buying my first car!!!

It should be fine as long as you keep up on your oil changes. It is rated 4/5 for reliability on MSN Autos. If you don't like what you see here, then I would recommend buying any GM car with a 3.1, 3.3, or 3.8 Liter V6 engine. They are extremely reliable engines, I have a 3.3 in an '89 Century that has 291K miles and is still going strong with very few problems, only the harmonic balancer at about 287K miles, definitely something to watch out for at that mileage. From MSN Autos: Occasional problems on this vehicle, 4-cylinder engines only, are failures of the Engine, Timing Belt and the Ignition Power Stage. Failure of the Engine is caused because the engine oil gels. When proper maintenance schedules for oil changes are followed, oil gelling should not occur. Audi has issued an 8 year unlimited mileage goodwill repair for this condition. Occasional problems on this vehicle, 6-cylinder only, are failures of the Fuel Injectors and the Water Pump. Failure of the Water Pump may result in engine overheating. Failure of the Timing Belt will prevent the vehicle from starting. If the Timing Belt breaks while driving, engine damage is likely. The cost to repair the Engine is estimated at $4,775.00 for parts and $845.00 for labor. The cost to repair the Timing Belt is estimated at $62.00 for parts and $260.00 for labor. The cost to repair the Ignition Power Stage is estimated at $386.00 for parts and $52.00 for labor. The cost to replaced one Fuel Injector is estimated at $44.00 for the parts and $65.00 for labor. The cost to replace the Water Pump is estimated at $281.00 for parts and $390.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Antilock Brake (ABS) Control Module. Failure of the ABS Control Module may result in ABS warning indicator illumination. The cost to replace the ABS Control Module is estimated at $2,228.00 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Headlight Switch. Failure of the Headlight Switch may result in the headlights not working. The cost to replace the Headlight Switch is estimated at $141.00 for parts and $97.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

that's way more information than you need about the car. try this, i didnt read it on msn I learned this from driving one for seven years... control arms: most likely will go every 50k or so. about $300ea ABS Module: dont worry about it. if it goes your brakes will still work but your abs wont. Dont slam on the brakes in the snow. and it will only cost a few hundred, maybe $300 to fix. you will not need a new module, you will just need someone to solder inside it. 1.8T: this motor is bulletproof. change the oil with 0w40 every 3-5k and you will be fine. change the timing belt every 60k. Ignition Power Stage (coils): about $100ea any idiot could change them. you pull them out of the motor then push them back in. Headlight switch: mine went bad once.. the day after i bought the car. $117 for the part and maybe twenty minutes of my life installing it. dont ever buy a buick century. if you would like to be talked out of it just go sit in the audi.. take it for a drive.

I'm not sure you know what you're talking about concerning the Century. I've never had a more reliable or efficient car. It may not be as "nice" as an Audi, but I can guarantee it'll outlast one and will cost much less to maintain and drive. Also, for a first car an expensive vehicle is not a good idea since most "first cars" get in some kind of accident within a year or two. As far as the vehicle itself, I would never recommend any vehicle with a timing belt rather than a timing chain or gears. Belts wear out and break, chains and gears usually last the entire life of the vehicle although they are a bit noisier than belts. Any foreign vehicle is going to cost a fortune to maintain since they are difficult to work on compared to older domestic vehicles and the parts are much harder to find.

A 1989 Buick Century is going to be super floaty. Never really feel like you have control, and has horrible braking. I went from a 1987 Century to a 98.5 Audi A4. Believe me, i know enough. I had to change the timing chain on my century and it was just as much work as my belt in my A4. Belts just take more care. If you are planning on paying attention to your car then you will be fine. but if you are someone who takes your cars to speedy to get you oil changed then don't bother. it will be a burden on you and the car.

I bought a A6 quattro AWD for 500.00 it has 246,000 and going strong, had over a year now. put 1,100 into it so far which was preventive maintainance. Great Cars.