In America, we live under the illusion that we have choices. Oh sure, you can find 87 different kinds of barbecue sauce at Wal-Mart. However, you can’t walk into the local Buick showroom and ride out with a good old-fashioned rear wheel drive sedan with a V-8 under the hood, a cavernous interior, and a proper trunk. Bean counters and government bureaucrats have robbed us of one of our great American birthrights. However, there is an option available. This 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan for sale on Craigslist in Newcastle, Wyoming has just 64,728 miles on the odometer and is nearly showroom new. From its beautiful paint to the supple leather interior, this car is the size of an aircraft carrier and every single foot of it is 100% awesome. Are you interested in purchasing the car a lot of Americans still want? Is the asking price of $15,900 reasonable for the privilege of riding in the style of your pioneering forefathers? Thanks go to T.J. for the enormous tip!
In America, we have traditions to uphold. This is a country founded on the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors. They believed in a system where you worked hard to get ahead. and they were able to do so because they were free. They had all of those freedoms granted by God and written down in the Constitution. One of those unstated, but granite-solid, freedoms is the freedom of transportation choice. We, as proud and free Americans, should be able to choose the type of vehicle we want, and manufacturers should be making vehicles based on customer demands rather than government edicts like CAFE standards.
One type of vehicle that Americans have traditionally loved but have been denied in the past decade is the full-size sedan. Specifically, a V-8-powered four-door car with rear-wheel drive in a size that merits its own zip code. From the thirties through the early nineties, the American automobile industry delivered these vehicles to consumers in huge numbers. Many of those vehicles went to cab companies and police departments due to their power, size, comfort, and robust construction. Today the world is overflowing with millions of sport utility vehicles and trucks, but traditional sedans are nearly extinct. You could say that the luxury truck’s rise in popularity is due almost entirely to America’s love of big V-8-powered vehicles with four doors in any form they can get.
So, when did the gravy train stop regarding this type of vehicle? While there are outliers, most automotive historians believe this type of vehicle ended its mighty reign at Chrysler with the last M-bodies (Fifth Avenue, Diplomat, and Caravelle) in 1989. At Ford, the demise of the Panther platform (Crown Victoria, Marquis, and Town Car) was in 2012. GM’s last foray was the B-platform (Caprice, Caprice Estate, Impala SS, Custom Cruiser, Estate, Roadmaster, and Fleetwood), ended in 1996. Chrysler ended up reentering the rear-wheel-drive market to much success later. While these Chryslers weren’t quite the luxury barges of old, their sales success has proven a point.
If you want one of these legendary vehicles to drive, then you would be hard-pressed to find a better example than this 1996 Buick Roadmaster. This beautiful Buick has been driven a scant 64,728 miles since it was new and has benefitted from proper storage and care. Looking closely at the pictures reveals a supple leather interior that shows little wear, and the paint still holds its factory shine. The car is described by the seller to be in incredible condition.
The only thing that looks out of place on this huge luxury car is the raised white letter tires. These are usually reserved for cars trying to portray a performance-based image. While you won’t see this Buick carving canyons or lording over a dragstrip, GM saw fit to put its potent LT1 V-8 under the hood. The seller also claims that this car also came with a limited-slip differential. Enthusiasts have purchased these cars and used them as a basis for high horsepower cruisers intended for events like the Hot Rod Power Tour. This, once again, proves the versatility of this type of vehicle. Great things can be achieved when you start with a V-8 and rear wheel drive.
Would you purchase a new car like this Buick if it were offered today? If you added this car to your garage, would you baby it or build it into an aircraft carrier-sized cruise missile? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
This is a Buick! Put some whitewalls on it and enjoy the soft, comfortable ride.
Well….it LOOKS like a Buick, especially on the inside. But we all know it’s just a Chevy Caprice. It would have been a lot more of a Buick if they powered it with a real gen-u-wine Buick 455 V8. But by the 90s when this car lived that was, of course a no-can-do. But still, the supercharged 3800 was available, and Buick Division had experimented with turning it back to a longitudinal configuration and using it to power a rear-drive platform–I saw some of the prototypes and mules at the Buick Club Of America 85th anniversary celebrations in Flint. At least that car would have been a real Buick and powered by one of the best engines GM ever produced.
Beautiful car. It’s amazing – 25 years before it rolled off the line, it was the most popular type of car you could get. But by ‘96, it was only one of a handful left.
And yes, the 4-door pickup has taken over the market from them – and do a fantastic job of it.
I don’t know if they do a fantastic job or if they’re just what people have to get now with limited choices.
The trucks are all that’s left.
They are on par with the big luxo-barges of the past. Plus, no Cadillac, Buick, Lincoln or others can match a pickup truck with a bed cover for trunk space or towing capability, or four wheel drive for the snowy roads.
I once looked at the sales numbers of big pickups. Their sales started rising appreciably in the early to mid eighties, and the F150 has been the best selling vehicle since the late ‘70s – coinciding with the downsizing and sales decline of cars like these.
I think it’s both – people have no choice, but modern pickups do a remarkable simulation of the big cars of the past, without the negative image.
IMO, glorified trucks masquerading as Luxury vehicles will never begin to compare! 🤮. Like SO much else, real choice no longer exists! 😔 😟 😮
Wow, having read the authors 2nd paragraph, I feel a bit renewed, I thought I was the only one that thought cars should be engine-transmission-driveshaft-rear axle, LIKE GOD INTENDED! While I never cared for this styling, by golly, it was what we and our forefathers, held dear. The “Roadmasher”[sic} defined everything that the named implied, it was the master of the road. Wha’ happent’? 10,000 airplane flights in the air at any given moment, and in ’96, gas was still relatively cheap, about $1.25, but flying had clearly taken over. Nice cars, proof positive, SOMEONE got Uncle Henrys and Auntie Ems last Buick, and still a heck of a car today.
While I agree with you on the many advantages and preference of rear wheel drive, those of us in northern climates and snow find front wheel much safer especially in snow.
I will concede that putting the weight of the engine over the drive wheels in a FWD car will reduce the tendency for the front wheels to spin, but but as to being safer, I will debate that point. I’ve owned both FWD and RWD cars [1985 VW Jetta GLI was FWD, three (3) Miatas, two Opel Mantas, a Ford Maverick and a T-Bird were all RWD], but both have advantages and disadvantages in the snow. The biggest disadvantage to FWD is that when the front wheels do break traction and begin to slide, you not only lose drive to the wheels, but steering control at the same time! This is not good. Asking the tires that do both the driving and the steering to carry all of the load can be problematic, as the tires can only carry so much total force before they begin to slide. Obviously AWD is the best option in snow, but not everyone wants, needs or can afford an AWD car.
Full Disclosure: Except for a six-month stay in sunny CA when I was six-months old, I am New England born and raised, and learned to drive in snow in a 1972 Ford Maverick four-door sedan in 1976 (Mom’s Car).
In the early 80s I bought a ’70 98 Olds. I’m in Mn., and we had some really snowy winters then.
This was also the time GM came out with the FWD Celebrities, etc. I had radial snow tires on this beast and I used to laugh at those cars when I went by them spinning their 14″ tires trying to move out of a snowbank.
I preferred the term “Roadmonster” myself….;-)
🎵 Wouldn’t you really 🎶 like to have 🎵 a Buick? 🎶.Last of TRADITIONAL Buick full size luxury. My unfortunate experience with a pre owned 93 Roadmaster and 94 Cadillac Brougham were similar. Quality of materials was not up to standards of my 89 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance. Both had premature rust though issues. Have since turned to Town Cars which are overall much better in all respects. As stated, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to buy a new TRADITIONAL American luxury sedan. Even LINCOLN has turned to glorified trucks masquerading as Luxury vehicles. My current low mileage Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans. This one will be pampered and per my instructions, carry my cremains to my grave. These last generation Town Cars were recently referred to in an article as the American ROLLS-ROYCE. LINCOLN, what a Luxury car should be and once was. I sincerely hope that this Roadmaster is much better than mine and someone buys it, giving it TLC.
Well said. I’ve always admired these Buicks. But when I was given a low mileage Town car for free 14 years ago, I remain astounded by the quality of the build, the nimble handling, the general ease of working on them and, of course: the fuel economy! I continue to drive my 30 year old Lincoln all over the US, people think I’m crazy; they have their issues but once sorted are remarkable road cars.
Smart guy! That LINCOLN will keep you driving in style and comfort as long as you give it TLC! I frequently get questions and offers to buy my Town Car. There will NEVER be anything like them again!
Ahem, Rick. It’s “Wouldn’t you rather drive a Buick, a Buick, a Buick?
But you’re stuck in Versailles land, so you’re ok. 😁
Hello Jon! Memories continue to light the corners of what’s left of my mind, but I once did have those problems. Still Thinkin Lincoln. Have yet to make it to VERSAILLES! Still waiting for you to join me declining the KOOL Aid and ORANGE Julius! Always good to hear from you! 👍
You’re both incorrect, her name was Linda November, 1965 and it was “wouldn’t you really rather HAVE a Buick”. She also did the Meow-Mix commercials.
“Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?” was the slogan. Along with the iconic, “When better automobiles are built, Buick will build them.” I miss Buick and what it used to be. Today it is only a “brand” (no longer a “make”–there is a difference) of Chinese designed and/or built SUV. The 8778 in my handle on this forum was my Buick Club Of America membership number. But Buick of today markets nothing that I want to own. I have a Ford pickup and a Mustang convertible now.
BTW, When Pontiac was dropped, it left the local high volume dealer with only GMC to sell. So GM took the long time Buick dealership away and moved it to the former Pontiac dealer. So much for loyalty. Former Buick dealer now sells Mazda. Guess this is another SOB (definitely not Saab 🤮) story. 😔 😟
Thanks, Jeff, for the great write up. Like an ode to the American sedan. This is the car we have had a love-hate relationship with since having to drive the one our parents owned, wishing all along that it could have been a coupe or at least a hardtop. Now, confronted with what was the only game in town we swoon over her beauty and power. Seeing this Buick I can’t help but hear the Bellamy Brothers singing, Do You Love as Good as You Look.
I love the idea of this car, but it is beastly ugly. When granny puts on some running shoes, it’s cute. But when she dresses up as Madonna, it’s just wrong. And as I write this, I realize “Holy Hell, I’m old. Madonna is my cultural reference??” But this was just bad.
The same era Caprice was better, but not by much. The big FWD Cadillacs were better at conveying a formal look than this…
Have you seen Madonna dressed like Madonna lately?
I believe you are describing the Caprice/Impala SS. That was the ugly sister, not the Roady.
It doesn’t get much better than this unless you buy a CTS-V Cadillac, Dodge Challenger, or some form of sports car. I miss a good honest rear wheel drive car with a V8 but that is what drove me to buy a 4 door pickup in 2013 & what drove the pickup truck market to what it is and figure in you can have a 400 horse power engine without your insurance company making you pay thru the nose kind of sealed the deal
GREAT CAR. I had one. It got 12mpg city and 30 mpg HWY (70 mph). LT-1 totally reliable. Super comfort. In the day they sols used for 2 or 3 grand in good condition.
Yes! I would pay the $ for that. Not only is it a well kept example, it also has the desirable tow package.Oil and trans coolers and 2.93 posi. With 330 lb/ft of torque it moves this fat lady down the road quite well. Great reliable sleeper
Thanks and Jeff, this is a beauty.. and Jeff is DEAD WRONG,,, I have recently aquireda fantastic 1954 Century just as lovely but BOY would I love to have this one..At 92 I thanl God so many of the good ones are still around .At a navy frogmans Salary I could never afford NOW OBOY as long as my book sell well…!
Nice car $7,000+/- overpriced but taken car of it should last
Yes! I would pay the $ for that car! Not only is it well kept but also has the desirable tow package. HD cooling, oil and trans coolers and a 2.93 posi. Seller states 3:73 gears but I don’t believe those are factory. I’ve seen as low as factory 3:42s in a Fleetwood from same year. This is a solid, reliable, sleeper
I agree with Troy, this is a 7k plus or minus, all day long. But at nearly 16 k ummm……. Not so much. Mom and dad had the roadmonster wagon with the Lt that said Corvette on the valve covers, and it would move!! But I wouldn’t even take that one at the advertised price. Nice car, just not for me. Great article though!
Nice car but as stated in the article, “Man do those white letter tires got to go!!” Also the LT1 was a heck of a motor but lord help you if anything went wrong with the ignition system. Boy was that a nightmare to work on.
Every time I hear or read the name Roadmaster, I hear Jay Leno’s voice in my head!
“That was back when cars were made outta STEEL! You can turn the siren off, Bill, he was driving a Roadmaster! Just hose the dashboard off and sell it to the next guy! Radio knobs like Bowie knives!” – Jay Leno.
I’m a Buick guy. Regardless, having owned one these (white with the same interior) I can honestly say this is one comfortable cruiser. IMO a lot better looking than the Caprice.
Only other car I had that was as comfortable was an 87′ Olds Touring Sedan with the Lear leather seats.
The fate of big, rear-wheel-drive sedans was sealed when GM and Ford let them languish in the 1980s. They were supposed to be gone by mid-decade, but when fuel prices stabilized, GM and Ford kept the cars in production, but they didn’t seem to know what to do with them. By the time they decided to restyle them, it was too late. They had become the cars people buy when they move into the retirement community.
Given the mileage and the fact that this is a later, LT-1 car, the asking price is not too far out of line. Yes, it’s now qualified to be registered as an antique car in most (if not all) states, but looking at the photos this looks to be in fantastic shape. An in-person assessment will be the real litmus test. If I had $10K in hand I’d be high-tailing it to WY right now.
There is one of these in Madison Indiana flat black, running White letter BFG A/Ts , IMO it’s cooler than hell
Im a Ford guy generally, but these are the one of the few GM products i would get behind.
The Roadmaster was made by God for America.
I had one. Engine blew at 75,000. It had endless problems from day one.