62k Original Miles: 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate

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Buick introduced the last generation of its iconic Roadmaster series in 1991, with the model soldiering on gamely until market forces saw it discontinued in 1996. With no modern equivalents available, the Estate version has developed a strong following in the classic community for those who aren’t keen on owning a van or SUV. This 1992 Estate presents exceptionally well for its age and is a three-owner survivor. With 62,000 miles under its belt, it should offer its new owner years of versatile family motoring. The Roadmaster is listed here on eBay in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. Respectable bidding has pushed the price to $7,955, which remains below the reserve. For those wishing to bypass the auction process, the seller offers a BIN option of $17,500.

The seller supplies several exterior shots of this Roadmaster, but we are forced to piece them together to gain an overview of its condition. However, the news seems pretty optimistic. The original owner ordered it in Dark Maple Red, a shade that nicely suits the Estate’s styling. The paint shines beautifully, and like the faux woodgrain, it appears free from significant flaws or defects. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with tight and consistent gaps. The Buick features a “vista roof” for the second-row occupants to reduce claustrophobic feelings and a practical roof rack. The trim looks excellent, including the damage-prone wire hubcaps. The glass is flawless, and the overall condition is consistent with the seller’s mileage claim.

The 1992 model year was the most successful for the last-generation Roadmaster Estate, with 11,019 buyers handing over the cash. The Estate would never again venture into five-figure territory before Buick dropped the ax in 1996. All buyers received a 5.7-liter V8 sending 180hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed 4L60 automatic transmission. While most buyers were unconcerned about outright performance, a ¼-mile ET of 17.9 seconds was respectable for a vehicle tipping the scales at 4,469lbs. The seller claims the wagon has 62,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t mention supporting evidence. Since it has a known ownership experience, confirmation may be possible. Otherwise, the claim needs to be taken at face value. The vehicle runs and drives well, ready for a cross-country adventure for the entire family.

Family wagon interiors can become tired and battered over time due to the nature of their lives. Loose objects can scar the cargo area, while small children, kicking feet, sticky fingers, and the family dog can also take their toll. This Estate has escaped those traumas. The upholstered surfaces look excellent, with no physical damage or significant wear. The back seat is almost perfect, while the third-row seating allows this wagon to seat seven people. For those who like their creature comforts, the interior features leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, an AM/FM radio and cassette player, and a tilt wheel.

The nature of the new car market means that a group of buyers feel left out in the cold. They are the people who aren’t thrilled by the concept of using a people carrier or SUV as family transport and seek the comfort and versatility of a station wagon. However, there is no evidence that full-sized wagons are on the radars of manufacturers, meaning buyers need to scour the market for good secondhand alternatives. That is what this 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate offers, and the fourteen bids so far received indicate potential buyers like what they see. Even if someone elects to bypass the auction process by hitting the BIN button, that figure is competitive in the current market. I won’t be surprised if that happens. Will you?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. SirRaoulDuke

    It’s nice, but to me there is no compelling reason to get this over the later LT1 cars.

    Like 11
    • Bob Washburne

      I had a ’92 RM and can answer that.

      Because replacing the water pump only takes an hour, whereas with the LT-1 the entire intake has to be removed.

      The LT-1 is a fine engine. I work on my own cars, so I like the simplicity of the older engine.

      Like 10
      • JLHudson

        Intake manifold does not have to be removed on the LT1.

        Like 6
  2. Yblocker

    “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?” Not this one, I already have a tub in my bathroom

    Like 7
    • FordGuy1972 FordGuy1972

      I don’t care what anybody says, these full-size GM wagons were not good-looking cars. Sure, they are probably aerodynamic, but the styling was un-inspiring, to say the least. The word “formless” comes to mind. By comparison, though, the sedans looked even worse. However, it is a super clean car with a pleasant interior and an attractive exterior color. Inside, at least you are spared looking at the unattractive exterior. The weird angles the photographer took aren’t the best approach in selling a car these days, either.

      Like 6
      • Phil D

        I never understood why, after Buick released the Roadmaster sedan, they didn’t use the far more attractive sedan front clip in place of the “Buickish-looking grille in a Caprice front clip” on the wagons, too. They wouldn’t have gained the more conventional and tasteful Roadmaster sedan C-pillar and would have still been stuck with the odd rear end appearance from the Chevy out back, but the Roadmaster wagons would still have looked more “upscale” than the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile wagon offerings, and at a development cost (near zero) that would have pleased the GM bean counters.

        Like 2
      • Bob Weinzierl

        Agreed. Always thought these Buicks looked like a bloated whales…in dimensions and that toothy grille.

        Like 0
  3. Brian Pinkey

    Love it, with this my father could have saved the Motel price on another Army ordered move with family. No A/C, he used to lay us out in the back of the station wagon at 3AM to drive in the cool desert rt. 66 dark.

    Like 7
  4. junkmanMember

    Hey seller, how about stand back and take some pictures of the whole car. Drives me nuts trying to see what’s actually the overall condition, like a mismatched left front fender. Not biting on this one, pass!

    Like 8
  5. Robby C

    It’s too big to fit the whole thing in one shot!!!

    Like 1
  6. Old Beach Guy

    I’ve owned two, a 1992 and 1995. Both were good cars. I sold the 1992 after driving it 130K, and sold the 1995 after driving it 150K. Both were great cars, but IMHO the 1992 engine was more dependable than the 1995 LT1 with it’s Optispark distributor. It was a costly problem GM regretted. They look sharp with a set of Impala SS aluminum wheels.

    Like 4
  7. 427Turbojet 427TurbojetMember

    A few years ago I bought a loaded 92 Caprice wagon that an elderly man with failing eyesight had scraped both sides on his garage door. The doors and quarters had enough damage that I decided beater status would be best. I cut the rear wheel wells open like 94 up Caprices/Impala SS sedans. That took 1000 pounds visually off the car. Then replaced the rear bumper and cover with an aftermarket rear roll pan, shortening it about 4 inches and visually taking another 200 pounds off. I put American Racing 15 X 8 200S wheels with 235 60 tires on it. Still had scrapes on the doors and quarters but made a great beater. Now have a rough 95 Roadmaster that I plan on the same modifications to, recreate that old daily beater.

    Like 0
    • 427Turbojet 427TurbojetMember

      Photo of a photo, hope it comes through OK.

      Like 4
      • Racer-X

        A Sawzall masterpiece.

        Like 5
  8. Mike PesotskiMember

    Clicked on the link. Auction ended. That was quick.

    Like 1
  9. PRA4SNW

    End at $9,100.
    Reserve Not Met.

    Like 0

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