1992 Buick Century Custom review from North America
"My 13yo Wagon - a Fun and Quirky Car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator failed, was replaced.
Transmission was would slip in first gear.
Choke valve wasn't functioning properly, car idled roughly in the cold weather.
Power window motors would overheat, windows had to be pushed up or they'd get stuck.
General comments?
This thing had 130k miles when I purchased it for $500. It had most of the options. Given that it was 13 years old when I got it and that it was only $500, it only stranded me once in the year I owned it.
It was surprisingly comfy, it had a nice soft suspension and very plush seats. The V6, even at that age, was whisper quiet and made a decent amount of low end torque. This all made for a smooth ride.
Besides the window motors overheating, all of the electronics still worked properly.
The brake system was solid and the car stopped in a nice, clean line.
The rear facing fold-up seat is cool with your friends when you're a teenager. It was popular with my friends.
It also had nearly immaculate paint after being outside for all of those years. I was impressed with how well it had held up. It was a decent looking car.
For $500, that Buick was a great car to have while I saved up for something better. It was still working when I got rid of it a year later. Obviously it's not a very fast or sporty car, but I really did like it despite its faults (which all had to do with age). It was a fun car, and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat, especially a better-maintained example. If you're looking to purchase one of these, and it's been well maintained throughout it's life, you won't be disappointed.
Recommended reviews
| Best car ever |
| Rusty, yet trusty |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1992 |
| Year of manufacture | 1992 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.3 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 130000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 140000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 25th June, 2007 |