1989 Buick Century Limited 3.3 V6 from North America

Summary:

Everything in a FWD mid-size car a lifelong GM fan has asked for!

Faults:

We had to have the brakes replaced, but that went very well.

General Comments:

The pillow-like blue cloth upholstery is nice, interior very clean and well-kept, never been/will be smoked in. The exterior could use some body work, there's some rust and paint chipping (silver-gray exterior), trunk is spacious, ride bouncy at times, but comfortable, AM-FM stereo w/digital clock/cassette player, A/C, power windows/door locks/driver's seat, very well-equipped. I am in love w/this car and hope to keep it for a very, very long time. It is everything I asked for, and thankfully, is the year before they installed door-mounted seat belts. I'm also a lifelong GM fan, so that is also in favor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th September, 2003

1989 Buick Century Custom 3.3 from North America

Summary:

A perfect sleeper!

Faults:

I have had absolutely no problems with this car and the only thing I've done to it is regular maintenance, such as brakes, oil changes and transmission filter and fluid changes.

General Comments:

I am only 16 this is my first car and I really love it. I had a high flow exhaust put on it and a high flow intake. This car is very fast despite the fact it's a "granny car". I regularly drive it to 100mph with no problems. For an American car with 150000 miles it will still keep up with my friends Hondas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2003

2nd Jan 2005, 03:38

I have a '89 century with a 3.3. I love this car truly. I agree with the sleeper. I have beaten most things with a four cylinder and kept up with most bigger v6's. My brother and I always try to drag each other at the stop lights. He beets me in initial take off, but when I hit second gear, I am gone. I can do about 85-90 miles and hour in a quarter mile. Also it does 0-40 in a city block. The car that I race is a '91 Buick Lesabre. I love the way it rides and the stereo is great! No problems with the paint except when hit by rocks and now have chips all over. They are getting bigger each day. I plan to fix that. It also looks like a sleeper because of all the rust that it has on it. All in all I love this car and will not give it up until it dies. Buick man for life!

10th Dec 2006, 20:09

I own a Century custom coupe with the 3.3 liter engine and got practically nothing to do on it I've putted a brand new paint on it last summer it's a very fast car! no need to say that hitting the 100 miles an hours is a tap on the pedal! some say that's a oldies car, but they change their mind when they see my tail in front of them on drag!

1989 Buick Century from North America

Summary:

What a great car

Faults:

Replaced the brakes.

Replaced the alternator.

Replaced the exhaust system.

General Comments:

Car runs like a dream. I have been very pleased with it's performance. For a vehicle with very high miles when acquired I cannot complain. I would recommend this car to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th February, 2003

1989 Buick Century Limited 3.3L V6 from North America

Summary:

Waste of money in this day and age.

Faults:

Well this was a decent car up until about the 75,000 mile mark. After that it seemed to take the usual downhill slope that most American cars do at one point or another.

My problem is with the poor engineering design that made up the doors and the body work. Water found its way into the door paneling and if you're a Century owner of the late 80- early 90's you know what I'm talking about.

As far as the engine goes I loved the 3.3 V6. It was powerful enough to get you going when you needed it. The problem is after prolonged driving my torque converter and transmission started to go. Now the car doesn't accelerate without a hefty push of the gas. Then about 3 seconds later it starts to go. Shifting gears was very rough for the automatic as well.

My rear breaks were also a problem once I hit about 80000 miles. I'm not talking about the shoes or drums. It seems that mechanically there is a problem with the whole braking mechanism. When you first start driving the rear brakes seem to lock up and being in a snowy area I can tell you this is not fun. The car easily will swerve on you.

My last bicker about this car is handling. I read that one guy with a Century drove it to 110 mph. I say he's crazy. This car is not stable enough to do 80, let alone 110 mph. I would say steer clear if you're a speed junkie. After feeling how smooth and stable foreign cars are this car seems dangerous at higher speeds.

For a get you where you need to go car the Century is a perfect vehicle. It is comfortable, and a nice pleasurable ride as long as you're not going too fast.

General Comments:

I would say on the whole for being a 14 year old car it is not a safe bet with all the newer features that are available.

From my experience with this car it got me where I needed to go. No more, no less.

Overall it cost me more money than it was worth to maintain. In my opinion it wasn't a very reliable vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th January, 2003

24th Mar 2003, 15:33

I have an 89 Buick century with the 3.3 engine, and I don't think that this review doe the car justice. I have an exhaust and intake on mine and with 150000 miles it still keeps up with my friends hondas. The handling is great, and I've had no problems with it at all.