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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  Beware 75,000 miles - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By Jeff Wright - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Look out if you own a 97 Park Avenue that is approaching 75,000 miles. I bought mine new, and bought an extended warranty. As soon as the warranty was up, the paint started cracking, the cruise control went out, the passenger door handle broke, the window switch broke, the door lock collapsed inside the door panel, the gas guage broke. This care sucks. I talked to Pitre Buick before the warranty was up on some of these things but got stalled. After the warranty expired, no help. I called Buick. There response: tough luck. Why not buy a new car from us? Buyers beware, Park Avenues fall apart after 75,000 miles.

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  Not what I hoped for - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By King - May 3 - 10:36 am

  We were in the market for and SUV, not really looking at the Rendezvous, but stumbled across it by accident. Exterior not the greatest - quickly outdated. Interior - NICE well appointed. On the positive side - when it runs it runs well. Although no major problems (yet) we have had $3500 in warranty work in the last year. Front bearings have been changed twice - under 100000km. Tired of warranty work required - glad we purchased the Ext. warranty (a MUST).

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  DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Tina - April 25 - 8:53 am

  Day I purchased brand new, brakes went out, Dealer kept my van 2 months, the excuse "the part had not come in from overseas" My door has never shut properly, its noisy, I complained about banging under van, Dealer said its normal, another shop said it was the engine gears lose. When I start the car it keeps turning as if I was still starting sometimes it wont start at all and I have to try again, the dealership said that was normal. Its run out of gas 4 times, because I parked at angle I have had other buick terraza owners stop me in parking lots and ask about the same problems I was having, This van, USELESS and dealers blow off ALL the problems with it! I have the paperwork to proveit

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  Dont Purchase - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By Jamie - April 13 - 3:00 pm

  Since I have had this one year I have had nothing but issues with the sliding doors. They get stuck, wont open, or open on their own. At times it is hard to turn in reverse, it is like I loose power steering. The dealership is NO help. Hard to see out back. Hard to get to the back. Middle seats dont move. Brakes squeak repaired twice. DONT BUY!!!!!

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  Buick Rendesvous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bruce Lloyd - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Not even near the milage rating affixed to car.GetS 12-13 local if I am lucky. Trips using cruise,control on flat out desert land for 5 hours I get less than 18 mpg.My 2002 Cadilliac gets 26 mpg on trips. Transmission is about the poorest I have ever driven. Slams at acceleration in traffic at about 4- 8mph. Dealer tells me this is normal, so is my gas mileage. Never again. I am going back to Ford next time Cant get things fixed. It takes 6-8 returns to get anything done.I have a windshield that was damaged by dealer writing on it.Instead of replacing it they keep polishing and removing layers of the surface of the glass. This is not good warranty work.

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  final Buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Dave - March 20 - 12:34 pm

  I have owned many Buicks but this will be the last. I`ve had nothing but trouble. Poor mileage 15-23, acclerator problems,power seat, steering noise, ext temp., worst of all it has left me setting 3 times with a no start, and had to be hauled in on a flatbed. This all has happened in only 4500 miles. I have lost all confidence in GM. I wish I had never traded. Had an 05 LaSabre that was a very good car. Got 23-30 for mileage with no problems, I wish I could say the same for the LuCerne.

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  Bad Choice - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By sonia - March 2 - 12:58 pm

  very dissapointed with this van. uncomfortable,noisey,poor performance. problems with stalling,cruise control,abs system,trac stability and control system to say the least.

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  Stay away form the ultra - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By Tim Rudasill - February 13 - 7:36 pm

  My wife and I bought this one owner car thinking it would the best choice we could make.WRONG.After owning it for 1 year we start having transmission trouble.$1400.00,4 months,and 4 bottles of Advil extra strength later we still have the same problem.It shutters real bad when taking off from stop.And just when every wants to scream about ford transmissions,Gm aint no more better.My Mechanic Worked for ford for 22 yrs.never has seen this before.If it werent for true, i would tell you.The car is well worth the money if GM would fix for free.Oh Yeah!I almost forgot....If you plan on changing your battery,let Gm do it.My gas hand and temp. hand dont work now.broke when i changed it myself.Good

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  I hate the Buick Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By IHATEBUICKENCLAVE - January 31 - 5:07 pm

  The 2nd row (when folded forward) floats while driving (no latch to keep it in place). No room for groceries in hatch. Cannot open hatch in garage - too high. Remote start seldom works, took it to dealership and told me that "electrical devices could be getting in the way". Drivers side heat blasts on one side only burning one foot while the other one freezes. Seats six not seven comfortably. The pin stripe is one little stripe down the side and you have to pay an additional $700 for something that is already on the car it wasnt negotiable. No power when passing. Bose sound is a joke as you hear everything on the outside of the car. I have had leaks and other issues. The Buick Enclave is attractive, but it is not sound proof as some guy blogged earlier. I have had this car for a year and trust me, I hear everything. I was told not to buy it but I thought it was so beautiful...regret everyday now. I seriously hate driving this car.

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  Hoping for a new home - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Robert Hoffman - January 15 - 7:30 am

  My wife inherited this car from her Fathers estate and absolutely loves the thing. We have had the common intake maniford issue which cost several hunderd dollars to repair. I am waiting for a reprise of this problem because the replacement is also plastic. I find the ride to be the equivalent of steering a whale. Our Honda is far superior in all respects. I cannot believe the mileage I see in other reviews. We have been lucky to get 19-20 miles per gallon -- even on flat highways. I would trade this thing in a minute, but in interest of domestic tranquility that is not likely to happen.