It seems the days of walking into a showroom and driving away in a Station Wagon may be a distant memory unless the buyer turns their attention to foreign makes. The Wagon has lost the battle against the SUV, and there are no signs domestic manufacturers have replacements on their radar. This 1987 Buick Electra Estate is a viable alternative with room for a large family. It is a low-mile survivor with enough factory options to make any journey enjoyable. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Buffalo, New York. It has received a solitary bid of $5,000, which is below the reserve.
The Station Wagon was once the dominant force in practical family transport, and every second suburban home seemed to have one parked in its driveway. They offered impressive flexibility and excellent load-carrying capacity, and those with third-row seating could accommodate large families. However, SUVs can perform the same functions, often more effectively. This Electra rolled off the line in 1987, with its original owner ordering it in Dark Sapphire Blue with the faux woodgrain featured on so many Wagons from this era. It is well-preserved, with its sparkling paint holding a beautiful shine. It isn’t perfect, with the seller admitting there are chips, marks, and bubbles consistent with the Wagon’s age. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there are no existing rust problems. The seller states there are a couple of floor repairs, but the impression is they have been completed to a standard that should ensure the rust has been permanently eliminated. The woodgrain has minor marks and imperfections but is presentable for a survivor-grade classic. Perfectionists might seek improvements, and companies specializing in vinyl wraps could probably address the shortcomings relatively cheaply. The seller repaired the typical bumper filler deterioration, but replacement might be a viable option for those seeking a better finish. The glass looks excellent, and the wheels retain the original wire hubcaps.
It is almost inevitable that Station Wagons feature battered and worn interiors. It is virtually unavoidable and could be considered an occupational hazard of the lives most live. This Electra is an exception because the dirty carpet appears to be the only significant flaw. I’m unsure whether it would respond well to a deep clean, but a set of floor mats would hide the problem if the winning bidder is unwilling to splash the cash on a new carpet set. The Dark Blue upholstered surfaces are free from issues, the dash and plastic look excellent, and the acres of woodgrain trim provide a luxurious feel. The Wagon scores many points due to the long list of factory options. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, power mirrors, a rear defroster, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. Enthusiasts with large families will welcome the versatility of third-row seating. There are no aftermarket additions, although the seller mentions functional issues with the A/C, power locks, and radio, requiring attention.
Buick followed a “one size fits all” philosophy when designing the 1987 Electra Estate’s drivetrain configuration. Every buyer received a 307ci V8, a four-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. That V8 produces 140hp and 255 ft/lbs, which isn’t much when the engine must shift a Wagon weighing 4,239 lbs. Therefore, this Estate is more effective as a long-distance tourer than a point-and-squirt classic. The seller claims this Buick has 67,800 miles on the clock, and while they don’t mention verifying evidence, the condition makes the claim plausible. It runs and drives perfectly, with the engine strong and the transmission smooth. Christmas isn’t far away, meaning this could be the ideal transport for that family Christmas vacation.
This 1987 Buick Electra Estate isn’t perfect, but the seller doesn’t claim it is. They provide a “warts and all” assessment of its condition, which is refreshing when some sellers paint their vehicle as something it isn’t. An in-person inspection is always advisable, but I doubt potential buyers will discover anything beyond what the seller has revealed in their listing. Recent sales results and figures provided by NADA indicate that the single bid submitted should be close to the seller’s reserve. It is doubtful whether the bidding would climb beyond $6,000, meaning this Estate represents a lot of metal for the money. Would you consider monitoring this auction and dropping a sneaky bid as the end draws near? I wish you luck if you do.
Sometimes I think sellers believe anything over 20 years is a classic and warrants a classic sale price. If this sellers gets $5000 I think they should consider themselves lucky. I’m not convinced the rust issues are completed. Also the fact that other issues still need attention and that anemic 140 HP engine. I love station wagons but this one screams money pit.
This is a good example of SW, however, the 80s lines don’t really appeal to me.
I would still buy it. I love SW.
This is a nice looking wagon and a symbol of times gone by. Is anyone actually going to hail their family around in it anymore though? I would drive it, but my wife and teen daughters would probably rather walk home then be seen getting into this thing unfortunately. This is most likely to be seen at a car show or ice cream stand on occasion.
A real hwy creampuff back in the 80s from Buick. Imagine a 3.8 Turbo in there 🙌🏁↪️
There were 2. Count them. During Grand National development there were two big wagons made with inter cooled GN powertrains. They had bucket seats and console and all options. To the sorrow of many, both were turned into yard cars at the Buick City plant and eventually scrapped.
You must be a Buick city guy. Sounds like it. I was truck and bus down in Pontiac. It’s amazing how many things like that went in behind the scenes in a manufacturing area.
Nice hearing from you.
😢 I’ve seen one done up w a midsized wagon.. Century probably? Google popped it up.. Super slick sleeper.
I remember back in the nineties,there were BOP meets at the Atlanta Dragway. There was a dual turbo charged wagon that some retired Buick engineers put together and drove there.
KH, yeah I was, sort of. I was in the admin building on Hamilton Ave. Now the building is gone, along with the rest of Buick City
A friend had the ‘first cousin’ Olds version, a Custom Cruiser. It was a great car for highway travel. He traded for a Roadmaster wagon in the 90s. That was even better for tripping.
I had an 88′ back in the early 90’s. Great ride and comfort. But man was it thirsty. I couldn’t keep gas in it.
Nice looking and very comfortable car with that optional interior, but it looks like it’s been repainted at some point. In those years, they were notorious for alligator cracking, no matter what you did to try and preserve it. I don’t mind a repaint, though. If the reserve isn’t much higher, it could be a neat toy to ride around in, comfortable but underpowered, and will nickel and dime the owner to no end. It’ll always need something. The miles of vacuum lines are annoying, and try to change just one, when the little nipples, elbows, and tees break apart in your hand every time you grab one. Look it over underneath carefully, I’m sure if it were out in the winters of Buffalo, it was exposed to plenty of road salt, even on dry days the salt is dry and powdery and blown all over the place. I hope it finds a good home.
Nice car, not more than $8000.00 nice, though…
Best series of car GM ever made.
HP is about top speed and 55 was the legal limit. Sufficient torque to move it adequately for intended purpose. Fuel economy is on par with current offerings of similar size. The single bid is a fair one, if the frame is solid, leaving plenty for fuel in the budget.
Not a great choice for daily driver nor any concourse competition, but a fun vessel for the occasional family excursion. Also a nice, unique original survivor to display at any local car show. Those are full of look but don’t touch specimens, but I’d open the doors and drop the tailgate on this one.
Only after the AC is converted and working, and the floor rust resolution is confirmed, does this become a great option for folks like me who want a comfortable and AFFORDABLE time capsule driver, but can’t attempt today’s prices for collectable/desirable/attractive models. As a best-of, it only contends in the malaise category, and I’m a Buick guy. Guessing here it doesn’t move till the reserve comes down, but good luck to buyer and seller.
The thing that scares me about this one is location. Not the friendliest environment for the long life of any car regardless of what the odometer says.
LOVE these big Buick wagons but the later Roadmaster .with this one the style touches me but more power please we often drive up tp the hi country at 9000 ft. steep hiways here in Colorado
Gotta love a Buick. This wagon looks great and hopefully the reserve price isn’t far past the 5 thou bid. I would absolutely love to own this wagon. There’s lots I would use it for. I don’t know why the young crowd doesn’t get into these. More unique than those modern SUV’S everyone wants. I loved the wagons my father had when I was young and now that I’m old I still love them. GLWTA
These were nice cars but I always hated that fake wood sticker they put on the side of them I figured they did it to cheap out on paint