The Detroit News's view

If there’s an automotive version of a Norman Rockwell painting, it’s probably the Buick Century. The Century nameplate has been used on a variety of Buicks over the last 61 years, which happens to be roughly the median age of current Century buyers.

The General Motors division hopes to keep those old-timers happy with the redesigned 1997 Century Custom sedan, but at the same time lure Taurus defectors and younger folks aged 45 to 59.

To test the car’s appeal with both age groups, we took pains to let Anita’s dad and Paul’s mom (both in their early 70s) get a ride in the latest Century, which now shares nearly all its body panels and many of its parts with the ’97 Regal. And because we’re both edging closer to 45, we figured our impressions would be valid for the younger target audience.

The good news: Anita’s dad, a slightly disgruntled ’96 Taurus owner, loved it.

The bad news: Thumbs down from Paul’s mom, who prefers her GMC Sonoma 4×4 pickup.

And now a word from the baby boomers …

She: We had a shaky start in the Century when my dad and I drove it. The automatic transmission shift lever was sticky and hard to move, and he thought something was wrong with the car. I had to lean over and give it a yank. Now, keep in mind that my dad is still a strong, tough guy. And that made me think – what about the older woman with arthritis? Is there enough ease of operation to justify a Century purchase? Or was the sticky lever just a quirk with our test car?

He: The trunk lid is also hard to pull down.

She: We didn’t try that. But in the end, my dad said he loved the Century because it had a smoother ride than the Taurus. But to me, the ride was too downy and boatlike. In short, I had my doubts about the Buick, especially after putting about 600 miles on it driving to a family wedding.

He: My mother hated the ride. Said it made her sick.

She: I’m beginning to see how our parents created the perfect He Drove, She Drove. Good thing there wasn’t cloning when we were born.

He: Baaa. OK, my mom’s first reaction was positive. She said the front seat felt like the armchair in her living room. And it does. But she prefers the ride of her old truck, which is a little more peppy and lively. So GM can’t assume that all older folks enjoy the Century’s marshmallow ride. Or that people like me will buy into the whole Century concept. Talk about cloning.

She: What’s the problem with the Century concept? Let me play devil’s advocate.

He: I’m too sheepish.

She: The new exterior shares a family profile with the Park Avenue, which a lot of people think is a nice car. And you get a lot of value for the money with the Century. It’s a six-passenger car, but manages to stay under the average $21,000-plus price of a new car. Century has standard power door locks and windows. It has standard air conditioning plus an air filtration system. Just about the only thing we didn’t have o n our test car was standard power mirrors, but Buick is rectifying that and in a few short weeks will make that item standard on Century. So what’s your problem?

He: I thought General Motors had sworn off doing look-alike “cookie cutter” cars. The Century is built on the so-called W-body platform that’s the basis of several mid-size GM cars, including the new Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Intrigue and Regal. So you’ve basically got the same car plus or minus a few details. It’s GM’s version of the movie Multiplicity – but not nearly as funny.

She: Not quite. The cookies all have different frosting. I don’t have a problem with that. You get standard traction control on the Regal, but not on the Century. GM says its research showed that longtime Century buyers won’t get in situations where they’d need the extra grip of traction control. They don’t go out for milk in snowstorms because they’ve been watching the Weather Channel all morning and know better.

He: atching the Weather Channel is a prerequisite, I think I’m sitting next to a potential Century buyer right now.

She: So you don’t get traction control on the new Century, but you get standard antilock brakes to appeal to the target Century buyers who have kids, are better educated and make more money. Confusing? I think I understand it.

He: Why didn’t GM just make one terrific car instead of four or five confusing ones? I’ve driven the Grand Prix and the Intrigue, and they’re both great cars. I’m not sure why the Century doesn’t measure up.

She: I had more practical problems with the Century. Like the fact that the beige upholstery on the test car seemed to pick up dirt too easily. It had the nap of a polar-fleece blanket and little pattern to hide grime. And we weren’t even beating it up like we could have because we were in our Sunday best for a wedding. And there are no standard cupholders in the rear, only optional ones, which is a real mistake for a sedan that tries to bill itself as family-friendly. When it was my turn to ride in the back, I held a dripping Wendy’s Frosty in my hand for about 100 miles, wondering where I should stick it. Oh, and the rear-seat heat ducts are worthless.

He: Buick told us this was an early production model, so I hope the quality is getting better as they build a few more. I was not impressed with little details like the excess flashing left on the plastic pieces, and the way the trim didn’t seem to fit together well at all on the instrument panel and the doors. The whole cabin had a really cheap look and feel to it – not at all in the same class as the Regal, Grand Prix or Intrigue.

She: Almost as if the Century were made by a different company altogether. If only it didn’t look almost identical to the Regal.

He: Dynamically, the car isn’t bad. The familiar 160-horsepower 3100 V-6 with standard automatic transmission is pretty decent, and makes more than enough power for most owners. And the Century’s fuel economy – 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway – will be good news to buyers who value gas mileage over performance. You want a supercharger? Buy a Grand Prix or a Regal. You want a better car for the money? Check out the Chevy Malibu or the new Oldsmobile Cutlass.

She: My dad told me not to be too hard on the car, so I’m giving it two stars.

He: My mom told me to be tough on it, so I’m giving it two stars.

1997 Buick Century Custom

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, six-passenger sedan.

Price: Base, $17,845; as tested, $19,785 (including. $550 destination charge).

What’s new for ’97: All new.

Standard equipment: Power doors, power windows, air conditioning with air filtration, rear window defogger, battery rundown protection, lockout protection, remote keyless entry, lighted visor vanity mirrors, rear seat heat ducts.

Safety features: Daytime running lights, antilock brakes, dual air bags, child-p roof rear-door locks, adjustable shoulder-belt comfort guides (front and rear), optional integral child seat.

Options on test vehicle: 15-inch aluminum wheels ($325), integral child seat ($100), radio with power-loading cassette $25), speaker system with concert sound ($70), rear window antenna ($40), premium package SC ($830) including front-and-rear carpet savers, cruise control, rearview mirror with map lights, trunk net, radio with clock and six-way power driver’s seat.

EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

Engine: 3.1-liter V-6; 160-hp at 5200 rpm; 185 lb.-ft. torque at
4000 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Competitors: Ford Taurus, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 626, Mercury Sable, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry.

Specifications: Wheelbase, 109.0 inches; overall length, 194.5 inches; curb weih,33 8 pounds; legroom, 42.4 inches front/37.5 inches rear; headroom, 39.3 inches front/37.4 inches rear; shoulder room, 58.0 inches front/57.1 inches rear.

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $964.

Rates based on an average family of four from the Livonia area whose primary driver is aged 40 with no tickets who drives 3-10 miles each way to work. Rates reflect multicar discount and, where appropriate, discounts for air bags and seat belts.

Where built: Oshawa, Ontario.