1994 Buick Century Special 3.1 V6

Summary:

Poor mans caddy

Faults:

I had to fix an oil leak which was about 650$ and new tires were 199$. AC charge 129$

General Comments:

I found it this on the used lot at a Saturn dealership. It was traded in with only 50K miles on it!!! I assume someone older had it prior to me. I got it for 2800$ (before tax). Although I've had to put some money into it I've seen cars about this age in really rough shape for at least a thousand or 2 more so the repairs make up the difference.

The body has some rust and some dings, but it happens after 11 years. It rides like a more expensive car.

Everything works! Even the old style power antenna!

This is my go to work car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2005

13th Nov 2006, 16:24

Well, I sold this car a few months ago, the cherry turned into a BIG Lemon. What money pit! GM can take their cars and shove them.

18th Dec 2008, 16:27

I would like to say to the person who said GM can take their cars and shove them that not all their cars are or were bad. All car companies have a lemon of one type or another even the foreign companies like Toyota or Honda. In fact I own a 1978 Oldsmobile and until this day it runs like new and I have never had to do any major repairs on it.

1994 Buick Century Custom 3.1 Litre V6

Summary:

Excellent. I would buy another one if available

Faults:

Transmission failed at 200,000 miles. Very satisfied with service.

Left cylinder head valve train failed at 225,000 mile range. Raplaced engine with a high performance rebuilt engine.

Very impressed with original engines service.

Fuel pumps seem to fail frequently. Have replaced 6 times. Finally solved problem with high capacity pump.

General Comments:

Vehicle handles very well. It has a stiff suspension balanced between front and rear and leans into curves. I did not expect this in a family car. I am very impressed.

Vehicles acceleration from a standing start is excellent. 0 - 60 in 7.5 seconds with old engine. 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds with rebuilt engine. Very impressive.

Transmission replacement was difficult to locate. It was made for only a couple of years and for only a few types of vehicles. It cost $800.00 for a good used one, not including labor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th May, 2005

1994 Buick Century Wagon 2.2 4 cylinder.

Summary:

Without question this is the best GM product that I have owned in 40 years of driving

Faults:

---Converted motor to Ams Oil at 23,000 and added pre-filter kit at 65,488 miles.

---Front struts about 125,000 miles.

---set of plugs at 128,000 miles.

---Head gasket rotted out at 144,500.

---Rear Shocks at 160,000 miles.

---converted transmission to Ams Oil at 190,360 miles.

---new plugs and master cylinder at 204,292 miles.

---new thermostat at 246,880 miles.

---new power steering pump and starter at 248,800 miles.

---rebuilt the transmission at 250,038.

---set of plugs at 204,292 miles.

General Comments:

Other than what is listed above and standard maint. to the brakes and muffler along with 4 sets of tires everything else is orginal.

I had to do some light body work at 227,000 around the front headlights. the body man matched the paint so close you can hardly tell. The body is sound and glass excellent. Smooth ride. Good seats and all of the power motors work fine.

You have to be careful you do not tweak the plugs to tight as the heat of these units will crack the ceramic's.

If I had any complaints on this car I would say that it is underpowered, but what can you expect for a 2.2? It will cruise all day at 70mph if needed.

Mileage is best around 55-60 and can push 34 with a good trailing wind.

I do not know how long the motor will last. We checked the compression at 246,880 miles and all four cylinders were holding at 95#. My goal is to see if it will make 300,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2005