 1973. As with so many cars of its time, though, fuel economy regulations and the gas shortage turned the next Buick Century into a tamer, downsized car. For the next 27 years, it would follow along this path, providing affordable, comfortable but not particularly interesting transportation for millions of Americans.

Most Recent Buick Century

The most recent Buick Century was produced from 1997-2005 in a midsize sedan body style only. Like its predecessor, it shared its platform and engine with several other General Motors vehicles, but this Century differed more in terms of styling. Its chief exterior designer said at the time of its introduction, "We purposely avoided anything that could be considered trendy" for a long shelf life. Mission accomplished, as this Century roamed the Earth for nine years in not-so-trendy anonymity.

There was only one engine offered, a 3.1-liter V6 that sent power to the front wheels. This engine initially produced 160 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, but was upgraded to 175 hp and 195 lb-ft in 2000.

For most of its life, this Century was offered in Custom and Limited trim levels. Both came standard with six-passenger capacity, keyless entry, full power accessories and dual-zone climate control. Items like cruise control, leather upholstery, a sunroof and a power driver seat were early options on both trim levels, and later became standard on the Limited in the 2000s. To commemorate the turn of the actual century, Buick offered a Special Edition package that included a monochrome exterior and special badges.

In terms of safety, items like antilock brakes, traction control, a tire-pressure monitor, front side airbags, OnStar and an integrated child safety seat switched from being standard, optional and not available at various points through the Century's nine-year run. Make sure to examine a used example carefully to be certain that it has the safety equipment you are looking for.

A used Buick Century from this generation is a comfortable car with a very good reliability record, but it has a floaty suspension, unresponsive handling and so-so brakes. In general, most other midsize sedans are a better choice. Even related GM vehicles from Oldsmobile and Pontiac provide better driving dynamics.

Past Buick Century models

The previous Buick Century was made from 1982-'96, with a significant midlife refreshening in 1989. This was an extremely successful car, selling more than 2 million units during its lifespan. It was available in sedan, wagon and coupe body styles, the latter of which was dropped after 1993. Trim levels included Custom, Limited and Special, depending on body style and year. The sedan and coupe were capable of seating six, while the wagon had optional eight-seat capacity with a rear-facing and foldable third-row bench. The wagon could also be had with a forever-classy exterior wood grain vinyl appliqué.

By the time the 1990s rolled around, the Century's standard engine was a 2.5-liter inline-4 making 110 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. Although horsepower didn't change, the base engine was replaced in 1992 with a 2.2-liter unit that actually lost 5 lb-ft of torque. It was later upgraded to 120 hp in 1994. Most Centurys had the optional V6 that made 160 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. (This engine was standard on the 1996 wagon.) A three-speed automatic transmission was standard, with a four-speed auto optional. A driver airbag and antilock brakes were added as standard equipment in 1994.

So what do we think of this generation of Buick Century? Well, pretty much the same as we did in its final year. "In many states, this design is just a decade away from antique car status. Buick's aging Century has been in production since 1982 and looks like it. Regular updates have barely kept it competitive, and the Century is definitely ready for the crusher. It's slotted smack in the middle of the average American's budget; however, we'd rather spend our money on something whose expiration date wasn't rapidly approaching." More than a decade later, that's still dead-on -- although no state has recognized the Century as an antique car. We can't be right every time.

User Reviews:

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  1993 Buick Century - 1993 Buick Century
  By Beegee - December 4 - 7:26 pm

  This car was great for the first 50,000 miles but after that, it seemed to require a great deal of expensive repairs. Too bad, as its a comfortable, heavy-duty vehicle.

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  Exceeded my expectations - 2005 Buick Century
  By Alan1 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Well, I had reserved a compact car to drive to Yellowstone from Saltlake city, but they ran out and gave me this Buick to my big innitial disappointment. I wanted a small gas efficient car for my trip. My best friend got a Ford Focus at the same time. Well, we took out the cars and hit the road at night, inside the Buick looked almost exactly like my Dads old 1984 Cutlas Supreme. The ride was cushy, very quiet and the car felt somewhat underpowered. We drove 150 miles, and the next morning we pulled up to a gas station. To my utter surprise, the Century needed 2 dollars less than the Focus to refill the tank.

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  98 buick century - 1998 Buick Century
  By sully39208 - June 15 - 2:00 am

  i had transmission replaced at 80,000-- mechanic told me general motors had trouble with this transmission because it was olds siliohette and chevy lumina- -better transmission parts were put in-- suspension "floats"--recall on head lights--still have trouble driving at night--my vehicle is canadian made

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  Never buy used again - 2000 Buick Century
  By jujube - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle a month ago with a little over 53,000 miles on it. Since then, the HI/LOW beam dimmer switch went bad ($400), and the Intake Manifold Gasket broke (another $300) and the ascending unit (gas gauge) went bad ($250 w/labor). This has overall been a headache. And a lot of it is the fault of the dealerships. NEVER BY FROM INTERSTATE 99 AUTO IN ERIE, PA***They are crooks

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  average but lifesaving - 1997 Buick Century
  By littledude30542 - December 22 - 2:00 am

  My grandmother owned this car since new. She kept it flawless and super clean. The car was problomatic at first having an electrical faiulure . All the guages conked out but after that great. But december 2003 she was involved in an accident . She passed out and crashed through a red light but thankfully she survived ,but the car was totaled. But the car was not as bad shape as i thought it would be in .

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  Transmission bad at 69,000 miles - 2001 Buick Century
  By LeValley Buyer - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Transmission had to be replaced at 69,000 miles. Buick does not stand behind their product. I will never purchase or suggest anyone else purchase a Buick and it used to be the car of my dreams!

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  bad ride --bad suspention - 2003 Buick Century
  By William Sharp - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I will never buy a Centry again.The rough ride is the worst part.The dealership replaced the struts and gave me a new set of tires to see if this would help the ride.This did not help at all.Dont wast your money on a Centry,it dont ride like the other Buicks.

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  bad transmission - 2001 Buick Century
  By mike schmidt - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Transmission went bad at 43000 miles called dealer and told them and told me "tough luck, I should of bought the extended warranty. Now coasting me 2000 dollars for new transmission. I take very good care of the car. Will never buy GM product again or buy from GEIS motors in peekskill

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  95 Buick Century - 1995 Buick Century
  By axthetax - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Well built interior, roomy, comfortable. Very UNreliable mechanically, transmission problems, compressor problems, blown head gasket, all at 75,000 miles. BEWARE.

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  O.K. Car - 1994 Buick Century
  By Pat069 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my grandmother and it was okay at first, a basic, bland Hertz Rent-A-car. But Im glad i got rid of it at the 100,000 mile mark cuz the tranny was going