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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  had to buy a nother one - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Meatman - July 6 - 2:00 am

  had a 95 and was very pleased with it tdaded it for a durango boy was that a big mistake

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  Not Your Grandmas Roadmaster 94-96 - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By BlueBeasst - July 5 - 2:00 am

  The 94-96 roadmasters feature a highly Tweakable Corvette engine also know as the "LT1" at stock it is 260hp but with little effort and a few hundred dollars it can easily be 300. it rides like a dream and has the power of a corvette, a big trunk means some room for some subwoofers if u would like, all i can say is HAVE FUN! go testdrive a roadmaster!!

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  Rendezvoux is great - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By bdc94@sbcglobal.net - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Our Rendezvous is great to drive, fun to ride in and a great value for consumers.

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  Love at first drive!!! - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By eril - June 30 - 12:43 pm

  Ive had this car for a week now with 123,227 miles on it and im in love with it. The ride is better that most european cars ive had before. Im a sales man so i drive arround a lot and this car makes me enjoy the road more each time i drive it. Its very good on the gas too and fits all my family comfortably. All it needs is a good paint job and it will look like new!!!

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  Electric Windows - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Ron Dee - June 30 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I love the car for travelling, long distance and around town. The major flaw has been the high failure rate of the windows raise/lower assembly. In less than four years, all four windows have failed/broken at least twice and some three times. We have reached a point of being afraid of lowering any window for fear it wont raise. The most recent failure happened last week to my wife. She decided to try lowering the rear left window since the inside of the car was so hot from the desert sun. Bad move. Down once and it wouldnt raise. The little flip of the switch cost me $492 and change.

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  Excellent SUV!! Thank You Buick!! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Reeseboy - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Buick Ranier for about two months now and I simply love it!! It gives you somewhat the feeling that you do own a truck in city driving but yet extremely comfortable and easy to handle. On the interstate quite honestly, I can compare its handling and comfort to my 03 Cadillac Deville. The Ranier is such a joy to drive!!

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  Better Made Jag / Everything a Caddy Is - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Happy in Texas - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Fanastic vehicle, well made and fun to drive. Also dealer offered easy and painless car buying transaction. Has the curvy looks of a Jag and all the features found in a Cadillac for $20,000 less!!

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  Beautiful vehicle, couldnt ask for anything better!!! - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By rob208 - June 25 - 11:45 pm

  I have a 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra Special Edition in white diamond tricoat and it is the most beautiful car Ive ever seen. The ride is very smooth, the seats couldnt be more comfortable, and everything is automatic, from the windshield wipers, lights, and much more. If you buy this car, you must get the Ultra with the supercharged engine, it is a rocket and flies effortlessly. This is not a car just for elderly people, I am under 20 and love this car, it is an eye catcher and is often mistaked for a Cadillac. It is absolutely gorgeous vehicle that drives great, gets 30+ mpg on the highway, plenty of room, and is a very reliable AMERICAN car. Very highly recommend.

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  Go with a winner - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Joe Martins - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd buick lesabre and this one by far is the greatest. Ive had a 1992, 1999, and now a 2004. Each year I have seen a great change in the handling and workmanship. The Paint finish on the 2004 is the best that I have had. All the sheetmetal is perfect, the fits in and out are outstanding. For the money it is a good value.

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  Comfortable cruiser - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Randy - June 19 - 5:26 pm

  A dream to drive. Terrific highway mileage, apporaching 30 mpg. Comfortable seats and good sound system make long-distance driving a dream. The car is so well engineered that on straight roads, it drives itself; and Im along as a safety observer. Its a shame the resale value is poor, for its a better car than many with better resale, including one with all intitials as a name. But Ill never sell this car, so its of no relevance to me.