When Buick’s styling department, led by the late, great Bill Porter, designed the final generation of the Buick Riviera, large personal-luxury coupes were in big trouble. Though they had lit up the sales charts in the 1970s and even the 1980s, by the 1990s, trucks and SUVs had replaced them as the vehicles to be seen in. Thus, these stylishly ovoid Rivieras only got a five-model-year run, and they were the last of those Buick flagships. Because of this, quite a few people have kept these “eighth-generation” Rivieras in good condition, and there are quite a few to choose from. Barn Finder T.J. spotted this one on craigslist in Toms River, New Jersey, and with 47,000 miles on the odometer, its $6,500 asking price looks tempting.
For 1998, Buick made the 240-horsepower 3800 V6 standard, and when teamed with a “Heavy Duty” 4T65-E transaxle, it made for a fairly quick Riviera; zero-to-sixty times in the seven second range aren’t too bad for a large, 27-year-old luxury coupe. The robust 3800 doesn’t usually need too much maintenance, and with only 47,000 miles on it, it will probably last for decades. From what I’ve read, however, it may not be a bad idea to change the supercharger oil if it hasn’t yet been done, and asking the seller how often cooling system maintenance was done might not be a bad idea either.
The Riviera’s base price in 1998 was well over $30,000, so buyers would have expected a long list of standard features and a luxurious interior, and most luxury features that would have been optional on most cars were standard. You got leather upholstery, power seats (with power recliner and lumbar support), power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, an overhead console, programmable power locks, tilt wheel, “6-speaker Concert Sound II” stereo, and more. The leather in this ’98 model is “Taupe,” and it appears to be excellent.
The seller doesn’t give us too much information about the Riviera, aside from saying that it is in “beautiful original condition” and it “runs and drives like new.” The pictures seem to verify that, but as always with a craigslist ad, it’s probably best to check it out for yourself. With what appears to be a lovely shade of “Santa Fe Red Pearl” paint (although it might be “Bordeaux Red Pearl”), polished wheels, a clean engine compartment, and a nice interior, this Riviera could be a future collectible, if it isn’t already. Only 10,953 were sold in 1998, which was the penultimate model year for the Riviera. If you like its distinctive ’90s styling and solid Buick mechanicals, it might be time for Buick’s last real flagship car.
The body design of this generation of Riv provokes notions of fish, maybe dolphins, in my mind; the drivetrain makes me salivate.
Always have loved Rivieras and the last generation to me was a beauty. I’d take this one at the asking price easily. But like the guys who comment about the tips I send in from the Pacific Northwest where I live, it’s just too far away.
this was one of the very few “recent” cars I consider collectible and interesting. My sister had one and it was a great car but they drove the wheels off it at 325K before retiring it with very few issues. It is all I can do not to buy this car.
I was always a fan of Rivieras – I liked the 1963-1964 without the clamshell headlights (I thought those looked hideous, but that’s my opinion), 1966 – 1969 (the 1970’s looked bloated), the “boat tails” 1971 – 1973, the ’80’s version (where they were downsized to about where the ’63 – ’65’s were in size), and the last generation. These are beautiful cars, and if I lived closer, I’d have $6,500 in cash in my hand for it!
“”as always with a craigslist ad, it’s probably best to check it out for yourself.””
SO TRUE
Great design. But the plastic interiors of the ‘90’s. Such a let down. They could have at least coated the dash with fake wood.
Very fair price for the condition.
I bought my wife a 1998 RIvi in 2003, great car. She walked away from a near head on crash at a traffic light.
These were remarkable cars. Good power with the L67 engine, good fuel economy; in excess of 30 if you treated the gas pedal lightly. Great ride and handling. No fake woodgrain. What’s not to like.
I’m definitely a Riviera fan, but the final iteration, well, dolphin, fish…it always looked to me just like a turd pinched from a giant corporate sphyncter. Just my opinion, and reading the other comments here, I suppose I’m in the minority. The front 3/4 shot strongly resembles a two-door Mercury Sable had one ever been built. Nice, low mileage, very clean, great price. I’m sure someone will snap it up and I hope they enjoy it, and drive it in safety and good health.
>a turd pinched from a giant corporate sphyncter
That made me chuckle. Accurate if a bit ewww. lol
The shape is surprisingly aerodynamic but I agree just a wee too pinched to be attractive. But given that fish are super slippery and this version of Riviera easily got 30+ mpg out of a pretty peppy V6, Id say the designers were on to something.
very nice condition on this riv. the price is fair as well and if you have cash in hand maybe cheaper. love the drivetrain these have great mpgs as well. interior is neat looking as well. just not a fan of the looks of the outside. this is presented in a great color combo too. if i were looking i would give it serious consideration
I thought these were one sexy looking ride when they were released. The first test mule I got a glimpse of before departing GM was a real sight. Later on a lady I met referred to it as a pickle. This appears to be a nice car and a great deal.
Always liked this car, owned 3 in this color.The last one was a convertible by Droptop customs ( I think they were called Droptop Limited back then).
So, does this have a 4T-65E or a 4T-65 E-HD, with the 4-pinion differential (RPO M15). Inquiring Minds NEED to Know!
Reply to the link in the ad. You can just ask the seller directly.
I know that I am in the minority, especially here on BF, but this is my favorite generation of the Rivera.
I love the look and it has one of the most reliable powertrains ever made.
They either are in great shape or beat to hell, and the good ones are getting scarcer and more expensive. This one is priced very well for 2025. The last couple of years have seen a big price increase on these, well, almost everyhing.
That area around Toms River is like “seniors central”. retirement villages galore. Somebody inherited it, or somebody probably not being able to drive anymore. especially with that low mileage.
The one of these to get is the “Silver Arrow” edition. Only a handful were made in the final year of production. I have not seen one of those in at least 10 years.
SOLD. Knew this wouldn’t last long.