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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  Deuces GS - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Deuce - October 28 - 2:00 am

  An outstanding vehicle. I purchased my Regal Gran Sport with 70,000 miles on it and have added almost another 40,000 in a yeat and a half. The 3800 engine is probably the finest engine made in this country. Very powerful and smooth. Great ride and handling with good brakes.

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  Buick Regal GS - 2003 Buick Regal
  By mhterrysr - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Buick I have owned in the last few years and this is the best. Great Performance and no problems with it in the first six months.

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  BLAH What a sick car! - 1991 Buick Regal
  By dre9516_69 - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I started driving it and I realized that the air conditioning was blowing out no air! Then after about two hours of total driving the fuel pump went out, then about 10 min after the fuel pump was replaced 5 of my fuel injectors failed, then it was my electronic ignintion modulator, then it was 3 coil packs!!!!!!! In less than a week I had spent 900 dollars in repair, then it started leaking antifreez really bad, so I had it looked at and i was told a frost plug had rusted out, 48 dollars to fix, I had a cracked block! I hate it, I want to crash it into a train cuz watching it get demolished would be the best time I will ever have with this car

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  Low mileage isnt always good - 2003 Buick Century
  By David - October 26 - 8:42 am

  Purchased car 2 years ago, only had 36000 miles on it with all service records. Looked like new. After only 6000 miles the #5 fuel injector stuck open which flooded the cylinder with gas causing the compression ring to break. Due to low mileage I decided to have engine completely rebuilt by a very reputable machine shop. Car ran good for about another 6000 miles and started skipping on #3 cylinder. Inspection revealed valve stem had pulled out of head. In shop again and now so Ill have alot more in car than its worth. The 3.1 GM engine is a piece of junk. PERIOD

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  Look out - 2000 Buick Century
  By cynthia c. coleman - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased at 19,000 from Enterprise Car Rental. The car had been previously leased. 2 cylinders had to be replaced (under warranty). Now at 48,000 miles the transmission needs a $850 repair(Transvalve body is the problem). Transmission service personnel said this type of transmission has caused problems. In the future I will fork up the cash and purchase an extended warranty.

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  Happy to have it - 1996 Buick Century
  By Don Carlo - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car i 2000, it had only 14K M, now it has 63,500 I live in Monterrey Mexico, two hours from the border, this year we had a travel from Laredo, Tx to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, car response EXCELLENT. I wont sell it, I had also an 1988 Century, you can die on it!!!!!

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  Poor quality. - 1996 Buick Regal
  By AER - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought @ ~60,000 miles - now @ 87000 miles, it seems to be falling apart. I just put work in, and it now needs more: * Check engine light flickers. New transmission needed. * Wheel squeaks. * Power steering fluid leaks * Coolant leaks, probably stemming from: * Radiator leaks. * Dashboard radio/heater lights are broken/work intermittently. * Gets ~16 miles per gallon. (Verified) * Radiator fan has died. * Spedometer appears unreliable. * Front right door is very difficult to close. * Plastic interior seems frail - breaks easily. * Front right door somewhat hard to unlock. * Dashboard is coming loose - vibrates while you drive. * Tape player eats tapes.

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  Good car - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Sargon Marsinium - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Regal GS has great acceleration. Front seat could use better back support - I use a cheap back support cushion I purchased for about $20. Horn is small, difficult to hit - and stupidly designed - definitely not a safety feature. Engine seems to be gradually getting louder as car ages. Extremely comfortable car for long drives (with addition of cheap back support cushion). We love the car - good value for the money & super great Monsoon radio.

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  OOHLALA - 1990 Buick Riviera
  By Marquita - October 19 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS DA BOMB! Talk about a head turner! People are always asking me about it and if I am ready to sell it. The engine is very responsive and the car stops on a dime. Rebuilt trans put in two years prior to purchase and was just replaced with another trans. Runs like new!

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  My service record - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By fredw - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Parts replaced 14,500 km alternator 28,000 km wiper linkage 33,500 km wiper linkage cover and alternator 36,600 km wiper switch and spark plug wires. 53,800 km defective spark plug wires. 64,853 km water pump and Front stabilizer linkage. 67,751 km spark plug wires. 75,819 km front brakes 89,050 km transmission mount. 103,200 km top manifold gasket ($500.00) 108,311 km transmission rebuilt ($2039.00. Cluster head (instrument panel $400) 117,100 km alternator & tensioner. 118,400 km AC pulley & clutch hub Now at 120,000 km the ABS brakes failure lights indicate a need to change the ABS motor controller ($2000).