This 1996 Buick Century Custom Sedan is now 30 years old; that’s hard to believe for those of us who lived through this era. Three decades, boom, gone, just like that- scary. The seller has this Ruby Red Metallic sedan listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $4,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
I’ve said it too many times in the past, but this Buick Century is a car that millions of us would see many times a day for years and years, and then all of a sudden, they disappeared. Clearly some still exist, and this example looks nice in the somewhat limited photos the seller has provided. But they have provided an engine photo, so that’s a win in my book every time for a craigslist ad. Here’s a 1996 Buick Century brochure for your viewing pleasure…
The fifth-generation Century was offered for model years 1982 through 1996 here in the U.S., and a wagon version was also a choice for pragmatic buyers, but those who still insisted on Buick quality. A unique body style was a two-door sedan, but that went away after the 1993 model year. Bummer. We don’t get to see inside the trunk, and there are no underside photos, so that’s also a bummer. The bummer of bummers is that there is not one photo showing the front passenger compartment of this car, other than one close-up of the gauges.
This is basically the only interior photo, which is extremely unusual. I’m always suspicious when something isn’t shown, but I’m betting that it’s just an oversight. The back seating area looks perfect, if not a bit short on legroom, wowie. The seller says there is “no rust” on this car and it has just under 117,000 miles. They say the interior is a little dirty, but nice otherwise. They reportedly bought this car for their daughter, but it turns out that she wants a truck.
The engine is the General’s 3.1-liter OHV V6 with 160 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque when new. It has new intake gaskets and all new fluids, and power is sent through a four-speed 4T60-E automatic transmission to the front wheels. For $4,000, I don’t know how a person could go wrong here if it runs and drives as great as it looks. Would any of you daily drive this Century sedan?
Depending upon the front seat optics, I’d srsly consider this as a daily if I were closer. A good solid choice for a college student that DIDN”T insist on a truck. Just offer something a little less than the ask.
Call 📞 1-800-4A-BUICK
If the interior andechanical check out. I would buy it in a heartbeat. I had this exact car but with the red interior. Drove it to over 200k with regular maintenance and no mechanical issues.
If I gave my kid a car and she said she didn’t want it, she would have been walking. Thankfully, this did not happen because she isn’t a selfish brat.
I didn’t want to say that, Sir, but I was thinking it…
Yeah, my kid was happy to get my old Caravan.
Aaaaand SOLD to an American. 👍🥸
The daughter will be in for a surprise when her weekly fuel bill doubles, driving a truck.
I’m guessing the parents will pay for the gas as well, so no worries.
I wonder why the little lady needs a truck. Maybe dad will co-sign for a loan on a $50,000 truck. People are stupid that way.
Lothar of the Hill People. Love it.
When I bought my first car? I was told to buy it in full without my parent’s help. Their logic was I had two feet & legs. They gave me $100 towards my $300 bicycle 46 years ago. That was the most I got from my parents. The car I bought had to be a GM vehicle as my father was a stout GM man. Otherwise I would have to park someplace else. Not in front of his house. I had to buy my own insurance & my own gas & repairs. My father let me go on his insurance until the first moving violation. (Which I have never had). Then he would kick me off. I just had to pay the difference.
My siblings were no different. I would have been over joyed if my parents gave me this Century. Truck? That tells me she’s a spoiled brat!
My wife was a great kid growing up. She started saving for collage at 8. Then she had quite a nest egg when she left for college at age 15. She went early admission back when that never happened. She had to pay the difference between a state school & Ivy League. She was a straight A student in school. She finished college at age 19. Her parents paid a local kid to paint her car she bought herself. Then put covers on the seats. That was her gift for being a good kid.
A huge tip of the hat to you, sir. Other than a couple of new bikes, I didn’t get any free vehicles, free insurance, free college, free clothing, free food, free shelter… well, I had those last three, but not the others. I know things are different today, but I still cringe when I hear parents complaining about how much it costs to send their kids to college and then think back to how I paid for my own with loans and by working.
I really like this Century; for the money, I can’t believe it would be a bad gamble. I hope the buyer comments eventually if they see this post.
sold and not surprised. these were great economical transportation. good deal for 4k
My wife and I owned a 1991, 1992 and 1994 Centuries BACK IN THE DAY. They were absolutely GREAT cars overall and GREAT in snow. Wish we still had the ’91 it would be a show stopper. (White with powder blue interior and fully loaded).
Reminds me of a Chevy Celebrity. Probably the same platform.
Solid and mostly reliable platform.
I had the same year in a Buick Century Wagon, put 186,000 miles on it and it was still going strong when I let it go. One of the most reliable cars I ever had.