The Detroit Public Library’s National Automotive History Collection named the final Buick Riviera as “the most collectible car of the future,” and while that prediction may or may not pan out, it’s only fitting that the last of the Rivieras had a somewhat polarizing yet dramatic design language. The late Bill Porter, who was Buick’s design chief at the time of the ’95 Riviera’s genesis, said that his stylists drew inspiration from “the 1963 Riviera; the 1966 Riviera; the [Alfa Romeo] B.A.T. 7; the E-Type Jaguar of the 1960s; and the designers’ favorite Buick from the past, the 1942-48 “C’ Body.” That’s some heady company, but the end result was, in Porter’s opinion, not a “retro car,” and its design elements influenced Buick’s other models for at least a decade after the Riviera’s release in 1994 (there was no 1994 Riviera, by the way, the 1995 model was introduced early). Barn Finds reader Curvette sent us this two-owner ’95 that is located on craigslist in Yakima, Washington, and it has a reasonable asking price of $3,950.
As swoopy as its exterior styling was, the Riviera was, in keeping with tradition, mechanically traditional. This one has the supercharged 3800 V6, which produced 225 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. The transaxle was GM’s ubiquitous 4T60-E with a 2.93:1 final drive ratio, which was all good for a zero-to-sixty time of about 8.5 seconds, not bad for a big personal luxury coupe of the 1990s. This Riviera has 161,401 miles on it, but it is in “excellent mechanical condition,” according to the seller. Anyone who reads Barn Finds knows that in general, a car will crumble around a running 3800, so the engine should continue to be reliable (the jury’s out on the transaxle).
The interior is also very nice, the leather seats surprisingly so. The Riviera’s dashboard is as neatly styled as the exterior, with a full gauge package and all the conveniences one would expect from a top-of-the-line Buick, including air conditioning, dual air bags, cruise control, power windows, and dual power seats. The seller bought the car from the owner of a Buick dealer whose wife used the car as her personal transportation; it’s always been garaged and it’s never been smoked in.
The only thing I’d change would be the wheels; I’d prefer a set of factory alloys myself, but at under four grand for a solid and usable Riviera, I wouldn’t complain too much. Although the 1995 Riviera is now 30 years old, there’s still time for it to fulfill its destiny as “the most collectable car of the future.” I don’t know if I’d hold my breath for that, but in the meantime, this one would make a handsome and reliable collector car.
Although I’m not typically a “new car” guy, I admired these when they came out. I like the lines, these Rivieras always reminded me of the Coke Bottle lines GM very successfully used in the 60’s. The Buick 3.8 is a great engine, and a Super Charged one in this, even better. The condition really doesn’t go along with the mileage. To me at least anyways, you need to take that first “1” off the mileage claim. This looks much more like a 60 000 mile car for sure. I also agree about the rims, it needs either the originals or something else. Great write up Aaron, and this is one very nicely preserved Buick that you wouldn’t be nervous racking miles on enjoying it.
Love every Riviera model. I’m with you Toth I love factory wheels on cars.
At 160,000 miles, this car will soon be having major work. General motorcars of this era are not quarter million mile cars. However, this was a good looking Buick Riviera. I’ve seen much better colors on one than this example.
Plenty of GM cars from this era still out there with a quarter million miles. Especially with the 3800.
I agree with you, Mike, the last time I saw my 94 olds 88 on the road, it has 320k on in, and per Aaron, the car was disintegrating around it.
I’ve always thought this generation Riviera was a great looking car especially compared to other cars of the era. Pretty cheap style at this price but be prepared for the maintenance bill.
It seems for under 4K it would be worth taking a chance.
I really like these supercharged Rivs and have been following the pricing on CarGurus – basically dealerships that are selling these around the country.
Although the seller states that this is low mileage, it is actually high for these cars. You can find plenty of them with less miles.
Pricing is fair if you don’t have to ship it. All of these cars from the Northwest recently are killing me. Shipping them to GA is way too many $$.
The wheels are terrible and the stock ones look nice.
I would hold out for a better example with lower miles.
Indeed it’s the lesser four door Buicks of this era that will likely be collectible, since they sold in numbers that made them the archetype of the last car turned first car, able to take teenage hooning and young-adult impulse road trips after a decade or two of an elderly first owner.
well priced and yes swap out those wheels they do nothing but hurt the looks