Used 1996 Buick Century Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Century, so we've included reviews for other years of the Century since its last redesign.
Old Reliable!
BuickLover, 10/14/2015
1996 Buick Century 4dr Wagon
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Great starter car! Bought mine used when I was 17 and it had 115,000 miles on it and several dings on the exterior. Got me every where and it now has 155,000 miles on it. Motor/transmission runs great and gas mileage is great at a whopping 28 mpg and that's in the country and city. Only bad thing about this car is window motor easily goes out and so do the automatic locks. I've put many miles on my car and driven it through snow, ice, mud, potholes and it never let me down!
Grandpa likes gGandma's car
russ, 05/14/2005
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Oned it for 9 yrs,no major problems,yet little plastic things like to break off like the slide buttons on the radio or the knob on the front seat adjust or the plastic handle on the emergency brake. B after nine years of use that can be expected...still runs good and that is the most important part
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Been Around, 05/25/2009
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in Florida, drove it around the country, through snow, rain, sleet, desert... It has always been reliable. Recntly I parked in a parking lot in our SMALL town and there were five Buick Centuries, from !980's through 2000 models. Little things like power window failures go, I replaced struts, but with regular maintenance, these cars seem to run forever, get good gas mileage, and my giant dog can spread out in the backseat!
Solid reliabble ride
triple J, 04/12/2004
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is hands down the best vehicle I have owned! It has never let me down, and the original engine & tranny have well over 100K miles. Fuel economy is not bad, especially considering the V6 power that the car has. In my opinion, GM's 3100 engine ranks right up there with the 3800 for the best engine GM has EVER made. Great car!
1995 Buick Century user history
Midland, Michigan, 04/27/2007
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Generally good experience. Car has 180,000 miles. We are the second owner. Comfortble ride, good acceleration, 30 MPG highway, power windows/seats still work. Inconveniences: service engine light on a lot, rotors warp, rust on trunk, passenger door sagged (closes hard), engine would "miss" or "bog down" under acceleration but replacing the ignition wires solved that. Developing rust around the windshield. We added after-market cruise control and a CD player improving an already comfortable riding experience. It is showing its age. But no car payment makes it tolerable when repairs do occur.
my first car
breazy love it baby, 03/14/2010
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
i read a comment about it not being good for a teenager its all how you look at it. I was 17 when I bought the car from my dad. at first I was hesitant. Then I fell in love. It was reliable, smooth to drive , and so comfortable. I think its all the way you look at it I don't want to say the car fit me but I fit my car. mine was a custom edition. Well I am not quite sure it said custom on the exterior, but on the dash it said limited so I loved it and I think no matter the age this car is perfect. sad story mine was stolen and everything was ruined the leather was torn engine, taken out the list goes on. Now I am on the search to own my champagne colored whip once again.."it's all krystalle"
The 95 Model is very Reliable
Mark, 08/19/2009
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for 400 cash with only 72k original miles. Had to replace the compressor, serpentine belt, tensioner, and grease the brake cylinders. Also had a power steering leak that wasn't much to fix. This was because the car sat for 2 years or more, only the battery was replaced when I bought it and it drove almost perfect! This car has proven to be very reliable even to the fact that there was very limited rust on this vehicle for it's age.
Death of a Faithful Friend
Melody , 08/02/2008
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
First I agree with one reviewer on the warped rotors. Both front window motors went out about the same time a few years ago as well as having an expensive electrical problem that caused major havic but after a the dealership fixed it ran like a charm. Now, its all over. Too expensive to put anymore into her with intake valves needing replaces and a cracked head gasket. Now I have water in my oil. Time for another car. 1 great years! Orig. miles 105,000; not a traveler.
This Century is nice
Jayson, 05/29/2007
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is great. Extremely nice suspension, handles good, drives nice. Close to 200,000 miles and the engine and tranny are real good. Great cruise control. And the body is excellent also.
Best vehicle I could ask for
originalgangsta, 10/31/2002
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This was my grandmother's car, then my mom took it from her, it became mine in 2000, I'm the hardest driver on it but I've put a few miles on already (55,000 25,000 mine). Keeps on going, only problems were due to my stupidity (125 for 8 miles bad for tranny). Price was right at free but I would buy same car if I totalled this one tomorrow. We were so impressed my mom bought a new rendevious cxl, another nice car.
Our backup car
unclehal, 09/07/2005
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Have only 31000 on this car...but find it very valuable...especially these days. Gas prices..this car never runs out of gas...not sure of the exact mileage..but its great. Easy to drive and easy to get in and out of for my older relatives. Nothing flashy..but if you are looking for a good priced used car, I recommend this one
"Auction Blues"
NW, 04/05/2017
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased the vehicle at an auction for $2500 and based on appearance, one owner and 75K miles for a 1996 model it seemed like a good buy. After driving the vehicle 2-3 times a week for (5) months I now have the "auction blues" because of current repairs: New tire, oil pan/intake gaskets, rear shocks, headliner, accelerator/throttle adjustment, realigned drivers door so it closes properly, replaced cracked/peeling hubcap, electrical problems with passenger windows and brake pads . Repairs were $1065 added to the purchase price of $2500 for a total of $3565. So, I have a loss of $1865 per Edmunds appraisal of $1700.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
1996 Buick Century
RKS, 05/31/2002
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Replaced warped brake rotor to fix brake surging. Intake manifold gasket leaked coolant into crankcase. Interior design is clumsy and not well thought out. Paint finish on hood has rust pits that developed under paint.
My Lemon
Century Special, 09/02/2005
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Since the day I bought the car brand new, I've had problems with it. The dealership did nothing but blame it on my tires. It has front end shimmy so bad, I can't keep tires on it. The window motor failed. The door lock broke. The intermitent windshield wipers were just that...intermitent. They worked when the felt like it. The heater died. The brakes had to be continually replaced. I have not one good thing to say about this car. Don't buy this car.
Good rental car
Bill H., 07/13/2002
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased as one year old prior rental, good second car with good gas mileage of 29 mpg. Above average fit and finish and overall reliability. Good basic 4- door car despite aging design. Engine 3.1L at 103k miles still not burning or leaking oil, which is saying a lot for an American make car. Transmission still smooth. Easy to change own oil. Drawback is suspension very soft, and turning radius too wide for size of car.
Happy to have it
Don Carlo, 10/23/2002
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car i 2000, it had only 14K M, now it has 63,500 I live in Monterrey Mexico, two hours from the border, this year we had a travel from Laredo, Tx to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, car response EXCELLENT. I wont sell it, I had also an 1988 Century, you can die on it!!!!!
1996 buick century special great car
sorrel, 01/06/2004
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
very dependable car smoothest ride imaginable for the money lots of convenient options amazing gas mileage- 30 mpg hwy !!!!
Great car ... until now!
Kim , 02/02/2006
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My car only has 50k miles on it - it has never left me stranded. We recently had an incident where it was in park, with engine running, in someone's driveway. After I got out of the car, it automatically locked and about 7 seconds later rolled forward on the uphill driveway. It hit a car in the driveway and a house. Upon impact of hitting the house it unlocked. My 2 children were in their carseats in the back seat when this happened. Mechanic finds absolutely nothing wrong with it. We have had no problems with it before this.
How old are you?
boshsb, 10/14/2007
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
Car is a good first car with outdated styling(they kept the body from the early 80s to mid 90s) and bad handling. Bad understeer tendency that is exaggerated by wet weather. I got the car at 90k and killed it around 115k. Stock struts are miserable and I killed a total of two front pair. Went through 8 tires on it (1sets rear, 3 front) until it finally died, the differential went out, but not before the rear window motors starred going (hence not my fault, the diff was). If you are good though, it can out handle a Civic due to its ability to power out of turns. It can do burnouts, drifts and anything else you make it do, but it will fight you all the way.
Bought Car at 8,000 miles
Dave Lavender, 08/31/2002
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
We have had a 1990 Buick Century and looked for this 1995 five years ago. It has disappointed us in noise. The engine is noisy, much more than our 1990 model. Wind noise is really bad on the highway. Radiator had to be replaced at 100,000 miles. It is difficult to park due to not being able to see the front fenders well enough. The turning radius is very poor. This will be our last Buick after the disappointing things we have had. Local Buick dealer has not been honest and this is one factor I won'tolerate.
'95 Buick Century
axthetax, 06/02/2003
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Well built interior, roomy, comfortable. Very UNreliable mechanically, transmission problems, compressor problems, blown head gasket, all at 75,000 miles. BEWARE.
I love my car
littlemissashley, 07/29/2010
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had my car since 2005. I bought it from my aunt for 1500 and I've been driving it since. I have only had routine maintenance issues but nothing serious happen. Agatha, as I have dubbed her, has been the best car I've ever driven. It is dependable and sturdy, she gets around 24 mpg and runs great on the highway, which is where a lot of my miles come from. I can't imagine driving anything else. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking.
not a good first car
vash gulan, 03/15/2003
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
as a teen you hate it. all your friends have nice cars while you are stuck with a 1996 buick century. it is like something your grandma should be driving. i did not like it i got bad gas mileage for a poor teenager. it had no pick up. had to upgrade everything.
Great Commuter
Finch (male), 02/09/2009
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
2nd owner, at 96K replaced muffler, at 102K had vacuum leak and lug bolts. Other than that great reliability, and seats are still comfortable. Good for commuter or teen car! I average 22-23 MPG combined driving.
95 Buick Century Special
doc miller, 09/08/2002
1995 Buick Century Special 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought it in Nov. 2001. It had 29,000 miles on it. It has the V-6 and if driven at 65 mph or less, you can get up to 30 mpg. The fit and finish are very good. It is comfortable on long trips. I now have 52,000 miles on the car and outside of normal maintenance, it has not given me any problems.
NOTHING BUT MONEY MONEY MONEY
Pinkcadillac_1, 09/27/2002
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this from the dealer with 13 miles, I have had nothing but mechanical problems since I bought it. FRONT RIGHT DRIVE AXLE, BRAKES, TIRES, WHEEL INNERS. WINDOW MOTORS REPLACES MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PAID BIGGGGGGGG BUCKS FOR, ONLY TO GIVE OUT SOON AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT AND LOCK ONE OPEN, ONE CLOSED. NOISEY NOISEY RATTLES AND SQUEALS, NEVER CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, nor was the ALL POWER OPTIONS WORTH THE MONEY I PAID. For comfort..
Century a Great Car
firedawg, 10/02/2002
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car has been a great car. We had one transmission problem after 140k miles. Since fixing that problem, the ownership has been uneventful.
A Damn Good Car
Dan Z, 11/25/2002
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car from my grandfather's estate for my wife. It's all loaded up with leather and such. This car is great! It's rides very well, gets great mileage is an excellant daily driver. My grandfather drove as you would expect from an elderly person. Not fast, well maintained and not many miles. The average per year for the time he owned it was under 5K. There is a tiny bit of rust starting in the wheel wells because it sat for long periods of time and the exhaust had to be replaced for the same reason. I feel the body will fall off this car before the engine dies..
My Dream Car
lynda, 01/25/2003
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car as a used car in August of 1997 with 42000 miles on it, so they must have been mostly highway miles. It now has 85000 miles on it 5+ years later. It has been a very reliable car. I have replaced the battery, brakes, muffler, and exhaust. This car always starts quickly and has been kept in the garage during the time that I have owned it.
also a good teen car
teen_buick_driver, 01/26/2003
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
this car in my opinion was the best value for my dollar, it was the best buy for only 4000, it was the newest with the less mileage of 97000, which to some may seem a lot, but i am hopeful it will last as long as my grandparents 92 did of 180000 miles, i love the acceleration, and comfort feel of it, i enjoy getting on freeways, all in all a great/excellent car
Limited 1995 Buick Century Review
Simon24262, 02/22/2003
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
At of the 3 cars I have owned within the past 2 years, this by far has been the best. It hasnt had any major problems and has always started. the only problem I have had is I ran out of gas while drving down the road. Not that big of a problem, also I have a bad ground in the engine somewhere which I've been meaning to get fixed but it doesnt really affect the performance of the car that much. So on a scale of 1-10 I would rate this car a 9. If you are looking for affordable luxury, you'll love this car.
Free car, and I think I paid too much!!!
rojo412, 01/11/2005
1995 Buick Century Special 4dr Wagon
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When my 92 LeSabre finally drove me to the brink with its faulty exterior, I got this wagon from my grandparents, for free. I thought "this should work for a while and I got a great deal! All options, owned by sweet old lady who drove it to church. And it's low mileage so it should be sweet!" WRONG!!! Even at 62,000 it was showing its age. Rusting out exterior, ABS is going in and out, head gasket leaking, strange fluid in the coolant overflow. At 80k, a mechanic told me to sell it and cut my losses. Well, at 88k, I still have it and wish I took his advice.
A-bodies are terrific!
occupant1, 12/15/2003
1995 Buick Century Special 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My parents bought this car new in mid- 1996 as a leftover 1995 model with 400 miles or so on it. The car has been all over the country with minor repairs over the last 8 years. The most annoying problem was the belt tensioner for the engine drivebelt. It broke three or four times but hasn't broken in the last 100K, so maybe it's fixed right now. Drives like new, I should know, I took my license test in it at 2000 miles.
sweet
lurchmister, 07/27/2004
1995 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
this is a great car for starting teens.
My Car
Yaakapo, 04/20/2002
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I like to drive the car. I sit up fairly high and do not need a cushion.
Best used car I have ever bought.
Beatle412, 01/10/2006
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Works fine, had very low mileage when I purchased it and it has never left me stranded. I have had to replace a few routine things on the car, as with any car. I do notice a tendedncy for the 3.1 to have excessive noise. I was told that this is due to some of the rod lenth being off by thousandths of a second.
Best Ever
Laura, 08/07/2020
1996 Buick Century 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
24-year-old car. Had for 22 years. 130,000 miles on it. I've been recently test-driving many makes which were brand new. None compare to the smoothness, comfort, handling, dependability, and quiet ride. Always first off at the traffic light. No transmission problem ever. Main problem was automatic windows.
very clean car
Don Bradley, 08/14/2016
1995 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
this car is really clean. original millage. well maintained. everything was taken care of at the proper time. it was not let go.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wagons Rule
angela, 09/30/2005
1996 Buick Century 4dr Wagon
0 of 5 people found this review helpful
Engine blew around 66k when oil gasket leaked and let a cyl go dry. 3.1L has lots of power, but a spotty reliability history, some really good, some really bad. watch out for intake manifold gaskets that will let oil and water mix to blow engine.