1998 Buick Century Review
1998 Buick Century Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Lots of features for a low price
Cons
- Mushy seats, seafaring suspension, noisy powertrain
What’s new
The addition of second-generation airbags, three new exterior colors, one new interior color and the availability of OnStar mobile communications are this year's changes.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Buick Century Limited 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$195/mo for Century Limited
Century Limited
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
How many of us know someone who owned a Buick Century between 1982 and 1996, aside from Avis or National? Buick moved more than two million A-body Centurys during this period, which means that more than one out of every 150 Americans brought one of these no-nonsense sedans home during the past 15 years. Wow. That's almost scary, isn't it?
For 1997, Buick trotted out an all-new Century sedan that put the 1996 model to shame. More room inside, more trunk volume, a more ergonomic interior and a solid structure were the core improvements to the new model, but one look at the smooth exterior shape of the 1997 model spoke volumes about the Century for the next century.
Wayne Kady, chief exterior designer of the new car, was looking for a shape that would have a long shelf life. "We purposely avoided anything that could be considered trendy," said Kady. No duh. The new Century is about as exciting to look at as a Dan Ackroyd movie. The most distinctive feature is the traditional chromed oval grille up front. Closer examination reveals a hand-me-down from the Riviera and Park Avenue; a character line running from the forward edge of the hood to the decklid along the bottom of the windows lends the Century a bit of class. Inside, the Century boasts contemporary styling, with large and legible gauges and controls facing seating for six passengers. Rear seating is elevated theater-style, lending an airy feel to the interior.
Two flavors are available. Custom comes fully loaded, unless you want a remote decklid release, retained accessory power, automatic ComforTemp climate controls and speed-sensitive steering. For these items, you've gotta pop for the Limited model. The wagon disappears, like Brontosaurus into the La Brea Tar Pits.
Hardware includes a 3.1-liter V6 engine good for 160 horsepower. A four-wheel independent DynaRide suspension and four-wheel antilock brakes are also standard. Battery rundown protection means the car won't suffer a meltdown in extremely cold weather. Families benefit from an optional integrated child seat and side-impact protection exceeds federal standards. Oddly, the smaller Buick Skylark comes standard with traction control, but this feature is not available on the Century at any cost.
Changes for 1998 are, ahem, limited. Two new shades of blue and one new hue of gray are available for the exterior sheetmetal, and the interior can now be colored Pewter Gray if you'd like. The dealer will install an OnStar Mobile Communications system if desired, which allows occupants of the Century to call a 24-hour hotline for roadside help, directions to that fancy buffet restaurant, or guidance from Tampa Bay to West Palm Beach.
Buick has a competent sedan with the Century. However, GM stablemates Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac have similar vehicles that differ mainly in terms of styling and content. The Chevy Malibu LS is an amazing value. Ditto the Euro-flavored Oldsmobile Cutlass. The new Olds Intrigue is simply gorgeous, and Pontiac's Grand Prix is one of our favorite sedans of any stripe. Buick Century brand manager, Anthony H. Derhake, says Buick's Century is "classic and contemporary without being trendy. It has a clean, enduring design with classic Buick themes..." That's the essence of the Buick Century, according to the marketing whizzes, so if this is what you're looking for in a midsized sedan, step right up.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Buick Century.
5 star(60%)
4 star(27%)
3 star(10%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(3%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
1998 Century
Jeff Nade, 04/12/2002
1998 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
The strong points of the car are
reliability and a soft comfortable
ride, which are the two reasons why I
bought the car. Vehicle tends to
bounce when going over bumps.
Handling is soft and not precise.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Comfortable and smooth and 11 years old
Tiarella, 10/26/2009
1998 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
This car has large comfortable seats, smooth ride, and a huge trunk. Nice for travel. If you need a trunk to hold 4 golf bags, this is the car for you. The only problems I've had are two windows quit working, the ABS needed repair, and the cup holders broke off. Had its first tune up at over 100,000 miles. If you use the door button to lock the doors when you get out, there is a delay … after you shut the door before the car locks (in case you forgot keys or something). If you don't want the delay, you just hit the button twice, or you can use the key fob to lock it instantly.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great car
proendesign, 02/07/2009
1998 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
I've had this car for 9 years now- it's been great. No major issues,a few flaws, but 1998 was the first year of the new model. I have about 210,000 km (divide that by 1.6 for miles) and I just did regular maintenance. Very confortable and quiet. As it is getting older, I consider replacing it with an Audi A8 or BMW 760i but in all honesty I have no reason other than getting a new and … fancy toy. I highly recommend it (check the J.D. Power reports on Buick, both Century and Regal).
3.38 out of 5 stars
1998 Buick Century Custom 4 Door Sedan
mg, 07/18/2009
1998 Buick Century Custom 4dr Sedan
Bought this car used it's Canadian made. Has alot of things that go wrong for no reason and could have easily been remedied if addressed correctly during manufacturing processes. Replaced the fan blower because it's mounted upside down under passenger side it wore the spacer so it would hang up squeel and stop. Head Gasket is blown for no reason other than bad mixture of parts componants … engine to Head cover two different metals that destroys the Gasket.Caused the coolant to mix with the oil.
1998 Century Highlights
Limited
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $195/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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