UPDATE: 12/05/2023: It is common for a seller to immediately relist a classic car if they fail to secure a buyer on the first attempt. It is less typical for them to leave a significant amount of time before their second try. However, that is the case with this 1990 Buick Riviera, which we last saw in September 2022. The supplied photos and information are identical to last time. The only difference is that they have dropped the price slightly to $12,250. That isn’t a massive reduction over the previous figure of $13,250, but it might prove enough to tip the scales for potential buyers viewing the Buick here on Craigslist. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder ToddK for spotting this luxury classic.
11/16/2022: Buick launched its Seventh Generation Riviera in 1986. Much had changed since the first Riviera appeared in 1963, but the new generation continued offering buyers a luxurious motoring experience. Our feature Riviera rolled off the line in 1990, and its condition is in keeping with a car with 28,000 miles showing on its odometer. It has no apparent needs and appears to be a classic that has led a sheltered life. It needs a new home, so the seller listed it here on Craigslist in Fremont, California.
The 1990 Riviera was a different creature from the vehicles that appeared in Buick showrooms in 1963. It still possessed the luxury appointments buyers craved, but the styling was the most conservative the badge had seen. That doesn’t necessarily make it ugly, although the appearance didn’t appeal to everyone. This car’s original owner ordered it in Arctic White, which is 1-of-12 shades the company offered that year. It holds an impressive shine for its age, particularly since there is no history of restoration work or repainting. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and life in California means it remains rust-free. The damage-prone wire hubcaps are in excellent condition, as are the remaining trim and chrome. There is no evidence of crumbling or warped plastic, and the glass is flawless.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but Buick offered a single drivetrain configuration in 1990. Buyers received the 3.8-liter V6 that sent its 165hp to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Power steering was a standard feature, as were four-wheel power disc brakes. The Riviera’s forte wasn’t scorching the bitumen at the local dragstrip, but its performance was considered pretty reasonable in 1990. It could cover the ¼ mile in 17.7 seconds before reaching 127mph. If effortless open-road cruising at 70mph was what potential buyers sought, the Riviera delivered. The seller claims it has a genuine 28,000 miles on its odometer, but they don’t mention verifying evidence. However, they say it runs and drives well. The engine is strong, and the transmission shifts smoothly. It represents a turnkey proposition for a potential buyer seeking instant gratification.
The Riviera comes into its own when we examine its interior appointments. If you love luxury, this classic covers the bases. The new owner receives leather upholstery, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, a rear defroster, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, cruise control, a trip computer, and an AM/FM radio. There will be either a cassette player or a CD, but I’m unsure which. The leather exhibits wrinkling, which forms some of the character of that material type, but there’s no evidence of severe wear or abuse. The story is the same with the carpet, the faux woodgrain, and the headliner, while I can’t spot any crumbling or broken plastic. It would probably stretch credibility to describe the overall condition as “showroom,” but it is above-average for a classic of this type and age.
This 1990 Buick Riviera gives me a reality check. It seems that 1990 was only yesterday, but it is sobering to consider that thirty-three years have passed since this classic rolled off the showroom floor. In that context, this Buick remains well-preserved. While it may not be the most desirable vehicle on the planet, its overall condition guarantees it would still turn heads and receive favorable comments. The price reduction could make it irresistible to some, but the fact it hasn’t sold in over a year suggests the seller hasn’t been inundated with inquiries. That might make it worthwhile for interested parties to contact them to determine whether there is further room to move on their price. I always encourage a respectful approach rather than hitting them with a low-ball offer. You never know, but this Buick could be your Christmas Bonus.
This is the most insulting Craigslist ad of all time (and that’s saying something).
Let’s add some data blocks so even if your looking for a toaster you will pull up my car ad.
I really hate it when they do that,especially dealers.
If I’m looking for a Dodge Dakota,I don’t want to see
a Toyota Camry,etc. come up in my search.
Holy crap, you ain’t kidding! At that rate, he’s getting a buck a tag for that one…Tenacity isn’t always a good thing!
Especially when they state that they don’t want text, email, and serious buyers only. It seems like they are inviting every Craigslister to see their ad, so they shouldn’t be surprised at all of the crappy responses they are going to get.
Very idiotic thing to do.
At least turn the text color to white, so you don’t notice the keyword spam unless you drag your mouse over the white area to highlight it.
I always found Buicks of that era, especially the Regal and the Riviera, to look ungainly in the front. What were the designer was decided to make the front wheel arches about 2 inches higher than they needed to be so it always looks like they were cut out with a sawzall.
Fair enough Bakes, but once inside the well appointed Buick cabin, all was well. 😌
Only a shadow of the former automobile Buick built earlier. Doubt if the name will continue as the corporate heads are moving forward with electric vehicles. Was reading something about Buick dealerships being offered lump sums to leave or keep up. Don’t get me started where this is headed. Drive them folks while you can.
Wake up, Sir…. Everything is going electric… EVERYTHING. Not just Buick.
Oh OK. Which electric vehicle would meet my needs. I need a dually pickup that seats 5, and I commonly pull trailers weighing 25000 lbs. Most of my trips like that are 700 to 900 miles so I need 400 miles of range between charges. What do you recommend?
Also I live in northern ND and in the winter we have periods of minus 35 at night with daytime highs 15 to 20 below. Which ev can provide enough heat to keep me alive in case I get stranded in weather. There are at last check only 1 ev charger within 75 miles.
What do you recommend?
Lastly, what about those of us who do not want an ev. Do we still have enough freedom to pick our own vehicle out or will that be dictated from on high?
Sounds like a good way to help combat climate change, but let’s deal with reality first. All over the country, the power grids are old, can barely keep up with the demand for electricity in the present, and there doesn’t seem to be a great urgency to update these existing power grids. So how do those who are advocating for all cars to go electric expect to add all that extra stress to a power grid that can barely keep up with today’s demand?
Wouldn’t it be logical to update the power grids country wide first, then talk about making all cars go electric? Oh, sorry, I guess using logic is something that’s too much to ask for…
Yeah that’s going to work just fine. Sarcasm dripping, our commander of the military ( no name) says it’s going green too. When will these leaders and the tree huggers realize how silly some of this is. I live in Fl, worst for me was only 3 days without power. So please explain how all this is going to work? Bring in generators to charge emergency vehicles? The mining for batteries, then their disposal. That’s just the tip of this mess.
Cool car but the spam additions to the Craigslist add make me want to vomit all over the seller lol
Cant go wrong with a Riv.
Always a well appointed automobile, with the Generals premium parts.
I lost interest and trust in Buicks from the 80’s when I purchased my mom a 85 century she loved it the car was a comfortable ride and easy for her to drive 48k miles had to replace the distributor because it fried 49k miles it blew a head gasket dealership repair and the car never ran quiet again sold it and got her a 92 Ford Tempo and she never had a problem with it for 5 years until we sold it and got her a Honda Accord
This was been for sale for over a year. Regardless of miles, you can’t expect that price for a lackluster interior color and no Astroroof option.
No mention of the dashboard configuration – this car has many similarities to the Buick Reatta, which had a fully digital dashboard and a touch-screen element like a “ready-teller” – although in 1990 they scaled that back because it was very expensive to replace that module if it went out.
The Riviera and Reatta shared the same dash but beginning in 1990, the CRT screen was eliminated.
My ex-wife had good friend who had a 1983 Riv that had about 50k
on it and her husband bought her one of these. It was the twin to this car, and was such a disappointment from the car she had before. I of course bought her old Riviera because she had every dealer receipt for service since the car was new. I paid 2500.00 for it and my wife loved it. The body change from 1985 cost a lot of GM employees their jobs.Toronados and Eldorados suffered the same fate, why buy a car as big as a Cutlass or Regal.
I like the generations before this generation of Riviera. This one is fugly. And for too much
There’s just so much wrong with this car’s design-seems like I’m looking at it reflected in a funhouse mirror. The one positive is that it doesn’t have the vinyl roof section.