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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  In its own league - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Bobw - February 11 - 6:13 pm

  Bought this car for my wife (she loves it), and to be fair we have not had it but for a few weeks. I was looking for the great American convertible, something like a 1960s Buick LeSabre or Pontiac Catalina, but alas the big, roomy American verts are long gone. I was going to get a 2 series BMW (tiny back seat) or a CPO E350 (same price, 4 years old) convertible, but I went to see this car, too. Glad I did. This car has a comfortable, adult-sized back seat, big trunk for a vert, drives well, has wonderful front seats, and looks great (blue with the cream interior). It feels solid. Despite some of the pundits reviews, the car feels plenty quick if not sports car quick (this car is not a sports car but a cruiser, which is what I wanted). The top works like a dream and the car is very quiet with the top up. Bose stereo is solid. The few negatives are no memory drivers seat; the low profile 20 inch tires can be jarring on rough pavement; rearward view with the top up is poor; and it is not really an American car, despite the nameplate. Some others have complained about the gadgets in the car like nav and lane change assist, but I have an I-phone for nav (although the Buicks nav works okay) and I can drive without some electronic nanny steering my car. As far as they go, these gadgets work okay, but I do not need them or want them on this or any other car. If you want a relatively affordable convertible that looks great and makes you smile, this could be your car. Update: Have had the car for about six months and we have loved every minute of it. Great car.

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  Dangerous - 1997 Buick Regal
  By George Connor - February 10 - 2:00 am

  In the last 3 months our steering went out on my family twice putting us in a very dangerous position. Did GMC stand behing there product-"no" my vin identification is not within the range of the federal recall. Please do not buy a GMC product if you value your safety. I have my car waiting for its second repair, but i refuse to put my family behind the wheel(or lack of) again. I have a useless Car.

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  Great car - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By memememememememe - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for 2 years and have not had any problems at all. Great dependable car

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  I will probably die first. - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By smpl_gifts - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my parents at about 80,000 miles and it has not let me down once. At 162,000 miles it burns no oil and still can accelerate briskly. Mileage is about 28-30 on the highway even at high speeds No one ever believes this Road and Track even had an article about it!!! Suspension is WAY too soft and this makes the car uninspired enough so sometimes I want to get rid of it, but I should never get rid of a reliable car, I will regret it down the road.

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  Riding in style - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Clover - February 2 - 2:00 am

  My 4th Buick with my last being a 1997 which was more quiet than this 2003. The engine seems noisey when accelerating. Alernator has a whining sound that is very annoying and needs to be fixed by GM. My dealer said they are working on it. As for reliability that remains to be seen.

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  Great car!! - 2000 Buick Century
  By funeralguy - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This Buick Century is the best car I have driven in my 38 years of driving. It is excellent on long trips and gives great gas mileage, and I have not had any problems with it.

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  Minor Problems overall OK - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Ben2 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Upon purchasing this vehicle at 81k I had to replace tensioner pulley. Now suspension is squeaking and car is loosing major amounts of coolant into engine (not external!)and this has caused it to knock. Not to mention paint peeling off center cap of wheels, and tail light bulbs falling out of socket. However, to be fair the car gets wonderful mileage and the room is very nice. Great acceleration.

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  so far so good - 2002 Buick Century
  By tessi - January 28 - 2:00 am

  ITS a nice car for the price,a little plain jane on the outside,but drives well and is very quite.

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  PROBLEMS - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Metzman - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 used in July 2002. w/ 24,000 mi. put 20,000 mi on it Ive had to fix or replace in 6 months: 4 tires, very cheap generals (shaky) 2 - power window units (there should be a recall on this from GM)very common problem 1 - fuel pump 1 - coil and a set of plug wires (not covered in warranty) very common problem with these cars. 1 - tranny cellenoid. + $60 re- allingment had to drop the tranny to replace the cellenoid. GM uses cheap electrical parts: Warning! * problems in the remote steering wheel controls. * warpping and leaking plastic intake manifolds.

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  5 Days & Already in Love - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By Ms. Red - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car last week and I already love it. The ride is the smoothest I have ever had. This is the only car that I have ever had that I feel extremely safe in. It is so big and drives so responsively. Also after 13 years all the power accessories still work! I will definitely be keeping this car for a very long time.