Buick revived the Roadmaster nameplate in 1991 and applied it to their biggest cars since the mid-1970s. The Roadmaster, only available as a sedan and wagon, was based on the Chevy Caprice of the same vintage and was perhaps the largest vehicle built at the time by GM, even longer than the Cadillac de Ville. This 1995 Estate Wagon is in super condition for its age but has the usual scratches and wear that you would expect after 28 years and 68,000 miles. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, this more modern version of a land yacht is available here on eBay. The most you’ll pay is $18,500 while the bidding has reached $4,750 without cracking the reserve.
The Roadmaster name first appeared on a Buick in 1936 and was used before and after the War through 1958. Then it emerged again 33 years later as the top series Buick over the Park Avenue. Using the General Motors B-body platform, it was 10 inches longer than anything built by Buick at the time, but still more than a foot short of the ginormous Electra 225 of 1976 (before the downsizing). These cars were powered by engines supplied by Chevrolet, (after 1994) the fuel-injected 5-7-liter V8 similar to the ones used for police work. A 4-speed, electronically controlled, 4L60E automatic transmission handled the shifting of gears.
Americans apparently still liked these big automobiles as Buick sold nearly 201,000 Roadmasters from 1991 to the end of the line in 1996. Of those, 50,000 or so were the Estate Wagon with 5,500 assemblies in 1995, the lowest year for Buick’s version of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster. The seller provides a lengthy discussion of this Buick and most of it (in all caps, a no-no) is about what works as it should. Exceptions to that would include very few things, such as a finicky check engine light and a crack in the dashpad.
The wagon has an aftermarket stereo and an on-off switch for the battery for long-term storage. And the A/C compressor is new. The seller says the body was “redone” four years ago, but what does that mean? Was the wagon repainted or was it simply given a thorough detailing? The seller provides an AutoCheck report that gives the Roadmaster high marks but mentions a minor damage report in 2019. We assume that was a small incidental accident, but the seller doesn’t bring it up otherwise. Do you have room in your garage for 217 inches of Buick?
I don’t recall seeing many of these in black. Pity, because it looks great! Still looks like a bloated whale, but a classy bloated whale.
The Cadillac Fleetwood was 225″ long, 7″ longer than this Roadmaster.
I don’t recall seeing many in black either – though I always like these cars in any color, even if they look like bloated whales :-)
Change that water pump if it’s old or original.Nice car.Never liked opti spark though.Passenger side plugs and wires were a bear to change in the driveway.glwts.
No matter how they word it. It’s still just a used car. At 18000$ is crazy. You can buy new with warranty for about the same price.
People are losing their minds when it comes to USED CARS.
If your in the market for a Roadmaster, you do not want a 2023 whatchamacallit.
Sad to say, John, there is only one new car available under $20k now, according to Road and Track – and it isn’t a wagon.
Yes but this is USED. So compare apple to apple. Lots of better deals out there. I was just saying… In the ballpark you can go new
a Tucker was a used car at one point
a 300sl was a used car at one point
a hemi cuda was a used car at one point
everything on this site is a used car
I agree that 18k is more than optimistic, but as they get rarer that tends to happen. try to go out and buy a big, fat, body on frame wagon with a V8 today. I don’t think you can. i think the only option even remotely in that regard is the RS6 avant and it is north of 150k I believe, and that isn’t even BOF. E class wagon is v6 and mandatory fender flares, and the volvo wagons are not whatthey used to be either.
Where are you going to find a new car like this or anything close .
The ’95 does not really have the aesthetic appeal of the big wagons Buick sold in 1975, but I have always liked the look of Roadmasters. Fat as they look, they appear to carry the fat far better and more elegantly than the stable-mates from Chevrolet or Cadillac.
I agree. The wagons designed before the downsizing wave just looked “right”, like they were design to be wagons from the start.
Though I like these Roadmasters, they too look a bit ungainly from certain angles.
The body was indeed redone, and not very well. The trim around the wood grain vinyl has been painted and there’s either overspray or vinyl chipped away in areas.
Along with failing emissions equipment, replaced air conditioning compressor, worn steering wheel, and banged up cargo area, 68,000 miles seems unlikely, as does the price.
Indeed never saw a black one. In my corner of the world was burgendy reds and always remember one midnight blue by a customer that came to our service bay’s for maintenance. 18 is out of the question and i just have red flags popping up. Check engine light could be anything a few hours of detective work could solve but a dash pad might be worth muy denero’s though. My biggest fear is that screwed on button under the steering column. On and off to prevent a power drain that needs adressing ?
These were great 15 years ago…buying them with low mileage for $3K or so. Now, unless they’ve been hermetically sealed, they are worn-out, rickety, smelly, sun-faded, plastic broken, dash pad cracked, valvetrain tapping boats that don’t seem as quick as they used to compared to any new car. Hard pass at anywhere near the asking price. I wouldn’t want it at all.
Ever drive one of these cars? I have. They are incredibly comfortable and surprisingly quick. They handled like a really large boat so it’s not good in the twisties but you’ll love the smooth ride while getting there. The LT1 5.7 liter (350 Chevy) is a great match for these. The mileage they get is responsible if you aren’t going at excessive speeds. The sound they make at full throttle with that dual exhaust is very satisfying and you would be surprised at how easily this just under 5,000 pound car will spin the tires.
I’m not really a GM man, but these are really incredible cars and very reliable.
Wish I could buy it, and the $18,500 buy it now isn’t out of line. Do you want it cheaper, of course, if you can get it for less, then good. The 1994-1996 version of these cars are worth getting. The 1991-1993, not so much. The 1991 is especially undesirable with it’s underpowered 5.0 liter. The 1994 and up Roadmasters all had the LT1 350. That’s the engine you want. And I concur, change that water pump. It’s driven off the camshaft and should it leak, the coolant ends up in the oil pan and you won’t know until the engine is reached. That’s a poor design on any engine and you would be surprised to find out how many manufacturers did this at least once. It’s a poor design and preventative maintenance is a must.
And get rid of this blasted add that keeps covering part of the article and comments. I won’t purchase whatever product or service it’s selling because it is so annoying.
Set of Bilsteins make my 1996 go where it’s pointed under full control
I hate spell check. I typed Roached, not Reached. I don’t need spell checks help.
This Chevroluick is no more ostentatious than the iron we see on today’s roadways.
I said it before when one of these is reviewed on here, and I’ll say it again, I absolutely love these cars and I drive a ’93 as a daily. Only regret is that it’s not the LT1, but it’s the basic ride that is everything as Kent mentioned.
If you want a good wagon, look at Mercedes-Benz. They made a 3.2-liter inline six, a 3.5-liter V6, a 5.5-liter V8, the supercharged V8 E55 AMG, and the newer E63 models. Five years ago I bought an E55 AMG wagon (rare) for $22K: 500 hp, fantastic brakes, comfort, utility, 0-60 in 4.2 sec, and a sleeper.
Body redone? Crappy job. Smog pump shot? Well, here in PA, if a check engine light is on, automatic fail at state inspection time. Yes, it is insane what used car prices are today. BTW, I have an NOS in the box water pump for this engine and other LT1 parts, as I planned on buying an Impala SS years ago and started buying GM parts. That’s because aftermarket junk does not fit well or last. I love these cars, but gonna keep looking.
I love these guys, at 91 I have a love of the roadmasters pure class, and as to a few imperfections , heck look at me after 43 years as a UDT frogman. WISH I could buy it but I love my 2 door Silverado with the 20 inch Crager’s :-)
Wow,thought he bought it cause he loved it. But it was just a flip. My last big wagon gone for a profiteer.At $18500 he’s making quite a profit if he can get it. Mazeltof!! Yes the miles are Original. And the hood and trim pieces were painted.