surfgeek

Couple of 66s: https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d/1966-buick-riviera-gran-sport/6580199274.html https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d/1966-riviera/6588890477.html

That's me. Love those 72's (71's as well). It would be a dream come true to drive, much less own, one of those. Hopefully I'll be able to find a good one that won't totally break the bank. We'll see. Thanks for the great advice.

Holy crap. That's my worst nightmare right there.

Ran across this while surfing the old car ads on craigslist. Seemed like it belonged here. Doesn't appear to be a bad deal to my untrained eye. 66 Riviera: https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/cto/d/1966-buick-rivera-real-gs-look/6578734655.html

RivNut, thanks for the clarification!

Thank you all for the great advice, history, and information, I feel like I'm already learning quite a bit! Really interesting discussion on the different types of transmissions. I never knew that the TH400 descended from the ST400. That's pretty cool.. Thanks again for offering your unique perspectives and advice and making me a little bit smarter. BTW, I would definitely consider doing this if anybody is available and willing to do it.

The scary part is the venturing out into the uncharted territory (for me) of spending thousands of dollars on a 50 year old car; on what is essentially a very expensive toy with no practical purpose or utility. If that's not scary I don't know what is. Ha ha!

Thank you to all that have responded for the great advice and words of encouragement (and ominous warnings). Hazdaz, thanks for sharing your experience as a relative newby. Glad to hear you are enjoying it. I have only driven older cars a handfull of times and it's definitely a totally different and (somewhat scary) experience. But I think that is also part of the appeal!

I'm partial to the CTS V Wagon, with the manual of course. But for one of those I would need a lot more than $20K!

Thank you for all the good information! I'll definitely check out the Riviera Owner's website. Tom, I'm amazed that you were able to tell all that from just looking at the pictures! Can you point out how you were able to tell? I'd like to be able to identify those things myself so I don't get duped. As far as more information about me, I live in Space Coast (Brevard County), I'm looking for something turn key (doesn't have to be perfect), that I can take out for a Sunday cruise or a drive to work every once in a while when the weather is nice. I don't want a project, I'm not very handy and although I'm sure I could learn, I just don't enjoy working on them, I much prefer driving them and admiring them. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to do some basic things myself, but I just want something I can enjoy and not be a headache. Budget wise I was thinking about $20K (preferably under). I'd rather spend a little more than end up with a lemon. Dream car would be a 72, but I'd be willing to compromise on the year if the condition and price was right. Alan

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I've always liked Rivieras and I'm starting to seriously think about acquiring one. I'm far from a expert, in fact I've never owned a classic car but always wanted to so I'm just trying to figure out what kind of things to look for before diving in so I don't get scammed. Although I'm partial to boat tails (especially 71-72), a quick craigslist search in my area found a bunch of very tempting first gens. Can anybody shed some light on these or point out any red flags they see? I'm trying to avoid being the proverbial fool that is soon separated from his money. Thanks in advance. https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/1964-buick-riviera-wildcat/6571846995.html https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/d/1964-buick-riviera-465/6566418982.html https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/1964-buick-riviera/6557305298.html https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto/d/1963-buick-rivera/6562398432.html