1997 Buick Century

Love this car

By Buickman (Canada) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 85,000

Pros: "lots of space and power..decent fuel milege"

Cons: "minor brake issue probably a cheap fix"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Had this car for 3 years or so...haven't had to put any money into it at all.Just put a new set of tires on it and it really smoothed out the ride and got rid of the road noise. ABS light has been on forever but doesn't affect anything...i will get it sorted out at some point. Lots of power...the "Augusta Green" paint still looks great. I got a good deal with low miles and I couldn't be happier with my 2004 Century."

2 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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A great car to drive forever

By FJEdgar (WI) on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 135,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My whole family owns Buick Centuries now. It started with me buying my wife a 2002, then us buying a used Century for each of our Daughters as they graduated from College. I just bought this 1997 Century and LOVE it. Sure, the '97 lacks the dual passenger heat zones and enough cup holders. But the 3.1 liter push rod GM V6 just goes and goes. Keep good struts in these cars and they handle just fine. Most get 30 MPG on the highway, although this one seems to get less for some reason. The styling has been made fun of. Too bad. They are decent looking and so very functional. Why buy an equivalent Honda for 1 1/2 times the price when you can buy a 10 year old Century for so good a price as these generally go for? I love these Buicks for how handy they are, their roominess, and great function."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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American Made Baby!

By Rowan (CO) on Monday, March 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 85,000

Pros: "Comfortable, Reliable, Well-priced, Well-made"

Cons: "Wish it had a little more get up and go"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"When my 1994 Geo Metro was totaled in my driveway by an Ford F-150, I needed a car soon and fast. So I received $3000 for my Metro and started looking on Craigslist within my local area, and found this 2003 Buick Century and the gentleman was selling it for $2300. OMG that was 75% lower than the normal Private retail price, so I contacted the gentleman and the car was mine within a day! And I absolutely LOVE this car! It's comfortable, yet luxurious, trendy, and low-key so I won't get keyed at the store! My fiance' and I love going on long road-trips in it, and it's not as big as the Park Avenue, but you cannot tell when you're in it cuz it's like driving a big comfy couch! And it was definitely worth the price! It has a few quirks as does every car, but I gotta say I love Buick so much that in the future I will definitely buy another Buick in a heartbeat! All American Made Baby! :D"

5 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Dependable, reliable comfortable ride.

By Char (OH) on Tuesday, February 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

Pros: "Dependable, comfortable ride"

Cons: "None that I can think of."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car was purchased used in 2005. Has been the best car I have ever owned. No mechanical problems, just battery, oil changes, brakes and tires. Comfortable ride. Like the styling."

7 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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Good looking and very reliable.

By Cricket (MI) on Sunday, January 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 135,000

Pros: "style and durability"

Cons: "knobs on HVAC break easily."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car has required no engine or drive train work in over 135,000 miles. The oil is changed regularly and transmission fluids changed once."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Had to buy a car fast - pretty darn good

By billwedg (NH) on Saturday, October 27, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 81,200

Pros: "Cheap low miles luxury"

Cons: "Not like the sporty VWs that I had for many years"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"After getting T-boned by a red light runner in my VW Golf, I had to find a car fast. This is not what I would have bought if I had the luxury of time. However, with leather it is very comfortable. Lots of power compared to the VW, but can't hold the speed in the turns. Bought it with 78,800, put 2,300 miles on it in the first 3 weeks. With mostly highway driving, I was getting 30 -31 mpg. Last week I had a 33 mile round trip drive from my hotel to where I was working - a very hilly, twisty road. 35 mph in some places, nail it to 55 where you can see far enough (the VW was faster on the same road despite the 4 cyl engine - almost never had to brake- a co-worker in a Caddy Northstar couldn't keep up with me). Still, with about 360 miles on that tank full and 100 miles of road course racing, I still got a bit over 29 mpg. Others have commented on the $1,000 bill to replace the intake manifold gasket on the 3.1 liter V-6. This is a well known weak point in this engine. My wife's 2000 Lumina with the same engine had it done twice in 217K miles. My daughter has a 1999 Olds Cutlass with the same engine - had to have the same job done at 50K when she was in college about 4 years ago. I fully expect that I will have the same issue but am willing to deal with it since all 3 have been so great otherwise. Having driven nothing but standard transmissions since I started driving at age 13 - rural Colorado, no law enforcement - in the early 1960's, I dislike the auto transmission. However, as I said, with my VW totaled I did not have the time to find exactly what I wanted. Anyway, a good price, unexpected gas mileage, and should be very reliable for many years."

9 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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