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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  my 2010 Buick Enclave totaled in electrical fire - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By fire5 - February 14 - 12:58 pm

  I have an attorney because of all the electrical failures. Then last night as I was driving home the car shut off and went up in flames.

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  Most expensive total repairs on any car ever owned - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By mikomb - January 5 - 4:57 pm

  We have put almost as much in repairs into this car in the past 10 years than we paid for it, slightly used. At 130K miles has had the following replaced: 2 transmission rebuilds, $5k. Entire front end rebuild, $1.2k, 6 window regulators, $2.4K each at street value, engine computer, $400, hydraulic engine mount, $300, UCV joint, $400, all new wheels needed, $600. Rusting is unbelievable. Car rattles peretually during acceleration, shakes horribly at high speeds. Feels like a 30 year old car. Dash is completely separating and folding up in front of windshield. Numerous other repairs. Interior plastic parts falling off. Of 3 Buicks owned, each one literally fell apart (rust, bumper, trans)

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  The Money Pit - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By almc224 - December 27 - 11:12 am

  I many years in driving cars and working with the, Ive never seen a money pit like the Buick LaSaber. It has caught on fire three times. while Im driving on the freeway. No accessories can be used or you will have to run for your life. Weve been always a Buick fan...until now. Never again will we buy, rent, or as to lend a Buick. GM...RIP.

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  Inside out something breaks every month - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By mimaw67 - October 20 - 6:07 pm

  Since i have bought this car I have had to have 2 of four doors fixed one wouldnt open other had the handle come off, The power window regulator went out! Motor mounts broke & Now transmission going out! The plastic around the front seats have all broken! Not a car to have, more issues then any other car i have had!

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  Enclave To Many Problems to List - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By veryunhappy4 - August 20 - 4:29 pm

  Without going into great detail, I’ll list some of the problems with my 2009 Enclave. Power steering went out parts where changed, Timing belt was adjusted then replaced, Transmission adjusted at least twice, Car rolls backward in drive, (Unable to be corrected) per GMC, Engine problems, A/C smells musty, later: A/C working properly, Shorted out turning signal and reverse light, Sun roof leak, Exterior doors-laminate peeling off, Bench seatbelt locks and can’t be used, Paint peeling off of buttons of radio and a/c controls, Very loud cabin noise when back windows are down, these are some of the issues I can think of off of the top of my head. I stopped counting my return trips to the repa

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  Good car but expect problems - 2000 Buick Century
  By linnylovescars - August 16 - 2:10 pm

  I am 21 years old and my Buick Century is the first car that Ive ever owned. I inherited from my dad, and its been on the road for over a year now. We bought it in 2002, when it was retiring from being a rental car with 14,000 miles. Its been in the family since then and so have 2 other Buick Centurys. In recent years, the Buick had been sitting in the yard for over 3 years. That was not good!. When first having the car in my possession, all the sparkplugs stopped working when I was in the middle of the city. Everytime I drive the engine does not want to speed enough, or does not speed up at Its a good car, although I wish it had a more modern look.

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  Self Accelerates - 2011 Buick Regal
  By furys - August 15 - 3:16 pm

  In spite of my Regal being a German made car, I am not a troll, competitor, or foreigner. I actually drive this 2011 Buick Regal Turbo in Denver. We paid a whopping $28K with a sticker price of $33K in July 2011. The dealership we purchased this car from, GO Buick Park Meadows, refuses to repair it. GM sent a third party specialist to verify the problem last month and we have yet to hear back from Buick. Yes, I put my right foot on the brake when starting the car. It randomly self accelerates when in park, reverse or drive. The dangerous acceleration problem persists. Sadly, my family just cant continue driving this dangerous car. Post if you have the same issue with your new Buick Regal.

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  Dangerous Regal Turbo - 2011 Buick Regal
  By furys - July 4 - 10:51 pm

  We returned the car because of erratic idling between 10,000 and 30,000 RPM without touching the accelerator upon starting, both cold engine and starting in between routine errand stops throughout the day. I identified this problem as dangerous and the vehicle seemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle nearly stalls when entering the freeway and passing. We want to return the car because it is unsafe to drive with random self acceleration, a defective driver side windshield washer sprayer and defective mats that unclip while driving. These problems are all serious safety hazards. The car was scraped and dented six times because of this. I left it at the dealership this week but they only refereed

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  Car makes a loud noise when starting/also stalls at times - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By lacrosseowner1 - June 25 - 3:22 pm

  I bought my 2011 buick lacrosse last year. Im very dissatisfied,,, this car has been to the dealership three times already. The car makes a loud annoying sound immediately after starting it. It has stalled on me several times and at times doesnt seems to be able to get enough power to make it go.. This will be my first and last Buick. Looks can definetely be deceiving

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  LaCrosse Lemon - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By lacrosselemon - June 6 - 1:30 pm

  I purchased a new LaCrosse for $44,000 and are having major safety problems. The power steering has been worked on and replaced numerous times and is still making noises. The exhaust system had to be replaced after numerous times at Crown Buick and finally was replaced at 3 months. The car will not start intermittently. This has happened on numerous occasions and the service department manager nor the mechanics can fix this. The trunk pops open while driving and the latch was replaced. Crown Buick and GM are aware of these ongoing problems. GM offered to replace the vehicle but has not done so to date. The car has less than 5,000 miles. I am a prisoner to my home because of this car.