Buick...who had one? **Buick La Sabre gets air on jump** - Page 1

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Posted: 3/9/2010 6:34:32 PM EDT

How did they hold up for you? Buick gets a lot of shit for building "old people cars" and was wondering how the people who have/had one feel. Only one I ever drove was a 2004 Century and it was pretty good(nice new one). Smooth steering and acceleration but parking was like docking a ship.

Heard Buick made a "supercharged" version of the Regal too. Would be hilarious to show up to a drag track with a Buick that had a V-8 put in.

Heard Buick uses a Cadillac transmission. Anyone know if true? Heard people saying the new Buick's drive the same as the newer Cadillac sedans. Same performance with otu a brand mark up?

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:36:15 PM EDT

[#1]

I've owned a 2003 Century for about 3 years now. Other than a leaking manifold gasket I haven't had any problems.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:37:48 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a 98 Regal, great car, super reliable, plenty of passing power, quiet and smooth, held up very well. Has the 3.8 Gen II engine, 30 MPG on the highway is pretty normal. Insurance is dirt cheap, cops don't even give them a second glance.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:40:00 PM EDT

[#3]

Not mine but I had an identical one back in the day, not really an old persons car:

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:41:38 PM EDT

[#4]

I inherited my grandpa's '86 Regal when I was a senior. It wasn't the best looking car for a high school kid, but the thing ran flawlessly for years after, then I sold it. That thing took a ton of abuse and kept running.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:42:57 PM EDT

[#5]

My first car was a BUICK.........a 1980 Century. <<<<< Yes, Old people car, drove like a boat.
& My 3rd car was also a Buick.... a 1984 Skyhawk T-type (damn that was a fun little car.)
Had to sell it after a kid jumped on it while I was doing 35.....

(not mine but damn close)

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:43:33 PM EDT

[#6]

Had a '95 Roadmaster with an LT1, exhaust + pcm4less programming and it ran 14.6 all day. Respectable for a car that large.

Drove it to 160k, gave to to my brother and he put another 20k on it. Sold it for $1200. Only problem I had was the transmission went at 100k, which it typical.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:44:55 PM EDT

[#7]

Had a '68 Skylark Special Deluxe.

Ran like a champ after I replaced the timing chain and gears.

Sold it after 5 months.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:47:56 PM EDT

[#8]

we have an oldsmobile "old people" company car we drive around the refinery. Silver of course. It has 280,000 miles and is still a comfortable ride. I bet you could pick one up from an old couple and drive it forever. My grandfather owned a garage for 50 years and he swore by Buicks.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:49:10 PM EDT

[#9]

Had a 57 Buick when i was about 16, it was a tank!

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:50:53 PM EDT

[#10]

We had a 1966 Electra 225 when I was a teen, 4 doors, hauled ass, smooth ride, all power, I would like to find another...

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:51:40 PM EDT

[#11]

Compared to the other GM brands built on the same platform, the Buicks seemed to hold up better - and Consumer Reports usually supported this trend with their frequency-of-repair data. Chevy and Pontiac may have had poor reputations for quality, but that never seemed to translate into poor quality on the similar Buick models - They were some of the most reliable vehicles made by ANY of the American car companies.

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:54:03 PM EDT

[#12]

My grandma had a Roadmaster. It saved her life.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 3/9/2010 6:56:36 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I have a 98 Regal, great car, super reliable, plenty of passing power, quiet and smooth, held up very well. Has the 3.8 Gen II engine, 30 MPG on the highway is pretty normal. Insurance is dirt cheap, cops don't even give them a second glance.

So true.

Quoted:
Compared to the other GM brands built on the same platform, the Buicks seemed to hold up better - and Consumer Reports usually supported this trend with their frequency-of-repair data. Chevy and Pontiac may have had poor reputations for quality, but that never seemed to translate into poor quality on the similar Buick models - They were some of the most reliable vehicles made by ANY of the American car companies.

Apparently Buick has been kicking ass in China. They see the large frame autos asa status symbol.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:00:59 PM EDT

[#14]

Drove the '86 regal ltd that my dad bought from a dead guy's son from '94-98. It was dubbed the love boat from the miscellaneous stains in the back set. They were the coolest thing about it. I do wish I still had it, but my brother wrecked it 2 weeks after having his drivers license with a cop.

I had great plans of dropping a hot big block into it though.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:08:03 PM EDT

[#15]

I had a '96 Riviera, supercharged. At around 100k everything started to need repair. Interior lights, moon roof, dash lights, tie rods, hubs, front wheel bearings, basically nickle and diming me to death, so when premium gas broke $2.50 I traded for a '03 Civic, and have put 60k trouble free miles on so far (bought it with 35k miles). Not dissing the Buick, I loved that car and had it for 8 years.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:09:43 PM EDT

[#16]

I had a 82 Century that my dad gave me while I was in school. It never gave me any trouble.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:09:43 PM EDT

[#17]

I had a 82 Century that my dad gave me while I was in school. It never gave me any trouble.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:13:26 PM EDT

[#18]

I had an 85 Regal, my mom had a 77 Regal that I accidentally kicked into gear. It tore down the garage at idle and suffered nothing more than a few scratches. 350 FTW.

I'd kill for a GNX...

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:14:49 PM EDT

[#19]

I bought a used one about 8 years ago and drove it for 3. I had to park in a parkade for work and got tired of coming out and finding door dings in my truck. It was an 83 Park Ave. Huge car

built like a tank, had a 307 and I put cherry bombs on it

I wonder how many dip shits fucked up their doors by hitting that one

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:17:39 PM EDT

[#20]

I bought for a cream puff 1997 Park Ave Presidential with 137k on it last month. It gets almost 20mpg in the city and it is a pleasure to drive. It rides very smoothe, though it accelerates faster/easier than I would like

It's a really solid car for what I paid.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:17:44 PM EDT

[#21]

I had one of these

pretty much exactly like the pic but it had a landau roof

It was a OK car no troubles

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:21:22 PM EDT

[#22]

I own an '86 Grand National and I did own a '94 Roadmaster.

The Roadmaster was a great car. I miss it, but at the time I owned three or four cars and I couldn't keep them all.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:22:27 PM EDT

[#23]

I love Buicks. I've got a '99 Park Avenue, plush as a Cadillac, 28-30 mpg while cruising in comfort at 75mph on the interstate. Yeah, it's an old people car, but I'm not trying to impress anyone.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:22:55 PM EDT

[#24]

I've got a 98 Century with about 125000 on it. 3100 motor. It is my daily driver for work and running around. Not sure I would take it across county, but 50 miles round trip to work, I'm hoping to see it hit 200000. Shit like power windows and trim are falling apart, but as far a power train and ride go, it is excellent. Only money besides regular oil changes has been new tie rods and a new sway bar. Bought it with 80000 on it and it has saved 45000 on my F150.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:24:48 PM EDT

[#25]

I had a 92 Buick Century, first car I owned.

Did 0-60 in probably 20 seconds.

Had 15-19 MPG.

AC didn't work, Heat worked most of the time.

For $500 though, it got me from point A to point B.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:26:20 PM EDT

[#26]

Growing up, our family had a few Buicks - a station wagon, 2 1970 GS models, a blue 3.8L turbo, a Grand National, and two three 3.8L supercharged 1999 model sedans. All ran great. My sisters still own the 1999 sedans. Here's a picture of what mine looked like. Right now the body is off the frame in my dad's garage while the frame gets powder coated and the new 455 gets dropped in:

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:26:29 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
We had a 1966 Electra 225 when I was a teen, 4 doors, hauled ass, smooth ride, all power, I would like to find another...

Sheeit, that's a deuce and a quarter son. Mine was a rag top.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:35:42 PM EDT

[#28]

My first car was a 1973 Buick Centurian 4 door hard top with a 455.................for some reason the right rear tire would only last a couple of thousand miles.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:47:55 PM EDT

[#29]

'87 Park Avenue for my first car. It was a big boat that I loved because you could never worry about going anywhere in a hurry, was huge, and damn comfortable.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:52:42 PM EDT

[#30]

Our family vehicle was a 1991 Buick Park Avenue for ten years. The interior of the car completely fell apart, and the buttons for the windows and the dash controls
were almost totally gone by the time my parents sold it. It had seals that leaked around the trunk and doors, and whenever it rained the car would
get wet inside and after a few days of baking it would make you almost puke just getting it. The right rear door also broke and was like that for a couple years
before my dad finally fixed it. It took us years to get used to getting in on the right side of a car again.

I suppose the drivetrain on it was pretty good, but I absolutely detested that vehicle.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:54:12 PM EDT

[#31]

Buicks rule, I would love to have one.

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:55:46 PM EDT

[#32]

We have an 09 Lucerne that we are very happy with.
All of the luxury of a Cadillac but 10-15K less.

B_S

Posted: 3/9/2010 7:57:30 PM EDT

[#33]

If you're referring to the Regal GS, With the supercharged 3.8L, It's got the 4T65E-HD, which is not a cadillac tranny.

The Lucerne..Or Lacrosse(First gen) Super..I forget which one, have a 5.3 in them..

Posted: 3/9/2010 8:02:39 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:

I have a 98 Regal, great car, super reliable, plenty of passing power, quiet and smooth, held up very well. Has the 3.8 Gen II engine, 30 MPG on the highway is pretty normal. Insurance is dirt cheap, cops don't even give them a second glance.

That's a good summary. I've used a '97 Buick Lesabre (with almost 200,000 miles) and a '98 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight (that just hit 120,000 recently) as a college car. The 3800 Series II engine is basically the perfect college car engine. Sips fuel on the highway (and does decent in the city, probably close to 20 MPG if you're not a lead foot), but it has the power when you need it.

Buicks have a smooth ride, handle fine, and they don't cost an arm and a leg if you buy an older used model. Oh, and if you buy a fullsize model you can actually fit 3 people in the back seat if you need to. The middle seatbelt isn't just for show.

Posted: 3/9/2010 8:36:11 PM EDT

[#35]

Originally Posted By ––bullseye––:
Oh, and if you buy a fullsize model you can actually fit 3 people in the back seat if you need to.

And another three in the trunk - Perfect for drive-in theaters on a budget.

Posted: 3/9/2010 8:37:27 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Originally Posted By ––bullseye––:

Oh, and if you buy a fullsize model you can actually fit 3 people in the back seat if you need to.

And another three in the trunk - Perfect for drive-in theaters on a budget.

I've actually had three people ride a short distance in my trunk, but not for that reason (yes, they are all OK, and it wasn't on public roads).

Posted: 3/9/2010 8:40:29 PM EDT

[#37]

I had a 98 Park Avenue Ultra that drove like a dream, but had tranny problems..

Traded it for an 03 Rendezvous that was a PIECE OF CRAP..

In the last 15 years, the quality of them has decreased dramatically IMHO.. They used to be GM's flagship of quality..

Posted: 3/9/2010 8:53:47 PM EDT

[#38]

82 Buick Regal, that baby floated down the highway. My first car. I chased coyotes through stubble fields in that car.

Posted: 3/9/2010 9:13:12 PM EDT

[#39]

1967 LeSabre convertible back in high school

Posted: 3/9/2010 9:19:50 PM EDT

[#40]

Fast With Class...gotta love 'em!!!

Posted: 3/9/2010 9:29:24 PM EDT

[#41]

I owned a 80's Skylark for a day .
It caught on fire the day I bought it .

Posted: 3/9/2010 9:32:43 PM EDT

[#42]

Had a 1988 Park Ave for a few years- great car.

Posted: 3/9/2010 9:42:24 PM EDT

[#43]

Anyone ever take a Regal or Century on a track(or the freeway) at high speed (100mph +)? How did it handle?

Cuz I want to try this. http://www.infineonraceway.com/raceway/race/wednesday_night_drags/

Anyway, not too wild on the new ones body style.

Posted: 3/9/2010 10:18:14 PM EDT

[#44]

1986 Buick Regal , I learned how to install hydraulics by practicing on that car.

I traded it in with holes still in the trunk from the cylinders and battery rack, hidden under the carpet. And a horrible welding job on the a-arms so that I could put front shocks back in.

Posted: 3/9/2010 10:25:47 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
How did they hold up for you? Buick gets a lot of shit for building "old people cars"

My Grandpa Buick does 11's

It's not our Enclave but here is a picture similar to my wife's Buick.

Posted: 3/9/2010 10:28:27 PM EDT

[#46]

Had a 1996 Regal just like this one...it had approx. 236,000 miles when I was t-boned by some idiot (the car was a total loss)

It would have easily gone well past the 250,000 mile mark - great car.

Posted: 3/9/2010 10:32:08 PM EDT

[#47]

Had a 91.5' Park Avenue that got taken from me in an accident at 275,000 miles.
Currently drive a 97' Le Sabre.

Buick makes a great, solid, well performing car.
Perfect if you are not into attracting attention to yourself on the road.