Buick Riviera

Price Paid:  $18000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 buick riviera

Strengths:
power,style,comfort,quality,dependabilty,makes u want to drive it and not come home. This car goes! Im only 17, and this is my moms car but i get to drive it often, and i can honestly say this car hauls butt. especially off the line. it pins u pretty good. I've grew up with trucks and not so fast cars...but when i first got to drive this i was blown away. it's only a high 15 second car on the drag strip....but it feels like a jet. The power suprises alot of people. When u put your foot in it...and it down shifts...u wont be disspointed. This car is also very comfortable. Any where u sit in the car your comfortable. Im 5'10 and 300 pounds...and i fit in it just fine. The seats move any way u can imagine and there heated when u need it...a very nice feature. I love the dash...wraps around the whole car...and tons of guages. I read another review that said this was a bad thing...but i dont agree with that. It gives the car a very user friendly feel. there is a ton of a\c vents for the summer....even in the back. the stereo cranks pretty good...and convient storage for your extra cd's. The moon roof is very nice. I really havent found a flaw on the car. At the very least drive this car and you will see. It's very addictive.....makes long trips very comfy and fun.

Weaknesses:
it's hard for me to think of many but i will try....cause i know nothing is perfect. Power is great, but when u load it with a few big guys u can feel the difference. so if you plan on racing go alone. Also i dont like the 110 mph govenor. I havent taken it that fast...but it would make me feel better if i knew the car would let me top of the speedo. I know the car could do the 120 mph on the speedo...and i believe u could hit 140 mph with it if it let u. Another thing is when something breaks..it's exspensive to fix. The only thing we have had to replace is the alternator. started to make noise and create dust. it was probably the bearing. Luckily it was under warranty and only cost us the 100 deductable. hmmm...what else? breaks squeak a bit..but are solid. a little body roll in the corners...but once u get used to it then it's fine.

Summary:
this car is a great mix of speed and luxury. a true sport luxury car. it's got flash, but not to much. it's very functional. looks great....great lines. more than enough power to satisfy a 17 year old males need for speed. Also a very safe feeling car. has a very stout front bumper...u cant see it from looking at it..just looks like a thin plastic deal...but open the hood and look infront of the radiator and u will see what i mean.
dual air bags and well designed seat belts also give u peace of mind. there is even shoulder belts for the rear passengers. So to sum it up....this car can take 4 grown people...in comfort and style...and get them to there destination quickly and safely...i really couldnt ask for more in a car...and im being completely honest. give this car a chance...and hey....it's a pretty rare car..wont see 100 of them running down the road with u like camaros and mustangs...and u can even keep up with some of those guys =)

Similar Products Used:
well nothing like this. The only other thing i drive is a 90 ford bronco...and thats no comparison to this..whole different type of vehicle. I can say this is the nicest, fastest. most enjoyable car i have ever driven...wouldnt change it for anything. my mom chose this car over camaros and mustangs and i thank her for it!

Strengths:
Smooth ride.
Just enough power.
Good value when compared to Cads, Lincs, etc.
Does'nt look like any other car on the road.

Weaknesses:
Brakes are a constant headache
Windows need constant adjustment to prevent wind noise
In my case, no decent service support

Summary:
Bought the car because I have wanted one since high school. A friend had a 68 or 69 model that was awsome. Picked this year because I did'nt like the earlier body style.
Fast, smooth ride, all the bells and whistles on much higher priced cars.
Will be my last GM if for no other reason than local service. Not that impressed for it to be Buicks flagship. We have had allot of problems with the doors and windows. Doors stick, windows leak, and every time they adjust one the other goes out of adjustment. Right now the only way the drivers door won't stick and the windows not leak is for the door panel to be out of alignment with the rest of the body panels. I was told I would have to live with it. Alt went out the first few months, warranty. Front wheel bearings went out and the rotors warped @ 35K miles. Just got the car back and it shakes worse than when I took it in (front brakes). Rear brakes show that there is uneven contact on the rotors, dealer claims this is from rust??? Guess I will have to fix this one (no warranty). CD player will not play first song?? Seems like I have had more problems than normal and as I said it will be my last GM.
Still like the body, ride, and seems like the engine has proven to be reliable. Just could not buy a Lex,Toy, Niss, all look the same.

Similar Products Used:
Lincoln Town Car
Crown Vic
Does not compare to Fords in quality and service

Strengths:
Outstanding acceleration, Away-from-the-mainstream styling, useful technology

Weaknesses:
Terrible ride quality and suspension, poor materials, poor fit and finish, awkward trunk opening, narrow glass all around

Summary:
This car had such potential that it is a crying shame how absolutely horrible it turned out. I leased this after being very impressed (and still am) with the 3800 Series II Supercharged engine found in the Park Avenue, Regal GS and Gran Prix GTP. This is a great engine and worthy of getting. Puts most V-8's to shame. The styling may be a love-it-or-hate-it type, but I am attracted to those things out of the mainstream. Here ended my appreciation for the car.

After 6 months of use, the leather started turning colors from wear, the interior panels began to come loose, certain areas of the interior changed colors from their original dyes, the power seats did not work, just a myriad of finishing touches that fell apart. Lastly, the ride quality of the car was absolute crap. I felt like I was driving a cadillac from the early 70's. A long floating boat that bottomed-out constantly.

On the positive side, the paint quality is first rate. The presentation of this car is exceptional. It was exciting to see that an American car company would take such a design leap into a low production car. However....

This car is indicative of how I view the majority of American cars. It sells the "sizzle" of the "steak", but presents very little meat. Meaning - This car looks like it should be great, it is sold like it should be great, but once you are actually in it and use it, it turns out to be just average, or worse!

If you are in love with the looks of this car and are willing to do some serious (and I mean extensive) aftermarket alterations, then you may be satisfied. You will however have to contend with a generally poor and slipshod interior and a terribly designed car from the viewpoint of the driver.

If you find yourself interested in the looks of this car, but want something that you can drive every day without kicking yourself, asking why you bought this piece of crap, you would do well to stay away. In the long run you would feel better about buying a 1993 Hyundai that was driven with no oil for 20,000 miles and then set on fire after being driven off a cliff. At least you'd be out a few hundred rather than over $40,000!

Ultimately, I feel that this car was designed to be appreciated from the curb and not from behind the wheel. If you agree, then buy a picture of the car and you can experience its only good side and save yourself the agony I have gone through. If there were a "Zero" rating allowed here, this car would get it.

Similar Products Used:
Mercedes Benz 560SL, Volvo C70 - These cars eat the Buick for breakfast everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

Price Paid:  $18000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 2 dr Supercharged

Strengths:
I love the Riv's power, though it is a heavy car. It looks great, and the interior is full of thoughtful touches. The stereo is flawless, as well. Nobody ever whines about having to sit in back - it has uncommonly comfy rear seats for a 2 dr. Wonderfully quiet and smooth. I really like the big 2 dr nature of this beast. With the windows down and the stereo up, its a lot of fun. The trunk is cavernous, as well.

Weaknesses:
The car is too heavy for its own good, I think. A 70 yr old wouldn't mind its performance, but the styling sells to much younger buyers, so it seems like Buick sort of mismatched performance and styling. Some dash bits are bit cheesy, and I'm glad I don't have young kids that mess around with it, because I'm sure they'd break on bend something. Also, the ride can be considered a bit too comfy. I find myself almost falling asleep in it sometimes.

Summary:
I got a GREAT price on this car, and haven't had any problems. Granted, its not a 'sports sedan' like its billed to be, but its sure is a great value for one heck of a lot of car. I'd recommend that you at least test drive one, though its not what everyone is looking for.

Similar Products Used:
96 Caddy Eldo - About equal. The Caddy is even cushier, but the Buick is sleeker, and I had a few more maintenance issues with the Caddy.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
My best description of the BUICK RIVIERA is "LUXURY SPORTS COUPE". Its in a class of its own. My 1998 Riviera is not only luxury but it''s also very quick (I seriously almost beat a 2001 vette). The car is a classic waiting to happen.