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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  bobs review - 1999 Buick Century
  By besegrell - April 15 - 2:00 am

  In July, 1999 I contacted my local Buick dealer via email & told him what I was looking for. In a few minutes I learned that what I wanted, (with exception of a $75 stripe on the side)was on his lot. I did not dicker on the following offer $200 over invoice $1500 rebate $500+ credit from GM Card.

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  MY REGAL COUPE - 1991 Buick Regal
  By KBRACERO - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A REAGL CUSTOM WITH A 3800 ENGINE IN IT . IT HAS 77000 MILES ON IT. FOR A 91 THATS PRETTY GOOD .IT RUNS LIKE A TOP IT HAS NOT DISSAPOINTED ME IN ANY WAY.ALOT OF POWER AND GOOD LOOKS.

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  LaSabre Lover - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By Jim OBrien - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I have 105,000 on my Buick now and wouldnt trade it for anything else. Its everything I want in an automobile.

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  Cheap Car, Good Value - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Lynda Marie - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our Regal 2 years and have had zero problems at over 36K miles. Just put gas in and the regular oil change. I had Hondas up to this point and almost died when my husband suggested a Buick. Since we bought used, it was cheap and has good performance. We live in Colorado at 7,000 feet and we have plenty of punch in the mountains. If youre considering a cost effective alternative to a Accord or Camry, I would suggest looking at the Regal.

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  1998 Century - 1998 Buick Century
  By Jeff Nade - April 12 - 2:00 am

  The strong points of the car are reliability and a soft comfortable ride, which are the two reasons why I bought the car. Vehicle tends to bounce when going over bumps. Handling is soft and not precise.

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  My First Buick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Chuck - April 11 - 9:33 am

  Ive had my black/black CXS just over two weeks and am mostly happy. The car has just about all of the options. It offers a very smooth ride, and a very quiet interior. Unfortunately, the airbag light is now going on and off, so its back to the dealer (already) for service.

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  I love my big daddy wagon - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By Tim-Tuk-2 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Great car, reliable, bukoo power, looks funny - okay even a bit ugly, the favorite car of my Sheltie and Aussie, highway gas mileage better than many an econo car, sleeps two!, and can carry sheets of plywood with the tailgate up!

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  My new Buick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Marie Foy - April 10 - 5:20 pm

  Very good fun car to drive, nice and quiet and this is really good.

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  Buick Skylark - 1998 Buick Skylark
  By Sandida - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great looking car. It handled nicely, but because of its wheelbase does not turn does as sharply as a small car. The gas mileage is about 25 miles to the gallon. Weve had the brakes repaired since we bought it used in May 1999 but thats about it. Its a great looking car.

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  stus buick - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By stu - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable, No major repairs,Does use some oil but has since it was new,in 7.5 years only had to replace tires once has 95000 miles on it.Finish is as good as new.