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Sporty Buick? 1990 Buick Reatta Convertible

Buick has made more sporty two-door cars than some of us realize when we think of Buick and what a “typical” Buick is, or was. They’re not all beige four-door sedans. The seller has this sporty 1990 Buick Reatta Convertible posted here on craigslist in Newburgh, New York and they’re asking $8,500 or best offer. Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip!

This is neither here nor there, which nobody says anymore, but I prefer the design of the hardtop Reatta over the convertible, at least when the top is up. But when there’s an opportunity to own and use a convertible on a regular basis, there’s no beating the feeling of the wind in your hair, or on your scalp.

The Reatta was made for a shop teacher’s handful of years (four), between 1988 and 1991 with the convertible being a two-year-only model: 1990 and 1991. It wasn’t the only sporty Buick as most of us know. Who can forget the Buick GS or Gran Sport, especially the GSX? Our own Todd Fitch had a modified later model GS that was a pavement-eater. Then there was the Buick Grand National, have any of you heard of that model? (crickets) I’ve been binging on the 1950s show Highway Patrol, and Broderick Crawford mainly drove a two-door Buick in that one. Buick isn’t all about just making tan four-door sedans, contrary to popular belief.

The Reatta came at the time of the Cadillac Allante which was another two-door, two-seater premium sporty-luxury car for the well-heeled set. There are no backseat photos here because there isn’t a back seat and the blue leather front seats look appropriately used but not abused. The odometer shows 43,628 miles as of 6-21-21 when the photos were taken, or that’s when the photos are dated.

A beautiful blue two-door sporty Buick convertible in fantastic condition with low miles, and the seller has included engine photos! I may need a minute to compose myself. Ok, I’m back. This engine is Buick’s tried-and-true 3.8L V6 with 165 horsepower. The seller says that it runs great and it’s priced right between Hagerty’s #3 good and #2 excellent condition value range. I admit that the Reatta wasn’t meant to be a sports car, but it’s at least a somewhat sporty car and this looks like a very nice example. Have any of you owned a Reatta or other two-door Buick?

Comments

  1. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    Right up there with the folks that leave 30 years of chicken and bat excrement on their barn finds, convertible owners should fold the top down as no buyer wants to see a bunch of pictures of a convertible with the top up…they want to se what it looks like with the top down, thinking of wind in the hair etc.

    Like 13
  2. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Wow, never knew that they made these in convertible form.

    Throw the supercharged version of the engine in, and you would have something that would interest me.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar HadTwo

    The 1990 Reatta convertibles had a base MSRP price of $34,995,
    then add for leather, and other options. Meanwhile a 1990 Riviera
    hardtop that sat four comfortably had an MSRP of about $23, 295
    plus options. $34,995 would buy an expensive BMW in 1990.
    Is it any wonder these Reatta’s did not sell too well? However, 1990 was a
    good year for these Reatta’s because they did not have the touch screen
    gee-wizz dash that was confusing just to turn the heater fan speed down.
    Some lucky new owner is going to get a wonderful car at a very good value price. Verify the odometer miles.

    Like 13
    • Avatar Patrick Curran

      Leather was standard equipment. There were only two options available on this car; 16 way power driver’s seat and a CD player but I agree with you. The Reatta convertible had a MSRP greater than the Corvette in 1990. It was a bit pricey for sure which ultimately held back the sales. I enjoyed my 1990 red convertible but then again, I bought it used from the original owner at a very good price.

      Like 2
    • Avatar CaCarDude

      The Reatta was the “Halo” car for Buick for the four year run. An expensive car to build being all hand assembled in Lansing, MI. These are very comfy car and make for a very nice driver.

      The so called 16 way seat option was actually only an 8 way, and the CD (if ordered) was added to the dash along with the am/fm cassette. This example shown appears to be Maui Blue and was ordered with the same color belt line trim.
      As far as the odometer on these they had a fail safe anti- tamper device built in and a big red flag would come up if you had any desire to try. So the odometer would be accurate on this. My ’91 coupe with 67k miles is a real pleasure to drive whenever I take it out.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Jay Morgan

        An expensive car to manufacture being all “hand-assembled,” offering the finest in fine Corinthian plastic.

        I rented a few of these from National in the day and they were fun to drive but totally pretentious, like the Cadillac Cimarron, pretending to be something they really weren’t. Putting lipstick on a pig is probably the most appropriate description for the Reatta.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar TJDasen2

    “was made for a shop teacher’s handful of years (four)”

    Literally made me laugh out loud.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Geoff

      Me, too! Trying to think how to incorporate it into daily speech.
      “How many do I want?
      Oh, a shop teacher’s handful should do it.”
      ” What’s that, you say?”
      “Oh, sorry. That would be four.”

      Like 4
  5. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Awesome looking car! I remember when the Buick Reatta was introduced. I thought it was the best looking new car with the Buick name. I was hoping it would’ve replaced the Riviera, which at this point was still a good car, but painfully dated, as the new luxury coupe. I don’t get why it was discontinued when it was.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Gerard Frederick

    Abeauty to be sure. Too bad I live so far away.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Steve Clinton

    It’s hard to believe this car is 31 years old! They should never have discontinued it.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Frank

    Great convertible with a reliable engine.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Stevieg

    Not my style car, but I wish I could buy it. I have a relative I would give it to as a show of appreciation for all she has done for me. I think she would love it.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar mds47588

    It’s a great looking car for sure, but what is going on with the airbag in the steering wheel, particularly on the right (passenger) side? Looks like perhaps the material got warped from heat maybe…???

    Like 1
    • Avatar CaCarDude

      Missing the right side plastic horn button. The 90 and 91 Reatta had these horn buttons on the side of the steering wheel and it is a common issue these would pop out. Not a big deal and could be replaced for about $5 each as I recall. There is a good used parts supply house with eastcoastreattas dot com.

      Like 1
  11. Avatar Fogline

    Anyone have any idea on how many of these were actually produced? I cannot imagine too many and guess that this is one of the few left, but perhaps more Barn Finds to come?

    Like 1
    • Avatar CaCarDude

      In 1990 being the highest production year for the Reatta there were just 8,515 cars made and 2,132 were convertibles. The starting or entry price for the ragtop was a whopping $34,995.
      I believe the Corvette was less money that year.

      Like 1

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