Modern day “barn finds” or “garage finds” are interesting to me because in a way, they’re barometers of what might be collectible down the line. If a car found in a preserved state that’s less than 50 years old starts pulling strong money, chances are it’s going to do so well into the future. That said, it can also reveal the opposite, in that a car doesn’t garner significantly more interest even when discovered with low miles and preserved panels. This 1988 Buick Reatta may be such an example, as it’s loaded with the best options and has just 50,000 original miles but has a reasonable Buy-It-Now 0f $7,500 with the option to submit a best offer, and no takers yet. Find it here on eBay in Warwick, New York, and until just recently a resident of Florida.

It seems likely this was a retiree’s car that ended up locked away in a garage and discovered after a death in the family or when the owner simply stopped driving. The Reatta never achieved significant success in the marketplace, and has yet to emerge as a collector-grade car. This is despite costing GM a boatload of cash to produce and featuring still-attractive styling. Yet it’s not exactly uncommon to see these limited production models go to the scrapyard when found inoperable at a mechanic’s shop or in a suburban garage, as no one is restoring Reattas at the moment. I’ve never driven one so I can’t easily put my finger on why exactly they’re not more sought after. This one presents well, with some scrapes and scuffs visible.

The interior is more encouraging, looking like a car with just 50,000 miles on the clock. The color combination is pretty ideal, too, as white over red leather looks good on almost any make or model. The seats don’t reveal any obvious damage, but it’s disappointing to not see OEM floor mats in a car that’s seen relatively little use. The dash and steering wheel look to be in good shape, as do the door panels. Of course, the iconic touch screen display is a must-have feature if you’re a Reatta collector, and the seller notes it works well but occasionally needs a tap on the screen to come to life. While there is a following for these cars, it’s not strong enough to warrant a dramatic upswing in prices at the moment – that said, I’m sure the small group of enthusiasts that own Reattas is keeping an eye on this listing.

The seller confirms the Reatta runs well with no obvious leaks or sloppy shifts from the automatic transmission. The A/C has been converted to R134A and is said to blow cold, which is a good thing as the power windows are noted as being slightly slow. The Reatta is rust-free with no issues on the undersides or lower extremities of the panels, but the seller does disclose some molding trim has gone missing. All power options work as intended, too, which makes this Reatta an intriguing option as a slightly eccentric daily driver that you won’t be scared to park at the WaWa or Scheetz, or wherever you get your fuel and road snacks. Do you think the Reatta will ever be considered collectible?