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Zero.
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.
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.
Last time when I looked at JD Power ratings for initial and long term dependability Buick was ahead Toyota and Honda. I would always pick Buick over those makes.
Buick's are really good vehicles. We had one that ran for 206,000 miles before we sold it. Now that is quality!
I owned a Buick Rendezvous 2002 and it was not well built at all. I purchased it based on Buick's reputation for quality--but that car was certainly not a quality built vehicle. It had numerous problems--from wheel bearing replacement (first year) to air conditioning failure (second year). to body control module failure (third year), fuel sensor replacement and pass through body connector and terminal replacement due to extensive corrosion (fourth year. I an now the owner of a Toyota Avalon Limited (2006) and enjoy the quality of this vehicle.
The above comment is further proof as to why people should stay away from Buick, and buy real high quality vehicles from Toyota. If everyone in this country bought a Toyota, America would be a better place.
The Buick Lucerne and Allure have scored higher in the J.D. Power Initial Vehicle Quality ratings than the Toyota Avalon. Toyota has had a dramatic increase in recalls in the last two years. Buicks are solid cars. I'm not trying to start a contest, just thought I'd share what I read.
The Economist, May 13th issue:
"Too many GM products are mediocre, dragged down by cheap plastic interiors... outside of the Midwest, the firm risks becoming irrelevant to most car buyers"
Now, what was that you were saying about how great Buick is?
First of all.
"Too many GM products" does not mean "ALL".
Secondly, it appears some of these Buick bashers work for Toyota. Does Toyota now really feel that threatened by Buick?
My very first car was a Toyota Corolla. I got it very cheap because at 60k the engine died and had to be rebuilt, which I did. Is that Toyota Quality? I'm really not making this stuff up. As of this writing my Buick Lesabre has over 118000 trouble free miles, go figure.
Buick do make good cars, but you know what, why don't you just ask mechanics instead of believing strangers on the internet.
In response to the comment about the Rendezvous: Anyone who knows anything about cars will tell you that the Rendezvous was not a real Buick. It was a copy of the ill-fated Pontiac Aztek which was built on the antiquated platform for the Venture, Montana, and Silhouette minivans. Buick's specialty is cars; mini-vans and SUVs are not their forte. I own a '98 Regal that we have driven 150,000 miles from new and the first two problems just occurred at 146,000 miles. They were very minor and each only took a couple of hours to fix. The Regal is the most reliable car that we have ever owned, and it is very sporty. Buick is a great brand and I hope that they will learn to be less timid with these new models and make them sportier.
"Too many GM products are mediocre, dragged down by cheap plastic interiors... outside of the Midwest, the firm risks becoming irrelevant to most car buyers"
All one has to do is put something in print and people will swallow it.
The Buick minivan/SUV is made in Mexico.
As for Toyota, some are good and others are bad. And all cars break and must need care, so customers must do their part too.
Looking for a car and in my late 20's. May actually buy Buick since my mother has a Century and had a Regal. The Regal saved her life in an accident. Had it been a Corolla, big injuries for sure and probably more. The only Toyota I would get into is a Camry and I hate the feeling of the drive.
The drive of a Buick is nice and smooth, and the body is strong. And if one takes good care of it, it will last for years.
"The above comment is further proof as to why people should stay away from Buick, and buy real high quality vehicles from Toyota. If everyone in this country bought a Toyota, America would be a better place."
Excuse me. Better place? I'm sorry, does Toyota hire millions of American workers? No. Domestic cars fuel the economy, and you are obviously not the smartest cookie so I will not listen to you anyway.
By the way: When toyota says "made in USA" it means parts made in Japan by sweatshop workers and assembled over here. No quality there.
Toyota has 27,000 employees in the USA with 12 manufacturing plants some over 20 years old. I happen to think that Lexus (Toyota)...I currently own an Acura these are very fine automobiles. I may even buy a Buick again someday as I am open minded to a worldwide economy. Limiting your viewpoint to one manufacturer or country misses some great driving opp'ys.
I am sorry dude. The reason Toyota and Honda has had to recall and hold back product development for a few months is because they are building almost everything in the USA. Maybe a few things come from Japan, but not too much stuff. At most in many of these vehicles about 25%. Sorry to crash your buy American and melt the glaciers campaign.
So what your saying is because the product is made in the USA, that's what makes it inferior?! What about the fact that European cars are CONSIDERABLY more unreliable than American made ones, i.e. Land Rover, VW? I don't know where you would get the idea that made in USA products are worse then Japanese ones (probably some kooky web sight), but I sure would like to know what your proof is. And "melt the glaciers campaign??!" Who did you hear that from, Al Gore?