J3Studio Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) I am restarting my very picky search for an eighth generation Riviera, and I figure you are the first folks (other than my lovely wife) to inform of this and also almost certainly the folks I will come to with questions. I do feel I learned a lot from this thread back in mid-2019: Since some kind folks have continued to keep an eye out for me, these are the specifics of what I'm looking for: Supercharger (I know it was optional in 1996/1997 and standard in 1998/1999) 1996-1999 (I want ODB-II and the slight amount of extra power) Less than 100,000 miles (I'd prefer in the 30,000 to 60,000 range, but that's negotiable) An exterior in a dark metallic jewel tone (examples over the years would include Majestic Teal Metallic/Pearl, Dark Cherry Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic, Bordeaux Red Pearl, and Midnight Blue Pearl). I might make an exception for a few lighter-colored metallics such as Slate Green Pearl or Santa Fe Red Pearl. I like and respect the Silver Arrows, but they're not for me: we already have two special edition GM products in the garage, and I think that's enough. An Astroroof Leather bucket seats (I know they were optional in 1996/1997 and standard in 1998/1999) —and, yes, I know that's picky—but I am willing to wait until I find the right one for me. Edited March 1, 2021 by J3Studio (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) A note that none of the 19 1996-1999 Rivieras listed in the January/February 2021 Riview meet this (again, I know, picky) specification. Most fail on color or mileage. Some attractive cars that make it through those first two sorts (such as the Ruby Red Metallic 1996) lack options I desire. Edited March 1, 2021 by J3Studio (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 … and right away on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Buick-Riviera/333900546901 with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN9MWaUOLAIIf Does what I believe is passenger's side body damage (ahead of the rear wheel) mean "run away"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 I understand that the suspension on the 1997 is unique to all other 8th generation cars. Someone more familiar with this than me should chime in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, RivNut said: I understand that the suspension on the 1997 is unique to all other 8th generation cars. Someone more familiar with this than me should chime in. You are correct. @Rivman gave me the low-down on the suspension changes in that 2019 thread. Edited March 1, 2021 by J3Studio (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 3 hours ago, RivNut said: I understand that the suspension on the 1997 is unique to all other 8th generation cars. Someone more familiar with this than me should chime in. I know the front suspension had some differences but not sure about the rear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Astroroof? I can top that 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) On 3/1/2021 at 10:03 AM, J3Studio said: ...these are the specifics of what I'm looking for: ...Leather bucket seats (I know they were optional in 1996/1997 and standard in 1998/1999) Leather bucket seats will be the easiest to find. They are on probably 99% of all those Rivieras. Of all the Rivieras on dealer lots and in parking lots I've seen since 1995, there have been only 3 with the 60-40 split seat--and a hundred with the console. My 1995 Riviera I got specifically because it had cloth 60-40 seats, and the gear-shift on the column. The wide and clear front area, and the light-colored soft cloth seats, make the interior seem more wide-open and inviting to me. Edited March 13, 2021 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 2 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said: Leather bucket seats will be the easiest to find. They are on probably 99% of all those Rivieras. Of all the Rivieras on dealer lots and in parking lots I've seen since 1995, there have been only 3 with the 60-40 split seat--and a hundred with the console. I know that the leather bucket seat proviso is almost certainly my least picky requirement. Of all the folks on this forum, I believe only you and @Rivman have examples of the other two upholstery choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 On 3/9/2021 at 9:38 PM, Rivdrivn said: Astroroof? I can top that I already have a GM convertible. It isn't a Riviera, but it does occasionally hang with Rivieras … 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 J3, I like your 1977-78 Riviera! That generation is very much overlooked, but those cars are well styled, reliable, and comfortable. Can you post another picture or two? As far as the non-bucket seats in the 1995-99 generation, mine are tan cloth. I have seen light blue cloth, and also leather in a dark color which I don't recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said: J3, I like your 1977-78 Riviera! That generation is very much overlooked, but those cars are well styled, reliable, and comfortable. Can you post another picture or two? As far as the non-bucket seats in the 1995-99 generation, mine are tan cloth. I have seen light blue cloth, and also leather in a dark color which I don't recall. I don't want to misrepresent—that 1977 Riviera is not mine (the Corvette between the two Rivieras is the one attached to me). These photos were taken at the 2019 ROA meet in Gettysburg. Two more: Edited March 11, 2021 by J3Studio (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 17 hours ago, J3Studio said: I already have a GM convertible. It isn't a Riviera, but it does occasionally hang with Rivieras… Sorry. I misinterpreted your caption as saying that all 3 cars in the picture were in your collection! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Skelly Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 as far as rust goes, look for it underneath the car and especially around the rear struts and inner rear wheelhousings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) Seen on FB today. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=27611&showNegotiable=true&sortDir=ASC&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=50&sortType=DEAL_SCORE&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d279#listing=300491731 Edited April 18, 2021 by NC1968Riviera (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted September 10, 2021 Author Share Posted September 10, 2021 The 1985 Corvette has been sold and I am far less "defective" than I was back in March/April/May. So, making another run at my picky spec—which none of the 12 1996-1999 cars listed in the current Riview meet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 The Snipe hunt resumes! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 19 hours ago, EmTee said: The Snipe hunt resumes! LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 On 9/10/2021 at 1:12 PM, J3Studio said: The 1985 Corvette has been sold and I am far less "defective" than I was back in March/April/May. So, making another run at my picky spec—which none of the 12 1996-1999 cars listed in the current Riview meet. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Not sure if this is worth the time to check out https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/207257984775644/?ref=facebook_story_share 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 I like the color and the interior looks pretty good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 On 9/16/2021 at 8:54 PM, EmTee said: I like the color and the interior looks pretty good... The color meets my specs—the mileage is just a little higher than I'd prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 29 minutes ago, J3Studio said: The color meets my specs—the mileage is just a little higher than I'd prefer. I would say a whole lot higher for the asking price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Dark Blue 1997 Riv in the Chicago area 84K miles, $4500 (2) Marketplace - 1997 Buick Riviera · Coupe 2D | Facebook 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 1997 Buick Riviera Coupe 2D $2,800 Vehicles Listed 5 weeks ago in Mishawaka, IN 133K miles, no pics of engine compartment. (2) Marketplace - 1997 Buick Riviera · Coupe 2D | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Green 1998 Buick Riviera Coupe 2D $3,800 114K miles Listed 3 weeks ago in Lexington, SC Engine hood paint looks spotty (2) Marketplace - 1998 Buick Riviera · Coupe 2D | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Silver/Beige 1998 Buick Riviera Coupe 2D $5,300 99,962 miles Listed 5 weeks ago in Ayden, NC (2) Marketplace - 1998 Buick Riviera · Coupe 2D | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 I'm worried that this search is going to make me have to sign up for Facebook … 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 4 hours ago, J3Studio said: I'm worried that this search is going to make me have to sign up for Facebook … Nah - just let Mike find 'em and post here! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 Thoughts? https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/5f007416-3f89-4f69-8edb-abc60b84ccc3/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 21 hours ago, J3Studio said: Thoughts? https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/5f007416-3f89-4f69-8edb-abc60b84ccc3/ Not a common color but a decent find. The only obvious item to note is the antenna looks like it may need attention which is not unusual. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dship Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 54 minutes ago, Pat Curran said: Not a common color but a decent find. The only obvious item to note is the antenna looks like it may need attention which is not unusual. Based on write up, it sounds like it has the Prestige Package option. Fair price for the mileage, and you can't kill a Buick 3800 (but keep maintenance up to date re: supercharger). Wish it had chrome wheels, though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Go for it John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) One owner RIV, lived in MA all its life, CarFax shows all maintenance performed by a Chevy/(Buick?) dealership from beginning to end, report of an auto accident in 2002, no sign of supercharger oil change in the fairly detailed CarFax report, three close-together reports of "electrical system checked" not too many miles ago. then sold at auto auction in MA in September, 2021, and wound up for sale in December at a used car-only dealer in Milwaukee, WI, still showing the same mileage as when at the auction. Really nice, special cars with relatively low mileage usually don't wind up for sale at a wholesale dealer auto auction....and then get trucked across half the country to be re-sold at a used car-only dealer. Perhaps there's a good story behind all of this, AND perhaps this is a wonderful Riviera. But, I'd sure want to see it in person before pulling the trigger. Even if it's as simple as finding out the condition of the paint. As an alternative to the buyer actually seeing the car, there should be some Milwaukee-area guys in the BCA or the ROA who could check it out. John Edited January 2, 2022 by Jolly_John (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 If it spent its life in Massachusetts and was used year round, I would definitely scrutinize the undercarriage particularly the subframe mounting areas. These are known areas for rust issues and are not an easy fix. This may be the reason it is being flipped so fast but it could be a good car as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted January 4, 2022 Author Share Posted January 4, 2022 (edited) On 1/1/2022 at 2:41 PM, Jolly_John said: One owner RIV, lived in MA all its life, CarFax shows all maintenance performed by a Chevy/(Buick?) dealership from beginning to end, report of an auto accident in 2002, no sign of supercharger oil change in the fairly detailed CarFax report, three close-together reports of "electrical system checked" not too many miles ago. then sold at auto auction in MA in September, 2021, and wound up for sale in December at a used car-only dealer in Milwaukee, WI, still showing the same mileage as when at the auction. Really nice, special cars with relatively low mileage usually don't wind up for sale at a wholesale dealer auto auction....and then get trucked across half the country to be re-sold at a used car-only dealer. Perhaps there's a good story behind all of this, AND perhaps this is a wonderful Riviera. But, I'd sure want to see it in person before pulling the trigger. Even if it's as simple as finding out the condition of the paint. As an alternative to the buyer actually seeing the car, there should be some Milwaukee-area guys in the BCA or the ROA who could check it out. @Jolly_John Thank you for the detailed and helpful analysis. Edited January 4, 2022 by J3Studio (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 My pleasure, J3Studio. I was a little surprised the gang may not have looked the free CarFax report over in detail. I applaud you for being on the prowl for a very nice, last generation Riv. I've owned two as everyday cars in the past, and they are wonderful. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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