Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Buick is one of this country's oldest brands, with a rich tradition of innovation that dates back more than a century. Though long known for catering to retirement-age customers with its full-size sedans, the automaker's lineup now includes SUVs and sport sedans designed to bring younger buyers into the showrooms of Buick dealers.

The company was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, a Scottish industrialist. He built his first car in 1904; called the Model B, it had a two-cylinder engine with an advanced-for-its-time overhead-valve cylinder head design. In 1907, Buick unveiled its first four-cylinder production car, dubbed the Model D. The following year, the Flint, Michigan-based Buick Motor Company was bought by William C. Durant as part of a new company called General Motors. By 1914, all Buicks were built with six-cylinder engines and purchased primarily by upper-class professionals, thus earning the nickname "doctor's cars."

The manufacturer proved itself a trailblazer in the early 1920s when it introduced four-wheel brakes. This technology had been seen before on custom-built cars, but Buick was the first to figure out how to successfully apply it to mass-produced vehicles. Eight-cylinder Buick cars emerged in the 1930s and became immensely popular; these advanced engines received steady improvements for several years. The '30s also saw Buick's introduction of the industry's first rear turn signal to use a flasher.

Models such as the Estate Wagon and the ever-popular Roadmaster kept Buicks happily ensconced in driveways all across the nation in the 1940s. In 1948, Buick introduced Dynaflow, the first torque converter-type automatic transmission offered in U.S. passenger cars. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed Buick continuing to zoom ahead of the curve; it was among the first to offer vehicles with power brakes and steering, and 12-volt electrical systems. The marque was also behind the introduction of the first American V6 passenger car engine and introduced the Riviera personal luxury coupe in the early '60s.

On the whole, though, Buick had made its name as a manufacturer of stately land yachts such as the Electra 225. To meet the changing times, the automaker downsized its full- and midsize models during the 1970s and began offering compact and midsize sedans for the 1980s. During the latter period and into the '90s, Buick changed things up by introducing the Regal Grand National muscle car and Reatta luxury coupe and convertible. But its core product continued to be luxury sedans aimed at an older audience.

Today, Buick specializes in sedans and crossover SUVs and is modifying its philosophy in the hopes of attracting younger buyers. Luxury and class are still common themes, but newer models have European influences in their handling and ride dynamics. As such, many modern Buicks, such as the compact Verano sedan provide a more entertaining drive and more contemporary styling than people might expect from this "old" nameplate.

User Reviews:

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  typical GM quality - 2000 Buick Regal
  By jkornblum - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Exceleent drivetrain and fun to drive. However, be prepared for the poor build quality on the interior. The rattle in my dash board has been fixed twice and still rattles. With the drivers window half way down, you can hear a ticking against the glass. The dealers answer to this probem, "Thats just a characteristic of the car. Sorry, there is nothing we can do". Spend the extra couple of thousand and by the Acura, Honda, Lexus....you get the idea. I wish I had...

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  Good Car - 1995 Buick Skylark
  By JDon - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Very Dependable...easy to lock yourself out of this car. Not easy to get in or out of...short doors. Extremely dependable little car.

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  Buick LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By P. Weiss - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The smooth ride is great, and power from the 6 cylinder is all you need. I have had no problems with the car since I bought it in September. The car has over 7,000 miles on it!

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  best car ever! - 1992 Buick Skylark
  By Robson - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought it with 90K miles and I added now over 105K WITHOUT SINGLE PROBLEM! Never broke, never failed, not even oil leaks, just perfect reliable car. Its sad that the newer cars is the worse are they. 92 skylark is just the best.

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  Alot of car for the money - 1998 Buick Century
  By MYBUICK - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This Buick is the most trouble free car Ive ever owned. I purchased it new in 98 and sold it Oct. 03. Not because there was any major problem because my wife wanted another car. It has a nice ride is quiet and has very good acceleration. The only problem I had was with the heater fan switch. It wouldnt work in the first position. $100 to replace The only thing I would suggest is a somewhat firmer suspension to improve the handling.

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  2000 Regal GS - 2000 Buick Regal
  By ArthurT - December 23 - 2:00 am

  After 3 years, still an enjoyable car to own and drive. Supercharged engine was worth the extra $ for GS model. Interior is comfortable, if a bit uninspired. Monsoon stereo is a nice extra. Overall, a solid compromise providing sportiness in a practical sedan.

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  2004 Buick Regal GS - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Robert Bauer - December 20 - 2:00 am

  The Regal is a stable, reliable, good looking intermidiate size four-door sedan that gives you pride of ownership, along with every day utilization. The GS model package comes with a 240 HP supercharged 3.8 V-six, touring suspension and Goodyear Eagle tires that gives the Regal an impressive performance feel and handling. I previously owned a 1995 Regal for 5 years that had not one problem during that period demonstrating its reliability and quality of workmanship. The Regal final assembly is in Oshawa, Ontario Canada.

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  Good Value and Price! - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Isamu66 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Having driven Regals for nearly seven years now (my first was a 1991 Regal GS) and my new 2001 Regal LS (California Edition), I think I am qualified to say that it is a reliable and good "bang for the buck" car. My last 91 Buick lasted for 250,000 miles with very little problems. The only major problems were the water pump and brakes, but after 250,000 miles, I think thats ok. On my 2001 Regal I have had zero problems for the 35,000 miles I have put on it (with regular maintenance). Not a head turner, but a reliable means of transportation.

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  1997 BUICK STD-RIVIERA - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By Tompro - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Traditonal smooth Buick ride. Reasonable gas mileage & accelateration but definately no speedster.

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  A-bodies are terrific! - 1995 Buick Century
  By occupant1 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  My parents bought this car new in mid- 1996 as a leftover 1995 model with 400 miles or so on it. The car has been all over the country with minor repairs over the last 8 years. The most annoying problem was the belt tensioner for the engine drivebelt. It broke three or four times but hasnt broken in the last 100K, so maybe its fixed right now. Drives like new, I should know, I took my license test in it at 2000 miles.