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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  1996 Buick Century - 1996 Buick Century
  By RKS - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Replaced warped brake rotor to fix brake surging. Intake manifold gasket leaked coolant into crankcase. Interior design is clumsy and not well thought out. Paint finish on hood has rust pits that developed under paint.

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  Mechanically sound with poor interior - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By ijonb44 - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had very few mechanical problems with this vehicle. It is a basic, reliable vehicle. While it rides better on the highway, it isnt too bad in the city. This car does, however, have one * major* flaw. The interior has been falling apart since I purchased it! The carpet was warn within a year, and most things plastic are either cracked or have falled off. This car is well cared for, and kept in good conidition. When I asked the Buick dealership about this, they did not act surprised. So, if you are looking for reliable transportation, but do not necessarily care what the interior looks like, the Skylark is right up your alley!

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  buick lasabre review - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By joe johnson - May 12 - 2:00 am

  This is excellent car to drive..Have had several issues with quality..glove console door replaced three times because of cheap plastic latches breaking..Outside door handle broke. Compressor on shock system went beserk..and door ajar waring goes off at will..GM cannot figure out problem. Like the car, but becoming iritated at no answer from GM on electrical problems.

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  You guys are kidding, right? - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Enthusiast - April 5 - 2:00 am

  I rented this vehicle while on vacation in Florida. The engine sounds and vibrates like a cement mixer and those brakes. I thought I was going to crash every time I stepped on the brakes, because this car does not want to stop. I had to put 2 feet on the pedal to slow this car down. This is not a safe car and there are better choices, namely the Ford Crown Vic or Mercury Grand Marquis. They are far more powerful with better brakes and more comfortable. It is no wonder why GM cant sell any cars (note that I said cars, not trucks).

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  2001 Buick LeSabre Limited Scares - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By ib - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I began to have steering problems about 1500 miles into my ownership of this auto. At highway speeds it would suddenly feel like I was hydro-planing or hit a patch of ice. It felt as if the back end wanted to go one way and the front end another and turning the steering wheel had no effect for a couple of seconds. They have re- aligned the tires and found one that was defective and replaced that one. This problem began after I made a hard stop, but not an emergency stop, and the "Traction off" light came on. No matter what I tried (even turning off the motor), I could not get that light to go off. They found a problem with a wire and the brakes. It still does not drive right.

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  Welcome to dullsville - 2002 Buick Century
  By donoby - March 14 - 7:48 pm

  I recently rented one for a weeklong roadtrip. The car is compentent and best on the highway, but I would never buy one. The interior is soft and comfy, the controls are mostly in the worng places. At one point we seated 6, but not comfortably. Five works fine. The ride is soft and spongy, typical American car feel. The engine cruises on the highway but sputters when you try to pass or climb hills. The ride is quiet and smooth. Driving on tight turns in this thing is a nightmare.

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  Rides like a swaying lumber wagon. - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By will - March 3 - 10:40 pm

  Have had nothing but problems with the suspension with this car. It rides like an old "lumber wagon", swaying side to side. Had new struts installed, still does not help. It is just the "Buick" ride, and/or GM ride. GMC really messed up when they changed the suspension from the older 80 models.

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  The Worse Buick I Ever Had - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Ron Tarigo - January 14 - 1:40 am

  This is my second Park Ave Ultra, and it is the worst. The gas mileage is the terrible. Suspension! You feel every crack and hole in the road. Outside sounds! You hear it all. Acceleration! Forget it. You need to press down all the way on the gas pedal to get it to accelerate. Steering! To make this car make a sharp turn, forget it. A sharp U turn it cannot do. A sharp turn into a parking space, after 3 to 5 up and backs you can get in the parking space. This is not a Park Ave Ultra. This is a car that was thrown together and put out to sell. I still have my 99 Park Ave Ultra and I will take it over this one any day. I leased the 2005 for 3yr. I wished I bought it so I could get rid of it .

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  What a disappointment! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By RBorrell - January 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT! I WOULD SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. I LOVE THE SIZE AND COMFORT OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUT THOSE THINGS ARE OVERSHADOWED BY THE POOR RELIABILITY OF THE CAR...AND GMs POOR RESPONSE.

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  Vibrations - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By B Belcher - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I traded a 1998 Park Avenue, which I loved. I have been very disappointed with this 2003. The ride is extremely rough. Vibration is terrible. My dealer has replace all four tires, drives a little bit better, but still does not have the ride & drive that my old one had. I am looking to trade and it probably will not be for another Buick!