Buick did a great job with this vehicle. I bought it in the early 2000s from an older retired couple that pretty much drove it to the store and back. So it was almost ten when I purchased it.
For a car that's almost 20 years old, it runs like I bought it yesterday. All I'm looking for in a car is something reliable that will get me where I'm going safely. Gas mileage is a plus, it gets about 21 hwy and 17 surface street driving, which is actually better than my husband's 2010 V6 Mustang,
As for safety, I truly believe this is the safest car I've ever driven, I say that because I nearly totaled it when someone in a 90s model Suburban turned in front of me as I was doing 45mph through an intersection. For whatever reason, the other driver admitted to not seeing me. I never hit my brakes. My front end was crumpled shut, and I'd managed to take the Suburban off three of his tires. Once the police report was finished, my car cranked beautifully, I drove the rest of the way to work and still managed to be on time.
When I took it to the dealer, and after he pried the hood open with a crowbar, I couldn't believe it, but nothing under the hood had been damaged. It was about $2000 worth of damage, all cosmetic.
Laura
Spartanburg, South Carolina
4.0
Great ride, showing age
The car has been great for me. As someone who primarily drives less than ten miles per day the car has been great for getting around town. I have even taken it on some long-distance road trips. If I had it for a long commute each day, it would be great, as the giant interior and great sound system make driving it a pleasant experience. As I often say, it is like driving my living room. The quality was great for a number of years, but in recent times, the components are starting to fail.
HLT
Beckley, West Virginia
3.0
Just average with some weird issues
I purchased the car used from a local dealership. It had average styling and looked almost identical to the next model down, the Buick Century. The basic workings of the vehicle were ok, the power equipment worked well. It was comfortable with a power drivers seat and tilt steering wheel. I am taller so it was helpful to have both. The car sits a little low so getting in and out was less than easy. Both the front and back seats were comfortable and there seemed to be enough leg room for everyone. The fit and finish of the door trim work was not up to the usual Buick standards, I had to re-snap a few pieces into the doors several times. The stereo was only average, the plastic control buttons chipped and went down to the white plastic base and I replaced it not long after buying the vehicle, but I must say the speakers and sound was very nice. The car came with a 3800 V6 engine, and while that is generally a good motor, I found that it didn't have as much low end torque as I was used to. I had multiple sets of brakes but on the car during the time I had it. I'm not sure if it was a inherent problem because I don't normally go through brakes quite that quickly. I was also a little disappointed in how the car got around in the snow. Even with traction control, the car just didn't sit on the road heavy enough to get me around when it got nasty outside. The car started every time, and I never had a problem with it running badly. The transmission worked smoothly right up until the time I got rid of the vehicle. Overall I'd say this car ran well, got decent gas mileage and performed well enough, it was simply not a eye catching vehicle and gave a rather mundane driving experience.