1987 Buick Century Limited 2.5 gas from North America

Summary:

This car was a good investment

Faults:

This car has never failed me, but there are aspects of this car that could have been better.

The whole steering column/steering system needed to replace because I drove it too hard into corners. That cost me about what I paid for the car, $600. It also has slightly warped bumpers because of it's age.

I replaced the headlights with halogen bulbs because they are enclosed, and don't provide much light without a stronger bulb.

This car just was not built to be fast or sporty, as it sucks gas above 60mph. Also, the engine is very clunky, with low RPMs and strange noises, the dash and rear top brake light that is inside the cabin above the back seat also rattle at high RPMs and above 60mph.

The engine is also very weak when the heater/AC is being used.

Although it is largely unnecessary, there is no Tachometer or temperature gage, or battery gage, or oil gage, etc. Just a fuel gauge, odometer, and speedometer. The vinyl of the dash is also warped, and the plastic on the dash, such as light buttons, cover to gages, and heater/AC switches are very scratched and dirty.

Also, cornering is poor.

General Comments:

I own a 1987 century limited and have for 2 years now. I gave it a new paint job and some cheap tires and this car has never failed me. My friends have been telling me that I should have bought a Honda, but I see no reason to. This car was built to be economic, reliable, and comfortable. It just wasn't designed for performance with a 4-cylinder 95hp engine in such a big car. But I will say that it is very compact considering the bench seating in front in back will seat 6! There is also a lot of cargo room in the trunk and a great deal of head and leg room in the spacious cabin. Road and engine noise is also minimal in the cabin. Visibility is also great! This makes a good touring car.

The car also has surprising acceleration the size of the engine. The fuel economy is also fantastic, 25 city and 30 highway. This car also has a durable and high quality Allison transmission, and shifts smoothly just when you need it to. This car also has a lot of room under the hood, as the body was built for a 6-cylinder and this is a 4-cylinder.

The car also has a 15 gallon fuel tank, (i think, if anyone knows please comment or email me please!!) which makes for long periods between gas stations on trips or day-to-day, about once every 3 weeks depending on your driving habits.

It was also very nice to have so many lights in the brake light panel, I think that there are 6+ bulbs in the lower 2 of my brake lights, 1 of which is out, but is not noticeable.

I would also like to say that the car is extremely stout, although interior safety features are consistent with the time period.

I have been very pleased with this car and find it to be cheap to maintain and reliable, as well as comfortable and spacious. If you are looking for transportation with comfort and functionality without sporty looks, this is your car. Buick has a long history and I am proud own a part of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2005

7th Feb 2005, 03:42

Yours has what they call the "Iron Duke" engine. Expect to get many miles out of it with proper servicing.

1987 Buick Century Custom from North America

Summary:

GM Junk!

Faults:

Leaking oil, valves chattering, computer went out and head gasket blew.

General Comments:

I bought this car at a dealership for$800.Big mistake!

2 days later the valves started chattering. I noticed an oil leak.

2 months later I was going down the road one day and it just quit.

Turns out the computer went out.

A week later the head gasket blew!

I said to myself, I'll leave this junk alone.

Well, I traded that junky thing to this used computer I'm using right now. This computer is much better than that ol'pile of junk!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st February, 2005

15th Feb 2005, 21:48

Can I ask what size motor you had in your 87? And what year your husband's Buick was when he bought? And what size motor?

16th Feb 2005, 11:51

The Buick Century had a 4 cyl engine, I'm not sure what size.

My husband's Buick Lasabre is a 1988 6 cyl,3.8L Other than the tranny slipping it has no other problems. It seem to be a better car than that Century.

And I'm glad I traded the Century to my computer. I have gotten much more service out of it than I did the car.

I can go to my local Office Depot and buy a NEW computer for less than $800.

For the record the boy I traded with spent lots of money on parts trying to fix the car... he got fed up and sold it to a salvage yard.