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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  Great car ... until now! - 1996 Buick Century
  By Kim - February 2 - 1:02 pm

  My car only has 50k miles on it - it has never left me stranded. We recently had an incident where it was in park, with engine running, in someones driveway. After I got out of the car, it automatically locked and about 7 seconds later rolled forward on the uphill driveway. It hit a car in the driveway and a house. Upon impact of hitting the house it unlocked. My 2 children were in their carseats in the back seat when this happened. Mechanic finds absolutely nothing wrong with it. We have had no problems with it before this.

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  Runs good, when it runs - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Jeff - January 26 - 1:18 pm

  Ran good for about 2 years from purchase, however, since then has been nothing but trouble. Catalytic converter had to be replaced, transmission failed also, brakes have had to be replaced twice and tie rod mount bracket broke (according to mechanic, hes never seen that in 20 years of work). Ill never buy another Buick again.

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  Not convinced I didnt make a mistake - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Bob - December 31 - 5:26 pm

  I purchased the Enclave 3000 miles ago...less than a month and I was generally impressed with the vehicle until I drove it under various situations. In a nutshell, any wonderful features I enjoyed have been eclipsed by the incredibly terrible transmission. It is just not a pleasure to drive in the hills of western PA. This transmission does not know how to handle them. Im taking it in this Monday for service, Buick tells me there is a recall for "Transmission Calibration" my suggestion for anyone interested is waitil the bugs are cleared up on this vehicles transmission. It will negate all the beautiful and comfortable features this vehicle has and ruin the driving experience.

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  Current Owner Review - 2001 Buick Century
  By Eugene Smothermon - December 30 - 8:50 pm

  Drives good. Has had to have above average maintence,of braking system, and service warning light system {Example: Service Engine Soon Light,Warning etc.] Some unacounted road noise, from rear of vehicle.

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  Great features - zero reliability - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Kevin - December 27 - 8:40 pm

  I absolutely loved this car - for the first 51,000 miles. Then the left front wheel hub bearing failed. At 59,000 miles, the upper and lower intake gaskets. 64,000 miles the body control module failed. This causes your lights to begin randomly flashing, while your horn begins honking all by themselves. Then the A/C condensor, right wheel hub bearing, transmission, ignition key switch and security module, and now the blower motor speed resistor. Previous GM Lumina had same reliability, even though I maintain my cars. Thought Buick would be better.

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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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  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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  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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  LaCrosse CXS mileage - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By sscott1 - November 13 - 8:46 pm

  Ive had my Lacrosse for about six months now. It is quieter than my 99 Regal was and the ride is smoother. The interior comfort is about the same. My major complaint is gas mileage. It is getting 19.6 average for combined city and highway driving (about 50/50). My 99 Regal with the SC3800 engine got 22-23 mpg. Same driver, same route, different car. Ive seen comments about the performance of the 3.6L engine in the CXS, but my experience is performance is nothing to get excited about. Its better than the 3.8L, but a long way from my 99 Regal GSE.

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  Dont buy this car it has a GM defect! - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Mike Naveau - November 2 - 4:08 pm

  I was schocked to see all the other positive reviews. This car is a ticking time bomb and GM knows it but wont do anything about it. It should have been recalled. They used a plastic plenum part in the intake manifold cover that melts. No getting around it! Possible problems include coolant leaking, head gaskets blown etc, all very labor expensive repairs that will cost in the $800 dollar range. I bought this car used at 48,000 and spent 600 dollars on that repair. Two years later at 75000 spent 800 on a head gasket. Dont buy this car unless you want to keep pouring money through the hole that will develop in the plastic part that GM wont issue a recall on.