Notes: This is a low-end to average Buick car. The Century's Dynaride suspension makes the ride soft and smooth, but handling suffers and the Century is apt to spin out or roll in tight turns and more drastic maneuvers. An optional Grand Touring suspension improves handling, but ride suffers as a result, being rather harsh. Standard features for the 1990 version were few, such as air conditioning, but a driver’s side airbag was added for the 1993 model year, and the fuel tank size grew; in 1994, antilock brakes were added and the underpowered 110-horsepower engine disappeared. The Century comes in a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan (the most common model), and a 4-door wagon. The wagon has a folding, rear-facing third seat.

Notes: The Century for this last model year was redesigned in body styling. The engine is smooth and quiet, and improved in fuel economy, but complains when asked to deliver high power such as in passing. However, the 1997 Century is a good deal heavier than earlier models and the engine is thus tasked harder than the engine of earlier models. The suspension is too soft for many drivers; bumps are absorbed quite well, but the body bounces a lot after bumps and leans too much in turns. The interior is spacious, and the doors are tall and wide. The trunk is large, but its high rim makes loading difficult. The dashboard instruments are large and easy to read, but there are less of them than most other cars of this class. The controls are clearly marked and easy to reach, except for the climate controls if a center front seat passenger is carried. The cloth seats are well padded and very comfortable. Though primarily sold in the US, this version of the Century was manufactured in Canada. Only one model is available, a 4-door sedan.

Standard features for 1997 include dual front airbags, antilock brakes, and options include the Custom and more posh Limited edition, with more and more luxuries. 1998 reduced the power of the airbags so the driver and front passengers do not take such a hit in a crash, but little other changes. 1999 brought Traction Control and a tire pressure monitor, as well as a re-tuned suspension in a partially-successful attempt to reduce body lean in turns. The 2000 model year brought a boost in the Century’s horsepower (up to 175), dual-zone climate control, a side airbag for the driver (but strangely enough, not for the passenger side), and a new Limited Special Edition with smart new trim and coloring of the grille, alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, and a split folding rear seat. The 2001 model year brought On-Star as a standard feature. The 2002 model year brought optional front bucket seats (however, this reduces the Crew rating to 1+4). 2003 brought some styling changes, as well as door pillars and roof-rail trim with energy-absorbing foam as a sort of passenger head protection in a crash.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles do not exist.

*Add $10,000 for On-Star.

**If equipped with bucket front seats, Crew rating is 1+4.

Notes: In 2004, the Century became the lowest-priced car of Buick’s line. Antilock brakes are optional; four-wheel disc brakes are standard. If the Century is equipped with the optional antilock brakes, it will also have Traction Control and a tire-pressure monitoring system. A front bench-type seat is standard; bucket front seats are optional. Dual front airbags are standard; a side airbag for the driver is optional. OnStar is also an option. Climate controls are dual zone. The headlights are automatic, in that they go out after a few seconds if the car is turned off (unless deliberately turned on again). There is also a "chip in the key" theft-deterrent system; the keys have a special computer chip in them that interfaces with the ignition, and the car cannot be started without them by normal means.

The 2005 model year was the last for the Century. Aside from the cosmetic, there are little differences between the 2004 Century and 2005 Century.

The suspension of the Century of this period is soft, but tends to bounce too much on bumpy or uneven roads. Body lean is excessive to many drivers, and the car can slip in tight, fast turns. The engine can be noisy at high speed, but has smooth performance. The dashboard instruments are sparse, but well-positioned. Head and legroom in the front is excellent, but the rear seat is really a bit too narrow for 3 adults.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

*Add $10,000 for On-Star.

**If equipped with bucket front seats, Crew rating is 1+4.

Notes: This predecessor of the Park Avenue introduced many of the features as options that would later become standard on the Park Avenue, ranging from Dolby Stereo to antilock brakes. They also used the GM door-mounted front seat belts; these are uncomfortable, make it difficult to get in and out of the car without getting tangled in them, and do not stop forward travel in a crash very well; however, it is almost impossible to drive without wearing them. Despite Buick’s claims that the Electra seats 6, it is only comfortable for four. Antilock brakes did not become an option until 1986, but they were standard after that point. An underpowered 110-horsepower V-6 was standard on the 1985 models, but the engine was changed to a 125-horsepower model in 1986 (the most common engine for the Electra), and in 1988, a 165 horsepower V-6 became available. In addition, a grossly underpowered 85 horsepower engine was available in the 1985 model year, but it was none too popular. There are three models available; the Limited and the T-Type, four-door sedans differing primarily in the options set used and the size of the wheels; and a 2-door coupe.

Notes: This car is the replacement for both the Century and Regal in Buick’s line. It is a slightly larger car than those two, and seats six with bench seats or 5 with the optional bucket front seats. There are three versions, the basic CX, the plusher CXL, and the most luxurious, the CXS. All of them use automatic transmissions only. The base suspension tends to bump and wallow over uneven roads, but the sport suspension on the CXS offers a much firmer ride. All LaCrosses have four-wheel disc brakes, but the CXS also has an antiskid system. All LaCrosses have dual front airbags; side head airbags are an option, and there are no provisions for torso side airbags. On the CXL and CXS, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and a split folding rear seat are standard; on the CX, these are options. Optional to all are remote engine starting and a sunroof.

The power steering is a bit too helpful on the CX, but perfect on the CXL and CXS. The CX and CXL have excessive body lean in terms, but the CXS’s suspension dampens this. Wind rush can be loud at highway speeds; engine noise on the lower powered engine is almost unnoticeable, but in the 240-horsepower engine, can become quite loud. The middle seat in the front is really too small for an adult, and the rear seats are a bit too short on leg room for adults.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

*With optional bucket seats, the Crew rating is 1+4.

Notes: These wagons were the last full-sized wagons to be made by Buick. The LeSabre Estate, Electra Estate, and Estate all share the same chassis and body style, but differ in terms of amenities and luxury, with the LeSabre Estate having basic amenities, the Electra Estate being near luxury, and the Estate being luxury. All three use the same engine and are about the same weight. The line was introduced in 1986 as a 6-seat version, but in 1988, a third set of folding seats was added in the rear. All three have a spacious interior. They are difficult to drive, unfortunately, due to their large size, especially in city driving, with little in the way of maneuverability and a poor turning radius. On the open highway, they are excellent, with a very smooth and comfortable ride, though the low power of the engine in relation to its weight makes the vehicle a bit deficient in the responsiveness department. These vehicles also have a trailer hitch, with a 2.27-ton towing capacity. The LeSabre Estate and Electra Estate were dropped in 1989, leaving only the Estate, and such vehicles were dropped entirely after the 1990 model year.

Notes: The LeSabre for this period is much smaller than earlier LeSabres (in college I owned a 1973 LeSabre – it was a tank!), some 56 centimeters shorter and much lighter. It shares a chassis with the Electra of the same period, as well as the Oldsmobile Delta 88 and Ninety Eight. The initial engine supplied with the 1986 LeSabre, a 125-horsepower V-6, lacks power and acceleration, but an optional 150-horsepower V-6 was also available. Amenities are standard for a near-luxury car of the period, such as air conditioning, good stereo, and optional leather seats (though cloth and faux leather were more common). In 1987, the 150 horsepower engine became the standard engine, along with optional antilock brakes and "T" handling suspension, and in 1988, a 160-horsepower version of the same engine became available as an option. The "T" handling suspension disappeared in 1988. The LeSabre got a cosmetic facelift for 1990, with the T Type disappearing. The LeSabre of this period has a very absorbent suspension and firm, steady handling. The seats are designed for six, but they will be cramped if they are adults, and four adults will be more comfortable. It’s not as plush as the Electra, but the LeSabre of this period is reliable and largely trouble-free, with few recalls (most of them over minor issues). A 2-door coupe and a 4-door sedan version are available.

Notes: This is the next step up in the Buick line. It is a near-luxury car, with an appropriate option package, driver-side airbags on the 1992 and 1993 models, dual airbags on later models, and antilock brakes. The LeSabre is available only in automatic transmission, but the automatic transmission is a good mate to the engine, delivering smooth shifting. The 205 horsepower engine is available on 1996 and 1997 models, and gives a great improvement in acceleration and speed at a penalty to fuel economy. A Grand Touring suspension is available that gives the normally soft suspension and handling a crisper feel. The LeSabre has a "chip in the key" theft deterrence system; a special key with a computer chip in it is required to start the car. The rear doors are child-proof (they will not open from the inside unless a switch is thrown in the door well prior to shutting the door). Power windows are standard. For the 1993 model year, antilock brakes became standard. In 1994, dual airbags became standard, and the Limited Edition acquired Traction Control. The 1995 model has better climate controls and a better stereo system. In 1996, a 205-horsepower engine became available, optional keyless entry, and an antenna embedded in the rear window. The 1997 got several cosmetic changes, but was not otherwise different, and 1998 and 1999 brought virtually no changes at all. All of these vehicles are large four-door sedans.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was not produced beyond the 1997 model year.

Notes: The LeSabre was redesigned inside and out for the 2000 model year. It was longer, taller, and wider than its predecessors. Standard equipment included dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, an independent rear suspension, remote keyless entry, automatic leveling suspension, and antilock brakes. Traction control is an option. The 175-horsepower engine from the previous LeSabre models was dropped, leaving only the 205-horsepower engine. Custom and Limited versions were also available, with a Gran Touring suspension package. The interior was furnished with a split bench front seat or twin bucket seats, at the buyer’s option, and the safety belts were redesigned to reduce injury in a crash from the seatbelts themselves. Other options included a 12-CD changer, power sunroof, and rain-sensing wipers; OnStar was also available as an option in the Limited edition.

The 2001 model year brought OnStar as an option to the Custom edition, as well as a CD player and power front bucket seats. The Limited edition had StabiliTrak traction control added to its suspension, something that greatly improves handling and safety in maneuvering. 2002 brought standard leather upholstery to the Limited edition (and as an option on the Custom), and power memory seats on the Limited as well. 2003 marked the introduction of the Celebration Edition; this version had chrome alloy wheels, 2-tone leather seating with embroidered logos, and additional turn-signal lights in the side mirrors. XM satellite radio was an option in the Limited as well as the Celebration Edition (which is basically an even fancier Limited edition). 2004 brought mainly cosmetic changes, though XM satellite radio was an option on all models. For 2005, OnStar became standard on all LeSabre models, but again, most changes were cosmetic.

The LeSabre of this period, in its base and Custom form, suffers somewhat from body float on uneven surfaces. The Limited edition, with its Gran Touring suspension (and later, StabiliTrak) has a much firmer suspension that gives a much more even ride. Even with power steering, the LeSabre of this period can feel a bit heavy when turning, something that is more a fault of the steering system than the weight of the car. The brakes tend to lack stopping power. Hard acceleration can cause the engine to roar. Though the front bench seats are advertised as seating three adults, they are not really big enough for that, and the rear seats can be confining and small for adults. There are a lot of blind spots due to thick door pillars.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.

*Add $10,000 for OnStar; add $200 for satellite radio.

**With bucket front seats, Crew rating is 1+4.

Notes: Another step up in the Buick line, the Park Avenue puts Buick into the luxury class, if barely so. Like most Buicks, the Park Avenue's ride is soft, but loose, and bounces too much over bumps, and leans heavily in turns. Tight turns may lead to sliding or rolling, especially at high speeds or unorthodox maneuvering. A Grand Touring suspension package is available, which greatly improves handling at a cost to ride comfort. The interior is roomy, and the doors wide and tall. On models up to 1994, the climate controls were profuse and mounted low and away on the dashboard, making them hard for the driver to manipulate; this situation was fixed on later models. Though the Park Avenue offers a large luxury option package, the LeSabre offers many of the same options at a lower cost.

Standard for 1991 was antilock brakes, a driver’s side airbag, and a theft-deterrent system. In 1992 a supercharged 205-horsepower engine was added. In 1993, the base engine was also increased to 205 horsepower, and Automatic Ride became an option, dampening the ride in three modes. For 1994, dual front airbags were added, the supercharged engine gained 20 horsepower, a Traction Control system controlled by a dashboard switch was added, and options included a heated driver’s seat and steering wheel controls for the radio and climate control. For 1995, a base engine with much more torque was added, new body styling was done, and the instrument panel was re-done. For 1996, the supercharged engine gained another 15 horsepower, as well as long-life coolant and spark plugs; new options included keyless entry that also adjusted mirrors, seats, door locks, and lighting.

Notes: This is basically a larger, heavier and more luxurious version of the Park Avenue. The low-end V-6 has been discontinued, and the two more powerful engines retained; the new Park Avenue is heavier, but the engines are powerful enough so that is not too much of a handicap. This version of the Park Avenue is available only in automatic transmission, but this one does not affect performance, providing nearly seamless shifting. The power steering is perhaps too assisted, not providing much road feel except at lower speeds. The Grand Touring suspension package is also available on this version of the Park Avenue, but the version applied to the newer Park Avenue greatly improves while barely affecting ride comfort.

Standard for 1997 includes the Personal Choice System, a device that adjusts the adjustable seat, mirrors, door locks, lighting, climate controls, and stereo to preset levels for different drivers. Personal Choice is also tied into the keyless entry system, so that the car is adjusted "just so" when the driver gets in. Daylight running lamps are also standard, as are antilock brakes, front airbags, ands a new stereo system. Options include a heads-up display, rain-sensing wipers, and a dust filter for the climate control. The 1998 model year brought reduced-force front airbags, and options like side mirrors that tilt down automatically when the car is in reverse, and On-Star. 1999 brought a tire-pressure monitor. 2000 brought side airbags for the front, the StabiliTrak system (a type of all-wheel drive), and anchors for a child seat in the rear. 2001 brought an ultrasonic-based rear sensor to detect obstacles, and standard leather upholstery and an interior memory system. 2002 brought steering wheel stereo and climate controls. 2003 brought primarily cosmetic changes. 2004 brought OnStar as an option on base model (the Custom) and as a standard feature on the Ultra (the one with the 240-horsepower engine). Also optional on both is a heads-up display. The 2005 model year brings mostly cosmetic changes, but also brings a self-leveling suspension.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The 1997 model year is the only version of this vehicle available.

*Add $10,000 for OnStar; add $1,000 for a HUD; add $500 for rear obstacle sensing.

Notes: This mid-sized SUV made its debut in the 2004 model year. A V-6 275-horsepower is standard, but a 290-horsepower V-8 is optional. Other standard features include automatic load-leveling suspension, antilock brakes, leather upholstery, dual front airbags, dual climate control, and OnStar. Options include rear-wheel drive with traction control, all-wheel drive (without low-gearing), front side head-protecting airbags, adjustable gas and brake pedals, heated front seats, XM satellite radio, a rear-seat DVD system, and a navigation system.

For 2005, front side-curtain airbags became optional, while head-protecting front side airbags are standard. It is otherwise the same as the 2004 model, except for cosmetic differences.

The V-6 engine offers plenty of power; the V-8 even more so. The suspension is very good, but the rear end can bounce excessively on large bumps. The Rainier is generally very quiet, but the V-6 can get a bit loud at high RPMs. The dashboard is well laid out, but the climate and stereo controls are a bit hard to reach for the driver and can take an excessive look away from the road to adjust. On Rainiers with a navigation system, the stereo and navigation controls are integrated, and they sit higher on the console and are much easier to manipulate. The front has excellent head and leg room, the rear only slightly less, but the high headrest may give problems to short drivers, and thick roof pillars cause large blind spots. The rear seat is a 60/40 split folding seat, and allows for generous cargo space. Standard Rainiers have a towing capacity of 2.86 tons; all-wheel drive versions can tow 2.81 tons.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist.