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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  Regal review - 2003 Buick Regal
  By jerry - July 18 - 2:00 am

  A very safe and comfortable to drive. Appointments are easy to reach, find and view. Excellent comfort, handling, and just a pleasure to own as well as drive. Excellent construction, and performance. I compared our regal ls with volvo, saab, lincoln ls, bmx 3 series, and found our buick was a better value than those vehicle I listed. A remarkable vehicle.

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  Enjoying the Buick - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By jose gonzalez - July 18 - 2:00 am

  It has been wonderful to drive this car. Everytime my wife and me go traveling we believe we are "on the air" because it makes no noise, and runs very soft, and when I press the gas pedal its like a jet.

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  2003 Buick LeSabre - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By sTRAYDOG - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Drives and rides very good in my opinion It is big enough that no one picks on it A couple of minor defects were immediately taken care of at my convenience. It has a lack of cup holders. The one it does have holds only small cups The gas mileage is not what I was told to expect. They claimed 29 + on highway. I claim 25 is stretching it. Clock cannot be read.

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  Nice car,typical problems. - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Plainhappy - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Suspension soft to an extreme,O.K.with me. Very good acceleration and fast tight-turn feel,perfect for on/off ramps. Security system with chip in key is a loser,the second place I was towed repaired it,over $300 total. Also a battery terminal was over-tightened and stripped out of the battery case when built,It didnshow up immediately and confused the security system problems.Xmission slipping in 1st@50000 mi.

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  Everything you read is true... - 2002 Buick Regal
  By alogo - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Strong, smoooth, fuel efficient engine. Comfortable interior, needs more lumbar. Lots of toys. Some quibbles: climate control less than intuitive, Smartstalk wiper and cruise combined, no mist function, small glovebox, backseat for kids only, glass in rear window optically "off", embedded antenna weak.

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  buick - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Kathy Smith - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Well I like my car very much it has really good air and handles well.

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  2003 buick centruy - 2003 Buick Century
  By Jan Spidle - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We like the vehicle it has been a long time since we drove a sedan so have had a little trouble getting use to it. We would purchase it again. It rides nice and so far no trouble with it. We only have 4,000 miles on it.

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  320K miles & STILL purring like a kitten - 1990 Buick Century
  By Tmansfield - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car as a high school student in 1994 with 120K miles on it. It now has a whopping 320,000 miles on it (equivalent to driving to the moon and half way back) and I cant sing its praises enough. The only major mechanical problem - I had to replace the transmission at 275K miles but thats it. I call it my wonder wagon, and Im hoping to hit 400,000 miles!

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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2003 Buick Regal
  By andyman32 - July 16 - 2:00 am

  The car had a few minor defects upon taking delivery, mostly cosmetic. It has been 100% reliable, has had absolutely no mechanical or electrical failures, and has a remarkably smooth ride while at the same time offering plenty of performance for being a fairly heavy car. The 3.8L V6 offers plenty of power to maneuver in traffic even at high speeds. I replaced a 1997 BMW 528i with this car, and in find the acceleration to be quite comparable. Contemporary styling of 1997+ Regals also make it attractive for younger buyers. I highly recommend this car as a refined alternative to the Mercury Sable or Cadillac CTS.

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  Electrical Problems - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Robbie - July 16 - 2:00 am

  This car would be a "peach" except that it is very expensive to replace components when dash lighting burns out. Radio is sealed, and when the buttons no longer light it costs $300 to replace. Same for heat/air selectors.