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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  buick - 1996 Buick Regal
  By kenny - March 30 - 5:47 pm

  Ive this car just 2 weeks and cant believe the gas mileage went 480 miles on a full tank of gas wow my care is awesome so far great in town driving too.

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  Many Problems - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob - March 30 - 1:28 pm

  Steering column had to be replaced two times. Transmission slipping. All wheel drive noisy when turning. Interior materials cheep. Overall quality poor.

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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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  My 1993 Buick LeSabre - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By James Doran - March 28 - 9:06 pm

  I bought this LeSabre when it had 30,000 miles on it. It now has 116,000 miles on it. I had the transmission rebuilt at 90,000 miles, replaced the alternator and replaced the spark plugs once. The car needs repainting, the disc brake pads and rotors need replacing, again, and the windshield needs replacing. But, I would buy this car again. I have had much worse cars.

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  Great Car - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Eric - March 28 - 6:10 pm

  My car is now two years old, 36,000 miles and no problems. Just finally took it back to the dealer for the first time to have the breaks checked, need new pads on the front. I do have the oil changed about every 8,000 files. Best car Ive ever owned for quality and reliability. Not happy to see the 2010 model has the gas on the passenger side yuck. I think Ill keep my 2008 for a while.

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  Excellent Car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By A. Junior - March 28 - 10:50 am

  I am really happy with my purchase. Very fast car, very stable, very quiet. Its a turning head car, maybe cause its new, but, all I can say is I loved it.

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  Interior light & door locks - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Lou C - March 28 - 8:31 am

  I bought this car with 61,000 on it.Now 116,000. Drives great, good mileage, Body good. Skylight does not work and the door locks clicks off and on. The interior lights will not go off. Mechanic tells me parts to repair are no longer available. If any one knows how to get parts would be most helpful.

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  Sensible car, not a sport sedan - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Sammy - March 28 - 8:23 am

  Ive had my Buick LaCrosse for a week. I traded my 2002 LeSabre with 170K for it. I was wowed by the styling and had admired other Lacrosses on the road. The interior is gorgeous. The ambient lighting is very cool. The seats are blissfully comfortable-- best yet. Plus it has a pheromone that is a real turn-on--it smells amazing! As cool as this car looks and feels, though, it is not a sport sedan. If you want a sport sedan, spend the extra bucks and buy a CTS, or at the very least, a CXS with the 3.6. The engine is too small for such a big car. The transmission downshifts way too often on the highway, and the fuel economy is rotten. I got 28- 30 hwy with the LeSabre. So far, getting 23 w/Lcrs.

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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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  Our new family Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By FrozenTundra - March 25 - 8:21 pm

  My wife and I have 3 children ages 5, 2, infant and we have previously owned a Town & Country as well as a VW Tourag. We test drove just about all vehicles that seat a family of our size and hands down we enjoyed the Enclave the best. The ride is wonderful and my wife and I fight to drive the Enclave (over the BMW 745Li). The ride is sturdy but sporty and the interior is very quiet and comfortable especially for a crossover type vehicle. Despite some complaints I read during our vehicle research I find the turning radius and overall maneuverability to be excellent. The Enclave takes the many railroad tracks in the area with ease and the electronics features in the Enclave are fantastic.