1995 Buick Century, nice, Dallas TX
occupant
06-05-2004, 11:38 PM
This is my baby. This car, unlike the Volvo I have also listed, is NOT a pile. It has some things I'd fix if I were keeping it, and some things I'd leave alone because they do not bother me, however they might bother you. First things first, the things I'd fix right away:
The driver's door lower hinge pin is loose, has been this way for years, door is loud to close, does not leak water or air, but sounds funny when you shut it, replacement pin is $3 but I haven't bothered to change it yet
The window tint on the back window peeled in about a fist-sized section above the third brake light. I want to replace the entire piece of tint but am afraid of damaging the defroster grids.
There is some paint loss on the very corners of the front bumper, from parents hitting the edge of the garage. There is white paint loss on the bumper itself, and gray paint loss on the molding. If you're a perfectionist, a body shop can repaint the entire bumper for under $300.
There are two paint chips on the left fender, they have been filled with primer for now.
There is a little rust on the left side of the bottom edge of the trunk lid. Only bothers me when I lift up from that side and feel it. If I open the trunk lifting from the right side, I never notice.
It needs the left front tire replaced (below 4/32"), but the right front is 6/32" and the backs are 7/32". Very nice tires, very quiet, very efficient, and very cheap. It just needs the one if you can find one used with 6/32 of tread. Wear is on the outside of the tire. May need a tie rod? Tuffy recommended a tie rod 80,000 miles ago and Dad never got one. It must not be bad if it doesn't affect handling and only shortened the tire life by 2/32 of an inch.
The engine and transmission are perfect IMO, but on cold starts, if you don't let the engine warm up, it takes an extra 2 seconds to engage Drive. Reverse always goes right in. Drive you have to wait for. It will only do this once a day. After that the engagement is as quick as you can shift. Has been doing this as long as I have owned it and Dad mentioned it did that for a long time before he gave it to me.
Has a small cigarette burn on the driver's door panel. Carpets need shampooed, might want to do the seats, too, but at least they look clean, the carpet you can see the stains and dirty spots. Interior is perfect except for one thing. The left horn button works, the right one does not, it's loose, and it's annoying if you steer with your right hand on the 3-o-clock position or on the spoke. It can be wedged in there just right, though. Again, one of those nitpicky things I think about when I'm driving.
All oil change receipts included. I also put pads on the front brakes about 14,000 miles ago. Right caliper is sticky, as indicated by the old pads wearing unevenly. But you should be able to go awhile before changing pads again, and then deal with it when that time comes. I'm cheap, I'll keep throwing pads on it until the interval shortens to where I'm changing the pads too often.
Muffler was replaced not too long ago. AC evaporator and heater core about the same time. Air is icy cold, especially on MAX A/C, and will freeze you out on 90+ degree days. I keep it on NORM except when I first get in the sun-heated car. Makes my cheeks red if I don't cut it back soon enough!!!
Some slacker at a north Dallas car wash decided to remove the antenna with pliers and broke it off, stud and all. This is the most annoying part of the car. The antenna is laying on the front floorboard and they refuse to pay for it. Now had the machine broke it off, I wouldn't care. But the guy broke it, he ought to pay for a replacement. I may get around to this next weekend when I go to the junkyard, I'll grab another antenna and stud and try to change it out. You can get most FM stations fine, some AM, and the tape player is great. But if I can't hear Don Imus, I need to do something about it!
Car is white, with blue cloth interior, has all the chromed factory hubcaps, light blue pinstriping, power windows, power locks, power seat recliners, rear defroster, antilock brakes, driver's air bag, cruise control (works great), tilt steering column, and an electric trunk release. I added a gas cap holder to the fuel door. Has original floor mats in back, aftermarket ones up front. If it wasn't for the things I mentioned above this car would look showroom new. It has the 2.2 liter 4-cylinder engine, 3-speed automatic transmission, column shift, and still gets exactly the EPA ratings when new, 25mpg city, and 32mpg highway. I took it to Houston last week and it got the 32mpg it's supposed to get. I get 24-26mpg regularly in town, even with the AC running all day long.
I'm asking $1800 cash, or trade for a 1993-1996 Buick Century or Olds Cutlass Ciera wagon. Also will consider trading for an older Century/Celebrity/Ciera wagon but must either be VERY nice or you put some cash into the deal.
I'm sure the first question you have is how many miles. The odometer reads 252,328 as of this writing. However, this car is in the condition of a 52,300 mile car. Don't knock it until you've tried it. My parents' previous car to this, a 1992 Century with the 4-cylinder engine, went well past the 250K mark. They are driving a 2003 model and expect the same. I have also owned 1988 and 1989 Centurys that went over 240K each, and they were in WAY worse shape than this one. I fully expect this car to hit 300K, if not 350K, before needing any major mechanical work. Change the oil, listen to the brakes, and put in good gas. You'll be fine.
The driver's door lower hinge pin is loose, has been this way for years, door is loud to close, does not leak water or air, but sounds funny when you shut it, replacement pin is $3 but I haven't bothered to change it yet
The window tint on the back window peeled in about a fist-sized section above the third brake light. I want to replace the entire piece of tint but am afraid of damaging the defroster grids.
There is some paint loss on the very corners of the front bumper, from parents hitting the edge of the garage. There is white paint loss on the bumper itself, and gray paint loss on the molding. If you're a perfectionist, a body shop can repaint the entire bumper for under $300.
There are two paint chips on the left fender, they have been filled with primer for now.
There is a little rust on the left side of the bottom edge of the trunk lid. Only bothers me when I lift up from that side and feel it. If I open the trunk lifting from the right side, I never notice.
It needs the left front tire replaced (below 4/32"), but the right front is 6/32" and the backs are 7/32". Very nice tires, very quiet, very efficient, and very cheap. It just needs the one if you can find one used with 6/32 of tread. Wear is on the outside of the tire. May need a tie rod? Tuffy recommended a tie rod 80,000 miles ago and Dad never got one. It must not be bad if it doesn't affect handling and only shortened the tire life by 2/32 of an inch.
The engine and transmission are perfect IMO, but on cold starts, if you don't let the engine warm up, it takes an extra 2 seconds to engage Drive. Reverse always goes right in. Drive you have to wait for. It will only do this once a day. After that the engagement is as quick as you can shift. Has been doing this as long as I have owned it and Dad mentioned it did that for a long time before he gave it to me.
Has a small cigarette burn on the driver's door panel. Carpets need shampooed, might want to do the seats, too, but at least they look clean, the carpet you can see the stains and dirty spots. Interior is perfect except for one thing. The left horn button works, the right one does not, it's loose, and it's annoying if you steer with your right hand on the 3-o-clock position or on the spoke. It can be wedged in there just right, though. Again, one of those nitpicky things I think about when I'm driving.
All oil change receipts included. I also put pads on the front brakes about 14,000 miles ago. Right caliper is sticky, as indicated by the old pads wearing unevenly. But you should be able to go awhile before changing pads again, and then deal with it when that time comes. I'm cheap, I'll keep throwing pads on it until the interval shortens to where I'm changing the pads too often.
Muffler was replaced not too long ago. AC evaporator and heater core about the same time. Air is icy cold, especially on MAX A/C, and will freeze you out on 90+ degree days. I keep it on NORM except when I first get in the sun-heated car. Makes my cheeks red if I don't cut it back soon enough!!!
Some slacker at a north Dallas car wash decided to remove the antenna with pliers and broke it off, stud and all. This is the most annoying part of the car. The antenna is laying on the front floorboard and they refuse to pay for it. Now had the machine broke it off, I wouldn't care. But the guy broke it, he ought to pay for a replacement. I may get around to this next weekend when I go to the junkyard, I'll grab another antenna and stud and try to change it out. You can get most FM stations fine, some AM, and the tape player is great. But if I can't hear Don Imus, I need to do something about it!
Car is white, with blue cloth interior, has all the chromed factory hubcaps, light blue pinstriping, power windows, power locks, power seat recliners, rear defroster, antilock brakes, driver's air bag, cruise control (works great), tilt steering column, and an electric trunk release. I added a gas cap holder to the fuel door. Has original floor mats in back, aftermarket ones up front. If it wasn't for the things I mentioned above this car would look showroom new. It has the 2.2 liter 4-cylinder engine, 3-speed automatic transmission, column shift, and still gets exactly the EPA ratings when new, 25mpg city, and 32mpg highway. I took it to Houston last week and it got the 32mpg it's supposed to get. I get 24-26mpg regularly in town, even with the AC running all day long.
I'm asking $1800 cash, or trade for a 1993-1996 Buick Century or Olds Cutlass Ciera wagon. Also will consider trading for an older Century/Celebrity/Ciera wagon but must either be VERY nice or you put some cash into the deal.
I'm sure the first question you have is how many miles. The odometer reads 252,328 as of this writing. However, this car is in the condition of a 52,300 mile car. Don't knock it until you've tried it. My parents' previous car to this, a 1992 Century with the 4-cylinder engine, went well past the 250K mark. They are driving a 2003 model and expect the same. I have also owned 1988 and 1989 Centurys that went over 240K each, and they were in WAY worse shape than this one. I fully expect this car to hit 300K, if not 350K, before needing any major mechanical work. Change the oil, listen to the brakes, and put in good gas. You'll be fine.
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