Finding a classic that ticks the right boxes can be challenging, but this 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate does a pretty respectable job. Low mileage? Check. Well equipped? Check. Excellent condition? Check. For sale with No Reserve? Oh, yeah! It needs nothing and is ready to take the whole family on a cross-country adventure. The Roadmaster is listed here on eBay in Darby, Pennsylvania. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $10,600, and with No Reserve in play, this Buick heads to a new home in a few days.
The Roadmaster had been a staple of Buick’s lineup during the early to mid 20th Century before disappearing for over three decades. It reemerged in 1991 before disappearing permanently in 1996. Our feature Estate is from the final production year, and its presentation is very impressive. The seller indicates it received a clear-over-base repaint in its original Dark Cherry, but it’s unclear when this occurred. It shows no evidence of any flaws beyond the occasional rock chip, and there are no signs of dings or dents. The faux woodgrain trim is free from significant damage, and given how hard it is to match damaged sections as it fades with age, that is a blessing for the new owner. The Wagon remains rust-free, the trim and wheels are excellent, and the glass is flawless. The inclusion of the optional moonroof helps prevent the interior from feeling claustrophobic.
The 1996 Roadmaster Estate is a surprise packet because its drivetrain combination promises impressive performance. Lifting the hood reveals a 5.7-liter V8 that sends 260hp and 335 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission. Although it tips the scales at a hefty 4,563lbs, this Wagon’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds before winding its way to 139mph is noteworthy. However, most buyers were less impressed by those numbers than by the V8’s ability to provide most of its torque low in the rev range. It made the Roadmaster remarkably flexible, especially when carrying a load or tackling steep hills. The seller indicates this Buick runs and drives as it should, and the only issue they note is the ABS light remains illuminated. Otherwise, it appears this classic has no mechanical needs. They claim it has a genuine 65,000 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence.
I would struggle to describe this Estate’s interior condition as “showroom,” but it is above average for a family station wagon with more than two decades under its belt. The leather seat upholstery has the usual wrinkles but no evidence of significant wear or abuse. There are marks on the outer edge of the carpet near the driver’s left foot, but the lack of substantial wear makes carpet replacement difficult to justify. The damage-prone rear cargo area looks excellent and houses the optional third-row seat, making this Wagon a genuine eight-seater. The Roadmaster retains its original factory mats, and there are no aftermarket additions. Just because it is a family wagon, that’s no reason for the new owner to miss out on some of life’s luxuries. This Estate features airbags, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, a tilt wheel, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player.
When manufacturers discontinued station wagon production, they did so due to a lack of buyer demand. Those who initially had a wagon in their crosshairs turned their attention to SUVs and minivans, leaving new station wagons to languish in showrooms. The situation saw companies drop these classics from their lineup, and there is no evidence that any plan a reintroduction. However, vehicles like this 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate prove that a pent-up demand remains because it has already attracted forty-six bids with time left on the auction for others to stake their claim. If an eight-seat wagon is on your radar, could you be tempted by this classic?
“When Bigger Cars are Built,Buick Will Build Them”.
If we still had kids,or a use for a cool car like this,I’d probably have
one by now.I doubt these will depreciate anywhere near those newer
SUV’s,& look a whole lot cooler.
Can anyone answer this question, why did the rear end on these look extra wide? The sedans looked much smaller, I knew at one time, but can’t remember. It’s one of those stupid facts that escapes me. Very nice wagon, impressive performance for a station wagon. Thanks to whoever knows.
It has the same L T1 engine of the Camaro SS , Trans Am WS6, Impala SS, and (essentially) Corvette. It will take all the same performance mods, including the Borla Chevy Impala Cat-Back Touring Exhaust System. That would be my first purchase after buying this. The stock exhaust is too quiet.
Motors are not close to the same as the Camaro and Vette . Different heads , cam , MAF and ECM . Most desirable 92-96 B-body powerplant for sure (they made a 4.3 L V8 , “Lt1” too , looked identical) . I have bought and sold many and still have a wood delete 36k mile Roady wagon that was the “first response/flower car” for a local funeral home , they traded it in 07 for a Town & Country mini van and I bought it at the wholesale dealer auction I attend with 29k miles in 07 . I had a 95 Caprice Estate that I had put Impala SS wheels , grill , had tuned and put shorty headers with 40 series Flow Masters on with custom bent 2.5 pipe from the cats back , it sounded great ! A semi killed it , and almost me in an accident , they are strong cars and are great drivers getting 25mpg on the highway and 18-20 around town . I will be watching this one for sure .
Yes cmarv, IDK how this “old wives tale” about the engine started, but it sure does hang on. Glad too see you weren’t killed, maybe it’s mass absorbed enough of the impact.
Dave & Cmarv, Yes the trim-out on the LT! in these differs from those in the littler sporty cars, but it differs less there than from the engines in the 91-93 versions of these wagons! Those earlier ones were 5.0 L, rated at just 170 HP, vs the later mill of 5.7L and 260 HP. That’s a 50% jump (90 HP), and REALLY noticeable – and just 40 Hp under the ‘Vette’s power.
“Moonroof” was standard on Roadmasters & the one year only Olds Custom Cruiser. The Caprice wagon did not have the roof glass. Probably not an illusion that wagons look wider: the rear axle on these wagons & the previous square body wagons was about 2 inches wider than the sedan.
Close. Olds Custom Cruiser was made in 91 and 92. I have a 91. White over gray with blue velour and alloy wheels. Both years had the TBI engine. 305 standard and 350 available as an option in 1992 only IIRC. It wasn’t around, due to low sales, to see the LT1 like Buick and Chevy. Interestingly it was only available in three colors: white blue or maroon, none with fake wood grain like Chevy and Buick.
I was wondering if the Olds was going to be mentioned as I’ve seen
perhaps two to three in the past thirty years. The last one I noticed
was being traded in at the local Mopar dealer in the late 90s with a
whopping 10,000 miles on the odometer, it had been used as a “summer”
only car so it sat in a garage for nine months. And as I remember the
color was a light blue metallic.
The extra width in the rear comes from all of the hidey holes in the wheel wells. You can’t imagine all of the stuff you can cram in there. My Dad had this vehicle when he retired from Northern Indiana Public Service Company and he and four of his buddies would load up every Spring for their annual golf outing in Biloxi, MS. Five grown men with five sets of golf clubs and all of their personal luggage plus beer and groceries for a weeks stay. And, it still got 27 mpg. I sadly had to take the car away from Dad when he could no longer drive, but it had a good home in Arizona until I sold it.
I wish the seller really knew his stuff. The option code sticker would be nice. Not all of these had the heavy duty cooling or limited slip diff. This one looks pretty good aesthetically though not perfect. The vinyl-coated edging around the plastic wood often fails on these from sunlight. Also the rubber bump strips shrink off their stainless bases. These look pretty good, though – so it’s likely been garage kept. I love these wagons (when properly equipped). I’m on my fourth one!
There is a photo , in the “large picture” tab . It appears to be “tow package ” equipped . The undercarriage photos scare me a bit .
https://vmp.ebay.com/ebay/viewAllPhotos.aspx?smid=68258518
Ah yes – right you are. And those under pix are almost startling. New pipes and some heavy cleaning?
G80 too. So equipped right. But I agree on the underside.
My daily driver is a 93 Roady, and I’ve also got a 94 SS & a 94 9C1. The LT1 Direct Injection 350 was only available in the 94-96 B-body, while the 93 has the LO5 350. All true LT1 350 B-body GM’s can be quickly identified because they were all dual exhaust, the previous LO5’s were all single exhaust with the throttle body fuel system. All B-body configurations, sedans & wagons, were all built on the same basic frame & suspension underpinnings. Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, yes there were various differences, but most were based on performance or heavy duty additions. All 3 of my vehicles, as pictured, measure the same length wheel to wheel – front to back. However, the 9C1 rear is the most narrow, then the Impala SS rear and then the wagon (4″ wider than the Impala). All 3 rear axles will interchange when installing, but the actual wheels used determined which body & differential combinations were used. This particular wagon in this write-up is about 30 miles from me.
Yeah, all true. My 96 wagon has the rear swaybar from the Cop Caprice – really helps the handling. I expect they fitted the larger axle to that Caprice, too.
Being a Buick guy and a wagon fan, this pushes the right buttons for me. Underside pics are something! Based on the feedback the seller gets I’d say buyers are getting vehicles as described. GLWTS.
How is everyone so easily duped by the rattle-can underside touch-up?? If you look closely, that exhaust system has been painted silver and there is overspray on the undercarriage and the O2 sensors. Whatever did have surface rust has been hit with black paint, especially on the suspension pieces, which look greasy now. The way I read the feedback is customers are seeing a lot of small details in person not represented in the pictures or by the seller and the condition is honest enough not to be dishonest with heavy disclaimer on any reliability issues. Not my kind of seller… Sorry.
Comes with an optional Mast & Sail ! lol