1999 Buick Century - The Power of Value

People, in general, have about as much passion for the radio station they listen to as the brand of hand soap or paper towels that they buy. Same is true for automobiles. While there are people who are passionate about the radio stations they listen to, as there are people who are passionate about what they drive, those people are in the minority. The vast, silent majority are a conservative, no less fickle bunch and due to their size and buying power are whom businesses cater to most. That's why music radio stations sound so homogenized, regardless of format or genre and why there are or were cars like this plain jane, despite the red paint, maddenly bland 1999 Buick Century.
 

 

That's not to say there's nothing not to like about this car for there certainly is. The shape is pleasant, the seats are comfortable, the car tracks nicely, the brakes are excellent, the ride is pleasant, acceleration is ample, fuel economy is good, it is fairly feature rich with just about everything you'd need, and most quite admirably, it should've given back about 100,000 fairly carefree miles before things started to go. 

 

 

This car was also relatively cheap in its day especially compared to similar size offerings from Toyota, Nissan, Honda and VW. That, combined with its fair degree of reliability, especially compared to the crap Buick and General Motors was pushing out a generation before this car, being the primary reasons this car sold in the numbers that it did. Never underestimate the power of value.

Those of us who want something more from their daily driver than the bland, vanilla yogurt of a car like this weren't the target buyers for it anyway so who are we to judge.

 

My in laws had a '99 Century, it was gold not whatever shade of red this one is, and they enjoyed nearly a decade of pain free South Florida motoring bliss. Until it got north of a 100 on the odometer and things started flying off it but up until that, Mrs. Lincoln, the play was great. Mom traded the old girl in for a Honda Civic.

There is something noble about a vehicle so stoic in its mission to be nothing more than pleasantly utilitarian. I myself like a little spam in my meatloaf mix.

 

By the way, if you don't like my radio station there's nothing stopping you from putting in a CD of something you'd rather hear instead. Sorry, no aux hookup on this old gem.