WestMich 89

This is a minor, but annoying problem. The spring in the release button in the driver's side seat belt buckle seems to be weak so it takes multiple times to get the seat belt buckle to engage when I am trying to buckle it. Essentially, the release button is in a constant semi-depressed position because the spring that is supposed to push it out doesn't seem to be working. I looked at replacing the short end of the seat belt, but see that it is bolted to the floor and would likely require removing the seat from the car in order to get at it. Any suggestions?

haha crotch works for me too, but that's a different matter.

I have had my 89 Reatta for a short time and enjoy driving it on trips, but have been a bit frustrated looking for someplace around the drivers seat to put my coffee or soda. Anyone know of a good solution to the lack of cupholders?

I have a recently acquired 89 Reatta w/ 130,000. After a recent road trip of about 300 miles, the front end started to shimmy a bit. I drove it at 75 mph for the trip. It seems worse when driving slowly and almost disappears at higher speeds. The shocks (or struts?) also seem pretty mushy. Any idea if this is a serious problem or how much such repairs are likely to cost? I'm ok driving it this way, but don't want to do any additional damage.

I bought a couple of stainless screws at a hardware store and life is wonderful. They are working just great. Thanks for all the suggestions, and especially the offer for free ones from Randy Reatta.

My passenger side interior door strap is missing one of the mounting screws. There are no other good hand holds to close the door from the inside, so I guess I have to replace it. I checked with the local Buick dealer and they couldn't help. I was thinking of buying a couple of similar sized screws (they are not bolts) and screwing them into whatever is behind the trim panel and hoping they hold. I was planning on replacing the one existing one so I would have 2 that match. Any one know why this wouldn't work, or, even better where I might pick up a stock screw?

My passenger side interior door strap is missing one of the mounting screws. There are no other good hand holds to close the door from the inside, so I guess I have to replace it. I checked with the local Buick dealer and they couldn't help. I was thinking of buying a couple of similar sized screws (they are not bolts) and screwing them into whatever is behind the trim panel and hoping they hold. I was planning on replacing the one existing one so I would have 2 that match. Any one know why this wouldn't work, or, even better where I might pick up a stock screw?

3-ML-128538-ML- Moved....follow link! RWB

Amazing help you guys. I really appreciate it. I put up the post thinking maybe I'd get a response or two in a month's time. What a great forum. I would consider your offer of doubling my investment, except that I got it for nothing and the math of that proposition is self-explanatory. Even if there was money to be made, I am really starting to enjoy the little fella. It beats the daylights out of my past winter beaters. I am even feeling a little guilty about taking it out into the elements after all those years of inside winter storage.

The light show countdown, or countup, works and at the end I get a message that there are no problems. I will either mess with it this weekend or talk with the mechanic that works on our other cars and see what he thinks. I am not a "gear head" and came upon this car by accident. It was owned by my sister for the past 20 years (bought new and stored inside for 20 winters) and I don't know much about taking care of cars. I got it for nothing and planned to use it as a "winter beater" and something to avoid putting miles on my newer cars, but am starting to realize I have a unique little toy here that might be more than a winter beater. I'd like to keep the systems working and the absence of dash illumination is a pain in the dark. Again, thanks for the advice.

Great source. Thanks a bunch.

I just bought a 1989 Reatta and am learning the ropes. I cannot find a way to illuminate the dash control buttons behind the wipers, defrost, cruise control or any of the buttons on the two columns of buttons on either side of the speedometer panel. I can't imagine there isn't some backlight to these buttons. Every time I want to use one of those buttons, I have to turn on the dome light to find the correct one. I have sort of memeorized the locations, but it seems to me that with all the other thought that went into the design of this car, that they would have left that out. any help would be appreciated.