This might only matter to a fan of Buick’s fantastic Riviera, but the 1989 model is a good one to have for a couple reasons: one of them is based in 1980s techno-kitsch, the other in new (and most would say improved) styling. This particular ’89 appears to be a well-preserved example that has working air conditioning and an interesting exterior color. Barn Finds reader Robert Gressard spotted it on craigslist in Dallas, Texas, and with a $4,495 price tag, it could double as a daily driver and a collector car.
So why is the ’89 Riviera special? For collectors today, it marks the final year of Buick’s “Electronic Control Center,” which was an idea about 30 years ahead of its time if there ever was one. When I was a kid, the Buick dealer was a great place to hang out; I’d sit in Rivieras and Reattas and play with the digital screen on the dash, and when combined with digital instrumentation like this Riviera has, they were about the most futuristic things in any showroom in town. Of course, they disappeared in 1990 for a reason; they were distracting and apparently unintuitive. Technology would eventually catch up with the concept, but it’s possible that large touch screens are still distracting and unintuitive.
One downside of the “ECC” touchscreen today is that if something goes wrong, it’s quite a specialty item to repair. East Coast Reatta Parts sells units for those cars, and a few other vendors online repair screens for both Reattas and Rivieras. Like any old car, a Riviera with a touch screen is a little quirky and it might be a headache should something go wrong.
From an adult perspective, the dashboard (which would be completely redesigned for 1990) is still futuristic, but it’s an odd mish-mash of 1980s themes and traditional Buick values, such as luxurious velour upholstery and woodgrain appointments. The only thing that looks slightly out of place in this particular Riviera is the console and floor shifter; with the whitewalls and wire wheel covers outside, one might expect a column shifter in here. The interior appears to be in amazing condition, and it apparently has not been smoked in.
The other selling point for the 1989 Riviera is the styling. After three years of dismal sales on a new downsized platform, Buick stretched the Riviera’s truncated tail and added 11 inches in the process. Some other detail changes turned the Riviera into a completely different car, and sales improved from 8,625 in 1988 to 21,189 in 1989. In addition to its more traditional styling, this car is painted in a pretty color called (if the color chips aren’t faded too much to tell) “Rosewood.” The vinyl top might be “Taupe,” but it’s a little hard to tell in these sundrenched pictures. Either way, it’s an unusual combination that looks pretty good if you don’t mind standing out in a sea of grays.
Obviously, you can’t go wrong in the engine department with the recently upgraded 3800 powering all Rivieras in 1989; it made 165 horsepower and, with a four-speed automatic transaxle, will return highway mileage in the mid- to upper-twenties. The engine compartment looks very clean for a 148,000-mile car, and in rust-free Dallas, you could go on driving this Riviera forever—or until you had to get the touchscreen repaired.
Has it really been 36 years since this Riv came out in 1989? I vaguely remember these high tech dashboards when they came out. These have nice lines, very reminiscent of the early 80’s full sized ones. This one is really in impressive condition for its age, and its mileage. I only see one dent on the passenger side front fender. But the paint, underhood trunk interior definitely doesn’t look its age or mileage. I agree with Aaron, this would double quite nicely as a daily driver as well. It’s a good price too, seeing what we all see here price wise and condition wise on a daily basis, it seems like a bargain. That 3.8 is a great engine, and in something lighter like this will move down the road rather nicely. Aaron mentioned the floor shifter, it looks like it was pulled out of the Chevy parts bin from the Corvette. ( But I could be wrong, I usually am ). Hope it goes to a good new home.
DRIVENSTILE,You upset me enormously ,saying this car was a bargain.Its no bargain,a 150,000 mile car with dents and a new fangle computer.I,m afraid you’re used to these new world prices.Just joking,but come on,man. Why don,t you buy it,.? LOL
Not a problem repairing the electronics if you R.T.F.S.M.
good driveline bad electronics. worked on way too many with nasty electrical gremlins
I was about 20 when my Aunt & Uncle bought one of these. They always had really stylish cars and this one was no exception. Theirs was a model year or two newer than this one (when Buick had already gotten rid of the electronic screen system). These drove so nicely, being small and well powered for its size. Theirs was a pearl paint in a champagne color that I thought was really elegant. It had the color-keyed matching leather and it smelled like heaven inside. I loved getting to drive it. I had a Mazda pickup truck, so it was a luxurious treat for me.
My parents had one, a silver anniversary edition. My wife totaled her car and we bought the Riv from them. It served us well until an electronic problem. One of two printed circuit boards was going out. The dealer couldn’t tell which one. Option was to replace them both or wait until one of the failed. Traded it in on a mini van. I also remember that the car was all hood. We drove to San Diego and were going across the Coronado bridge. The bridge was designed so that the Navy Ships could get out. I couldn’t see over the hood. Watch the first Anchorman movie, Ron Burgundy was on the bridge at one point.
Oooh does it have the 5 way electric seat upgrade and/or sunroof? The smaller-roofed Reatta could actually be ordered with a factory power sunroof – this color is almost for a woman – maybe a golfer (wink).