2005 Buick LaCrosse
Summary:
Buick builds em good
Faults:
Zero.
General Comments:
I bought my first Japanese car (a splendid Datsun) in 1969. About that time Detroit went into the tank. So like many in my entire generation it never occurred to me to buy an American car - it was simply Honda or Toyota. And they served well. Four years ago I inherited a 96 Buick Regal. Two years ago I inherited a 2002 Buick Century. At home my wife has her beloved 2003 Honda Civic EX. Buicks and Civics are different cars and serve different purposes. The only thing they seem to have in common is that neither break. I’ve put 25,000 miles on the Century (45,000 total) and there have been zero problems. I put 54,000 miles on the Regal (90,000 total) and spent $425 to fix an ABS problem. Beyond that, no repairs in four years. My wife’s Civic only has 17,000 on it and it’s flawless. However, both Buicks have proven more reliable than every Japanese car I’ve owned for 35 years. Maybe it’s a coincidence. I might also add that the Regal is no longer with me. I got elbowed off the left lane of an interstate in Ohio by a big-rig. The Regal’s ABS allowed for enough evasives to slow down significantly. However, it was either hit another car broadside or go into the ditch. I went into the ditch. The Regal flipped on it’s back - utterly demolished. Believe me it’s odd looking at the world upside down trapped under the steering wheel. But once helped out by the terrific Ohio emergency crew, I walked away without a scratch. Glad I wasn’t in the Civic that day. Heaven bless Detroit iron. And you bet I want a LaCrosse.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th January, 2006
1st Apr 2006, 13:11
Actually, Buick is one of the highest-rated for reliability compared to its domestic peers. So if any US make has a chance of comparing to the overblown glory of Toyota (which is slowly declining in merit). I am not a pro-US buyer (I own a Mitsubishi after having owned a Toyota; an Acura before that and a Buick before all of those) but I will give domestic brands credit where credit is due. Don't be a media-dupe. Toyota, and some other Japanese brands like Honda, are so self-indulged by their own hype that they don't even believe their products can fail. When they do, they won't stand by their warranty, claiming customer abuse. Read other reviews on this site and you'll see this is a trend.
1st Apr 2006, 11:47
What exactly is it that Buick builds good? Have they ventured into another business besides cars? You're talking about this car like it's a Toyota or something. Buick never has, and never will, come even remotely close to building a vehicle as high quality as a Toyota.