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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  I Like Grand Mas Car - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Eddie C - March 11 - 2:06 am

  I purchased my Buick with 143200 miles. Replaced Upper Gaskets ($1420) and Oil Pan Gasket ($220). Replaced LH RWM ($215). Runs Like New. OC every 3K. CV Boots wearing will replace soon. 172500 and counting. AVG 22.5 MPG City / 30 HWY

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  Very Good - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Roseguy - March 8 - 4:19 am

  In 66,000, miles - a clunk in the drivers seat that the dealer fixed under warranty. No other problems or issues. The LeSabre is excellent for long trips because it is comfortable, smooth, quiet, and gets outstanding mileage for a car this size. I always get my tires "trued", and that makes this car even better.

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  Dream car - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Kathleen - March 5 - 7:39 pm

  I bought this from a man who said it was to expensive to drive. I love it! It has been sitting for a year because of the price of gasoline. Have put a new battery in it and I hope to drive it for awhile now. Have thought about selling it, but just cannot let myself too. Would buy another if Buick made one.

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  Leaky Sunroof/Roof - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Culpster - March 4 - 4:43 pm

  We have a 2008 Enclave, and where as I love the basics of the car - the sunroof leaks terribly. I have taken it in three times, every time they say it is fixed and it is not. We live in Oregon, and rain happens a lot here, and this issue is really frustrating. I dont care that it is under warranty - it is a huge inconvenience and frustrations. I would not recommend buying one with a sunroof because I have now read on-line that a lot of people have the same problem. So if you want a nice car with no sunroof, I would recommend it - but with a sunroof I would not.

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  Sarge - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Sarge - March 3 - 10:46 pm

  Not as nice as the Park Ave. Small seats. Not much room in the front seat. Coffee holders not deep enough to hold tall coffee without tipping. No place to put a cell phone. Already having trouble with auto seat settings. Radio not working . Small trunk.

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  244000miles and still going - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Bob - February 28 - 12:01 pm

  After owning this car for 5 yrs. the only thing costly was the fuel pump ($400) inc. labor. The amazing thing is all of the factory exhaust is still in excellent condition,I had the trans fluid changed evey 40,000 mi and never had a problem with it. January cold weather in Mass. can take its toll and that is when the rear brake line went out after a panic stop from a fool not paying attention with his snowblower went out into the road, but the safety system worked impeccably, the car stopped far away from him. the car still uses no oil 1/2 qt. between changes. Hate to part with it,still no rush issues.but how much can you expect from a car with this situation? Am looking for a newer one.

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  The Reason GM is Bankrupt - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Waldo - February 22 - 9:20 pm

  I just dumped mine. In 4 years: wheel bearing twice (the electronic controls for AWD are in the bearing assembly - a lousy design), heated seat burnt out, spare tire safety mechanism rusted shut (could not get spare out one night), and the best of all - valve lifter bolt sheared out of aluminum head. In the same time frame all I did was change the oil in a Honda Accord. A guy in my office also has 2003 and has had even worse problems including head gasket.

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  2nd One Owned - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Happy Buick - February 15 - 7:18 pm

  Bought CXL last Jan. so after a year and about 6,000 miles, it is still a good car. Bought a new CXS in 2005 and liked it so much, bought another one this past year. On the strength side, I like the exterior and interior (dash) looks and its nice ride for these old bones. On the negative side, the gas mileage is putrid at about 17 in town and 25 on the highway. Liked the Lucerne but felt it was too big.

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  Keep Your Warranty - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By BG - February 12 - 10:39 am

  I purchased my Rendezvous in 2007. I needed something big enough for my family but wanted good gas and nice appearance. I dont drive much at all but have already had to replace front lower control arm, front strut bearing on right and later on the front bearing on left. Front rattles and back hatch handle is broken. Interior stains very easily. Not yet at 50,000 miles.

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  My first car - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Emilio parker - February 11 - 6:01 pm

  The car has only broke down on me twice. Once because of the cheap plastic elbows. I replaced them with metal once. Second time because of intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket (front) and tensioner pully. Cheap fixed thought but I love this car because in city I get 28.2 mpg.