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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  Few Suspension and Transmission Concerns - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Cindy - July 22 - 5:05 pm

  I purchase my used Rainier in December of 2007. For the most part I am very satisfied. I have had ongoing stabiltrack issues, and the drivers window keeps coming out of the track. My most recent problem was that the shift sensor, wiring harness and valve body went out at 40,600 miles. I am thankful for the 50,000 mile warranty. I was told that there is nothing that can be done about the window. "Dont roll it down while going down the road". GM and the dealership refused to do a transmission service after my transmission got hot. They had it pulled apart and had the filter in their hand. I love the vehicle, but cant say that I will buy GM because of the service.

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  Electric and Leaks - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By John - July 21 - 2:18 pm

  My car leaked from poor fitting panels on the floor. Cost 750 to get it fixed. Also very poor alternator - went through 5 in five years! Everything else was fine.

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  Eh, must not have got the same car - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By jcran2181 - July 2 - 6:14 pm

  I must not have gotten the same car these other reviewers got! I bought this car used, by a guy I trusted and knew wouldnt give me a bad deal (granted, I did get it used). I suppose most of these reviews are based on dealership bought cars, but this car was just a lemon as is most American cars after they get 100,000 miles on them. It looked real slick for a brutha to go round and jam his music to, it was fun, but I was under the hood every two to three days tryin to fix something. Just wasnt a dependable car. I was suprised how much a car can really fall apart in the span of about 6 months, but then again, its a 96 car in 2008, so maybe it just needed to find a retirement home.

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  Got a Lemon - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Not Happy - June 24 - 10:06 am

  We bought this Buick brand new with 1 mile on the odometer. When we test drove it. It had a vibration .The dealer said it was a tire out of balance and would be no problem to fix. We have had this car for 10 weeks now and have only drove it 10 days out of the 10 weeks now. This is the 4th time in the shop. It has been in the shop for the last 5 weeks now. This car has had the front end realined,the front axles changed, 2 sets of tires. If this is GMC best thin I will have to buy a import the next time. And one thing to add, it leaked on the passager side when it rained. We called GMC to complain and asked for a new car.

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  General Motors Volvo? - 1994 Buick Century
  By Angelo - June 22 - 2:39 pm

  In my opinion, the early to mid 90s versions of the Buick Century and Oldsmbobile Ciera are the closest thing to a Volvo that any domestic manufacturer has ever produced. These cars were rarely redesigned---but instead, they "evolved" with improvements to the engine/drivetrain, interior and safety features. They were internationally mid sized, 4 star safety rated and generally solid, reliable, understated transportation. Auto writers criticized GM for keeping the same basic design for so many years, but isnt this how Saab, Volvo and other European car makers approach things? The Century is a practical size, reasonably economical and with the 3100 V-6, plenty powerful for most driving.

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  Whats with GMs Power Windows? - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob Batch - June 12 - 5:46 am

  Weve had this car for 4 years and it has been mechanically sound. The vehicle averages about 21 mpg with the commute everyday. I have had to replace the left and right front power window regulators ($500 at the dealer-$289 at my mechanic) Then last month the power rear hatch assembly broke and cost another $300 to repair. Hatch assembly was originally covered under a recall but once it was performed in 2004 that "Closed out the recall" and this ones on me. They put in a faulty part and its my fault! I had the same window problem with my 2001 Bonneville, right and left rear regulators had to be replaced.Im entitled to GM supplier pricing but will think twice before buying another GM

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  Chronic problems - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By BooToBuick - May 15 - 10:57 pm

  Boo to Buick. Was thrilled with the Rendezvous for the first year. After that, all downhill. Like many others, the seat cloth stained very badly, rear hatch strap broke, sunglass compartment fell off. Im now about to replace the rear differential for a 2nd time, the front end shimmies badly, and the air conditioning appears to be failing. The car has less than 50k on it. I have an extended warranty and these issues have all been addressed. BUT, its a real pain dealing with these nuisances on a car that, at the outset, seemed so well-built. The gas mileage on the highway is actually pretty good but in town, watch out!

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  Look at the little things - 1998 Buick Century
  By bigdogdriver01 - April 21 - 9:28 am

  My Buick has 102,000 miles on it and it runs great. The engine is tough but its the small stuff like the seats not holding out well, the chrome trim on the front bumber has aleady come off the car and a trim piece on the roof is rolling up. I think in the future when I want a long lasting car Ill stay away from GM.

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  Lemon - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By BNA1JJS - April 19 - 9:02 pm

  I am very concerned with this vehicle. Decided to take a leap into a GMC product in 2005 and made a very costly mistake. Here is a list of the problems I have had with my Buick: Heat shield on manifold loose, fuel sensor bad replaced, steering rack asembly bad replaced, reset toe, misc squeeking front still cant find, wornout idler pully replaced, water pump replaced, rear window fluid sprayer still leaking, rear hatch shocks to weak to hold hatch up still.

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  What a mistake - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By jb - April 12 - 8:50 pm

  Mechanically the worst car I ever owned. The only saving grace was that I purchased the 100K mile warranty. Otherwise it would have cost me thousands in repairs after 60K mile warranty expired. Front wheel bearings (known issue), intake manifold (known issue), excessive inside tire wear (alignments did not help), heater blower (3 times), sheared bolts and head replacements.