Buick was first developed by automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick back in 1899. It was one of the first American automotive brands and was the company that established General Motors in 1908. Today, Buick is the oldest surviving American carmaker. Buick is positioned as a premium automotive brand with an attractive all-SUV lineup that’s tailor-made for American families. Here’s a high-level look at the Buick brand, the Buick models we offer and why they’re worth exploring at Gold Star Buick GMC in Salinas, CA.

Who makes Buick?

Buick is made by General Motors Corporation, the company that it helped get started more than 100 years ago.

Are Buicks good cars?

Buick vehicles have a high level of reliability. According to J.D. Power and Consumer Reports rankings, this brand ranks higher than either Nissan or Mazda. A Buick can last up to 200,000 miles and might even reach the 250,000-mile range.

Is Buick a luxury car?

Buick is positioned as a premium automobile brand, selling vehicles that Buick leadership describes as being in the luxury category.

Is the new Buick Encore GX a good car?

Yes, the subcompact Buick Encore GX is a good car and the most popular model that Buick makes. It’s also the smallest and most affordable vehicle in the Buick line-up. The Encore GX gives buyers from Watsonville and Soledad a comfortable ride and the cabin is well-insulated from road noise. In fact, that’s one of the Encore GX’s greatest strengths. The new 2024 Encore GX is handsomely-styled and it makes this compact SUV look more expensive than it is.

Is the new Buick Enclave a good car?

Yes, the 2024 Buick Enclave represents Buick in the very competitive mid-size luxury SUV category. The Enclave is a three-row SUV that can welcome a family of six or even seven people. The styling is attractive and the pricing is affordable. Once again, Buick has created a well-insulated cabin that’s exceptionally quiet this model delivers a smooth ride. The Enclave is Buick’s largest model and comes with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that’s good for 310 horsepower. In addition, the Buick Enclave has some of the most cargo space in its segment.

Is the new Buick Envision a good car?

Yes, the new Buick Envision is a good compact SUV for those who want a premium, family-friendly model with room for five passengers. The 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers enough power for accelerating past slower-moving vehicles on the highway. The Envision starts with a base price that’s easy on the budget and it comes with plenty of standard safety features. It also saves you money in the fuel department with gas mileage of up to 31 MPG on the highway.

How can I save money on a Buick?

We encourage you to check our featured new Buick models to see if we have any special offers available on the new Buick Encore GX, the new Buick Enclave or the new Buick Envision. If you don’t see anything listed right now, ask us about any special incentives that are available. You can also explore our used Buick inventory and save thousands of dollars compared to the price of a brand-new model.

We have new Buick SUVs available for your inspection

Take a good online look at our new Buick inventory to find the Buick SUV that looks the most appealing to you. When you find one that seems like the right fit for your family, please contact us and arrange a test drive soon at Gold Star Buick GMC, not far from Monterey in Salinas, CA.

Customer and dealership representative standing beside a silver GMC Sierra EV inside a showroom, with the representative holding a tablet and pointing while speaking to the customer, highlighting the truck’s illuminated GMC grille and modern styling.

Buying a used car can be fraught with uncertainty. A used car might look good, but it’s hard to know what problems might be lurking underneath the hood. On the other hand, if you follow the right steps, a used car can be a great long-term investment. Here are some tips to help you make a wise decision.

Tip #1: Understand Why Used Cars Are a Smart Buy

The fact is that most millionaires buy used cars, not new. Successful people understand that any vehicle goes through a lot of depreciation in the first year. That big market discount means you can get that car at a very good price. If a car is in good shape and has been well-maintained, it has a good chance of being reliable and performing well for you.

Tip #2: Do Your Research

We encourage our Watsonville and Soledad customers to find out which makes and models are the most reliable by checking online information and asking friends about overall performance. Some vehicles have a lower cost of ownership because they don’t rack up big repair bills and only need regular, factory-recommended maintenance. That will help you narrow your search to the most reliable vehicles.

Tip #3: Decide Which Car You Want

After you study the overall reliability of several cars, you can decide which make, model and year you want to aim for. It’s OK to let emotional factors enter into the picture. For example, you might simply like the looks of one model vs. another and that can tip the scales in the direction of one particular kind of car. After all, you want a vehicle you’re proud of and there’s every reason to pick a reliable car that also looks good.

Tip #4: Set a Budget

It’s important to figure out how much of a car you can afford and then set a budget. Try to stay as close to your budget as possible so you don’t overspend and end up with car payments that are difficult to meet. By setting a budget, you can focus your search on cars you can really afford.

Tip #5: Work with a Reputable Dealer

When you work with a reputable dealer like Gold Star Buick GMCC in Salinas, you get the benefit of a business that’s been serving the community for years. A reputable dealership like ours will screen its used vehicles carefully and will only feature used cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs that are in good shape. After all, we care about our reputation and want to be sure you’re happy with your purchase.

Tip #6: Check the Exterior

Check to see if the body panels of the car are perfectly aligned. If they’re not, that could indicate that the car was involved in an accident and wasn’t properly repaired. Check the exterior to see if there are any significant scratches or dings. If the outside looks good, that’s good reason to seriously consider that car.

Tip #7: Check the Interior

Look under the carpet and floor mats to check whether there is any odd aroma. That can tell you if there was any water damage. Check the condition of the upholstery and make sure there isn’t excessive wear and tear.

Tip #8: Look for a One-Owner Model

When you work with a reputable car dealer like us, you’ll see that some of the used vehicles are CARFAX® certified one-owner models. Based on our experience, a one-owner model is more likely to have received consistent maintenance from a single owner. Typically, a one-owner car is one that was reliable and that’s why the owner kept it and probably took good care of it.

Tip #9: Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

If you want a higher level used car, consider getting a GM Certified Pre-Owned model. Each one of these vehicles has passed a 172-point inspection and a thorough reconditioning process. The cars that pass this inspection are backed by two manufacturer’s limited warranties, giving our Monterey buyers exceptional peace of mind.

Tip #10: Take a Test Drive

When you take a test drive, pick a route that has a variety of surfaces including rough pavement, curves and highway stretches where you can see how well that vehicle accelerates. Make sure the steering is responsive and that the brakes stop the vehicle quickly and safely. We’ll be happy to give you other buying tips and encourage you to check our used inventory to find something you like. If your budget allows, you can save money on a new car with our new vehicle specials. We look forward to helping you find the right car at Gold Star Buick GMC in Salinas, CA.