This car has the absolute worst brakes ever. This car CANNOT stop. I don't know if it's the ABS systems fault or the traction control system's fault, but if you try and brake on anything but dry road, the brakes just sputter away.
I drove an 82' Lincoln Town Car for 4 years, which was easily 1500lbs heavier than this Buick and it had no trouble stopping on road, gravel or ice. A 1999 Dodge Intrepid for 2.
I've been driving for 7 years now, accident free until purchasing this car. I've owned the car 10 months and I've gotten into 3 accidents, all of my accidents could have been avoided if the car had decent brakes.
The first one was on dry road, rear ended someone. I was following too close but in the Town Car it would have stopped in time easily. After that I was much more cautious about following close, and since winter was coming I bought a brand new set of winter tires.
I was driving down a street which ended in a cul de sac, going only about 40kmh. I knew about the median in the middle, so I slowed down early but I still slid about 6 house lengths while the brakes sputtered away on the ice, and by the time I hit the median I had only slowed to 20kmh.
The 3rd one was another rear ender, only it was on wet road and I wasn't following close; once again the brakes were terrible in the time of need.
I know that as soon as this car gets its bumper fixed, I'm selling it. I suppose I can always drive with 3 times the normal amount of distance between me and the car in front, but if I was ever driving and a child were to jump out, there is no way this car would stop in time.
This car is also very picky about starting in the winter, even when plugged in.
Apart from the worst brakes ever, the car has a decent engine and transmission. Very good stock sound system. The ride is miraculous. Seats are just O.K. And it very stylish.
Regardless of the car you are driving, I cannot stress enough to maintain a SAFE distance.
The life you save might be MINE!
What a strange review. I have owned 3 GM cars, 2 of them Buicks and have never had a problem stopping even in emergency situations. The car either has a very rare defect or the problem is with the driver.
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Arguably the most IMPORTANT system on a car is the brakes, and if you're driving a vehicle which has non-working brakes, or a system which doesn't work properly, DON'T DRIVE IT!! That's just common sense! Take it to a mechanic and find out what's wrong, that's something you complain about afterward, not after 3 crashes!