After you fill up your tires, open the fuse panel on the passenger side dash. Press the red reset button to reset Your tire pressure sensor. Very easy to do, always do it after you fill your tires.
Got my 01 century for 300 from my father in law who got it from its only other owner. The original owner in his 70s and my father in law in his 60s. The coolant started leaking on the original owner so he parked it and just bought a new car. It set in his yard for 5 years before my father in law got it. I helped him fix it. 2 years later he bought a grand marquis and gave me the century. Since then ive replaced the entire fuel system, all gaskets oil changes and regular maintenance. It runs like it just came off the dealership lot. I love it.
Buicks are one of my favorite cars of all time. Had 3. First was a century just like this but in maroon. It was a 99 bought it with 125k on it for $800. Was a bit rusty but nothing major. This was back in 2014. Then I had 2 park avenues. A 91 and 95. Had the 3.8. Can’t kill them. Most comfortable car ever. Underrated. And not many young people like them. That’s ok more for me. Great video very informative.
I have an 01 century. Leaked coolant since i got it. Shop diagnosed it as head gasket. Wanted $4700. No. Did it myself, took 3 days. Buttoned it back up and still leaking. turned out to be the timing cover gasket. That only took a couple hours. Hoping she will ride off into yhe sunsets for years to come now with every gasket being new.
I just inherited a 2003 Buick Century Custom with the 3.1L V6 with only 48K miles on it. The last 3 years, the owner neglected damn near everything and did no maintenance and trashed the interior. I have no idea what took place on the interior, I had to replace the entire carpet. Removing the seats & pulling out the original carpet was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Replacing with new carpet and professionally cleaning the seats & hard surfaces & headliner has proved wonders! After updating and doing all required maintenance items and de-tarring, de-scratching, and polishing the exterior, the car looks like it actually does have its 48K miles and not 248K miles.
I like these cars. Very reliable, cheap, easy to work on. And they drive really nice, that’s why you buy them. I myself have autism as well, so a lot of things on that car would bother me that barn 100% fixed.
@@jimmyjimjims7483 I just put my 2001 Buick century custom on the road as of Feb 2 2023, my grandmother got the car in early 2001 and when she passed away in 2008, my mom started using it, my mom recently passed away in 2021 so now I'm the owner.. it only has 79.000 original miles from not being driven much, and it sat from 2022 til I got it registered to myself days ago , she runs like a champ, no major issues, I'm planning on running it till the wheels fall of..
I bought a 98 Century Custom from a co-worker for $400 a few years ago. Just replaced the lower intake gaskets, but other than that it has been a smooth riding, reliable car. I don't ever plan to sell it. Has a 3.1 and gets 22 mpg.
Dude I actually learned something thank you so much I'm definitely gonna subscribe and watch more of your videos. I hope you're channel gets successful some day
I just purchased a 1997 Buick Century in immaculate, Immaculate condition. It has 124,700km and runs like a clock. Mild rust on the lower control arms but it's not pitted. I'm surprised how little rust it has because I live in Ontario. My daily driver, a 1997 pontiac Sunfire Coupe is rusting away but it's bar none the most reliable car I've ever owned, it has 117,00km on it. Thanks for sharing your Buick with the world. I hope it serves you well
I have a 2003 Century and in my honest opinion, probably the best car I've owned to this point. A few minor things to service here and there, but no real issues as of yet. Hoping down the road, I'll get something like it. Another Century, Park Ave., or Lesabre. These are true troopers when the service upkeep is done right.
Purchased a 2003 Century in 2009 with 60K miles (looked like new) - paid $3,500.00 and drove it 10 yrs. with NO mechanical failures until it had approx. 125K miles. Then it needed some revitalization which cost me about $8K over two years which I invested because I know this vehicle will last me until I check out. I maintain it and get compliments on how clean it is -- yes, it's called pride of ownership which means you treat it like you will never get another one! You take car of it and it will take care of you --- that simple.
I know this may be a shot in the dark, but, I'm in Texas too although all the way across the state lol. If you find any running and driving reliable cars for cheap please please please let me know. The market here has shot up exponentially....people are selling old 1990 trucks for like $4-6k or more, it's absolutely insane. I have a 95 dodge ram that's reliable, but, people stole it here and burnt up the transmission. With the cost of gas now, I'm seriously debating getting another gas saver car versus fixing my old high mileage truck. I used to think my truck was sky high mileage until I saw the stuff people are trying to sell around here.....it's crazy. It used to be, at least here, you could find a beater for $1000, a running and driving daily driver for $1500-2000, and anything above $2000 started getting nice stuff. The market has doubled or tripled here, it's nuts. I would just say F it and walk or bike around, but....my town has gone down the drain the past few years and I'd get robbed or harrassed by crackheads/homeless people now if I walked or rode a bike. A vehicle is needed for my safety literally. If nothing turns up, I'll begrudgingly get my trans rebuilt for $2k-2.2k the well regarded shop quoted me here. I'd just really rather spend that money on a gas saver reliable car.
I put over 80,000 mile on my ‘99 in less than 2 years. Drove it across the usa coast to coast after too. Great cars. Only gave it up cuz it was crushed in a highway accident
My 2001 Century has over 314,000 miles on it. Lots of things wrong with it because of the age, but I'm thinking of keeping it and fixing it up. Had a few major repairs here and there over the 5 years I've had it, but these cars are pretty solid overall.
I LOVE MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY. I CONSISTENTLY GET 27 TO 28 MPG. IT TURNS VERY SHARP, "ON A DIME". VERY DEPENDABLE, CHEAP TO FIX. SEATS ARE VERY COMFORTABLE. IF YOU HAVE THE HARD SHIFT PROBLEM, HERE IS WHY AND HOW TO FIX FOR CHEAP. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GET HOT, THENTHE SOLONIDE GETS STUCK. THEREFORE, YOU NEED TO KEEP IT COOLED. THE FIX, JUST REPLACE THE STOCK RADIATOR WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRIPLE CORE ALL ALUM, AND WHEN DRIVING KEEP THE SPEED 40 MPH AND OVER FOR AIR FLOW.
My family had three of these. All got more than 250,000 miles with few repairs. Besides regular maintenance not much besides an alternator and headlight.
Use some old-fashioned carpet & upholstery shampoo on the seats and carpets and it will look like new. A Buick Regal of this era is great and overlooked, and can be had with the 3.8 V-6, one of the best engines ever.
I had a 98 century with only 46k miles but it was neglected. Bad paint, broken window motors, leaking rain into the floorboards and nobody bothered to change the coolant. It started having issues with throttle response it was like the gas pedal didn't even work. I dumped it but man I loved the way it drove. Best riding car I have ever been in super comfortable and relaxing drive. This really makes me want to get another one.
For now they're still fairly cheap cars (until some big mouth youtuber who shan't be named says you need one right now and drives the value crazy high) lol
Me and a friend went on a tour around the south west states of the US in a rented one of these and we racked up 3k miles in around 3 weeks in it. It was a pile of crap but we did manage to get it up to 110mph once after about 3 miles of trying. Couldn't believe how slow it was with a 3L motor and it wallowed around like a drunk dude on an LSD trip. Its only highlight was the AC was good and the seats were comfy.
I also rented one at the time, and had the same experience you had. It was gutless. I also wondered why GM did not offer the 3.8 liter series II engine on the Century. My regular car at the time was a Chevy Impala with the 3.8 V6.
It's fine I have a 2000 century and it's always a touch finicky starting if it was run within the last 20mins. When it fires up I give it just enough throttle to get like 200rpm above idle and slowly come back down to idle. Cars pretty good I get like 26mpg, not bad for over 20yrs old
I bought a 2001 2 years ago 90k miles on it for 750.00 still have it and I'm not letting it go only thing I've done was change oil put key and drive and drives probably better than a caddy 😂
The 3100 was a fantastic engine. The only downfall just like the 3800 was the intake gaskets. The 3400 was just an absolute basket case and should have never been a thing. I'm a GM guy through and through, I have an 80 Z28 that we bought in April of 94 when I was 3 and a half. Love my GMs. But I know which ones to stay away from. I'm a Lexus/Toyota and Honda/Acura guy as well. I've been working on cars for 14 years and flipping/trading for 15 years. I've owned just about anything and German cars I stay away from anymore unless it's an 86-92 BMW 3 series. This era of Buick(LeSabre, Park Ave, Century) were fantastic cars that rode so nice. The Park Ave Ultra is high on my bucket list. If you ever have any questions about certain vehicles just send me a message dude. I'm glad to help
I own a 99 custom, bought it for $1000, it has about 400000 miles, sensor issues, wiring issues, a blown 4'th transmission gear, and that thing has an ungodly ability to not die. It's kind of impressive
I own an 05 base myself, has a tad over 300,000 on it, surprisingly comfortable car that drives smooth and will even get up and go if you want them to! Only downfall of the car is the notorious leaky intake gasket
I too have a habit of buying old cars and I bought a 99 century for about 1200 ish a few months back it rides real nice and it’s actually pretty low key so I use it when drive into the city I mean it’s almost thief invisible…. Maybe because they might think it’s their own grandmothers car
Salut u & ur efforts sir. Ur a man after my own heart. Lost a 01Avalon XLS & 97ES300, thru electrical problems & a hit & run. I commute by bike & prefer it but this summer I have to buy a car. U mentioned a dealership b4. How do I find this info? All I want & need is a 2004 Avalon XLS, inspected by u.
This video popped up in my sub feed and I'm thinking "why did I sub to this channel?" Videographer says "I'm Autistic." Oh well that's why. I'm always on the lookout for my people.
I just bought a 2002 Buick Century for $1100 in September. Had to replace the timing cover gasket and spark plugs, but other than that, It’s smooth sailing. First car, too! And the original price was $1800, so I think I got a pretty good deal on her!
IT'S PROBLY JUST THE ERG VALVE OR MAYBE IT JUST NEEDS SOME GAS ADDITIVE TO CLEAN THE INJECTORS. HECK, JUST DO BOTH BECAUSE IT NEED IT ANYWAY. YOU COULD PULL THE "PUT A PLATE OVER THE ERG HOLE" TRICK AND SAVE MONEY.
Indeed, I wish they can make midsized cars with the front bench seats and column shift. These also look really sharp outside too and not sporty which I really like!
Did the previous owner change the head gasket? The 3.1L engine is notorious for blowing the head gasket around 60k miles. At 150k you might have a problem.
Question: The lights on the rearview mirror: Do they automatically turn on when you open the car doors and turn off when closed? Trying to figure this car out. We have no manuel.
I’m the original owner of a 2005 Century. I put in a Sony bluetooth stereo with a backup camera. It drives like a dream. The latest project is converting the manual HVAC to automatic.
no overheating issues?? have a 2005 buick century with 65k miles AND overheats. love the car but wondering if i should sell it or just fix it at a reputable place and keeping it.
The Ram just seems to break like clockwork once a week or so, usually in a pricy fashion. In 1 year I've done a complete front suspension, 4 new tires, a rim, the cats, the o2 sensors, 2 radiators, a fan clutch, the tensioner, a coolant tank, like 5 different sensors, and now the PCM computer has a short at the heated 4 wire o2 sensors so I'm going to fix it one final time and sell it. I'd consider it less of a work truck more of a "doesn't work truck" lol. I've always wanted one of those little Aussie Toyota Utes, I love them!
@@jimmyjimjims7483 jesus that is allot of parts especially for a year sounds like its only two parts away from a new car. A couple of cool utes to google are the au xr8 falcon ute or the ve marloo ute if you ever get bored on RU-vid. Through being a GM and a Ford they have allot of probelms
Even for $2000 price range, the savings on the insurance and low maintenance is outstanding. Today, people have birthday or business dinners at restaurants, groups total anywhere from $300 - $1000. And 2 hours later, after vomit, you still spend $ on Food to survive this extreme capitalist hor society.
I got a 99 century. Beautiful car. But the trunk is opening by itself. I took the battery out if the key fob. Didn't help. Nothing is hitting the yellow trunk release in the glove box. So. ,what is it?? Anybody?..
Well, if you cannot fix it, I would try to disconnect it and simply use the key to open the trunk like we did in the old days. Electronics is the Achille's heel in cars of this era. Body could be good, engine could be fine, but the computerized sensors are starting to fail and replacing them is a nightmare.
Wires are shorting out in the harness where the door hinges. I had several bare and cracked wires in mine. The wires flex and crack over time. Remove the protective wire conduit and you will see it. Hope this isn't too late!
no overheating issues?? I have a 2005 buick century with 65k miles AND overheats. love the car but wondering if i should sell it or just fix it at a reputable place and keeping it. anybody have some tips??
These run "hot" and by that I mean the temp gauge doesn't sit exactly in the middle like a normal car (a toyota). It sits at the 3/4 mark which scared me at first, if yours is truly overheating and the temp is all the way into the red look into the cooling fans and the thermostat, they fail on these particular cars
You need to totally flush the coolant and if it is red Dexcool replace it with green coolant. When I say flush every drop of red Dexcool needs to be taken out. If the coolant is sludged like mud it really needs changing. It could be running hot because the gaskets have failed and coolant is going into the engine and is being burned out through the exhaust. Your temperature gauge should never go beyond half on a hot day. Your fans maynot be coming on to cool the coolant? Good luck.
My 1997 Sunfire coupe does the Same thing. The temp gauge sits really high but the car will never overheat. GM changed their temp gauges after 1997 to be more accurate. Unless the cars dial actually goes into the red and overheats I wouldnt worry. If it does over heat, Check your coolant level, look for leaks, if you can afford it pressure test the coolant system. Coolant could also need flushing. Look into your thermostat they get old and sometimes get stuck open. Thermostats are and coolant are cheap, engines are not. Also consider checking your engine oil level. If it's not fluids or the thermostat I would probably perform a head gasket test! Those are my reccomendations from my experience with Older GM cars.
@@Jack51971 Excellent suggestion. The old dexcool coolant was made wrong and is corrosive. I put the same coolant toyota outs in their cars. It's non corrosive, harms nothing in your car and will last way longer
I envy you and wish I did not have to pay insurance. Would be able to afford a nice vehicle like this with money aside for repairs too not bankrupting me.
I bought a buick century, and other than the fact that the exhaust literally rotted out of it (former owner left it on grass for like 14 summers, and drove it on salted roads in the winter)... but it's been my favorite car yet. Rides like a yacht on glass still water. Only thing I hate is that some folks think it's an undercover crown vic, so I am constantly behind people driving 5 below the speed limit.
@@jimmyjimjims7483 yeah i figured as much I may just have to hop in my car and cruise all the lots on Alameda maybe I can get lucky. Looking for either a regal GS, park Avenue ultra, or a lacrosse super.
@@mattpeeler7213 If I may be honest I never recommend fellow El Pasoans to shop on Alameda. I've had so many issues buying from that street (and from Montana Ave) that I just don't anymore. I'll go to auctions, buy off CL, marketplace, private sellers and even government auctions but I avoid Alameda like the plague due to numerous title scams and issues. Especially avoid one called Top Notch Automotive
@@mattpeeler7213 Depends, you'd only need a drivers license and cash if its a police auction or public auction but a copart/IAA auction you'd have to register, pay the broker fee, pay the sales fees/taxes, etc.
Is this car still alive? I’m about to buy one for 900 bucks and I saw this video, after watching this I’m pretty sure I have all the tools I need to make it work lol
Yes this car is still alive and doing just fine, I sold it to a little old lady who lives down the street and she still drives it. It's a very easy car to repair
@@fordmustang98guy Well I got a free green 2001 Buick Regal and then a month later got that free 03 Malibu, the regal was junked and the Malibu was fixed and sold
Do you actually have ASD or is that just a joke? I know it’s popular to make fun of autistic people but it really sucks hearing that stuff everywhere. Yeah we’re weird and quirky. But we are real people with feelings. This really hot girl called me a spazz in 9th grade and I still remember the entire class laughing at me. I’m married to a beautiful woman now and my son has asd, probably from my genes. I would hope that with all the social justice warriors around lately that people would drop asd as a joke. This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I was going to subscribe because it was really good. I don’t know anymore though and I’m sure you don’t care either way. I just want you to know that we are hurt with those jokes. Sorry for the long comment.
Although I make light of autism for me its no joke, I have high-functioning autism, diagnosed in 1998 when I was 6 years old. Back then the medication I was given was horribly inadequate and actually caused black outs luckily my parents kept a close eye on it and instead of the meds they helped me develop better social skills and as time went on my social interaction got better. In school I had teachers call me "a retard" to my face because I would fidget. Unfortunately for me my brain has always been wired a little wrong so I went into the automotive field because mechanical things are all I can do. I don't have to socially interact in my job just fix the cars, in person interaction is still a big issue as is anger management on occasion. For this reason I'm not married and don't have relationships, whatever comes out of my mouth simply comes out and very rarely if at all do I think about it which has led me to get into trouble in our new eggshell sensitive society. So yeah, I do have autism and by no means to I intend to offend others that do its just the way my brain works, if you watch other videos you will see it come through sometimes but I try to edit it out when I can (along with the overly offensive stuff). I absolutely don't want my viewers to think I'm making fun of autistic people, I am one
