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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  O.K. Car - 1994 Buick Century
  By Pat069 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my grandmother and it was okay at first, a basic, bland Hertz Rent-A-car. But Im glad i got rid of it at the 100,000 mile mark cuz the tranny was going

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  average American car with surprises - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By cirius_phun - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Theres nothing spectacular about this car. The "sell" was that it drives like a car even though its an SUV. OK, for the most part thats true. Passengers in the back have a different story (see suggested improvements). It doesnt have a lot of spunk - you dont feel it accelerating, but you do find yourself at highway speed more quickly than you think. It certainly does not have a sporty feel. All that said, we pulled a 3,500 pound pop-up trailer 8,800 miles around the US last summer, including climbing Tioga pass (14,000 ft, I think). This car never overheated once. I was surprised that its such a little workhorse.

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  Used 1993 Buick Skylark 4-door - 1993 Buick Skylark
  By dogeye - April 14 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this Buick in 1998, it had about 60,000 miles on it. It is now 2003, and I have only had to take it to the shop ONE time. This car just keeps on running without missing a beat. Ive owned Chevys, Olds, Fords... the Buick is the best-made family car in America. Have your car checked over when you buy it at the shop, and get them to look at the headlight switch in the steering column mine failed. Change hoses regularly.

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  No I wouldnt really rather have a Buick - 1991 Buick Century
  By Donna6263 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  My parents bought this car brand new in 91. While still under warranty(thank goodntess) they had to have 2or3 of the fuel injectors replaced and a fuel pump replaced twice.Sold bought it from my parents @68,000. Have had to replace 2 more fuel injectors, computer(twice), several sensors, TCC selenoid,(car will still stall or start bucking at low speeds for no reason)water pump(3 times).This car has always been serviced by the dealer it was bought from, maybe we just got the lemon!!

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  Disappointed-Interior noise - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Jack/Pa - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Nice car but fit and finish is poor. Lot of dash rattles.

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  Dannys review of an overated car - 2000 Buick Century
  By danny1 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Well, I have 44000 miles and my transmission I believe needs to be replaced. My power motor window is ready to poop out. I replaced a tie rod end already....My wiper blade stopped in the middle of the window so I had to have that replaced. The cars motor sounds like a coffee pot purking in the morning. Very noisy. The glove compartment has no room to speak of. The head rest is to high and restricts my view. Car is terrible over the bumps. New tired helped a lot. The radio reception is just terrible.

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  Alternator Noise/Bad Seats - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Jim Miller - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Annoying alternator noise in cabin...Buick is aware of it but they are in denial and wont do anything about it. Trunk leak (common in LeSabres) and airbag module replacement in the first 5000 miles...other than this its ok. Need to upgrade General OEM tires. The fabric seats in the Custom are easily the worst Ive seen. Seat too small...not contoured well and they wrinkle and come loose. Ive replace drivers side covers already (ref to Bulletin)

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  Bland, boring and vanilla - 2003 Buick Century
  By steeplejack - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I think the title says it all! Yeah, small glovebox, too high trunk loading, yada yada. But with a 23k sticker, this is my granfathers buick and it is boring.

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  If your over 6 tall dont buy this car! - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By Mojowill - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is a grocery getting rocket with power to spare. Ufortunately it was designed by and for the 7 dwarfs. Anybody who is over 6 feet tall will be VERY VERY VERY uncomforable in this car. The rear seat is all right but the front passenger seat is unbearable! Shame on you GM!

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  The regal Regal - 1993 Buick Regal
  By stvkrenim - October 5 - 2:00 am

  This car had the 3.1-Liter V-6. That gave it enough power to briefly chirp the front tires under hard acceleration, but highway passing response is sluggish. Automatic was blissfully smooth. 4-wheel-disc brakes seemed no better than a disc/drum setup, mushy pedal feel. Strange dash had tiny gauges spread nearly halfway across the cabin. Fake wood looked fake. Quiet at lower speeds, but highway noise borders on excessive. Ride is supple, but floats and wallows far too much for a modern car.