Buick Century sedan at century's end casts a special edition
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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DALLAS, Tex. -- Here we are at the end of the century and the rub on one particular day comes from the coincidence of driving around town in a Century.
With all of the hoopla connected with the impending calendar rollover from one century to the next, it may seem like marketeers at the Buick Division of General Motors capitalized on that century buzz by applying the name to the mid-size Buick sedan.
They didn't, of course, because the Century badge traces back in Buick history to 1936, when the automaker first identified its products by easy-to-remember names rather than numbers. Though subsequent models over a period of 64 year, the Century became one of the best-selling nameplates in automotive history.
By 1954, it was transformed into a high-performing mid-size model, and in 1982 the engine's power was redirected from rear to front wheels. That same front-wheel-drive mid-size format continued through 1996, a 15-year run which spawned more than two million Century units.
In 1997, substantial generational changes occurred, including a longer and wider wheelbase plus a fresh exterior design with more conveniences inside.
For new Century editions of the year 2000, change continues, including interior enhancements with more standard comfort features installed and more horsepower extracted from a V6 engine.
Further, a special Century 2000 edition in limited numbers commemorates the turn of the century with trim elements cast in monotone black.
The Century 2000 looks serious in black, with the treatment applied to the blacked-out front grille, door and side moldings and body-colored fascia, all offset by the flashy shine of machined aluminum wheels. Commemorative "2000" badges show up on doors, tail lamps and inside on the instrument panel, with embroidered "Century 2000" logos stitched into leather headrests and carpeted floor mats.
Leather covers all seats in the special edition, which also has a side air bag installed in the outboard edge of the driver's seat.
The auxiliary side-protection air bag, augmenting two standard frontal air bags, is a safety item available optionally on the two other Century models, Custom and the luxury-tipped Limited.
Despite new styling and features, Century remains the budget car buy from Buick.
The price chart begins at $19,602 for the Century Custom, plus $560 in delivery fees. A Limited runs from $21,737, and the Century 2000 package adds $2,108.
All Century models contain a substantial list of standard features, including new dual-zone climate controls, but Buick still offers a number of extras priced either separately or in packages.
Load up the top model with all options and the bottom line still remains below $25,000, which makes Century a downright bargain issue measured against comparably equipped import competitors.
Century's enriched engine -- the 3100 series General Motors 3.1-liter plant with aluminum cylinder heads and sequential fuel injection -- boosts output by 15 points to register 175 hp at 5200 rpm.
Additional torque is also at hand, for a total of 195 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. The torque runs high at relatively low engine speeds, which means Century leaps to action through lower gears in city traffic.
More power was wrought from this engine by changing the shape of cylinder heads and setting up different engine calibrations, then allowing more air to flow through the plant for better breathing with the addition of less restrictive air intake and exhaust manifolds.
Despite the increase in power and torque numbers, fuel economy figures have increased by one mile per gallon to 30 mpg for highway driving, with estimated city-driving mileage consumption holding steady at 20 mpg.
Century's engine links to an improved version of the GM 4T60E transmission with four forward gears and electronic controls. It's fitted with a larger torque converter to effect smoother shifts, and now operates in a quiet and unobtrusive manner with almost seamless shift transitions.
An extended wheelbase of nine feet and the track stretched more than five feet wide, in concert with a stiff body structure, produce a smooth ride quality for Century that's surprisingly lively and controllable in motion, thanks to a suspension system with independent components at all four corners.
Front MacPherson struts have L-shaped lower control arms and aluminum knuckles, with twin-tube shocks and stabilizer bar attached to stem lateral sway. A tri-link design in back puts a coil over strut at each wheel, with a solid stabilizer bar back there too.
Mix in a quick-turning rack and pinion steering system with power assistance and brakes with four-wheel computerized anti-lock controls, and Century acts nimble when directed.
Century's passenger compartment seats up to six due to a standard front bench split 55-45 percent in sections. Front seats slide fore and aft on extended tracks to create more legroom for tall passengers.
Twin zones for the climate system now standard on all Century editions allow both front seat riders to select different temperatures for individual comfort. Electronic controls using push buttons and LED and digital indicators replace slider levers and knobs on the Century 2000 special edition but are available optionally on Century Limited.
The Century 2000 contains more packaged deluxe features like six-way power movement for the driver's seat, cruise control, and toggles on the steering wheel for remote operation of the AM/FM stereo system and cassette player.
Another package for all Century models brings electrochromic rear-view mirrors with automatic dimming, six-way power controls for the front passenger seat, leather seat upholstery, a compact disc player and deluxe stereo audio speakers, plus diversity antennae embedded in both the windshield and rear window to optimize radio reception.
Gear stocked on every Century ranges from a remote keyless entry system to automatic power door locks, courtesy lights on doors, daytime running lamps, a tire inflation monitor and GM's theft-deterrent system.
Multiple color choices mark the models of year 2000, with two new shades apparent in Gold Metallic and Sterling Silver Metallic.
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| 2000 BUICK CENTURY VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
109.0 inches
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| Overall Length: |
194.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 3.1-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 1 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
20/30 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 20,000 to $ 25,000 |
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