1986 Buick Century Reviews

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1986 Buick Century Limited 2.5 from North America

Model year1986
Year of manufacture1985
First year of ownership2005
Most recent year of ownership2012
Engine and transmission 2.5 Automatic
Performance marks 8 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
9.5 / 10
Distance when acquired56875 miles

Summary:

Toughest car I have ever seen

Faults:

When I bought the car, it had sat under a pine tree for 3 or 4 years. At that time it had 4 flat tires and a gummed up carb.

Since then, the speedometer cable came loose for a couple of years; that's why I don't know its true mileage.

The power steering pump messed up 3 years ago (I didn't need power steering anyway).

The hubcaps trap dirt in them, so I took 'em off.

I had to convert to the new freon in A/C, and it has worked for 7 years straight.

The interior driver's door handle broke off, so for the past 5 years I have had to roll down the power window to pull up on the exterior handle, so I can get out.

The variable wiper switch on the left side of column went out, so I took an old Christmas tree extension cord and straight wired it from the battery to the switch (the bad part about that is that I only have 1 wiper speed).

The battery terminal would arc on the air intake hose (it's like a big slinkie in plastic), but I fixed that with a little duct tape.

General Comments:

I paid $400 dollars for this car.

I have driven this car every day for 7 years. It is a relentless battle wagon.

In the 80's Buick built the most reliable cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2012

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1st Jan 2013, 13:18

My family had a few of these cars in the 90's; they were tough as heck.

Only because we live in the northeast with salted roads, did the cars rust out underneath and aren't around anymore.

We had a 87 Celebrity, which is the same car, with the 2.5 engine. It was still running fine, getting good MPG, after 300000 miles on the original engine and transmission. We didn't even maintain it very well. A real battle tank.

Also these cars are really safe, one actually saved my life when I got T-boned at an intersection. The other car was write off. Drove the Chevy home with a small dent in a rocker panel.

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1st Jan 2013, 19:06

"In the 80's Buick built the most reliable cars"

Some things never change. Currently we have 1997, 2003 and 2005 model year Buicks in our family, and they have proven to be nothing but reliable.

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2nd Jan 2013, 21:49

After his Toyota Camry disintegrated at 90,000 miles, my friend bought one of these old tanks with well over 100,000 miles on it for $250. He drove it for another 100,000 miles without a problem. 80's GM cars were definitely some of the most reliable vehicles ever built.

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1986 Buick Century Custom 2.5L 4 cylinder. The Iron Duke from North America

Model year1986
Year of manufacture1985
First year of ownership2011
Most recent year of ownership2012
Engine and transmission 2.5L 4 cylinder. The Iron Duke Automatic
Performance marks 8 / 10
Reliability marks 9 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 9 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired76000 miles
Most recent distance125000 miles
Previous carFord Explorer

Summary:

A great driving car

Faults:

Stalls when you first start it if you don't rev it.

Getting oil in the air filter.

The radio's clock went scrambled. A quick trip to the junkyard solved that.

General Comments:

Interior is very comfortable. Rides as smooth as silk. Only issue I have is no cup holders!

The car gets great gas mileage. I get 30 mpg on average.

The engine is a bit noisy, but that's normal.

Tires are cheap for the car. It costs me around 200 for 4 brand new tires.

The car's perfect condition is a real head turner. I bought it for 1200 in mint condition with under 100k on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2012

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1986 Buick Century Limited 2.5 gas from Jamaica

Year of manufacture1986
First year of ownership1991
Most recent year of ownership2010
Engine and transmission 2.5 gas
Performance marks 10 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Dealer Service marks 0 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
7.2 / 10
Distance when acquired36000 miles
Most recent distance161506 miles
Previous carFord Gran Torino

Summary:

I doubt that ANY modern American vehicle equals it for simplicity and reliability

Faults:

Shocks, top engine mount (three times), alternator A/C compressor, steering column, window switches, and other minor items.

General Comments:

The best investment I have ever made in an automobile.

160,000+ miles on the roads of Jamaica, and the fuel available here (not to mention the hopelessness of the local dealer for the island), mean that this car could have been used as a lunar expedition vehicle.

Out here, you are pretty much on your own with an American cars, as only Japanese cars really have anything that approaches professional distributors.

But this car and engine is so basically simple, that anytime with the most basic skills can maintain it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th October, 2010

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Average review marks: 7.3 / 10, based on 16 reviews