Overview & Reviews

The deletion of the Century Limited trim level from the 2003 model lineup leaves us with a lone Century this year, and it offers only a short list of updates. Most important to note is that antilock brakes, OnStar and the driver side-impact airbag are now optional, instead of standard equipment. Other standard features moved to the optional equipment list include the rear glass antenna, front bucket seats and accompanying center console, cassette player, split-folding rear seat, sunroof, heated exterior mirrors and the 15-inch aluminum wheels. Other changes remain largely aesthetic; a new exterior appearance package adds revised fascias, updated door moldings and a graphite color grille. Inside, the Century benefits only from new wood switch plates. There's also a new starter for improved cold weather cranking and an impact-absorbing headliner that exceeds new federal requirements.

• Roomy, clean styling, low base price.

• Stodgy image, mushy seats, engine lacks quiet smoothness of competitors.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 52.00

• 

  just a good car - 2003 Buick Century
  By johnbortz - October 29 - 11:57 am

  Bought this car used high mileage but this car was garaged and well maintained. has a few minor maintenance issues to be taken care of need motor for the windshield washer sprayer. a couple of new front tires and a coolant flush normal maintenance! before winter otherwise should be ready for the cold winters here in Montana. owned a 88 Oldsmobile 96 and it went three years with very little repairs. hope the century can give me a least 3 to 4 years service. this car looks sharp and seems to get pretty good gas mileage. hopefully will buy a newer one in the future.

• 

  My MaMas Buick - 2003 Buick Century
  By msbemidji - October 21 - 6:40 pm

  I inherited my moms Buick. I also inherited one big problem...the engine ticks. I thought at first it was just common with that type of car since a couple of other Buicks in the neighborhood tick as well. Found out it was a piston problem, and that there was no fix. I was devastated. SO Im putting the money down on a new engine and transmission. The body is in just too good of shape to let it go for scrap...plus, its my moms car, so it holds special sentimental value as well.

• 

  LOVE MY BUICK! - 2003 Buick Century
  By lovemybuick - March 24 - 6:04 am

  I bought my 03 Buick Century at the suggesting of a friend who is an engineer and very trustworthy when it comes to the mechanics of things. At first I was worried about it "being for old folks". I love the looks and styling of this car, as does my 22 yr old son and his friends! It had 26K miles when I purchased it, today, 2012, it has 279K, and its still going strong. The only problems in that time were routine with the exception of having to replace the motor in the door as the window wouldnt go down last year.

• 

  Love My Car! - 2003 Buick Century
  By suzannefanning - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! I have owned and driven two 1995 Buick LeSabres and I actually like my little Century better! I get 30 mpg and drive 50 miles round trip each day to work. The car handles like a dream and even my teenage daughter says she looks like a classy lady!

• 

  A solid car - 2003 Buick Century
  By V8 Man - July 7 - 12:53 pm

  We bought a slightly used 2003 Century for my wife. It now has 59K miles on it (in 2010) and has not been high maintenance at all. She really likes the car. Beyond routine maintenance, I do not think that it has required any other care. However, it is garage kept and locally driven mostly. The exterior has a timeless quality about it and still looks up-to-date (at least to me). The interior is a mix of cheap materials and upscale features, but overall functional and attractive. Several years ago, we did have a problem with it refusing to crank. Never did determine what the issue was, but it has never reoccurred. For the price, I recommend the car.

• 

  Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Buick Century
  By Grateful Son-in-law - June 13 - 7:30 am

  I was given this car by my father-in-law, when he was no longer able to drive. Driving the "B" as my wife calls it, has been a pleasant surprise. Dad had put only 33,000 miles on it, maintained it by the book. I use it as a commuter car, primarily suburban to city driving, lots of traffic lights, little highway. MPG is great, 22-23 city, 33 highway, on a 600 mile round trip. Comfortable after getting acclimated to a "rolling sofa." Plenty of trunk space, easy to service by local mechanic. I would not have even looked at this car, let alone bought one, as I feel it is designed for the more senior driver. Still, I now have a low mileage ride which competes with our 2 VWs in MPG!

• 

  Good Used car buy - 2003 Buick Century
  By Josh Nixon - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Century used with just over 100K on the clock. It is reliable, and has a smooth, floaty ride. Surprisingly, it handles really well for having a soft suspension. Fuel economy is stellar, I regularly see 26-28 combined. ( 60 percent highway commute) I paid $2100 for it and you can usually find good, low mileage examples because typically the people who buy Buicks are older. The interior is comfortable, but the plastics are low-quality and rattle over bumps. The transmission on mine has had some problems, it tends to shift hard in stop and go traffic, but it is not getting hot. if I turn the car off for 30 seconds it goes away. Other than this, the car has no major problems and looks and runs like new. Overall, good value for the money.

• 

  Love This Car - 2003 Buick Century
  By Scott C. - August 19 - 10:52 pm

  I agree with some comments about the air vents. I hate how they only rotate on one axis. I had my Buick for almost 3 years now, and I havent done anything to it except changing the tires, brakes, and oil. This car has never let me down! Id recommend it to anyone.

• 

  2003 Buick Century - 2003 Buick Century
  By JT - August 16 - 3:14 am

  The engine is powerful enough to provide good acceleration from a standing start and when passing or merging into traffic. Basic trim and accesories no frills. Seat adjustments make it easy to get comfortable. Stereo passable. Instrument cluster very functional. Handling OK for a large car, but on very windy roads, its work to drive. Easy in and out, both front and back.

• 

  Another Old Reliable - 2003 Buick Century
  By K Moore - May 6 - 12:11 am

  This Century is our second Buick. We still have the first Regal we bought in 1996. It has 148,000 miles on it. Our Century is comfortable, reliable, but a little stodgy looking. No wonder our kids call them the "Old Fogey" cars. I get over 33 miles to the gallon on the highway, very important these days. The ride is pure Buick, no other car rides like these do. We have had no problems with them mechanically. Unfortunately, we will not be buying another one unless Buick goes back to the quality that was once their trademark. Gone is the leather trim, replaced with cheap plastics. The Century is reliable, safe and comfortable. I wish I could buy another instead of the cheesy LaCrosse