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37k Original Miles: 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited

There comes a time in life when classic car enthusiasts crave life at a slower pace. They remain passionate about high-performance models but sometimes wish to view the frenetic pace of the outside world from a position of splendid isolation. That is the opportunity offered by this 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited. It features a healthy V8 under the hood and 37,000 miles on the clock, but the interior is loaded with features designed to pamper its occupants. The seller has listed the Buick here on Craigslist in Coos Bay, Oregon. They have set their price at $12,900, and I must thank Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.

The styling of the final generation Roadmaster tends to polarize opinion. Some find it attractive, while it can leave others feeling cold. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground, and while I admit I wasn’t a fan the first time I saw one, the styling has grown on me. Our feature car wears White paint with a Beige Landau-style vinyl top. It is hard to fault its presentation because the paint shines impressively, and the vinyl looks flawless. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps look tight and consistent. That last point is worth noting because older American models can show inconsistency in that area. However, I have to give those manufacturers credit where it is due. Imports from Japan and Europe suffered no such shortcomings, and American producers paid attention to that aspect of the build to successfully match the foreign invaders. The tinted glass is flawless, as is the chrome. Plastic trim from this era could deteriorate due to UV exposure, but there are no such issues here. The only jarring note, and this is a personal opinion, is that I don’t believe white-letter tires have a rightful place on a vehicle of this type. Whitewalls would look perfect, but these don’t suit the Roadmaster’s luxurious image. Your opinion might be different, which is one aspect that makes the classic scene fascinating.

This Roadmaster covers the bases if you prefer your classic motoring experience with a touch of luxury. It features supple leather upholstery, climate-controlled air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power bucket seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM stereo radio/cassette player with all the bells and whistles. The seller indicates that everything functions as it should, with no problems or issues. The overall condition helps the vehicle’s cause and seems to support the seller’s claim that this Roadmaster has a genuine 37,000 miles showing on its odometer. I’m hesitant to describe it as perfect, but I struggle to find many faults. The leather has some wrinkles, but that is part of the evolving character of that material. The carpet shows no wear or stains, while the plastic components are free from crumbling and cracks.

The 1992 model year marked the first change to the Roadmaster’s drivetrain specifications. The company introduced the badge in 1991, equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 producing 170hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. For 1992, they swapped to the fuel-injected LT1 version of its 5.7-liter V8 that lifted the figures to 180hp and an impressive 300 ft/lbs. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, allowing this luxury cruiser to cover the ¼ mile in 17.4 seconds. Buick introduced the engine upgrade to improve fuel consumption and mid-range performance, which were considered important to potential buyers. However, none complained when they realized it also slashed an impressive 1.3 seconds off the ¼-mile ET. The seller describes the Roadmaster as their 200mph living room courtesy of its combination of luxury and performance. It is a one-owner classic with a genuine 37,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but the ownership history makes its presence possible. Otherwise, the Buick runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey classic needing nothing but a new home.

The 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited offers its owner a luxurious motoring experience with the potential to make every journey enjoyable. Its V8 engine provides adequate power and torque for most drivers, although it is far from classed as a genuine high-performance model. It was the largest passenger car in Buick’s range during the early 1990s, and buyers embraced it by purchasing 70,731 vehicles across both the sedan and Estate body styles during 1992. However, they quickly fell out of favor as alternatives like SUVs gained greater traction in the market. The last Roadmaster rolled off the line in 1996, and there is no indication that a new model will emerge in the future. Some cars break the rules in the classic market, and the ’92 Roadmaster Limited is one of those. It spent the early part of the last decade largely ignored, and it was possible to buy a decent car for a modest sum. Values have skyrocketed recently, with an average increase across the board of 30% in the last two years. It is impossible to predict whether this trend will continue, but I wouldn’t rule it out. Our feature car sits towards the top of what a buyer might expect to pay, but recent sales results demonstrate that the figure isn’t unprecedented. If it quickly finds a new home, I won’t be surprised.

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Cadmanls Member

    My uncle owned one same year same model. He asked me to drive it from NE Ohio to SW Fl and he was going to leave it there. What he gave me for gas money I thought was not nearly enough. I was so wrong, that car got great gas mileage and the ride was amazing. I thought how could GM build a car like this that nobody knew about or cared. Styling is well different, but never the less it is a good car. Why this one hasn’t experienced usage don’t know but next owner should be quite happy.

    Like 12
    • Avatar photo Doug Smedbron

      I had a 92, it had no Vynil top making it a cleaner design. The velour like interior was body friendly. Greatest thing is the engine, without cruise, I would find myself at 90 while hardly noticing. Unfortunately the Wisconsin rusr worms did their evil work.

      Like 6
  2. Avatar photo Bakyrdhero Member

    It’s shocking to think this car is thirty years old. Equally shocking are the raised white letters..

    Like 12
  3. Avatar photo Rod Kinkade

    Sorry NOT an LT1. That came in 1994. This is the L05 5.7 V8 with 180 hp.

    Like 10
  4. Avatar photo Rod

    The Limited seats were all the same from 1992-1994. The 1995-1996 Limited seats were the orthopedic type (or so they say). But in 1994 they changed the dash and door panels for the worse. The door panels fell apart and the dash lost the gauges. The base model seats remain the same from 1991-1996. I think the 1992-1994 Limited seats are some of the most comfortable seats I have experienced. The base model seats are not bad. But the orthopedic seats on the 1995-1996 Limited are not so great.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar photo George Mattar

    When GM still had it together. Today, total garbage. Buick today is a total joke and should be put to death like the idiots who killed the great Oldsmobile and Pontiac.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar photo Steve

    “Tanks” for the memories.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar photo Charlie28711

    This line of GM boats always made me think of a line from Hitchhikers Guide. “Looks like a fish, moves like a fish, steers like a cow.”.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Rod

      I have several of these, and formerly owned several more. Adding an anti-sway bar in the back and severe duty shocks all around (Police/Taxi shocks) they steer and handle surprisingly well.

      Like 1

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