Faults:
Car was virtually problem free for the first 40,000kms of ownership. After that, these things went:
Fuel filter broke, leaking out all gas and almost leaving me stranded on the highway. I was able to make it to a small town and jimmy rig a fuel filter from a '60s parts car the fellow had (had a slant 6, filter fit like a glove) and he also gave me gas. (40,000kms)
Shortly after that, I had the Buick taken to the dealership for regular maintenance, they told me the car needed a new battery (it was testing as weak, but I never noticed), no problem, then when I drove it home and looked in the back seat, the old battery was put in the back, UPSIDE DOWN, this leaked battery acid all over the floor. (about 43,000kms).
After that car was trouble free till about 60,000kms, then the traction control light came on, I took it to a mechanic, he said my rear suspension had hairline cracks in it and would need to be replaced, at the tune of $2000! After this my TC never worked again.
Then at 128,000kms, the rear axle broke while I was doing 120km/h on the highway, sparks were flying everywhere and I had to hit the ditch, thank god it was winter and I hit the snow, however the snow was hard packed and the front end was badly damaged, this was the end of the Buick. It was recalled for something in the rear axle, I had it replaced (for free) and it still broke!
General Comments:
Car was bought used in 2002 (it was a 2002 model, made in 2001) with only 19,000kms.
Engine had a lot of power and left anything in the dust; passing power on the highway was superb.
The car was fairly problem free until the things I mentioned went, I feel that the longer I would have kept it, the more things would have broke, and having a rear axle brake on me is unacceptable. This led me not to buy another GM, I paid it $32,000 in 2002, and just had it paid off a year before the accident, it was written off and I got $8,000 back on it. I took it and ran, I would have never got that much trying to sell it myself...
The Buick was also recalled for everything under the sun.
26th Mar 2010, 09:15
- I'm glad that you used your head & got rid of the deathtrap before it killed you!!!