Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 My daughter got her drivers licence a few months ago & has completed the drivers ed. course. My other daughter will be doing the same this year...Yes I have two girls that close together proving God does have a sense of humor! I'm looking to buy them a good used car(safe, reliable...) I don't have unlimited funds but thought I could find a decent 1995-2001 Buick that would fit the bill. My question is not what Buick(model) TO buy but what one to AVOID buying. Any input is appreciated.Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Pick up a copy of <span style="font-style: italic">Consumer Reports</span> April 2005 issue, or their <span style="font-style: italic">2006 Buying Guide</span>. There aren't many Buicks at all on their "avoid" list (mostly 2004 models for some reason), and their best bets include nearly every version of the Century and Regal (both of which should be more than enough car for any high-schooler). They're particularly effusive about the Regal.The 2001 Century I helped my mother-in-law buy has been totally flawless for 3 years now, much as <span style="font-style: italic">CR</span> predicted. I'd be especailly wary of buying <span style="font-style: italic">any</span> SUV as they are very unforgiving when driven in poor or extreme conditions. There have been many teenage tragedies on the news here of late, <span style="font-style: italic">most</span> the result of kids thinking their SUV or pickup could react like a car in extreme or foolish driving (at least 2 of which I can remember where the owner was a passenger and the driver was her boyfriend). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Thanks for the info Dave. I'm staying away from the SUV's due to insurance, bullet proof etc... Just a good solid 4dr, nothing racy! I'll check out Consumer report(kinda forgot about it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 2001 Century I helped my mother-in-law buy has been totally flawless for 3 years now, much as <span style="font-style: italic">CR</span> predicted. </div></div>I totally agree with Dave on this choice.......We bought a used 2000 Century in 2003 and it's been one great car without any problems what-so-ever. Re-sale isn't that great so picking up one inexpensive would be in your favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I know you didn't want what to buy BUT I would be remis if I didn't recommend you go back a bit further in the Buick line. My 93 Regal custom has been exceptional in my view. 159K and it still runs excellent. Not to say we did not have to replace things. Some of the more expensive stuff has been the rear spring, Which is a carbon composit material which costs $500.00 alone, and the A/ c compressor which when done cost around $600 using a remanufactured unit. Also the gas tank had to be replaced and the fuel pump too, around 350 all done. But you can buy these cars for less than 2K and they run run run...JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Racicot Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 You should also consider a used Regal or better, a Regal GS. They have the Buick 3.8 and they are usually better-trimmed than similar Centurys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Thanks John & Phil. I don't have a problem with a older model & will look @ the 93's. I don't know much about the Buicks from the 90's, my wife has a company rice burner & I drive a 1/2ton for work so thought this will save me some time & effort. Go to the people that know the product.Thanks again, Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Brink Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Les,Good advice from all. Just a note that Consumer Reports likes 1996 models a bit better than other years for some reason. Statistical numbers are large enough that there must be something to this. Good hunting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchero Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 The one not to buy? Probably the one I've got - a Roadmaster wagon. Please be assured that a Roadmaster wagon is a fine car, but mine has proven to be an extremely effective repellant to females, especially any in teenage/20s years; they hate it. It is also huge and probably impossible for a careless and young driver to operate without hitting various things. So, though I love mine, I would say the one Buick not to get for a female teenager would be the Roadmaster wagon. Of course if the idea is that she use it only for limited purposes and not to carry other teens around town, the Roadmaster is the ideal method to keep her friends out of her car; humiliation is a strong emotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Thanks Gene. Ranchero, my daughters friends think the '53 is cool but MY daughters think it's embarrassing...all the more reason to pick them up in it at least once a week. I don't know if they ever built a car that repels teenage boys Safety & reliability are the biggest issues for me, style & color for the girls.Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I would think the 96 is preferred because it has the dual air bags. 94 and maybe 95 only have the airbag in the steering wheel. The 93 does not have any airbags. But the cars all have the same body and are smaller than the 97 Regals. Our 93 custom comes stock with a 3.06 final drive ratio. As opposed to a 2.97, this car is very quick off the line. Just like the 2.97 it can cruise comfortably at 70 MPH, but at 65 MPH, we can get 35 MPG with this car, which is actually better than my 95 Riv with the 2.97Also I would not recommend a 95 Riv under any circumstances for any one who can't pay their own repair bills. Unless you really don't want them driving at all, then by all means get one... JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 WHY NOT LET THEM SHARE THE GREAT 53 BUICK YOU ALREADY HAVE!!!??? When I was their age If MY DAD had only let me use one of his Great Old Cars!!! I just bet they would be THRILLED!!!I KNOW I WOULD BE!!! After all...YOU SAID TO LIVE LIFE AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST DAY???? It's only an "OLD CAR"....It will STILL be HERE Long after we are both gone!!! You are only it's caretaker...For NOW!!! Your Girls will Love you for it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Thanks for more good input John. Safety is a big issue, last year a young lady from their school was killed when her economy car was t-boned by a pickup on her way to Christmas exams! Brad, my girls are almost on the floor if they have to drive in the '53 for fear their friends might see them. This why I pick them up at the High School at least twice a year in it. It gathers a crowd which is even more devastating Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Les, I can't believe your girls would not want to drive that 53! What a beautiful car. I bet the boys gather round it pretty fast. If they get their noses out of the rug, they might see that. Of course then you'd have another major concern.yA fellow I worked with long ago purchased an 85 Caddy with the ill fated 4100 engine ( against all the effort I put into steering him away from the car mind you). Naturally he had tons of trouble with this car, and his girls were oblivious to it UNTIL the night he picked them up from the school dance for the short six block ride home. Seems he got out of the parking lot into the intersection when it dropped dead, and blocked all the traffic in all directions till they could get a tow truck there. When the tow truck showed up they refused to ride in it and walked home completely embarassed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Okay. I understand all the bets have been placed in Lasvegas. What did you decide to buy?JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 53Nailhead Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 John, still looking for the right one at the right price. Got lots of feelers out there looking for that gem in Aunties garage. The search is the best part & the girls don't know about it so there's no pressure. We'll keep you posted.Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 The search is fun...Good luck.JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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