1990 Buick Century Custom from North America - Comments

A/C evaporator.

Harmonic balancer on drive shaft pulley disintegrated at about 110000. $150 to fix.

Many alternators - at least 5. I always put them on myself since it is extremely easy and accessible, and had lifetime warranty on them from Autozone so no big deal.

A/C compressor pulley bearing started squeaking at 113,000 and it cost $175 to replace.

Electric fan replaced several times, but much like the alternators, I did this myself and used lifetime warranty parts.

Driver seat bolt loosened up and until I discovered it, was a nuisance (constant knocking and movement in the seat).

Until car is warmed up, transmission sometime does not go into overdrive in cold weather (50 deg F or less). But here in Florida, it is warm enough year round to not be a hassle.

Currently, squealing noise coming from engine compartment which varies with engine speed.

Very reliable car.

Even though it's tow capacity is 1000lbs, I have towed a 19' boat (total tow weight about 3000lbs) a total of approx. 50 miles, and pulled the boat out of the water about 10 times, all without any failure with the car, except an alternator during 1 tow (seemingly heat related - after that never ran AC while towing). Also have towed a Uhaul trailer (approx. 1000lbs) about 500 miles with no problems (not running AC).

Even at current mileage, car runs like a top- very smooth. I still rely on it to commute 50 miles + per day.

I owned my 1990 Buick Century Limited since 1996. After almost 6 years and 70,000 miles, my buick is still going strong.

I have took long road trips over the years. I put over 5000 miles on a road trip from Atlanta to New Mexico and back. And I also drove it up and down east coast several times, average 2000 miles each trip. The car has been extremely reliable over the years. I only had one break down over the high way shortly after I purchased the car in 1996. It was the Alternator. And after that, I had to replace the alternator almost every two years. Yes, I am using the Life Time Warranty parts as well, but this is annoying. Since it is no guarantee when it will quit. It seems to be heat related, and now I moved to Canada, hopefully I will not have to replace the alternator again.

I do oil change and front brake pat replace myself. I am trying to get a hand on working on the paint. Since I drove it from Georgia to Toronto last year, the paint has took a hit in the cold weather. The paint peeled off at a spot on the rear center of the roof, about 4 by 6 inches. For the first time since I bought my buick, I had to replace the rear brake and had my rear drums rotated. So overall, it has been a real low maintenance car.

This winter in Canada is pretty cold, currently the daily temperature is around -15 C. Although my car does not have a block heater, it starts every morning without problem. However, I can notice the engine noticablly takes 3 or 5 seconds more to start. I have been driving it in some extreme heat in New Mexico desert and now I am driving my very same Buick in the dead cold Canadian winter. And I am convinced my car and its 3.3 sweet V6 will give me a smooth ride under any weather conditions.

Well, I love my car, although it is not as stylish as some new ones. But it does not hurt my wallet that much either. If you would like to contact me for any info, please email me at rwbao@yahoo.com.

I have a 1991 Buick Century, and I love it. After reading your review I have to agree with you. I too have had to replace the alternator, but only once. I had taken it to a shop to get it done, so maybe they use a different brand then the one at Advanced Auto. I also had the squealing noise you were speaking about. On my car, it turned out to be the water pump going bad. I was driving down the road and the squealing stopped. Turns out the water pump seized up and threw off the serpentine belt. The car was heating quickly, so I had to have it towed to a shop. Asides from those few problems, it runs fine even with 149,000 miles on it.

I have a 1991 buick century with the 3.3 V6. It currently has 201,000 miles. I have replaced the idling pulley, the wheel bearings, the alternator, a few of the fuel injectors, as well as the basic things (oil, tires, brakes). It still has a lot of power, and gets 28mpg on the freeway at 75mph. The gas gauge has stopped working since about 120,000 miles. Great very reliable car.

I just bought my 1989 Century two weeks ago, it's a 3.3 with 169,000 miles on it and during the first few days that I owned it the alternator, harmonic balancer, crankshaft sensor, and thermostat went. I've been stranded on the side of the road so many times. Today my exhaust developed a leak, but at least I can drive it now. I was so frustrated. Hopefully I won't have anymore problems for a while, I couldn't handle it if I did. All these repairs left me pretty much broke. Hope you are right about this type of car, because even after all the trouble I have had with it, I really like the car. It floats on the road.

I own a 1993 Buick Century Special with 241,000 miles on it. It has the 3.3L V6 with four speed automatic transmission. Overall the car has been great, never had a breakdown. The engine is wonderful and has only had normal routine maintenance done on it. This really is the only thing great about the car along with the ride quality.

1. It’s not the most attractive car on the road.

2. The paint is peeling badly on all the flat surfaces (hood, roof, and trunk).

3. It’s by far not the best handling car on the road.

4. Front seats are not very comfortable and the back seat room is cramped.

5. Some engine components are very difficult to work on i.e.… rear spark plugs.

6. Tire size is too small… even during this era; the car should have come with 15-inch wheels.

7. Fit and finish isn’t very great.

8. Bad vibration at highway speeds (60mph to 75mph) in the front end. Have changed out tires, rims, ball joints, tie rods and wheel bearings several times and it still vibrates. All suspension components check out okay.

On the other side…

1. With so many miles on the engine, it still averages about 25mpg in the city and a little more on the highway.

2. The ride quality is outstanding… Cadillac level if you ask me and I’ve ridden in quite a few of them.

3. Engine, engine, engine! Great engine!

4. Many power accessories.

5. Cheap to Maintain.

6. Import reliability from GM.

Overall… not a flashy car, but will get you and the family from point A to point B reliably and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Bought my 1990 Century in 2004 with 71,000 miles on the 3.3 litre V6. Even though the car was heavily undercoated and was garaged most of it’s life, it still had extensive rust at the bottom of all four doors, enough to warranty replacement if I were so inclined. Cloth interior was in excellent condition. Car had very slight exhaust noise at the muffler when purchased, but was a great car for the $1000 investment. Drove well, handled great and got good all-around gas mileage.

Two years later at 76,500 miles, replaced alternator, front tires, exhaust system, shocks, struts and alignment. Car now rides, handles and sounds like a brand new vehicle. Also replaced wire wheel covers because the retainers were very prone to ceasing because of rust. Drivers seat beginning to show signs of wear.

In my opinion, this was the best money I’ve ever spent on a vehicle and I’m confident it will go another 76,000 miles. I’ve always been a GM man and this is why.

I am trying to find out what is wrong with my 1990 Buick Century. It will turn over until the battery dies, but is not getting fuel. I got it started right away with starting fluid, but it wouldn't stay going. Does this sound like the fuel-pump to you? Is this an expensive part to replace? other than that it is a great car, but having it down right now is hurting my wallet a bit.

I bought my 1992 century in 10-06 with 129,000 miles from an individual who bought it new here in Memphis. I did a lot of maintenance work, spark plugs, wires, module, O2 sensor, etc. It also had an exhaust leak, shocks & struts were plum worn-out. After all of that work, the car averaged 22 MPG. After replacing the intake gasket due to coolant leaking at 133,000 miles, I was tickled to death the car was averaging 25 mpg. No regrets for dumping a 94 Toyota tercel for this car.

I have a 90 Buick Century with a 3.3 V-6 Low miles 55,000.

The previous owner spent $500 trying to fix a fast idle condition. I bought the car for $700, replaced the computer and this fixed the idle problem.

Later on next year the car would not start or stay running.

I replaced two fuel injectors and this fixed the problem.

The bad fuel injectors had shorted out to 3 Ohms, they are supposed to be 12 Ohms.