2000 Buick Century Limited from North America - Comments

At 22,700 miles the Automatic Transmission developed major mechanical

trouble totaling $655.81. Although this was under the GM Factory Certified Warranty

3 month or 3000 miles the dealer would not repair the car. This Pikeville, Ky.

General Motors dealer claimed that my

purchase of a basic drive train extended warranty had canceled out the

GM Factory Certified Warranty.

In the 11th week the car began to put water out the exhaust at idle indicating possible blown head gaskets

or cracked heads. It began to run rough also.

The digital dash gear selector and odometer does not always work. You cannot tell what gear it is in.

This car was advertised as having undergone a rigorous 110 point inspection and maintenance in order to

qualify as a GM Factory Certified (only the best) the dealer had not even changed the oil and filter, air cleaner,

fuel filter and transmission filter.

Both front doors were difficult to open.

If all dealers are like this run the other way if you see a Factory Certified sticker. It is a joke.

This large Buick Century Limited is

grossly under powered with the 3100 V6.

The leather interior is nice and roomy.

The ride is very comfortable.

The brake system is better.

This will update my previous submission concerning my 2000

Buick Century with 22,400 miles and major transmission and

other malfunctions which the dealer refused to correct under warranty. After I obtained the names of the owners of

the corporation (dealership) and sent a copy of my complaint to them, the transmission was repaired at no cost

to me. The noisy alternator was replaced with a new one. The digital odometer short was not repaired. Now at 29,000

the power door locks refuse to unlock and a power window goes down, but must be pulled back up manually. My advice?

Do not buy a "Factory Certified" used car.

Do not buy an "Extended" Warranty.

"Extended " Warranty.

I also had a bad experience with a GM Certified Buick Century (1998). This seemingly good looking car had passed MD inspection (supposedly) and was GM certified for the same 3 mo / 3k miles as previously mentioned. Before I purchased, I took it to a mechanic who caught a leaking power steering pressure hose ($150 charge) along with a leaking transmission side pan ($500+). The mechanic also confirmed my suspicion that the tires were in desperate need of replacement. I confronted the dealership with these three shortcomings to their 'certified car' only to be offered a $100 reduction in purchase price. What a rip off! They also informed me that the GM warranty would not cover these offenses. Needless to say I didn't purchase!

2000 Buick Century...

I have 110000 miles (173000Km) on it, and have had no problems with it. Decent power and great fuel economy for a V6; very comfortable and a smooth ride. Would recommend to anyone.

Erik

Ontario

Canada.

A 2000 century I test drove also had the problem with the burnt out digital odometer and gear selector light so I had no way to check the mileage. Dealer said it costs $300 to fix since they have to replace the entire console cluster. LOL what a joke.

I don't know about your advice about NOT buying an extended warranty. I have reviewed 2 Fords here, and both have needed transmissions replaced. One, with a warranty, had the transmission replaced twice at no cost to me. For my second Ford, for which I bought no extended warranty, I had to pay a lot of money to replace the transmission.

Regarding the extended warranty advice: Consumer Reports says for Buick, 31 percent of people saved money getting the extended warranty. Considering how much people paid versus repair costs, the average loss getting the extended warranty was $50. Seems like a pretty good deal to me if you think of it as insurance.

For Lexus, 11 percent of people saved money and the average loss was $600. For Toyota, 10 percent of people saved money and the average loss was $550. (April 2008 page 28)