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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  Poor quality. - 1996 Buick Regal
  By AER - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought @ ~60,000 miles - now @ 87000 miles, it seems to be falling apart. I just put work in, and it now needs more: * Check engine light flickers. New transmission needed. * Wheel squeaks. * Power steering fluid leaks * Coolant leaks, probably stemming from: * Radiator leaks. * Dashboard radio/heater lights are broken/work intermittently. * Gets ~16 miles per gallon. (Verified) * Radiator fan has died. * Spedometer appears unreliable. * Front right door is very difficult to close. * Plastic interior seems frail - breaks easily. * Front right door somewhat hard to unlock. * Dashboard is coming loose - vibrates while you drive. * Tape player eats tapes.

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  My service record - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By fredw - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Parts replaced 14,500 km alternator 28,000 km wiper linkage 33,500 km wiper linkage cover and alternator 36,600 km wiper switch and spark plug wires. 53,800 km defective spark plug wires. 64,853 km water pump and Front stabilizer linkage. 67,751 km spark plug wires. 75,819 km front brakes 89,050 km transmission mount. 103,200 km top manifold gasket ($500.00) 108,311 km transmission rebuilt ($2039.00. Cluster head (instrument panel $400) 117,100 km alternator & tensioner. 118,400 km AC pulley & clutch hub Now at 120,000 km the ABS brakes failure lights indicate a need to change the ABS motor controller ($2000).

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  Excellent car for the money - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By KevinGg - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Not much to tell except that this car was a great value. My 2001 Lesabre has more options, more power, bigger car with good fuel economy, for less than a Camry or Accord with similiar options. For a GM vehicle, it was very solid, no wind noise, and no clunks or rattles. i was surprised by this considering GM is notorious for their squeaky interiors, and cheap plastic parts. The transmission shifts smoothly, and engine has tons of torque. The only thing I do not like over previous models were the seats feel too firm. Only problem so far with the lesabre was the cheap tires that were out of round which came from the factory.

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  Champion Underdog - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By EmeraldGreenSkylark - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Really awesome for a first car. With the V6, outperforms most other cars Ive driven. Stomp on the gas in optimal gear-drop ranges (25-30 for 1st and 60-65 for 2nd) and you feel like youre about to launch. Elegant design, love the color (green). Joy to drive, feels 100% stable even at 90+. Seems like a car people love to hate though. Has needed some expensive repairs.

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  A Dream Car - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By CFever - October 7 - 2:00 am

  It is unfortunate that GM is no longer making the Rivera. It is a very comfortable car that is a joy to drive. I drive 25,000 miles a year and most of it highway and it is great car on the road. The average MPG over time has been 21 miles per gallon and as much as 25 mpg on the highway. The Supercharger is great to have when you need that extra power the car steps out nicely. At 100,000 I just had the first tune up and overall reliability has been excellent.

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  My review - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By t. patch - October 7 - 2:00 am

  In my experience w/ this vehcicle it has been good. It has never let me down and has enough power to get you to what you need to do. Its a great car and if you are looking for a car under $4000 thats luxurious fast and stylish all in the same car, this is it.

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  Not Bad - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By megan - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Really didnt want to get the LeSabre because it looked like a "middle aged" persons car, but my husband is a large man and we needed a car that was plenty roomy. This is the smoothest riding car I have ever been in. You really have to watch your speed because youll be hitting 80 before you know it. Very nice.

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  Not Bad - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Megan - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Really didnt want to get the LeSabre because it looked like a "middle aged" persons car, but my husband is a large man and we needed a car that was plenty roomy. This is the smoothest riding car I have ever been in. You really have to watch your speed because youll be hitting 80 before you know it. Very nice.

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  Century a Great Car - 1995 Buick Century
  By firedawg - October 2 - 2:00 am

  The car has been a great car. We had one transmission problem after 140k miles. Since fixing that problem, the ownership has been uneventful.

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  Great car over the long haul - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By Charles Love - September 29 - 2:00 am

  My LeSabre was purchased new in 1990. I was beginning to believe that I made a mistake with initial problems with the engine computer and freeze plugs rusting out. However both problems were fixed under warranty. After twelve years and 265,000 I found my initial doubts unwarranted. Today this car is still rock solid. I had a the timing chain replaced a few year ago and the 3.8 liter V6 is still as quiet as the day I first brought it home. A very comfortable ride and my pick over newer cars that I own for long trips. This is not a great car however it does what it was built to do beautifully. Thanks Buick.