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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  Love My Buick - 1995 Buick Skylark
  By Hip321 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Im not your typical Buick owner, I bought my 1st Skylark when I was 24, I am now 31. I cant say enough about how I love my Buick. It is safe, reliable and I enjoy driving it. Yes, I too have repaired & replaced my fair share of things, but with over 107k miles on it, thats to be expected. The worst repair I had to make was replacing the transmission at 90k miles. This is my 2nd Skylark, I lost my 1st in 97 in a nasty accident (rear-ended at a stoplight by a 12-ton truck). Since I walked away from that, I was determined to find myself another one.

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  real cherry - 1990 Buick Century
  By greek - September 4 - 2:00 am

  bought this from original owner to make an upgrade on 2000 dodge caravan without spending much to boot.

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  Great Trip - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By seniorone99 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car on Friday and left for a 5,000 mile round trip on Monday. Love the ride and fuel milage. 30.6 going east and 29.3 coming back. I have a problem with the cruise control It just shuts off or doesnt come on at all. Not good on along trip. I had it into the dealer for repairs 3 times and the problem is still there. While at teh dealer 3 more owners of the same car came in with cruise control problems. I am home and hope to get to the bottom. Still love the car,hate the cruise.

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  Love the 2003 Rendezvous - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Melissa1215 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I wasnt ready for a minivan yet so I went for the Rendezvous. Best decision I ever made. Not only does it look great but it handles beautifully. We took it on vacation the day after we bought it, 5 hours in the car and 1 DVD system, not a peep out of the kids other than when it was time to change the movie. So comfortable, smooth ride, lots of leg room, great gas mileage, stereo system rocks. Maybe the engine could use to be a little more powerful, mostly at higher speeds, but most of us owners are people with kids. Exactly how fast do we need to go?

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  I love my SUV - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bernie4455 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Lots of room and fun to drive. The mirrors are fantastic. The Rendezvous is one of the most enjoyable vehicles I have ever owned. I love the sporty looks of it. handles great in rain. For the money I think the cloth interior could be upgraded. And for those who get shocks from the static in the cloth seats, take a downy sheet and rub all over the cloth, it takes the static out.

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  Not a single problem, GREAT versatility - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By J Ferg - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Nothing to do but oil change, tire rotation and enjoy. Even our Volvo and Honda havnt been this reliable. We LOVE the interior bins all around, the cargo capacity, and the versatility of the whole vehicle. Even our dealership has been excellent to deal with.

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  good value - 2002 Buick Century
  By Willem - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Im 32 and I dont have to prove anybody anything so this car drives as a limo, nice handeling love the steering light but direct, perfect American suspension, big trunk but a little to small in the rear bench. great vehicle

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  Buick Reatta 89 Coupe - 1991 Buick Reatta
  By Tom Thomas - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Everything worked when I got the car, and there have been only minor glitches. Rides very quietly but handles well. Sound quality of upscale cassette deck and radio w touch screen great. Touch controls are simple and fun to operate. Gas mileage quickly improved after first month of real driving, to where 28 highway, 19 city is common, and on 87 octane. GM 3800 engine more than adequate on light car. Build quality and paint are fantastic as it was practically a hand made car. About the only thing I fault on this car is that the brakes seem a little weak, and they have been inspected bled etc.

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  Hard to beat! - 2003 Buick Regal
  By gliverson - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This car has just about everything a person could need: comfort, reasonable costs, low maint, good mileage, fun to drive. Not a hot rod, but it handles very well, and is zippy with the V-6.

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  I Love My Car - 1998 Buick Century
  By Campers - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had excellent service, reliability, performance and passenger space. I am buying another one exactly like this one.