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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  Best value in America - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By peterman - April 7 - 3:00 am

  Drive any large or midsize car in the $40,000 price range and then drive a $25,000 Buick Lasabre. Unless you are biased again American cars, you will agree that this car is a bargain.

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  Engine Noise - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Artie - April 7 - 3:00 am

  Whistle in engine, hear it mostly when engine idle`s. At speeds of 6o, there is a sound that sounds like the carb. is sucking air.Rear door out of alingnment.

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  BuyingAnotherCentury - 2002 Buick Century
  By lovethatBuickCentury - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had two Buick Century : a 1989 model and a 1998 model. Both were great cars, very reliable and SAFE. The 89 model pulled a boat, ended up in the lake!, was wrecked once by me, then totalled several years later by my husband. Neither of us was hurt in either accident! We bought another Century in 1998. It never needed repair..I loved this car! Unfortunately I wrecked it a few weeks ago it was totalled but I walked away without injury! This is the main reason that I want to buy my 3rd Century! ! Someone said it must be a bad-luck car for us, but I say no! We were well- protected in those accidents!

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  2004 Buick Rendezvous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By FARRPLAY - April 6 - 2:00 am

  great suv poor gas milage, under powered

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  My Regal - 1990 Buick Regal
  By Regal215 - April 5 - 2:00 am

  The best feature of my 1990 buick regal limited is the interior design. Im a tall driver (63"), and this car was designed with drivers like myself in mind. The rear seat has been shortened to provide extended legroom for rear passengers (unlike the cougar or thunderbird). Comfort is the word to describe the feeling of driving this car.

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  The Buick Experience - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By largeman/db - April 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Buick. I like its quite, comfortable ride.

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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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  W. O. Long - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By W. O. Long - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Has been an outstanding car. Gives very good milage, excellent performance, and overall fun to drive.

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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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  just one of other GMs finest. - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By orkhan - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 98 for 5000$ untill today if i would add up all the additional costs i payed for in 4 years it would only be about 1000$.The car it self is a pretty fast and comfortable car.