[CHAS1]

We have a 1989 Riviera with nearly 300K on it.
When we drive from Philadelphia area to West Palm Beach Florida area we take the Riviera and leave the 2001 Cadillac DTS home in the garage.
Honestly never thought twice about the reliability of the Riviera. Fortunately never had a problem.
Charlie

[manikmekanik]

REATTA + ROAD TRIP = FANTASTIC IDEA!!!!

I put hundreds or thousands of miles on each Reatta I buy, on the day of purchase, to get it home to Cheezeland!

The '90 drop-top I bought in Dallas hit the road with only a new set of tires for a nearly 2000-mile trip/mini-vacation, with NO problems. I drove "Black Beauty", my '91 ragtop further in the first day than the previous owner did in 3 years! We've also taken it to shows in Milwaukee(2), Chicago(2), Lansing, MI and Rochester, Mn for the nationals, with NO problems, except that nasty seat-belt tan line!

The Reatta line is among the most reliable cars of it's age for a long road trip. Like any car with 15+ years under it's belt, it'll need some tlc before hitting the road, for a worry-free drive, just like any other older car, no matter the miles on the ODO. Rubber parts do not age well, even without driving high miles, so replace the belt before you go, or keep one in the trunk, with a long 1/2" drive ratchet, to replace it roadside, in a snap-it's simple. Of course, get an oil change, check all fluids, and consider getting brake fluid flushed as well. Make sure you have good boots, (tires), maybe even rotating the rears forward before the trip.

And get an iPod RF transmitter for the trip, there's few radio stations in remote areas, and your iPod will come in handy on those long, lonely hyways.

If you can come thru Chicago/Milwaukee area, we could get your car "freshened-up" halfway thru your Journey, following the Wheel in the Sky! And you could pick-up the center cap 'yer missin'!!

Milwaukee IS the home of BEER !!!!

Happy trails!

[TommyH]

i found this was much higher qualtity than the fm modulator, but it only works on 88-89.

[MauiWowee]

Quote:

NO problems, except that nasty seat-belt tan line!

Randy, that's only a problem when driving nude! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[imported_walt in ciniti]

Buy washer fluid in a northern state, southern states fluid freezes in cold temps.

[Richard D]

On my first Reatta I went from Miami throught out Canada and back, about 6,000 miles in 70 days. The biggest problem was finding a coin car wash every night to wash off the dead bugs on the front. Had the oil changed in Winnipeg Canada and kept windsheild cleaner in the trunk.

[handmedownreatta]

why are you answering a two yo post?lol

[barra]

I was going to take my 104,000 mile 1988 reatta 1200 miles from Michigan to Colorado Springs for the National Buick Convention. My mechanic said it would make the trip. I did the math and found that it was cheaper to fly ( $430 vs $530 ). Have you considered having the car shipped to where you're going? I sent my son his car when he was stationed at Spokane,WA for about $1000. Even today's "new" cars can break too.

[tomt]

If you've never done it, I'd install a new brake accumulator and associated master brake, fuel pump etc relays on the firwall. All this is on the cheap side, and unavailable enroute.

Tell me if you don't agree, but $180.00 for accumulator and $25.00 per relay for 3 would be about right, with installation being under 1 hour for all at a dealer. Better if you can do it yourself.

Tom T.