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.