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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  Money pit of a car!! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By cpc0716 - November 29 - 11:01 pm

  I bought this vehicle in 5/02 and the car was reliable until about 25K. After that everything went down hill. Consistent electrical problems where all the lights inside and out go out for 15 sec. Windshield cracked when turning on heat on cold day, 36K. Windshield needed to be replaced $500. Dealership said there was no trauma but would not replace. Windshield wipers collapsed while driving in pouring rain on 95. Ignition switch "shot". Computer board panel needs to be replaced...should I go on? AC does not work. Mileage is poor, handling is poor. Major blind spots. GM is not helpful at all at addressing these issues. Paid 28000, 6K miles. Still owe 17K, worth MAYBE 10K!!!!

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  Problems - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Anyone Else - November 28 - 12:40 pm

  I got the car from my little old neighbor lady, she purchased it new. It had 65K on it when I got it, 15K miles later the air conditioning compressor went out, $800 to fix. Later the transmission went out at 84K miles. I had a used transmission put in and after 16K miles (less than a year) it also went out. A computer at the cost of $400 and several sensors for about $350 were replaced. What really troubles me are the transmissions. I believe the engine to be a solid work horse. I like the car but not the repairs.

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  Unsatisified Rendevzous Owner - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By one bad SUV - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This was my first SUV and Buick. Had a bad sensor the same day I bought it so I couldnt drive it home. A couple days after I got it I noticed it had a delayed starting problem. Took it to the shop 4 times and they found a bad PCV( related to computer system.) They replaced that and I still had the same problem. At times I didnt know if it was going to start or not. Only had this SUV 2 months. I traded it on a Honda Accord. I just hope its not a lemon like my Rendezvous was. Never want another SUV by Buick. They make better cars than SUVs.

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  Exceeded my expectations - 2005 Buick Century
  By Alan1 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Well, I had reserved a compact car to drive to Yellowstone from Saltlake city, but they ran out and gave me this Buick to my big innitial disappointment. I wanted a small gas efficient car for my trip. My best friend got a Ford Focus at the same time. Well, we took out the cars and hit the road at night, inside the Buick looked almost exactly like my Dads old 1984 Cutlas Supreme. The ride was cushy, very quiet and the car felt somewhat underpowered. We drove 150 miles, and the next morning we pulled up to a gas station. To my utter surprise, the Century needed 2 dollars less than the Focus to refill the tank.

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  Wont go the distance - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By buick - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Nice comfortable vehicle BUT DON"T be fooled. At 45000 out of warranty (Glad I got extended) had to replace radiator. Next got sever wind noise dealer said was design flaw after 4 service they finally replaced door hinges. At 48K left front wheel bearing at 54K right bearing and 56K stranded my wife. Thanx for Onstar. Dealers answer to compaints about cost ( Have 200 ded) was I should have know to take 0. By the way dealer has done all Maintenance. Front Brakes are $400 as pad are $120 and rotors can only be had at dealer. It is also underpowered and the interior is fallinf apart. Also value drops like a rock. DO NOT BUY this vehicle.

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  Our 97 Skylark - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By 1819suny - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle in 2003. We all really liked it. However, one year later in 2004 it needed a new water pump. Imagine my surprise when I was told that the cost to replace most water pumps was about $150.00 but because of the way they built this car (quad 4 engine, a very poor design), it would be $640.00! Not only that, but any future repairs would also be very expensive as you practically had to take the engine out to get at anything. Our car repair service would not even look at it because it was so expensive to repair. They told me I would have to take it to a dealer. Well, as much as I liked this little car, I sold it that day!

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  what a nightmare - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By fed up - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Ran fine for a year. Six months ago the plenium cracked and broke, head damage, $1,000 to fix. A month ago, explosion, crunch and a piston connecting rod was shattered (its about an inch thick of solid steel - imagine the force of that explosion!,) pieces through the engine-$1200 estimated to fix. My husband decided to tackle it - car was entirely apart when we got the recall from Buick that fuel adjustment guage was defective. We found fuel in the vacuum lines & that little part caused this. Since car is apart & we bought $500 in parts to fix, dont want to tow it to Buick. RUN SCREAMING from this vehicle.

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  Comfy, quiet, safe, and dirt cheap! - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By gurk - June 25 - 2:00 am

  OK, this thing is no "chick magnet", but its one heck of a deal if you value a quiet, reliable, comfy, and roomy ride. Sure, I like the new E500, but Id rather have the Buick and a trunk full of hundred dollar bills (these things are nearly free!). I also like used Town Cars for similar reasons, but think the LeSabre is likely to be more reliable. Great car, Im a car-crazy Detroit boy who has had every kind of car out there, but this one is a deal.

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  98 buick century - 1998 Buick Century
  By sully39208 - June 15 - 2:00 am

  i had transmission replaced at 80,000-- mechanic told me general motors had trouble with this transmission because it was olds siliohette and chevy lumina- -better transmission parts were put in-- suspension "floats"--recall on head lights--still have trouble driving at night--my vehicle is canadian made

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  Great value - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By tgchew - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle for the price. Only lack is power. Very comfortable. Needs a few more gee-gaws, like GPS.