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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  Good car - 1990 Buick Regal
  By buick03 - December 4 - 11:22 pm

  i bought the car with 162,000 miles. Ran great the whole time,only had a tune up done. I traded it to my father which is extremely rough on cars and it ran 15000 miles with his abuse. Later on he ran it out of transmission fluid and burnt the transmission up...but it still drove..trans needed a rebuild at 178,000..due to no transmission fliud

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  Excellent used car - 1994 Buick Regal
  By 1964ron - December 3 - 11:37 pm

  I purchased this 94 regal several weeks ago, even though this car is used I am surprised how well in shape this car is considering it has over 93,000 miles on it. The ride and engine are velvet smooth, the interior is holding up well. The 3800 engine is rock solid in terms of durability and gets really good fuel economy. this car is more comfortable than my 2005 suzuki. The only things I need to work on are the brakes and get new tires for it. So far this will be a good investment, and my younger co workers like the cool early ninetys look of the car and the ancient technology it has. I hope to drive it till it drops dead or I do.

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  Reliable adult basic transportation - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Pat - December 2 - 1:57 pm

  Purchased used with 68K and now have 93K miles. This is a great inexpensive family car that gets great gas mileage for its size. Ive come to repect Buick as a valued brand name as I age. If you are looking for an inexpensive used car... I recommend a car like this... the only problem is that your kids will not want to drive or inherit it. I have replaced the spark plug wires, the front/rear shocks, and the signal flasher unit. confortable vehicle for long highway trips. 3.1L engine reliable although starting to consume a small amount of oil.

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  Not completely happy with RDV quality - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tracey - December 2 - 12:20 pm

  I just bought my 2003 Rendezvous on October 8. It has been in the garage 2 times in 2 months. Had to have the fuel tank gauge sensor replaced and also the Intake Manifold was just replaced due to leaking back into the engine. So much for the 110 point GM Certified Inspection. I have also been having issues with starting the veh as the ignition doesnt want to release once the vehicle is started, it sometimes continues to crank. I was told that this is normal in GM products manufactured since 2003. Not sure that we will ever buy a Buick product again.

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  Better than Lexus - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Adrian - December 1 - 7:09 pm

  Having looked at all models in this price range I selected the Rainier and dont regret it at all. Quieter ride than Lexus and other competitors and the finish is superb. Mileage was as expected - average 19 overall.

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  Pile of GM Junk - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By John - November 29 - 10:09 pm

  There was a year we had to fix it every month. Water pump, fuel pump, oil pump, starter. Pieces fell off. Once we drove over something that fell off and we blew a tire and damaged the oil pan. Back end made a creaking noise, dealer couldnt figure out why. Once in a while wouldnt start, dealer couldnt figure out why. Rear windows wouldnt roll down unless I sprayed with WD-40. Seat, radio, cigarette lighter broke. Inside fell off passenger door. Interior surfaces peeled off. Recalled twice. Battery bracket broke, battery fell down and cracked, nearly new battery had to be replaced. Engine blew at 99,000 miles. What a pile of crap. Dont walk, RUN from this piece of GM junk.

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  Tiger in sheeps clothing - 1997 Buick Regal
  By Art - November 25 - 4:29 am

  Bought this car for my high school- bound son. We test drove it and he immediately asked me to buy it for him. Good student, good grades etc.. so I purchased the vehicle. Fast and comfortable, his friends are now wanting to purchase one. Wish I had purchased for myself and wife as she prefers to drive it more than her 2005 GTO, says it is more roomy and comfortable.

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  Bought it new - 1995 Buick Skylark
  By jeff - November 25 - 2:25 am

  Wifes car, worst problem so far was the a/c condenser. The front brakes only lasted 20k, then replaced. 3.1 v6 runs great. 85k now. It has been the perfect car for her, I like it too. Suspension is soft.

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  Costly comfort - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By rcshn - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This beautiful, luxurious, roomy Detroit turnpike-mobile has been nothing but trouble. At 37000, I needed $2700 worth of engine work. At 38000, the starter died. At 40000, I had electrical problems with the transmission. The CD player hasnt worked since 1998. I like these big boats. Ive been driving them for 30 years. But my next car is going to be an Avalon, or Saab, maybe an older Lexus or Q-series Infiniti. Never buy this car without the Gran Touring suspension. Expect large repair bills early.

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  Overpriced for this vehicle - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By tony - November 24 - 12:19 am

  Terrible build quality. Noisy,hard riding, terrible glove compartment. Middle seats dont adjust far enough. Engine underpowered. For the money buy the Honda Oddessy. Test drove it after I purchased the Buick, no comparison. Honda wins, big time. My mistake, I should of test drove the vehicle.