Dandy Dave Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Say folks, while working on an electric golf cart for a friend I ran across a 1998 Buick Riviera. I told him I'm partial to older Buicks and he said I could have that one free for the taking. It was his wife car and has been sitting for a while. He said it is a turbo model. I'll have to go get it and post some photos in a day or two. Wondering what you folks think about that model and year? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Sounds like a BARGAIN. Ben 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 Yeah, If nothing else the price is really right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivgs Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 They are good cars, comfortable and get good gas mileage. It is Supercharged, not turbocharged. Look for rust where the engine cradle bolts to the body mounts, that is a weak point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 OK. Thanks for info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 There is at least 7-8 Rivs of that vintage in a you pick yard near me. So if you need parts... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Time to learn something new. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 There was an article in the Bugle about the rusty cradles a few yrs ago. The pictures were of a '95 I bought for parts, Roger Tyyska wrote the story, I'll look for it when I get a chance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Depending upon how long it's been dormant, you might do well to drop the fuel tank and clean it out. Plus a new OEM-spec fuel pump/strainer for good measure. From there, possibly a new fuel pressure regulator (rubber diaphragm in them). From there, some fresh fluids, TLC, and possibly a new (smaller) oil filter wrench? Look at the date code on the tires, too! Price sounds RITE! NTX5467 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Sweet. We borrowed one for nearly half the trip to Springfield. They are nice, comfortable cars. We have looked at one or two locally, but the price wasn’t right. Last generation supercharged Riviera...nice assuming it’s properly sorted out. As noted earlier, the price is right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 2 hours ago, NTX5467 said: Depending upon how long it's been dormant, you might do well to drop the fuel tank and clean it out. Plus a new OEM-spec fuel pump/strainer for good measure. From there, possibly a new fuel pressure regulator (rubber diaphragm in them). From there, some fresh fluids, TLC, and possibly a new (smaller) oil filter wrench? Look at the date code on the tires, too! Price sounds RITE! NTX5467 Fuel filter for sure but taking the tank down in one of these is not an option, as it's above the trailing axle and not easy if even can be done easily. My mom's '95 had basically been sitting since 2012 driven occasionally, the transmission leaked like a sieve, I changed the filter on Easter sunday and it doesn't leak anymore, even used the original gasket! I think I'll look at the fuel filter tomorrow, I don't know if it's ever been changed but good idea! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Jake Moran Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 It was the 1997 Rivieras that specifically had (potentially) weak cradles, especially in the rust belt states. 1998 and 1999 are OK, generally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 3 hours ago, BUICK RACER said: but taking the tank down in one of these is not an option, as it's above the trailing axle and not easy if even can be done easily. Besides , they may have plastic tanks. I believe the fuel pump is accessed through a panel in the floor of the trunk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 Oh this deal is getting better all the time. 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 22 hours ago, Dandy Dave said: Oh this deal is getting better all the time. 😉 You mean it isn’t done yet? 😜🙄🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Oh it is on the trailer just outside the door as of today. Although I must say I found it has an awful bad case of mousitis. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Why here it comes, what everyone likes. Photographs…. Keep in mind that the price was really right!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Micky N Minny done do'ed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 They even ate the plug wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Fix, or part out??? That is the question. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 At least another... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Hard to tell from all of the dirt but if those are chrome, not painted, wheels you're money ahead already. Highly sought; hard to come by. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxBuicks Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Probably nothing wrong with the engine internally, but then I don't know why it was parked in the first place. Wash it, then fix and drive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 OK. Was parked because the owners wife decided she needed a 4WD vehicle to go skiing up in the mountains with. Was driven for a while by an employee of the company that my friend owned. (Farm machinery sales and service.) Has been sitting since 2009. A decade dormant looking at the registration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 On 7/9/2019 at 8:16 AM, TxBuicks said: Probably nothing wrong with the engine internally, but then I don't know why it was parked in the first place. Wash it, then fix and drive. X2 Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 What else did the vermits munch on other than the plug wires? Be sure to get some nitrile gloves to work in, under there! NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Think how good it will look when cleaned........... Check the supercharger oil...........see attached photo........... pull the plug that has an allen wrench socket and the supercharger oil should be full but not running out (like checking an old lawn mower engine) GM has a special snake oil for the supercharger ......don't know if anyone has figured out a cheaper substitute oil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 I gave it a good washing under the hood and got rid of the critter nests. Have yet to put a battery in it and see if it even cranks. Thanks for the info on the Super charger Barney. I'll be sure to check it. My better other half fell and broke her hip joint and was in the hospital and rehab so that was taking up quite a bit of my time these last weeks. She is home now and getting around with a walker. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 (edited) Dave, I hope your wife does well. I have a 1995 which I've had for quite some time. I got it because it has the very unusual gear-shift on the steering column, and a cloth 60-40 front seat. The color is similar to yours--so here's what yours may look like once it's all cleaned and detailed: Edited August 13, 2019 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 Well, hellloooo there missy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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