chicagotribune.com's view

Old names. New cars.

No harm, no foul when the old names are Cutlass and Century, two of the more respected, if aged, monikers in the General Motors lineup.

And certainly no harm was done in building the all-new Cutlass and Century off bigger platforms so the cars offer more room and comfort, in addition to freshened styling, when they go on sale in December.

The 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass replaces the Ciera, which, like Century, bowed in 1982 and was showing age marks that even the Fountain of Youth couldn’t erase. The car that had been called Cutlass still will be, but with an emphasis on the name Supreme until it is replaced for 1998 with the Intrigue.

The ’97 Cutlass is built on a 2.5-inch longer wheelbase and is 2 inches longer overall than Ciera. It shares a platform with the all new Chevrolet Malibu arriving this fall. It comes in base and GLS versions.

The ’97 Buick Century replaces the old buggy of the same name, but the wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer and overall length adds 4.2 inches to the old model.

Century shares the same platform as the redesigned ’97 Regal due out in January as well as the Intrigue. It comes in base Custom and uplevel Limited versions.

Cutlass and Century styling is conservative. No radical sheet metal. Both are aimed at buyers bent on function and who favor a design that won’t go out of fashion before the payments stop.

In an economy move, both share the same engine, a 3.1-liter, 160-horsepower V-6 designed to provide optimum mileage if not sports-car performance, and the key words are “if not” because it doesn’t. The 3.1 gets you where you are going, but it will take a little longer than if GM’s 3.8-liter V-6 was offered. But there are only so many3.8s, and they are being saved for bigger cars and performance machines.

Both cars also get an upgrade to four-wheel independent suspension now that the reliable, dependable, functional, but too soft-springed 15-year-old Ciera and Century have been laid to rest. The old cars featured cushions where springs should have been and tended to float and wander on the road. The new cars have stiffer springs and shocks, which some older folks may argue are too firm, and others will argue could be stiffer.

Both also are the beneficiaries of improved steering systems. In the old models, it seemed as if you twisted the wheel twice in a circle before the vehicle would move left or right. It now takes less effort and less wheel movement to make the desired maneuver.

But these are not sports cars. You’ll lean in the corners and find yourself easing off the pedal when entering the merger ramp, just not as much as you had to in the past.

Olds and Buick engineers admit 16-inch tires (15-inch tires replace the 14-inchers in the old models) could improve ride and handling, but no upgrade is planned.

We tested the top-o f-the-line Cutlass GLS and the base Century Custom and top-of-the-line Limited at a media preview here.

Olds and Buick cars come with dual air bags (passenger-side not labeled for some reason), four-wheel anti-lock brakes and daytime running lamps but not traction control.

Though styling is pleasant, neither Olds nor Buick design staffs can boast of significant breakthroughs. But both deserve credit for coming up with roomy interiors with ample leg, head, and arm room as well as large glass areas affording great sightlines. Too bad Olds skimped on the size of its outside mirrors, however.

To avoid delay, we’ll note that there are cupholders galore, front and rear, that hold cups with or without handles. Cutlass adds a pesonalized driver’s side (left of the wheel) pull-from-the-dash holder. There’s also dual power plugs upfront for add-on accessories, such as a phone to order more pop for the cupholders.

The base and GLS Cutlass feature spl it folding rear seats to increase cargo capacity though the trunk is massive and golf-club friendly. The deck lid opens wide, the lift-over height is relatively low and the floors are flat.

Other nice touches include moving the ignition switch to the dash and off the steering column, where key rattle can be maddening; body-colored rain spats (formal name for mud flaps) at all wheels to keep gunk off the lower body; and an arrow in the instrument panel pointing to the fuel-filler door side.

The GLS offers leather seats as standard and a sunroof as optional (not available on base model). By adding a convenience option package–power windows/mirrors, cargo net and remote keyless entry–to the base model, you can buy power seats, which gives you everything the GLS offers except leather seats, sunroof and aluminum wheels.

Century, base and dolled-up Limited, is slightly larger than Cutlass, which makes it more roomy and comfortable.

There was a noticeable difference in suspension systems on the pre-production models available for testing. Custom, though the base, better absorbed road harshness than the Limited before filtering it back into the cabin.

Both offer only Dynaride suspension and not Buick’s more sure-footed but firmer Grand Touring suspension. Neither offers 16-inch tires, either. Grand Touring and 16-inch tires are being considered for later. But Buick officials insist Century buyers favor a smooth ride first and precision handling a distant second so the Grand Touring ride and handling package will be reserved for the Regal that arrives in the first quarter.

The Custom steering was more user friendly than the Limited’s, but Tony Derhake, Century brand manager, said engineers still are tuning the Limited’s suspension to reduce body motion and the steering for quicker response, so we’ll reserve comment on that car until later and focus on the Custom.

Like the Cutlass, you get dual bags and ABS, but no traction control.

Century is the more sedate companion to the midsize Regal, which moves to the same platform as the Intrigue for a major change early next year. Regal will be the luxury sports sedan with Century the more functional model aimed at a buyer not so much turned on by bells and whistles and electronic gizmos.

Century is for the person who wants the car to run without frequent detours to the shop for service and who will sacrifice zero-to-60 performance and tight, flat cornering at speed to arrive at his or her destination rested and relaxed without having to stop a couple of times for fuel.

The cabin has been kept simple. Controls are large and easy to see. Door sill heights have been lowered and door openings widened for easier entry and exit. The rear seat has been raised 1 1/2 inches so passengers in back can see the scenery out the windshield as well as hold a conversation with front-seat occupants withou t having to talk up to them.

The outside mirrors are larger than those on Cutlass for good visibility, but the gearshift lever is rather short. Go figure.

Nice touches include paint on the dash where there had been cheap-looking (and noisy) plastic, map holders and storage pockets in nearly every seat and door and hinges on the deck lid moved to the side where they won’t interfere with golf bags.

Century no longer offers a 4-cylinder engine, the choice of fleets and rentals that buy at discount more so than retail customers, the source of profits.

A neat touch: The V-6 has an anti-grind starter that disengages if you turn the key while the engine is on, a feature pioneered on Cadillac’s Northstar V-8.

Century and Cutlass are aimed at Toyota Camry/Honda Accord intenders or owners looking for vehicles priced less than $20,000 with more value for the dollar than lots of glitz and glitter.

1997 Buick Century Custom
Wheelbase: 109 inches
Length: 194.5 inches
Engine: 3.1-liter, 160-h.p., V-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
EPA mileage: 20 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway
Pluses: Roomier, more comfortable, quieter version built off larger platform than 15-year-old model it replaces. Technological updates improve the car without overwhelming you. Steering not as vague and suspension not as floaty as previous model. V-6 has “anti-grind” feature to disengage starter if you turn the key with engine running. Larger 15-inch tires replace 14 inches. Dual air bags, ABS, daytime running lamps standard. Excellent mileage.
Minuses: V-6 a tad loud at initial acceleration and only one engine offered. No passenger-side air bag ID on dash. Traction control not offered. Will youth buy an old name?