1984 Buick Century Estate Wagon | Retro Review

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
  • Ahh, before the minivan explosion the station wagon moved the family hauling crowd like a boss. The Buick Century was surely one of the last great mid sized wagons.
    Show 322 | Originally Taped 04-17-1984
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ความคิดเห็น • 478

  • @manthony225
    @manthony225 2 ปีที่แล้ว +342

    The ashtrays were a nice touch. You know how messy kids can be with their cigarettes.

    • @WinterInTheForest
      @WinterInTheForest 2 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      I started smoking at 13 and was somewhat careless with the ashes. You know how kids are.

    • @tpolerex7282
      @tpolerex7282 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      The bragging cup holder count of today has replaced the highly styled ashtrays back in the day, right?

    • @WinterInTheForest
      @WinterInTheForest 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      @@tpolerex7282 In this era of morbid obesity a giant cup holder for your sugary high carb beverage is a must have lol

    • @TheMrPeteChannel
      @TheMrPeteChannel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@WinterInTheForest I get diet!

    • @tyler2610
      @tyler2610 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      It cracks me up GM deemed it necessary to put an ashtray in the rear where predominantly children would sit. They could have saved themselves 50 cents on every one of those wagons. They did the same on the full-size wagons. That would have added up to a lot of money over the many years these were produced.

  • @barristerh5379
    @barristerh5379 2 ปีที่แล้ว +167

    “A lot of effort for nothing” pretty much summarizes our life with touch screen dashboards

    • @RandA1220
      @RandA1220 2 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Seriously, touchscreens are nice for somethings, but not ALL things

    • @Bartonovich52
      @Bartonovich52 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      No. I like mine.
      My car has enough physical controls for everyday stuff, but touch adds a few more features while driving and many many more while parked.

    • @rootsmanuva82
      @rootsmanuva82 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Your comment is so on point. You win my unofficial Comment of the Month Award 🏆

    • @johnmaki3046
      @johnmaki3046 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Just more CRAP to fail as it gets older!

    • @phatgringo2.0
      @phatgringo2.0 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      True, my new car has a touchscreen and it does no good while you're driving. Thankfully the steering wheel controls do most of the work

  • @drivedb7
    @drivedb7 2 ปีที่แล้ว +179

    I can practically smell that blue velour interior.
    At least one thing GM did right in the 80s and 90s was equip their cars with insanely comfortable seats!

    • @R.J.1
      @R.J.1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      The seats in a Bonneville SSEI were magic.

    • @2006gtobob
      @2006gtobob 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I do recall how comfortable those seats were in GM cars!

    • @MercOne
      @MercOne 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I don’t see how with no support and the so called headrest square in the middle of your back. Volvo make the best seats then as they do now.

    • @R.J.1
      @R.J.1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@MercOne I don't think anyone here didn't realize Volvo made a decent seat.

    • @MercOne
      @MercOne 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@R.J.1 If you think GM seats from the 80s are great I’d have to think you didn’t know anything about Volvo.

  • @2majortwinz
    @2majortwinz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    It's amazing this wagon's basic design lasted til 1996

  • @robgrear1142
    @robgrear1142 2 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    I wish ANY manufacturer would make wagons like this again. We did
    not know how lucky we were in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

    • @davidkaminski615
      @davidkaminski615 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      A new mid-engined Corvette and an old Taurus wagon lined up across from me at a stoplight. My eyes lit up!
      "Ooh! A Taurus wagon! Cool!"
      What's wrong with me?

    • @howardkerr8174
      @howardkerr8174 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Rob Grear:
      When Europe FINALLY got its version of the Ford Fusion to replace the last Euro Ford Mondeo they got 2 bodystyles that the U.S. never got: a 5 door hatchback with what was basically a bigger trunk opening...AND A STATION WAGON. Yeah, Europe got a Fusion wagon but the U.S. didn't. It even had a few engines with standard manual transmissions.

  • @williamegler8771
    @williamegler8771 2 ปีที่แล้ว +103

    The next stop after a visit to the doctors office , where he confirmed my wife was pregnant with twins, was the Buick dealership.
    Bought a fully loaded version that did family yeoman service for twenty years and 275k miles.
    The twins learned to drive in it.
    After it's tenth birthday it became a semi retired "EXTRA CAR" and dog taxi.
    Everything still worked including the A/C the day it was rear ended.
    Never failed to start or left anyone stranded.
    With regular maintenance problems were few and far between and mostly minor.
    Only significant issue were shift solenoids.

    • @tomlewis3658
      @tomlewis3658 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      That's good it served you well. What a shame it was rear ended.

    • @Patrick3183
      @Patrick3183 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      How old are your kids now?

    • @williamegler8771
      @williamegler8771 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@Patrick3183 Apparently mathematics isn't one of your strong suits...

    • @MattMntk
      @MattMntk 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@williamegler8771 Apparently writing math problems to figure isn't yours either. Problems listed below:
      You didn't mention what year your car was...important considering this car was made from 1984 until 1996.
      You didn't say what year the car was rear ended...kind of important considering that could have been anywhere from 2004 to 2016 depending on the year of your car you never mentioned.
      To get extra technical, we also don't know how far along your wife was when she found out about the twins or what month of the year that was.
      So....you could provide all that or just not be a sh**head and answer/not answer a simple question. Just sayin'.

    • @ronsmith4325
      @ronsmith4325 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@MattMntk Apparently inferring that the model year is the same as what's mentioned in this video is too hard for some people

  • @sambethune
    @sambethune 2 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    We had a 1987 Buick Century Estate Wagon but unlike the 1984 model in this test, ours had a 3.8 liter V6. It was one of the best cars we’ve ever owned and it brings back some great memories. It should be noted, however, that if you sat in the rear-facing third seat the distorted view from the glass in the tailgate could make you carsick. My son sat back there once and barfed.

    • @ebrente
      @ebrente 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      As kids we used to fight to sit in these seats. Someone’s parents would always have a wagon with rear facing seats for class trips (when we didn’t take a bus) and it was always a thrill to get to use them.

    • @johnmaki3046
      @johnmaki3046 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I wish I could say as much about my '87 Cutlass Cruiser...WORST CAR EVER!

    • @sambethune
      @sambethune 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@johnmaki3046 not all GM divisions used the same engines. The Cutlass Cruiser, IIRC, used a 3.1 V6 which I heard had a high failure rate. What engine was in yours?

    • @johnmaki3046
      @johnmaki3046 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@sambethune I had the 3.8.

    • @phatgringo2.0
      @phatgringo2.0 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      We had some Volvo wagons and had the same issue!

  • @briannavarrete49
    @briannavarrete49 2 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    The official "don't make me turn this car around" wagon

    • @archfapper211
      @archfapper211 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Back to Winnipeg!!

    • @cutroc350
      @cutroc350 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      "I'll slap you so hard your head will spin" Was my favorite for the family road trip lol.

    • @stevendenton4965
      @stevendenton4965 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Dad: " can't stop now, we're making good time".

    • @randolfo1265
      @randolfo1265 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@cutroc350 - "I'll shake you so hard, your kids will be born dizzy"

  • @MrCarguy2
    @MrCarguy2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    These things are still used here in Venezuela by lower income people as their everyday car. The fact they lasted 35+ years and through really says volumes about the engineering GM did put these through.

    • @mattt198654321
      @mattt198654321 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I believe it Andres. Of course here in the northern USA where they put salt on the road every winter, most of these were rusted through by 1989 :)

    • @nostickpeople
      @nostickpeople 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      They are still all over in USA. A decent car for a low income family. I had the 2 door version and loved it!

    • @myname9252
      @myname9252 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Back in the day everyone tried as well as things being simpler.
      That equals reliability .
      Even Audis and Benzes were reliable at one point .
      Every company had a rep to build.

    • @Zynet_Eseled
      @Zynet_Eseled 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mind me asking how much it may cost to import one to canada, and if youd consider them good Newfoundland winter driving cars?

    • @hickhunter2303
      @hickhunter2303 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Considering Venezuela will implode soon, they should drive north...

  • @mtfan
    @mtfan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    Ah yes, the early ‘80s, when your vehicle’s hauling ability was measured not by 4x8’ sheets of plywood, but by 4x8’ sheets of paneling . . .

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My mom had a Celebrity wagon with the 2.8 V6. I liked it. Comfortable, fun to drive and not too bad looking either. Definitely better than the crossover garbage that everyone drives today

  • @tkewrestler2662
    @tkewrestler2662 2 ปีที่แล้ว +76

    I remember a time when so many of these roamed the roads.

    • @2006gtobob
      @2006gtobob 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yes, me too. Just like Mr. Davis said, it's there to fill the gap until the minivan comes along. It wasn't designed to be good or to stay on the road for very long. GM sure hasn't changed or improved very much in that regard since 1984, for sure.

    • @chrishuber8930
      @chrishuber8930 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@2006gtobob gm is better but their entry kevek cars arent the greatest

    • @Lucille69caddy
      @Lucille69caddy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@2006gtobob Sure, that’s why my ‘02 GTP Grand Prix is @ 207,000 + miles and still going strong. Runs like new.

    • @tkewrestler2662
      @tkewrestler2662 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@2006gtobob you are so right. The interesting thing is, given hindsight and reflection how many cars that once sold in number are no longer on the road. It does make a statement about quality, durability, and planned obsolescence. It isn’t easy to find an Escort, Neon, original J car, Citation, Chevette, and on and on the lists goes….

    • @tkewrestler2662
      @tkewrestler2662 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Lucille69caddy in fairness, I am a person who just loves cars from all the companies. I think one can truthfully say, there were a number of automobiles from General Motors in the 1980’s that might not have been of the highest quality. The same can also be said for Chrysler and Ford products of that era too.

  • @danmccarthy4700
    @danmccarthy4700 2 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    The GM A platform was like America's Camry. You still see quite a few of them on the roads today, decades after its cancellation.

    • @georgekostician3229
      @georgekostician3229 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      My brother has 2 A- bodies a 83 Pontiac 6000 STE and a 1991 Buick century and a friend of ours has 7 Chevrolet celebrity’s he’s missing a 1982 & 1990 celebrity to have every model year celebrity and sells my brother all his A- bodies that GM platform has been a favorite with my family starting with my aunt in 1989 when she brought home a 1988 Pontiac 6000 that’s my oldest brother picked out when he was 4 years old

    • @keithrussell2307
      @keithrussell2307 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Still got mine ! But sedan 1995 Buick century

    • @jamesburton8070
      @jamesburton8070 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It was a great car, but they kept it way too long and didn't have an equally good replacement.

    • @dave_riots
      @dave_riots 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I've seen many more older Camrys on the road than this thing.

    • @danmccarthy4700
      @danmccarthy4700 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@dave_riots I still see plenty of As where I live in Connecticut. Mostly Centurys and Cutlass Cieras.

  • @brycewalat5321
    @brycewalat5321 2 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    A car like this would be actually useful, unlike so many overwrought crossovers.

  • @ragnaroni
    @ragnaroni 2 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    I like the look of these old station wagons, never grew up with them but still like their look.

    • @hebrews11vs5
      @hebrews11vs5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah, these still look nice to me. They look newer than 1984.

    • @2F4R4W4Y
      @2F4R4W4Y 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agree this 80s american starting to look good now!

    • @cutroc350
      @cutroc350 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Chevy Euro Sport wagon was my favorite of this platform. The odd ball 86 with the 2.8 multiport and spider intake seemed more potent than advertised. There was also a very few VR editions made (I've only seen a red sedan with the VR trim in person)

    • @tyler2610
      @tyler2610 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@hebrews11vs5 That may be because they made them all the way up to 1996 with very little change. I am a GM guy but IMO when Ford released the Taurus/Sable in ‘86 it made these cars seem very outdated.

  • @tomdelisle8955
    @tomdelisle8955 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I always liked the look of the Buick Century wagon. My family had two Century sedans of this model and they were reliable well built cars that were drive to over 250,000 miles.

  • @MrMikemi32
    @MrMikemi32 2 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    My parents had one of these when I was a kid. I always thought they were the slowest drivers this side of the Mississippi. It turns out they probably had the pedal to the floor the whole time. I feel awful.

    • @zythr9999
      @zythr9999 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lol

    • @csh000
      @csh000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's amazing the current minivans do 0-60mph in half the time.

    • @zythr9999
      @zythr9999 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@csh000 LOL

  • @quentinwooten30
    @quentinwooten30 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    John has always been so eloquent when reviewing vehicles

  • @pdennis93
    @pdennis93 2 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    And unlike it's predecessor, the back windows actually roll down. They should have pointed that out LOL.

    • @cutroc350
      @cutroc350 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I forgot about that and I even have one! (79 Cutlass wagon.)

  • @tuowl0564
    @tuowl0564 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I was born in 1982 so these things were extremely popular during my early childhood before minivans really took hold. I remember riding in the 3rd row seat which at the time seemed nothing more than "normal and safe". The biggest thing that got my attention nearly 40 years later is the price! 15k in 1984 for a Buick wagon? Hell no! That seems absurdly expensive for that era...

  • @alexander1485
    @alexander1485 2 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    my parents had an oldsmobile ciera wagon, dark blue with the wood (and the flag emblem along the front side fenders)

    • @cbdoil4082
      @cbdoil4082 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I’m so sorry. Do you need therapy?

    • @yoellopez82
      @yoellopez82 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@cbdoil4082 lol how about some cbd oil

    • @yoellopez82
      @yoellopez82 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Nice! My dad had a oldmobile cierra cutlass. Ive been wanting one too. Something about old cars.

    • @georgekostician3229
      @georgekostician3229 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My brother had 2 century wagon’s a 89 & 90 and loved both of them but Pennsylvania Winter’s didn’t love them so much

    • @georgekostician3229
      @georgekostician3229 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@cbdoil4082 what you mean they are good cars if you still see them today like I said for years now if they were not good cars they wouldn’t be around today just sucks people traded them in on that cash for clunkers scheme from 2008

  • @Doobie1975
    @Doobie1975 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    That is great gas mileage for a V6 midsize wagon! Seeing these vehicles takes me back to a simpler time of life.

    • @tyler2610
      @tyler2610 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Keep in mind the buying power of $8k in 1984. Still cars were a lot more reasonable then and you got more for your money.

  • @davidchernack4145
    @davidchernack4145 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    There's still one of these hanging out at Bard College in upstate NY. Always wished I met the owner while I was at school there.

  • @kowalski5599
    @kowalski5599 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    When I was a kid our parents bought a 1989 Century sedan, powered by a 3300 (no, not 3100 or 3400) and it was a great vehicle. We owned it til about 2005 when the onboard computer began having issues keeping the car running and they were hard to source (OBD-1) ... I miss that car and I remember it well, including the smooth sound the engine made when we got on the highway. Thank you GM workers for a fine automobile.

    • @erichanson3961
      @erichanson3961 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      My 93 Ciera had that same 3300. Loved it! Ran it out to 215K miles and sold it. Power, smoothness, good fuel economy...

  • @palebeachbum
    @palebeachbum 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    These were nice cars for the time. Smooth, quiet, plush, roomy, solidly built, and reliable. I've driven and ridden in a few. I'd prefer to buy a brand-new Century wagon over any modern CUV sold today.

    • @WinterInTheForest
      @WinterInTheForest 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Buick made some of the most comfortable cars. I also find the design very aesthetically appealing for a wagon. Engine performance could be better but common for its time.

  • @chrisreed26
    @chrisreed26 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    When I was a kid in the 80's my parent's bought a 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity CL 2.8 V-6 in 1986..it was a "Demonstrator" as they called them back in the day..We already had a 1980 Camaro V-8 305 but at 6 years old and 70K miles it was time for a second car and something better for trips from Tampa,Fl to WVa...My dad never liked big cars or vans/wagons so it was a surprise that he bought the Celebrity..he ended up loving it as he could lay his golf clubs in the back and all his luggage out in the rear..

  • @OLDS98
    @OLDS98 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you for pulling put these GM classics and sharing them. It was interesting to see the video. I had never seen a Century with digital gauges. That was good to see. GM got a lot of miles out of the platform and its siblings. Who would have thought the Oldsmobile and Buick versions would live until the 1996 model year. Thank you again.

  • @theKevronHarris
    @theKevronHarris 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I miss the blue colored interiors and velour seats that some cars had offered.

    • @STARDRIVE
      @STARDRIVE 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Cars would sell better today, if they had more to offer than just charcoal.

    • @B-rad1
      @B-rad1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The 2021 Corvette, Genesis GV70, and Acura MDX all offer blue interiors. I'm excited to see it coming back.

  • @ginnymoore6423
    @ginnymoore6423 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Bought one of these in the mid 90's, I'd buy one today if I could another like I had. It was my favorite "adult" car! I always swore if NEVER own a car with "wood" on the side. I learned to drive in a Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon. Longest damn car EVER made, especially when I was backing out our super narrow driveway into the one lane "Lane" I grew up on, oh yeah, I also had to go THRU the space with a gate on one side and a post on the other! But I digress. I loved my Buick, I didn't want to part with it and looking back, I wish I hadn't.
    It was a GREAT car......

  • @akr01364
    @akr01364 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    An ash tray in the kiddie seat? Love it!

  • @terp8373
    @terp8373 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I miss the days when MW reviews had no music in the background (or foreground, as the case sometimes is).

  • @chef4phantom1044
    @chef4phantom1044 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Love station wagons... Wish they would make a comback

    • @TheMrPeteChannel
      @TheMrPeteChannel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You can now have anykind of vehicle you want......
      As long as it's an Crossover.

    • @knowbodiesfull5768
      @knowbodiesfull5768 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Or (dare I say this?) a Kammback? 😜

  • @JeremyMcCant
    @JeremyMcCant 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    That music at the end!🔥🔥🔥🔥 I love the older days of motorweek, They ALWAYS had the BEST music!

  • @amenhotepavoskin1307
    @amenhotepavoskin1307 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Still have fond memories about my 1993 Olds Cutlass Cruiser. V6 3.3 liter, woody, beige velour interior, as comfortable as a Pullman railway carriage. I wish I had kept it.

  • @rootsmanuva82
    @rootsmanuva82 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The ashtray in the rear jump seats have me dying 😂

    • @JeffinTD
      @JeffinTD 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Safety first. You wouldn’t want your kids to burn themselves.

  • @martinmelucci4383
    @martinmelucci4383 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Imagine this alongside the Grand National in the showroom.

    • @ugaais
      @ugaais 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Had a ‘87 Grand National…not the GNX though…best car of the 80’s

  • @redneon06
    @redneon06 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I get tickled every time I see a new Retro Review!

  • @ACF6180T
    @ACF6180T 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I use to own one of these & it was very reliable & the only thing I did not like about it was it being a front wheel drive car they didn't have a serpentine belt ! But 4 different belts to change what a pain & the one we owned had the 2.8 & as I stated very reliable & a great ride on long trips & I did like the styling of this Buick & I did consider buying a newer one when they came out with the serpentine belt.

  • @bp2k7
    @bp2k7 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My parents had one of these when I was a little kid. Brings back memories I forgot I had!

  • @Sanpedranoazul
    @Sanpedranoazul 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    These were so popular during the 80s

  • @dkt1976dt
    @dkt1976dt 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My Family and myself owned a GM A Body wagon in every single division, all of our wagons were V6s with the 4 speed automatic overdrive transmissions and all of them had a third seat with the flip out windows. I know someone who had one with the 4 cylinder and it had no power and it went through head gaskets.

  • @Dankcatvacs
    @Dankcatvacs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    mom had a 85 olds cutlass cruiser . great times

  • @Donaldopato
    @Donaldopato 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had a 93 Century Limited Sedan for 22 years. Had every option., including the 4 speed automatic. Indestructible. Sold it for $1500 as it only had 115k miles. Wish never sold it.

  • @fordmuscleluis9710
    @fordmuscleluis9710 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    These station wagons are awesome from the 80s very well in the past gotta love it

  • @giorgio.
    @giorgio. 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I went to prom in my dad's 1984 Buick Century wagon V6 3-speed auto, silver with blue interior and bench front seat. I loved that car.

  • @realmac3k
    @realmac3k ปีที่แล้ว

    My grandma had one of these back in the day (1992 model) she only drove around town after her Chevy Celebrity was stolen out of the driveway. After the Celebrity, the local dealership tried to sell her a used Ford Tempo with a bad transmission. That little Buick wasn’t easy on the eyes but did make it over 200k miles after my stepdad inherited it.

  • @jeepthing98
    @jeepthing98 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    and just 2 years later the Taurus/Sable wagon instantly made these look like dinosaurs.

    • @gracien2008
      @gracien2008 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Fo Mo Co made those Taurus by the Billions... its a RARE sight to see even one on the road 😁

    • @WinterInTheForest
      @WinterInTheForest 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      ​@@gracien2008 Yeah I owned one. 16k in 1989 with standard features. By 95 it was experiencing plenty of mechanical failures, one which nearly got me killed and totaled the car.

    • @randomrazr
      @randomrazr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WinterInTheForest how did that haopppen

    • @gracien2008
      @gracien2008 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WinterInTheForestSomeone was watching over you! $20,000 was a lot of money for a car in the '80s! What malfunction like that... the transmission?

    • @WinterInTheForest
      @WinterInTheForest 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@gracien2008 Engine cut out in the middle of a left hand turn. I was t-boned by a speeding Crown Vic at the driver's side. My head whipped back and went through the window. I am lucky to be alive.

  • @lorenzomoore6398
    @lorenzomoore6398 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My teacher had a1986 Cutlets Ciara SL with the woodgrain panal.

  • @troysanchez776
    @troysanchez776 2 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Nothing like an ashtray in seats intended for children

    • @SataniaMcDowel
      @SataniaMcDowel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Incase they wanna smoke? It's the 80s dude :v

    • @andyk2742
      @andyk2742 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes... Priorities!

    • @michaeljohn9263
      @michaeljohn9263 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      They needed a place to ash their bubble gum cigarettes 😆🙃

    • @furrys.1304
      @furrys.1304 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah kids knew how to act right back then

    • @michaeljohn9263
      @michaeljohn9263 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@furrys.1304
      They were much cleaner smokers compared to the smokers we have now!

  • @jacksongay6848
    @jacksongay6848 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My grandpa had a cutlass Cierra that went to over 450,000 miles before he sold it. Maybe not the most stylish or fast cars, but damn reliable!!

    • @paulj6756
      @paulj6756 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      My folks had a 1991 Ciera that they sold to me in 2001. It had a lot of miles on it but it was a great car. My only issue with it was that its handling was sloppy.

  • @smithraymond09029
    @smithraymond09029 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In my college years (1989 to 1993) I used to drive a 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Edition Buick Century. It had a 3.0 carbureted v6. Everytime I would buy brakes the parts counter guy would give me the wrong parts. My car used the heavy duty wagon brake pads, not the regular car pads. Overall it was a reliable beater.

  • @the66volks
    @the66volks 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My family still owns 3 Chevy celebrity wagons. Great video thank you for uploading this!

  • @michaelcoonce6694
    @michaelcoonce6694 ปีที่แล้ว

    Had 2 celebrity wagons. One 4 cyl , one 2.8 v6. Both were very practical with enough power . I do miss them

  • @humanbraininrobotbod
    @humanbraininrobotbod 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    At 3:41 - those GM multi-function stalks were terrible in those days. Every time you used it it felt like it was gonna break off in your hand, and the sound it made was like snapping a dry twig.

  • @alant759
    @alant759 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gotta love the ashtrays in the third row for the kiddos

  • @Andyface79
    @Andyface79 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "Filling in the gap until GM's minivan made its appearance." Little did they know that this thing would be made for 15 years basically unchanged.

  • @emeyer6963
    @emeyer6963 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice to see that the Check Engine Soon light hadn't burned out yet.

  • @howardkerr8174
    @howardkerr8174 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just a small note: the same exact turning circle was quoted in the test of an 84 Chevy Caprice, there the tester derided it as being not too bad. My point? As often happened with MotorWeek, the " objective opinions " were changeable.

  • @tomlabarb2640
    @tomlabarb2640 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have driven this car when it was somewhat new..... it's better than you would think after the way its described in this review

  • @Gr8thxAlot
    @Gr8thxAlot 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think every teacher parking lot had at least one version of these in the '80s.

    • @andregonsalvez9244
      @andregonsalvez9244 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      YOU got that right these GM A body cars were extremely popular back in the day .

  • @67marlins
    @67marlins 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good looking, well engineered and sensibly-sized wagon.

  • @robertriley1569
    @robertriley1569 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My parent's had an 85 century the rear windshield leaked badly, the car was so underpowered it was asmatic. I dont know what gms painting process was at the time but the roof hood trunk and doors rusted to the point were the car looked like it was polka dotted. It was nice when it was brand new but it had a short window. The car made it to the early 2000s and was then put out of its misery. The rust had to be seen to appreciate how bad it was.

  • @buoyant69
    @buoyant69 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I always thought the Century and Ciera wagons in particularly were really attractive. That 3.0 V6 motor was a hunk of junk however. My first car (don’t ask) was an ‘84 Pontiac 6000 LE with the 2.8. Loved that thing.

    • @ponchoman49
      @ponchoman49 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The 2.8 was a much better engine than the Buick carbureted V6 in these years. When we sold used cars during the 90's we saw many blown 3 liter engines and rarely ever a 2.8

    • @Bartonovich52
      @Bartonovich52 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The 60 degree is a better engine, period.
      The only reason why the Buick V6 has a reputation of longevity is because of who drove them. Performance enthusiasts (Grand National, GNX, Regal GS, Grand Am GTP) and old folks who only drove their garage kept, perfectly maintained Le Sabre or Park Avenue on Sundays.
      The 60 degree was the bread and butter of middle class America that was moving from one income to two, one car to two, and hours of driving to and from work, school, big box stores, kids activities, and back out to a house in the suburbs.
      From the very first Citation in 1979 to the very last Impala in 2011… almost all of these engines were rode hard and put away wet as family haulers, sales vehicles, taxi cabs, and rental rockets.

    • @Lucille69caddy
      @Lucille69caddy 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Bartonovich52 WRONG. The 3800 platform is highly regarded in the car guy’s circle. It will outlast the body.

  • @davidmeyers6884
    @davidmeyers6884 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great car that you don't see many these days. It's a shame so many gave up on them.

  • @airgunningyup
    @airgunningyup 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i used to ride in the backwards rear seat as a kid and loved it.. My mothers friend had one ..

  • @pmafterdark
    @pmafterdark 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ahhh sure miss those station wagon days...

  • @RaymondHaley-lv2mo
    @RaymondHaley-lv2mo 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Early 80,s styling, combined with traditional Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac comfort and convenience or elegant, and luxo type Blvd ride.❤❤

  • @georgekostician3229
    @georgekostician3229 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love the A- bodies I’m glad too see the century wagon video now I just want every year Pontiac 6000 STE video from 83-89 can we get that please

    • @cutroc350
      @cutroc350 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Especially the rare 89 AWD STE....Those and the Le Sabre T-Type in black always looked good back in the day.

  • @hotgreg
    @hotgreg 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would buy one of these today only because of the rear seat. Man..soooo many memories riding in the back of 80's station wagons. ❤️

  • @mikeperry6794
    @mikeperry6794 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The Buick had the nicest and quietest of all the divisions.

  • @trr5291
    @trr5291 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I had a 1989 century sedan. They rode nice. Mine looked like a giant turd but it ran. I drove it out of state many times. I put the cruise on and it floated down the highway. It was easy to work on too.

  • @louislopez55
    @louislopez55 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    14.5 sec to 60mph! Now I know why my 1984 700cc motorcycle seemed so fast compared to most vehicles back then.

    • @jeremyb4493
      @jeremyb4493 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I had an '84 Honda nighthawk 700s. 0-60 in just over 3 seconds stock. That is fast.

  • @Douglas-up2vh
    @Douglas-up2vh 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I owned many of these Buick, Chevrolet, Olds wagons in my cab Business....they were Great cars and would go 300k ...Dirt Cheap used and Bulletproof back in the days..they were solid vehicles that rode Great and handled lots of cargo...

  • @randallgreen6746
    @randallgreen6746 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    We had the Pontiac 6000 Wagon, roof rack, 2.8 V6 and loaded nicely. Drove that car over 200,000 miles with No problems.

  • @drewgus6769
    @drewgus6769 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The back ashtrays are the best. I always love to smoke when I'm in the way way back.

  • @steveespinola7652
    @steveespinola7652 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I still see these old Buick wagons once in while on the street where I live in Toronto, Canada.

  • @ramoncarter6585
    @ramoncarter6585 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like these station wagons used to couldn't stand the looks of the Century sedan around that era now love them to death love the boxy style of the 84-88 sedan versions the station wagons were good looking as well like the woodgrain on them.

  • @johnbehneman1546
    @johnbehneman1546 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I LOVE OLD STATION WAGONS!!!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

  • @Silverback_GMT410
    @Silverback_GMT410 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm in love! Makes me love my 86 Century T Type even more.

  • @sneakerfreak2002
    @sneakerfreak2002 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Imagine two adults sitting backwards facing traffic , smoking & drinking beer

    • @ugaais
      @ugaais 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Lived it good times

  • @jsciarri
    @jsciarri 2 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Back when Buick actually made simple, comfortable, and reliable cars. Unlike the modern ugly garbage rebadged Opels that Buick produces today. I see more vintage Buicks than modern ones now.

    • @georgekostician3229
      @georgekostician3229 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      YES I’m glad I’m not the only one that been says this 🤠

    • @Bartonovich52
      @Bartonovich52 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You should go to China.

    • @michaelmcwhorter8707
      @michaelmcwhorter8707 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I own one of those "rebadged Opels". We love our TourX wagon. It's a great family hauler and is actually enjoyable to drive. We get lots of compliments on it and lots of "what kind of car is that" questions. I'm a wagon guy and am glad I got to own the last station wagon offered by a domestic automaker. It's an international car with an American engine, German body, and Japanese drivetrain.

    • @howardkerr8174
      @howardkerr8174 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Now that Buick has stopped selling sedans in the U.S. NONE of the vehicles are re-badged Opels.

  • @rickiejacobs5910
    @rickiejacobs5910 ปีที่แล้ว

    My mom had an 1984 Chevy Celebrity Wagon with the 2.8L engine. It was alright. It was slow compared to my 1987 Olds Cutlass Ciera wagon with the 3.8L engine. Not the same as the 3800. But it was quick but had lots of torque steer when you hit it hard.

  • @tylernewton7217
    @tylernewton7217 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    LOL, the ashtray for the kids in the rumble seat! Ah, the old days.

  • @leninrock
    @leninrock ปีที่แล้ว

    My father was a owner of these wagons, really amazing and confortable, but he s passed away a few years ago, and we need to sell it because the engine was terrible damaged and fixing is very expensive, maybe in the future i found one in good price and i buy it.

  • @ddellwo
    @ddellwo 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My family never owned a station wagon, and as such I was robbed of the opportunity to ride in the “back-back” - a sacred rite of childhood! Someday I’m going to buy one and make my son drive me around town in it just so I can say I’ve had the experience…….😂

  • @lightningbuster
    @lightningbuster 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Whatever happened to the days of whitewalls and wire wheel hubcaps

  • @TofersCarTales
    @TofersCarTales 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You know it's an 80's car when there's an ash tray for the kids in the 3rd row seat.

  • @briandziedzic420
    @briandziedzic420 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Always loved those wagon's never knew they had a third row seating. But looks very dangerous. Lol

  • @ponchoman49
    @ponchoman49 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I think they got it backwards with the Buick carbed 3.0 liter V-6 versus the Chevy 2.8 regarding smoothness. The Buick V6's were a 90 degree split pin crank design being based on a V8 that traced it's roots to the 1960's and the Chevy 2.8 was a new fresh designed 60 degree V6 from 1980 onwards that is inherently smoother running. Just watch either engine idling under the hood and you will see the Buick engine with a throb and the Chevy motor sits smooth. The mileage ratings prior to 1985 were also comical when it came to highway numbers. There is no way a heavier wagon body with numerically higher 2.97 gearing and a 3 speed with no over drive got 33 on the open road. My uncle's 1985 Ciera wagon with this same engine and the 4 speed trans struggled to get 30 so it's very doubtful a 3 speed would do better!

    • @DejaView
      @DejaView 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, Had a Chevy 2.8 V6 w/2bbl carb. (Which was actually a 2 stage carb that fed both banks, NOT a single stage with a separate venturi feeding each bank like I believe Buick was.) It was very smooth. Had a basic '84 Celeb. Stock 13" tires, 2.84 axle ratio. Lacking a bit on low end torque. Even with the widely spaced ratios of the THM125C trans it still didn't really start to go till it hit about 25mph and once you were just beyond the kickdown point for 1st gear you had a definite lag in 2nd because you were too low in the powerband at that point. But for the average driver an acceptable combination. But definitely smooth & quiet. In 3rd gear up to about 55mph you weren't even sure there was an engine up there. And beyond 55 it wasn't even "noise" it was just that there was some sense of mechanical activity going on somewhere. Fuel mileage wasn't spectacular, about 27/28 tops & about 23 for a 30 mile mixed city/highway commute. Had a later 3.8 litre Taurus, fuel inj. & AXOD trans that was only about one mpg worse & still later Mercury Villager van (aka Nissan Quest), fuel inj. & Nissan made 4spd auto that could make about 27 highway but amazingly about 25 on the commute. (Figure average speed on the commute was just low enough that wind drag wasn't a serious issue even with the higher profile, but just high enough to run 4th gear w/converter clutch locked at less than 2000 RPM about 90% of the trip.)

  • @Fenncer24
    @Fenncer24 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Ive had 3 wagons in my time 4 if you consider the Mazda 5 a wagon. My first wagon was in 1986 and that was a 1973 Ford Ranch Wagon Landboat Lime Green. The my second wagon was a 1987 Chevy Cavalier Wagon from 1998-2007 before it died🙁.Then had a 1993 Ford Escort 5 Speed that was fun to drive. Had it from 2007-2018 before it died also. Loved the later 2 wagons as these were minis. But of these 2 the Caviler was roomier than the Escort. Now i have a 2007 Mazda 5 Wagon/Van and love it too. But i have always loved wagons. Saw a 1988 Caviler wagon a few months back and brought back memories so cool to see one agian. Wish i still had mine but oh well the Mazdas the best. But do wish wagons would come back and replace useless trucks that cant carry nore than 5 when a wagon as above could carry 7. Even my Mazda can carry 6 compared to any Pickup. I'll take wagon over a truck any day.

  • @DSGNflorian
    @DSGNflorian 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    0-60 in 14.5 sec. is, according to Motor Week, "no major performance shortcoming". Wow, even in the Malaise Era that was sad for a V6 in a relatively light car. Aside from that, these A-Body wagons were actually pretty handsome vehicles and the cars in A-Body line-up were - mostly - decent overall. They inherited the fantastic space efficiency of the ill-fated X-Bodies they were based on, while ironing out - or at least diminishing - the problems that caused the X-Body's downfall. Still, the build quality was middle-of-the-road and reliability and durability displayed the typical 1970s-1990s GM inconsistency. Although surprisingly, some of these are still puttering around with astronomical mileage...

    • @antman5474
      @antman5474 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      19mpg city driving too.

  • @markwilliams2620
    @markwilliams2620 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The "cleverly angled rear window" got a spoiler above it in '86 m.y. as while it did handle rain well we bupkins on dirt roads found it collected surface dust extremely easily. '85 6000LE maroon woody driver in Lapeer county.

  • @kirkpatrick84
    @kirkpatrick84 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "At first glance, there's nothing radical about the styling of this Century wagon."
    Narrator: "That is correct, there is nothing radical about the styling of the Century wagon."

  • @bikes7777
    @bikes7777 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Gotta love the 3rd row ashtrays LOL

  • @vassa1972
    @vassa1972 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I also remember these

  • @negil
    @negil ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank goodness for the rumble seat ashtrays

  • @jamessteven526
    @jamessteven526 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    They still use a few of these in Baltimore (and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera version) as cabs for Green Sedan lol. They're dirty and the cab driver is probably high, but they're still in existence lol. Basic, but solid.

  • @rromancunard
    @rromancunard 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Elegant, stylish appearance and powerful class.

  • @yellowhammer3
    @yellowhammer3 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm pretty sure half of America owned one, they were everywhere

  • @TheMrPeteChannel
    @TheMrPeteChannel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'd rather have this than any crossover.

    • @ironinquisitor3656
      @ironinquisitor3656 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same I hate Crossover SUVS. Wish that trend would die.