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Comments
I've put on 48K over the past three ears with NO problems. I'm returning the leased car in January and will pick up a new 2001 Century Special Edition lease. I really love the Century.
I recently purchased a 2000 Regal, that had to go into the body shop for a bumper scrape, courtesy of someone in my apartment complex. During the two days in the shop, I had a 2001 Century to cruise around in.
Why would anyone want to buy, say a Ford Taurus when Century is available? I was really inmpressed with this car. The 3.1 motivated the car admirably, the ride was absolutely wonderful.
I understand that Century and Regal are basically the same car, but this Century felt larger than my Regal -- probably due to my Regal's sunroof and console.
This was an excellent car, I was extremely impressed. With a vehicle like this on the road, Buick should have more market share!!!
jdinstl
Is $8500 a fair price, with 30 day warranty and no other maintenance agreement?
I heard that Buick 3.1 Liter engines at that time had a really horrible engine and then later a re-designed that was okay. Any comments on this??
www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/31_main.htm
I had an '87 Century Limited 3.8 for 5 years. The repairs cost me more than making payments for the '99. Was a lemon. Only 85 for speed limit. '99 is 120 +. Been to 100 and it drives like 60. Great handling car. More later.
Century and Regal could run faster, but with higher rated tires, different programming and, possible, other slight modifications.
Good luck,Everyone
My only complaint about the car is the fact that the front end seems to scrape on every driveway there is. Does anyone else have this problem? I took it do the dealer, and the trimmed the lower spoiler, but it still does it. Also, I have 29000 miles on the car, and the original General Ameri G4S tires are almost bald. I was thinking on bumping the replacement tires to a 215/70/15 instead of the standard 205/70/15. They put the 215's on the Regal, on the same width wheel, and I thought that it might make the ride even smoother and help the car corner a little better. Any thoughts???
The scrapping is common problem with W-body GM cars. Read complaints on Impala board, and somewhere else.
My Regal also is scrapping sidewalks. I am trying to entering / leaving driveways slow, and at about 45 degree angle to road. Not always possible, but in 90% of cases this helps.
Though, it looks as this does not hurt the cars. Read that the "crapping" part is to deflect the air from under the car nose to engine intake. Made from a durable plastic. And, in the worse case, it does not costs much to replace.
Though, I did not verify the information myself.
Tires:
The 215/70-R15 tires would be more tall than the original ones. 215/65-R15 lower and more close to the original diameter. I would rather prefer the last ones.
As the rough approximation you can use the chart:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/size_conversion.htm
but better to do your own calculations, as explained here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/size.htm
The OEM 205/70-R15 tires have diameter (15*25.4=381) + (2*0.7*205=287) = 668 mm.
The diameter for 215/70-R15 is 381+(2*0.7*215=301) = 682mm. 2% taller.
With 215/65-R15 it would be 381+(2*0.65*215=279) = 660 mm. 1.1% lower.
Last year replaced tires (with 98 Malibu, not Century) by Firehawk SH-30. Generally, Firestone have not the best reputation, but the SH-30 are real gems!
Also, in reviewing other postings I thought I should comment. I was given a 1991 Century from grandfather when I was in college. I wasn't too pleased driving it, but it was free transportation. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to get a newer car, because I didn't want to risk any car problems on the highways by myself. I figured it was time to get my sportier dream car since I am 24, employed, and was purchasing my first car on my own. When I realized I really wanted a 4 Dr, Safe, 6 cylinder car that would keep my insurance reasonable (TX insurance is high), I decided on a Century. I thought the Alero had a really cheap looking interior, the Malibu was overpriced I thought and the road noise was loud, and I wanted a GM since I had the GM credit card, which I didn't use when I got a great deal on a used one. It's perfect for the younger generation; I can fit 6 friends in the car when I need to, a large trunk for weekend trips, dual climate control for mixed opinions, comfortable seats, and I still have money for a trip to Australia this year. Hopefully the Century will catch on with others my age.
Concerning the known problems with the model:
1. Some 3.1l engines have bad pistons. In this case engine needs a major repair, almost rebuilding. Better to do it while under warranty.
The engine is generally very good, and very well tested. GM is using them for years, and, moreover, it is based on the 2.8l engine used in 80-ths. Though, a bad batch of the engines was produced somehow in the year 2000.
2. Another weak point of the engine is the intake manifold gasket. Some of them are developing a leak. Very few, but it happens.
Depending on if it leaks outside or inside, the leak can be hard to find. Any case, it is expensive to fix. So it is better to pay attention to the engine coolant level. If car is losing coolant, it can be just evaporation through a bad $5 cap - or the leak.
I am checking the coolant level about once a month with my Chevrolet Malibu. Malibu have the same 3.1l engine as your Century, and the both engine problems were discussed on the Malibu board. Symptoms, and what to do.
Another car / trim with the same engine is Pontiac GranPrix SE.
Thursday morning I stopped at the Buick dealer, and a service advisor took my car for a drive, and said that something was definitely wrong. They put the car up on the lift, and within two minutes they found that one of the rubber boots on the left drive axle had come off. Water and dirt got in there and ruined the joint. I told them that I was going out of town Friday morning, and since the repair was under warranty, they got me a rental (2000 Bonneville--sweet car too!!!) to drive. I got a phone call at about 3:30, saying that they had the parts that they had needed delivered from a dealer that is 70 miles away, and my car was ready to go. This is a wonderful dealer!!
Well, my car now rides soooo smooth!!! I drove from State College, PA to Atlantic City (I didn't win big...so I cannot get the Limited that I want!!) and back on Friday, with four people in the car, at 70-75 MPH, and averaged over 30 MPG!!! My rear-seat passengers, both ladies over 70 who drive Chrysler Concords and LHS's, remarked how nice my car was!! This just all confirms what we all know about the Century...that it is a wonderful automobile!!!
PS: This is a wonderful site...now I check it daily for new postings!! I wish that even more owners would post to it!!!
Thank you.
I advise all of you to check for leaks to see if this is a trend.
Car has 25,000 miles in 24 months.
I am still happy with my '99 white Century Custom.
Heading up to Seattle this weekend. Hope no earthquakes.
If this is a oil smell, then probably some oil was spilled on engine when changing oil and filter. The smell can continue for as long as 500 miles, even 1000 miles.
The antifreeze leak probably means the heater core have a leak. Your car is new and the leak hardly had time to develop - but anything can happen, defective part or what.
I had the leak with a 13-year old Ford. Started as a light fog, and barely perceptible "artificial" smell. It was hard to say, antifreeze or what. In about a month developed to very serious fog, impossible to drive, and very strong smell, hard to breath.
The heater core is a cheap part, but changing it is a major work. Something like $20 for part, $500 for labor. Any case, your car is still under warranty.
I drove it to work today without turning the heater on and it wasn't too bad. Thanks for the info!
PS - If I do have to get it serviced, does anyone know any reliable Buick dealers in MN? I got it from Walser Buick(Burnsville, MN) but its my company fleet car and I know nothing about GM (I have owned Dodge and Ford prior). I wasn't thrilled when told I was getting a Century, but it rides great, the sound system rocks and it reaches 70 mph before you know it(pleasant surprise!)
To the best of my understanding, the repair is not complicated, just takes a lot of work. The whole dash must be removed to get to the heater. But this does not require special instruments or exceptional skills. A tree shade mechanic can do it. At least it was so with my 88 Taurus.
So I am pretty sure that an average GM dealership will cope with the task.
After repair, check if there is still smell from air condition (as opposed to the "vent" mode): traces of antifreeze can stay here.
Very happy it turned to be not the antifreeze. Though, it is interesting, why the oil pump leak happened immediately after oil change?
Sister...92 Special 4-door 4-cylinder, 200K
Dad...95 Special 4-door 4-cylinder, 165K
My Dad's mechanic picked up his car and it got wrecked on the way back to the shop...some lady t-boned it on the left side...thousands of repair dollars but he can't total it because he is still paying on it. Hopefully it will be the same. That car may be my next car if I need one when Dad gets his new(er) Century. He wants a 2000-2001 Custom and he wants one for less than $12,000, so it might be awhile before he finds one he likes that he can also afford.
My car just got its long-needed alternator and battery and it my current daily driver. The air still works, but it is cool, not cold, so I will have it charged soon. It still drives great, especially for a 230K $275 clunker from rust-belt Ohio.
Yesterday, at a used car lot, I saw a 1999 Buick Regal w/ 83,500 miles that had just been acquired at an Auto Auction. It is Silver w/ gray interior.(Exactly the color scheme that I have been looking for) I loved the interior & exterior of the car.It looked almost new. I was also impressed by the way it drove. Very smooth & it handled quite well...The used car dealer wants $9,500 and says that the high mileage is most likely from highway miles???
He said that it is better to get a Newer car w/ high mileage than an older car with high mileage??
I don't see the difference...it's still the same wear & tear, isn't it?? I'm really at a standstill here & have no idea what to do???
After I got the Pin #, I did a Carfax Vehicle History Report & it showed that the car wasn't a lemon, but it showed that it was registered for "Commercial" & "Lease" use. Obviously the prior dealership leased the car to someone who really packed on the miles in 2 years time!!
I know that I will ask for the maintenance records & have a reliable mechanic look at the car before I commit myself. Am I crazy in thinking of buying a car with so many miles in just 2 years?? Am I letting the fact that it looks like the perfect car I was seeking, getting in the way of good common sense?? Should I be Really concerned by the Very High Mileage in such a short time??
If there is anyone out there that can give me advice in other steps that I should take before I decide to buy this car, please let me know...Or if you have any advice about even buying this car at all, PLEASE do so...HELP!!!!
Thank You So Much,
Amanda.............
I've read many entries going on about how their Centurys did quite well with High Mileage & so on...
People, Please help me...Again, I thank you and appreciate everyones output & input :-)
Amanda.........
VMR, whole sale is around $8000 & retail is $9900.. According to NADA, trade in value is 8,650 & Retail is 10,750. & according to KELLEY, trade in is $7,490 & retail is $10,840
So, $9,500 is a GOOD Price & below regular Retail on this 1999 Century w/ 83,500 K miles...I even called around other dealers & they all said that it was a GOOD Price...
My only real concern is whether I should consider an extended warranty since it does have such high mileage. I'm pretty sure that most of the miles were Highway miles...
People, please let me know what you think...
Thanks
I just can't believe the stress I am under !!I have read all the enties about everyones experiences & the neagtive ones always stick in your brain !!! I guess the bad is what everyone always remembers?? lol I just wish I was more experienced in dealing w/ car buying & all...I guess its live & learn , huh?
Then I think about the car & how beautiful it looks...like new...& so spacious inside.......
Please give me ur input, everyone...I;ll be checking every day...Thanks
I agree that 83,000 miles is very high for a 1999 automobile. Chances are that it was a sales person's car, and could have been well taken care of. Although the Century is a great car, and I hope to keep mine well beyond 83,000 miles, I think that I would shy away from purchasing one with that many miles already. I actually sold cars for about a year when I was in college and just after college graduation. Let me tell you, high mileage vehicles have NO resale value at all. Once a car hits 100,000 miles, you might as well just keep driving it until it falls apart. A dealer is not going to give you much for it as a trade, and it is hard to sell them yourself.
I do not know what your driving style is, but I drive between 20-25,000 miles per year. In less than a year I would have over 100,000 miles on that car. If I was financing even $9000, after a year I would probably still owe $7500 on a car that was now worth $5000. Again, I do not know how you will be financing this, so this may not be a concern.
Also, I would be willing to bet that the dealer will sell the car "as-is." I never sold a car that had over 70,000 miles on it with even a 30 day warranty. The extended warranty sounds good, but negotiate the price. Most people do not know this... but dealers make huge profits on these extended warranties--often they double the cost! They also make TONS of money on financing. The bank gives them a minimum rate to charge on a loan, and the dealer will mark it up. Always say you can get a better rate through your bank, and they will usually come down.
I know that I am going on here... just do not want you to make a mistake. I would keep looking to see what else is out there. I know our local Buick dealer (Central PA) has a 97 Century with mileage in the 60's for $8000, and it is a local trade--I live down the street from the man who owned it. The regularly have 99's and 00's with mileage in the 20's for $12,000 to $14,000. With these you would even have some remaining factory warranty, or at least a 30 day warranty.
It is easy to let the emotions of finding the car that "looks perfect" cloud your judgement when making a purchase. I did the same thing with a 2000 Impala and a 2000 Subaru cutback before coming to my senses and buying the Century. I know now that I made the right choice, and have not regretted my decision for even a day. I hope this helps! If you need anything else, just let me know.
Oh it appears to come most prominently from the right rear wheel...
Car has 34,000 miles
A few weeks ago, I posted a message about my 99 Century having a problem with a vibration in the front end. The dealer found a bad drive axle. The car only had a little over 30,000 miles when I took it to the dealer, so the repair was to be made under warranty, and they even got me a rental to drive while the car was in the shop. Well, about a week ago I got a call from the dealer telling me that GM has refused the warranty repair, and that I owed them for the repair and the rental! They claim that the repair should have been made under an insurance claim. Well, my car was in a minor parking lot collision, and the only repair needed was a new left headlight and the left fender needed painted. I am sorry, but an accident like this could not damage a drive axle! I was not happy about this, but I paid the dealer $216. (This dealer really is a wonderful dealership, and does a good deal of business with my Dad's business, so I did not want to create hard feelings there! Besides, they cannot help it that GM is being difficult.) I need to duke this one out with Buick... but unfortunately, but warranty book has disappeared from my glove compartment! I think that the garage where I normally get the car serviced took it out to mark in it what they did to the car, and then lost it. Would someone out there be willing to make a copy of the warranty book to their '99 and either e-mail, fax, or mail it to me? I am willing to pay for the cost of the copying and for your troubles, and would greatly appreciate it. I just want to have a copy of this right in front of me when I call the customer service hotline. Thanks!!
Dealer found failed servo assembly and replaced on warranty.
My radiator overflow tank was dry so they checked that and found a weak radiator cap and replaced with a new one on warranty. No intake manifold leak showed up in pressure testing.
I am back on the road again at 25,644 miles in 24 months.
1. There appears to be excessive wind noise on the drivers side, right where the Dash meets the door. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done about this one ?
2. The manual says that the car has a 64 Liter tank, every time I fill it up I am only able to put approximately 54-56 Liters in the tank, is the gauge that poorly calibrated or is it that they have intentionally made it that way so that fewer people would run out of gas?
3. The trunk leaks terribly when lifted during rain or when washing the car.
4. The brakes have been squealing ever since I got the car, the pads are new. Do they have to be a certain type of pads or will just any do?
5. There is quite a bit of glare coming of the front window, it definitely impairs the drivers vision ? I believe it is the sun being deflected off the dash onto the window.
6. Otherwise, I'm happy with this car, it is very nice to drive and has a very smooth ride, the gas mileage is very good as well.
Thanks to all who respond.
2. This is normal with all modern GM cars. They remind to refuel with about 4 gallons left. Looks as you are refueling a bit too late, risking an expensive repair: the cars need about 2 gallons of fuel in tank to cool the fuel pump.
3. Do not wash it with lid open.
4. No idea.
5. There is reflection of the upper surface of dash. In my experience with Regal, the same dash/windsheld, this does not interfere with driving, vision.
2. Thanks for the info on the fuel pump, I had no idea. This is my first GM Car.
3. Did you REALLY think I washed my car and drove it in the rain with the trunk lid up. Maybe I should have been more clear. After drying the car, I lift the trunk lid and water drips from the trunk lid into the trunk compartment. No need to reply to this one Mate.
5. It doesn't really interfere with driving, it is somewhat of a distraction though.
Again, thanks for the insight.
Regards,
Ham_mer
Any case, the trunk carpet turned wet. I had to remove something like a gallon of the soapy water from the spare tire well, and it took a whole week to dry the soft felt-like undercarpet.
Never thought it is possible to get so much water through so small opening.
So things happens. Did not intend at all to insult you.