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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  First and Last Buick for Me - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Desert Dweller - February 25 - 2:00 am

  The driver seat does not fit a tall body. Back support is too low, and the seat inhibits circulation. Despite meticulous maintenance this car has stranded me three times, on highways where it is 45-75 miles between towns. Transmission failed at 60,000 mi. ($2,000 repair). Manifold failed at 125,000 ($1000). Power steering bearing froze at 144,000, throwing the belt and leaving me stranded 45 miles out, on a Sunday, in winter. After five hours a super-honest country mechanic came,charging only $136 for the tow, the repair, and an oil change! Never drive without a cell phone if you own a Buick.

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  good - 1994 Buick Skylark
  By beemer1970 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  i like the car but dont know if it will be reliable for me or how long it will last me or how much money i will have to put in it.

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  Great Idea, Bad Result 2002 Rendezous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jfrube - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Rendezous CXL almost 24 months. It was to be a cross between a luxury car and an suv and for the AWD. Mechanically, I am disappointed. I drive mostly highway miles 6 days a week (52 miles round trip). My tail lights developed problems and it took the dealer 4 trys to fix that. Next problem was my airconditioning needed a new condenser. Now at 40K miles my transmission went out. They went ahead an got GM to warranty it with a rebuilt. The rebuilt lasted 50 miles and my car is still in the shop after 13 days. The gas mileage could be better. 18MPG. The engine is underpowered to the weight of the car. A good design gone awry.

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  Too many trips to the repair shop - 2001 Buick Park Avenue
  By linda cowherd - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive made 14 trips to the repair show. Dealership has been awsome, GM stinks. They dont return calls. Did finally provide extenede warranty at n/c but I never got anything in writing to prove it. Dealership finally printed off their computer showing warranty. Repairs made, so far, on doors, transmission, heads up computer, leak in trunk, on star was not programmed correctly, key would not release, lock/unlock buttons on inside car, door panel keeps coming off, engine races and runs rough when starting up..who knows what will be next!

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  A good idea gone bad - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By mayormcmisery - January 6 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle does what its designed to do, but not with the enthusiasm that GM touts. Our Rendezvous is a good people (mainly children) hauler and performs admirably in snowy conditions. Unfortunately, it is plagued with numerous rattles and mechanical defects due to poor workmanship. It stickered at $37,470 and is now worth $16,000 with only 27k on the odometer, 1 1/2 years old, and in excellent shape. Driveability is only marginal, as trying to maintain highway speeds with its anemic engine can produce a sore foot if the cruise control isnt used. The weak engine and high profile contribute to abysmal economy...17mpg average.

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  Never buy used again - 2000 Buick Century
  By jujube - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle a month ago with a little over 53,000 miles on it. Since then, the HI/LOW beam dimmer switch went bad ($400), and the Intake Manifold Gasket broke (another $300) and the ascending unit (gas gauge) went bad ($250 w/labor). This has overall been a headache. And a lot of it is the fault of the dealerships. NEVER BY FROM INTERSTATE 99 AUTO IN ERIE, PA***They are crooks

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  average but lifesaving - 1997 Buick Century
  By littledude30542 - December 22 - 2:00 am

  My grandmother owned this car since new. She kept it flawless and super clean. The car was problomatic at first having an electrical faiulure . All the guages conked out but after that great. But december 2003 she was involved in an accident . She passed out and crashed through a red light but thankfully she survived ,but the car was totaled. But the car was not as bad shape as i thought it would be in .

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  gm has work to do - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By gmworktodo - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car only a few weeks, bought used 40K miles, GM Certified used car...power is great, highway ride is great, all the toys are great..drivers seat isnt all that comfortable, and there are quality issues, have had it into the dealer three times already, once for a new alternator! Annoying dash rattle and squeak from the glovebox when travelling on less than smooth roads. Drivers seat squeaks and moves around when one makes a turn, have had dealer look at that as well, was unable to fix..annoying glare on windshield from top of dash and defroster vent.

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  My Buick LeSabre Custom, 2003 - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By DonLeVine - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The car is Ok as a transportation vehicle but it lacks the improvements in the Limited version. The audio system of the radio is bad and the tone controls are not effective. The climate control in the limited version of the car is much better than the manual control in my custom version. The gas mileage is just awful for driving in Boca Raton, FL traffic.

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  Not to happy - 1994 Buick LeSabre
  By car guy - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car with 112000 moiles on it it was a one owner with all service records. But it has been nothing but trouble since i owned it first the crankshaft sencer went bad then the fuel pump 500 for that. paint is starting to go bad now there is engine problem with it and the dealer doesnt know whats wrong with it . Will i buy another one . No