1995 Buick Century 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

A good, practical car

Faults:

The turn signal arm broke so I can't use my indicators or my brights. Due to the airbag and tilt steering wheel, it is very difficult to replace the arm; requiring a shop, which is over $300 for that repair. This happened at around 138,000 miles.

At about 137,000 miles, one of the transmission lines burst at the connection and needed to be replaced. That was a fairly simple fix; just got a new hose and ring clamp. Only costs about $10. I'm pretty sure the previous owner had tampered with it or repaired it prior.

My passenger side rear window doesn't roll up from the driver's door console. Haven't bothered to look into it.

Sometimes when idling, it gets quite warm and gets fairly loud. Not really sure what causes it.

General Comments:

The GM 3.1L V6 motor is fair motor for this car. I've tested it at 0-60 in 10 seconds. Not terrific, but not terrible either. This motor's horsepower is able to be boosted from 160HP to 410HP through various upgrades and modifications.

Decent gas mileage; I generally get about 20 MPG.

Looking to see if it is possible to put a 350ci V8 in it.

The FWD is great in snow and ice; doesn't get stuck where small RWD pickups and cars will. Although the turn radius is terrible and turning at any sort of speed just doesn't really happen. Also it's practically impossible to burnout in, unless you're in reverse.... easy for J-turns though ;)

I have the maroon interior; a much nicer red than most red interiors; it's quite cozy and nice.

Although the fault list is rather long, it's a good and reliable car.

YOU COULD FIT LIKE 5 DEAD BODIES IN THE TRUNK!

I would really like to restore the interior, make the engine as nice as possible, and get a nice paint job and new wheels on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 2013

25th Nov 2013, 11:26

"This motor's horsepower is able to be boosted from 160HP to 410HP through various upgrades and modifications"

Really? All I can say is 'ka-boom!' Also, how could a 350 be put in this car? Small block Chevrolet engines were never installed in any front-wheel drive cars.

Finally, I would add that getting 410hp from a 3.1 V6 would cost more than simply selling the car and buying an old Camaro or whatever might have a 350 in it already.

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1995 Buick Century CSP 3.1 liter V6 from North America

Faults:

Not a thing.

I spent 20 bucks on vacuum line, and a new fuel filter, and it runs sweet and smooth...

Odd thing was reading a lot of bad reviews from 1995, so I thought it was ironic, that in 2011 it's a beautiful machine.. I got it for 800 bucks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2011

1st Dec 2011, 17:30

Many of the reviews are probably from people who like yourself, bought the car for under $1,000 with well over 100,000 miles and years of service, and expect it to run flawlessly. I'm glad you have had a good experience with yours. As many of these and old LeSabres that are still on the road now, over 20 years later, I have to assume they are pretty solid, reliable cars. I wish they still made them like they did then.

In reply to 1st Dec 2011, 17:30

5th Feb 2013, 12:24

So I bought my 96 Century with the 3.1 SFI. Paid 1000 bucks for it. Put 40k miles on it. Hasn't needed a single repair since I got it. This car very reliable. Pretty fast too for what my friends like to call the "grandpa car".

Being that this car is 16 years old and runs like it's brand new still, well I'd have to give it two thumbs up. I love this car. Best 1000 bucks I've ever spent.