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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  CHEAPLY made car, story of GMs life - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By ihateGM - May 21 - 11:43 am

  I have owned this vehicle for going on 4 years now. A/c problems, both front wheel hubs broke, both front power window components broke. Now the back 2 Windows are starting to make the same noises so Im sure they are about to break also. Same problems my 89 Buick had plus 2 other people I know. Back passenger door hinge is messed up and door barely shuts. Starting to shift funny so I see transmission problems very soon. Very poor horsepower. Awful resale value (I see why). Loud road noise. Gets blown all over the road in wind. Dont buy a gm! Many people I know have similar problems with their GMs not just Buick. Cheap parts. No Wonder they are bankrupt. You reap what you sow!

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  THE GAS - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By ladygaga4721 - May 7 - 7:54 pm

  ok i loved this car my sister has it not me but i know mutch about it ok so shes had it for 2 years and she hates it!!!!! ill tell you what needs to be improved below

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  super bad - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By jeff - May 6 - 3:29 pm

  steering arm at 1ooo miles forth set of struts at 36000 rack and pinion at 35000 steering makes noise yet power steering pump whining now buick claims no defect because we drive 2.5 miles of gravel to town. Having a hard time talking to dist. specialist they claim I should know to call them before 24000 miles. How? I have driven 3000 miles for repairs and they are charging me .35 cents per mile if they would buy me out. What a sad day for buick, worst costumer sat. ever. Car is litteraly shaking apart,ruff ride and noisy going on interstate. rear window rattle door latch replaced Insulation front fender falling out. I have 5 other vehicles that havent had any of these repairs.

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  2002 buick rendezvous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By ubah - May 1 - 10:43 am

  I have a lot experience with cars but I got this Rendezvous like three years ago, it gave a hard time, first fuel sensor stopped working, then I change transmission six month, then I change struts, then the fuel pump changed now I am trying to trade it stop fixing, you know what with it now engine oil leaking need gasket, ac, condenser, compressor needed almost 2000 dollars and finally passenger side door does not open. I do not advise anybody to buy this car with right mind, the worst car ever made. The last thing it very hard to take out the battery it is underneath

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  Shaking wont stop - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Pissed off - April 30 - 1:38 pm

  This car has been to three dealerships with the same vibration issue, replaced axles, hubs, tires and still shakes, steering pulls to the right. Driver side door leaks in rain. Dealers are as frustrated with GM as I am and no relief in site. GM is not authorizing the proper repairs. I think they know what the problem is and are just dragging their feet trying to wear me down. I traded a 1995 Avalon XLS with 263,000 miles and no real problems on this piece of junk. Shame on GM for treating its customers so poorly. They deserve to go bankrupt without any bail out. Never again will I go with an American made piece of junk like this car.

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  Poor - 2004 Buick Century
  By Alex - April 21 - 11:04 am

  I cant wait to get rid of it. I was driving at night and the lights stopped working. They didnt work with the switch on "auto" or "on". The ride is comfortable but you have to floor it to pass and it takes about 2 seconds to accelerate when going 60 just to start moving = slow!

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  Catalytic Converter Problems - 2001 Buick Century
  By Millie - March 29 - 12:33 am

  My Problems started when car was only 6 months old. I have replaced the converter 5 times and had it in for more repairs than anyone should ever have to. I have taken it to repair places other than Buick and they do not know what is wrong. I have contacted GM on many occasions and they keep referring me back to the Buick Dealers mechanics who do not know what is wrong either. I have left the car for days and their mechanics have driven and used up my gas and still no solution. I am retired and have put 8000 dollars into this in repairs as they tell me first it need this and then something else the next time, I am at my wits end.

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  Hate my Buick LaCross so far - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By My Haggerty Buick - March 28 - 7:22 am

  I have had my Buick for 2 weeks, so far the check engine light has been on 4 times. I have already been at the Mike Haggerty Buick dealer service department once and was told everything was fine. The third time the light came on I called on star for diagnostics but when on star tried to do a 3 way call to let them know the problem they had found the dealer had no time to take notes they said to make a service appointment. I am going to make an appointment because I want to get this fixed but am sure they are not going to find anything if the check engine light is not on at the time. I realize I made a horrible buy at 2 weeks I should be enjoying my weekends with the car not at the dealer.

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  Like repair bills? - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Darlene - March 6 - 12:37 pm

  I loved this car BUT have had SO many repair problems. Lets see, wheel bearings, brakes, air conditioning twice and "3" Yes I said three manifold gaskets! Now I just had to have a head gasket replaced and Oh, the gas gauge does not work and I cannot afford to have them pull the gas tank and fix it! Has anyone had any luck with help from Buick?

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  Im Amazed at all the good reviews - 2003 Buick Century
  By Steve - January 25 - 10:32 pm

  My Buick Century has issues that no automobile should have at 80,000 miles. Driver side automatic window does not work. The dash lights do not work (this is not a fuse issue). The tail lights do not work (again - not a fuse). Whole assemblies will need to be purchased for both of the previous problems. The trunks hinges are no longer holding up the trunk lid when opened. Both knobs for climate control broke (the part that slides over the stem simply disintegrated). And whats with these folks who have up to 38mpg gas mileage? I have never had more than 27mpg Highway and 21mpg city. This is a prime example to why GM went bankrupt. I will never buy a domestic made car again.