Sometimes, it pays to give a seller the benefit of the doubt. I was ready to pound on the claims that this Reatta was one of just 305 made, smug in my knowledge that although built in limited numbers, there were far more than that rolling around. But the seller is correct in that his 1991 Buick Reatta convertible was built in very low numbers that year, with just 305 droptops produced. The Reatta shown here is a pretty combination of white over gray leather with the later 16 inch wheels. It is listed here on craigslist for $11,000 in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Reatta was a grand concept that was envisioned as a gamechanger from start to finish, as even the production process was far removed from the traditional means of vehicle assembly. The Reatta’s production process was extremely laborious, especially for a car that wasn’t exactly destined to dominate the field at Pebble Beach. Still, the styling was quite eye catching and there wasn’t much like it on the roads, but this didn’t translate into a sales home run. There’s a very loyal following for these cars today, which is why I can’t say I’m surprised this seller is knowledgeable about his car’s production numbers. There doesn’t appear to be any issues with the soft top and the seller promises it comes with all records and numerous new parts.
The seller’s car does present well with just under 85,000 miles on the clock, although you can see some fading of the leather on the driver’s side shoulder bolster. The air conditioning works and the heater core was recently replaced, a benefit to buying a Florida car as those seller don’t waste time driving around with broken air conditioning. The only deviation from stock is with the stereo, as the seller has installed an aftermarket unit with a flip-down screen and Bluetooth, along with Apple Carplay. Now, I get it – features like these can make driving an older car even more fun on a daily basis, but being the purist that I am, I’d rather it had the OEM touchscreen with the voice command center.
Despite the high-end assembly process, the drivetrain was straight from the GM parts bin, but the 1991 models got the one-year-only 3.8L L27 Buick V6, good for 170 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. These weren’t slow cars, but they weren’t considered fast, either, and the Reatta topped off at 125 miles per hour. The seller has addressed several maintenance-related fixes, including new tires, radiator, struts, battery, and more (in addition to the heater core.) Not many Reattas are still running around that have gotten any recent maintenance at all, so this 1991 example could be one of the few cars left that’s been in the hands of a caring owner.
I always liked the looks of the Reatta, but I’ve seen a few hardtops in the last few years far cheaper. I’d swap in a supercharged motor.
Just an FYI that the touchscreen was eliminated after the ’89 MY, so this would have been equipped with a conventional radio and HVAC controls.
This is a nice car, but not at all worth the $11k asking price, at least not with that many miles. Values on these things are still very low, and clean 25-50k examples sell in the $4-6k range – definitely a bargain if you can get one with all of the electrical gremlins sorted out. And these cars are known for lots of those!
Tower, don’t know where you are but you are way off on your $4 to $6k pricing. At that price point you are looking at beaters. This appears to be pretty clean. The $11k maybe a little high
Wound up buying an ’89 hardtop last week in pristine shape for $2600. It was actually this car: https://barnfinds.com/no-reserve-1989-buick-reatta/?utm_source=Comment+Notifications&utm_medium=email
Definitely not a beater.
Low production numbers doesn’t mean it’s valuable.
Sorry but it does. There were only 2,437 convertibles ever built. The total 4 yr production for all Reatta’s was 21,751. So a little more than 10% adds value
My father just sold his with 27K on it and got 13K for it
you are correct low production doesn’t mean it’s valuable.
It was built like a brick schoolhouse, but so are all hand built cars
Your father did well on that!
Is it just me or does it look like that top is off-white… on a bright white car? Could be harder to keep that soft top white as opposed to the body panels.
Regardless, is that even worse than black pants and brown shoes? Or a giant whale tail on a Civic?
My first PM at Moffett Field drove a Riatta that caught my eye and always intrigued me. This droptop has lost that design appeal to me. I’d be curious if there was a factory removable hardtop option for the ‘verts to use during winter months, and if it would provide the same unique profile that this convertible lacks.(and yes, I know that is a “BaT-ish” remark)
there’s one of those “305” built units for sale up here in Niagara falls.
This one has 118000 miles for equivalent of $9200 US. ($12000 ca)
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/st-catharines/1990-buick-reatta-convertible/1576491540
I must say, I like em … nice little two seat’r sporty drop top!!
Never seen or heard of them till today …
I have not owned a ragtop in the Reatta line up and yes they are far and few to find today. I do have a few coupes and really enjoy the driving experience with them. Great road cars for the long day or weekend trip. I have a ’91 coupe in white on flame red which is one of 94 made in that color combo for the last year. It has 67k on the clock and everything still functions as when new. This listed car would have been pricey in the showroom in the $35k range, might bring about $8-9k on a real good day. I wish the seller good luck with his sale on this low production sporty Buick.