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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  rend-5/04 - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By jeff/june - February 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever taken on road trips. You can ride for miles and miles and get out the the vehicle refreshed. Do not waste your money on the 2nd row captain chairs. The standard split rear bench is very comfortable and adjustable

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  Nothing beats a V8!! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By yukon - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I drove the 6 cyl and then the 8 cyl back to back on test drives. WOW! What a difference. The V8 only gives you 15 more HP and 50 lbs/ft torque but it drives like a whole different vehicle. I needed the V8 to tow our 5200 lb travel trailer and it does well towing it.(with Weight Dist. Hitch) The Rainer does it as well as the Silverado I traded in.

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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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  Girly Chic! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By pirtfest - February 25 - 2:00 am

  As a very feminine woman, it surprises me that I chose a Rainier. I had been looking at the Cadillac CTS and test drove the Rainier. I was hooked immediately. It rides like a sedan, its easy to get things in and out of the rear hatch, and folding down the seats is easy. Gary Bibb at Dutton Motor Company in Riverside, CA did me a real favor by showing me this vehicle.

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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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  My Rainer - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Hopey - February 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is awesome. I could not be happier. Its fun to drive and comfortable on longer trips. I also have a 97 Lesabre that is still going strong. I got rid of an Expedition for this Buick Rainer and would do it again in a heartbeat.

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  gm quality, same old story - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By charles brunner - February 23 - 2:00 am

  weve driven gm cars for over thirty years. they have been very reliable. the comfort, security and great milage assure that the tradition will continue. each time we get a new lasabre we how they can get better. then we get a new one and find out. my wife especially likes the moisture sensor. ours is loaded and i cant imagine wanting any- thing more in a vehicle.

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  She gets me there & back! - 1994 Buick Skylark
  By Lil Bobby - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to last a year. When purchased, she had about 188,000 miles and needed a little work. She needed need brakes, calipers, the whole bit. Next, were the wheel hub assembly. I hope to keep this car for a while. It runs great. I will hope to clean up the interior with new seats, ceiling frabric, and transmission overall and fix oil leakages.

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  - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By dit0mat0 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Very fast, comfortable drive, real luxury at an affordable price.

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  I miss my Buick - 1994 Buick Century
  By KARed - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1997 with 55k miles on it. It was my first car. It was one of the most reliable cars Id ever had. Up until it was killed, Id only had minor repair work done that included: muffler (it had a hole), transmission lines, hoses, maf sensor, 02 sensor, alternator, battery, and fuel pump. It was killed in a vicious rear-end wreck. There were other minor problems such as one of the window motors needed replacing and the left blinker started giving me some problems, but it never gave me any major engine or tranny problems. But at over a 150k miles, some minor issues are expected. I mourn my car still.