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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  The Plenum theory, a story of an intake - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By tony b - August 28 - 12:58 pm

  I have put on 40,000 miles since buying this car. No problems, great ride etc, except two weeks ago I became stranded because of the plenum burned out and coolant was logged in the lower intake causing the piston to stop thus stopping my car in the middle of nowhere. I had to walk for miles before a gentleman stopped and offered me a ride. Why was this part (egr) made of plastic and not metal...to save $.20 on each one? Now its going to cost me over $600. to repair it.. Good engineering. One thing is for sure and that is I will stick with Japanese cars..My last was an Acura and I sold it at 181,000.miles.

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  Could Be Great - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Business Mom - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought RDV instead of mini-van and regretted it almost right away. RDV has great luxury items--air compressor, sound system, leather seats, terrific consoles--but actual hauling space is limited. Third row seat only usuable for small children or if middle seats are removed. The blind spots are AWFUL!! The huge side mirrors, dark glass and back window frames make seeing on the sides a hassle. The gas mileage is poor for city driving and the electrical system is haunted by poltergeist. Im trading this car in for a minivan and I dont think Ill miss it.

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  Eventually all power windows failed - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By exbuickfan - August 6 - 2:53 pm

  The Buick LeSabre has finally been discontinued and hopefully the engineers who designed the power windows have been fired. This overall excellent automobile is handicapped by power window regulators that are poorly designed, badly manufactured and exhibit little or no quality control.

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  Not quite what was advertized - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Mike S - August 5 - 7:31 pm

  This is not a Park Avenue. Was told by salesman this was the replacement. The car is not very comfortable at all after about 45mins, your lower back/rear end really start to ache. Lent the car to my secretary, she made the same comment. Have also had the front air deflector fall off 3 times at highway speeds, which Buick will not replace as a warranty item. Finally tore it off and just drive without it. Heated seats work well, but the AC seat function cools about a 3x8 inch strip of the seat near your crotch, nothing more. If you want a car for long drives, look elsewhere

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  Unhappy - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Unhappy - July 30 - 5:07 pm

  I purchased by 2003 Buick new. At 52,000 miles the stability system is totally gone. My outside drivers mirror is fogging up on the inside (I have the type that automatticaly goes from day to night plus its heated). My heated seat doesnt work. Half the lights in my dash are out. On the way home from our cottage, my radio and air conditioner just cut out by themselves. (I was able to turn them back on.) My dashboard lights dim. My two-tone leather seat split at a seam (very rarely to I have anyone in back). Im so upset with the car Im trading it in for a Toyota. When American cars start being built to last, Ill consider one again. This was our seventh GM product.

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  Never again - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By LD - July 28 - 1:40 pm

  This car is absolutely terrible. Everything except the transmission and radiator has been replaced at least once and many components are the third or fourth generation. The trunk leaks, the headlights are as worthless as candles, 3 alternators, 2 steering pumps, 3 fuel pumps, 4 fuel senders, one PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, one water pump, multiple dash realys, air conditioning controls four times, and a myriad of other componenets. Currently, the rear defogger doesnt work and the fuel guage is out again. Not worth it, even if its given to you.

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  A nice car - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By nicecar - July 9 - 9:34 am

  I bought a 93 Buick LeSabre in Sep. 2002, with 110,000 miles and now (summer 2007) it has 147,000 miles and going pretty strong. The car has been relatively reliable, spending no more than $1,000 per year to fix, usually less. No major problems, engine and transmission are smooth and nice. Of course, other things like a starter, engine wiring, etc. needed replacing, but these are things to be expected for a car with that many miles. The car is noise free and a pleasure to ride, very comfortable and roomy. The handling is not competitive, but then this is not the car to race with. Fuel efficiency is also low, but given what you are getting is good. Overall very satisfied.

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  No major problems until warranty expired - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Marisa - July 4 - 1:54 pm

  Our family purchased this vehicle with 15,000 miles left on the warranty. Within a few thousand miles after warranty expiration, right and left wheel bearings and air condintioning needed repair. Approximately every 3 months since then (over the past 4 years), a major malfunction has occurred, which usually consists of the car not starting for a variety of reasons, including major fuel line corrosion. I dont understand how this vehicle has been reviewed so highly. Most people Ive talked to with Rendezvous have had similar experiences. Our mechanic feels so bad for us that he frequently undercharges for his services.

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  Cant be a luxury car. Only ordinary - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By BYS1435 - June 19 - 10:17 pm

  Good for ride, commute ever day, worse AC, bad mechanical and electrical. It is Only ordinary car, and it cant be in the "Entry Level" luxury car. Buy other brands instead, and stay away with this junk buster.

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  Think Twice Before You Buy - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By 06lucerne - June 14 - 9:06 am

  Ive had my 2006 Lucerne for almost 10 months and am getting rid of it in the next week. Vibration/shimmy issues that will not stay corrected after at least seven attempts to repair and three sets of tires. Also steering wheel issue that has not been corrected and rotors had to be machined already. At a distance, it is a beautiful car but when yous start looking at the details, theyve cut too many corners. Some of the interior materials are of poor quality and some of the design details are downright shoddy. It is not what the Park Avenue was. Make sure you test drive many miles before you buy! If I could do it over, I would have bought a Toyota, Lexus or Acura.