Good morning! I haven’t decided whether this week’s pairings will be same-make or same-price. Today, we have both, with a couple of old Buicks for three grand each.
I must confess I’m disappointed in you all; I featured a car called Rocky on Friday, and no one made a Project Hail Mary joke. No one. Do I have do do everything? Sigh … fine. “Wow, a Rocky? I haven’t seen one of those in years! Amaze! Excite!” There, was that so hard? I guess it doesn’t matter, because the little Daihatsu 4×4 lost. The Nissan Pulsar edged it out due mainly to parts availability, it sounds like.
I’m definitely on Team Pulsar here. I like little 4x4s like the Rocky, but life would be much easier with a Geo Tracker instead, I suspect. That generation of Pulsar is actually on my (surprisingly short) list of cars to watch for, and if it were closer and I was richer, I’d probably be really interested in it. Ah well, maybe someday.
It’s not fair, in some ways, that Oldsmobile and Pontiac are long gone, but Buick still wheezes along. All GM’s least-exciting division offers these days is a bunch of crossovers that are basically Chevrolets with giant chrome grilles. But it did have its moments, and for a very long time, if you just wanted a comfortable car, didn’t care at all about handling, and couldn’t afford a Cadillac, Buick had you covered. Let’s take a look at a couple of Buicks from days of yore, and see which one you’d rather have today.
1977 Buick Electra Limited Park Avenue – $3,000
Engine/drivetrain: 403 cubic inch OHV V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Odometer reading: 97,000 miles
Operational status: “It runs”
I guess it’s fitting that a big, ostentatious car like this should have a big, ostentatious name. Little cars have little names – Colt, Metro, Yaris – so the big cars should have big names. The way this one breaks down is that Electra is the model name, Limited is the trim level, and Park Avenue is an option package on top of that. The name stayed long for ’77, but the actual car shrank by a foot and lost several hundred pounds of weight compared to the 1976 model. There’s still a good chance it won’t fit in your garage, though.
Under this car’s smaller but still massive hood is a smaller but still massive V8 engine, a 403 cubic inch monster courtesy of Oldsmobile. GM divisions started sharing engines in the mid-1970s, and it caused quite a ruckus for a while. I can’t imagine anyone caring these days. The 403 is a good engine; I had one in a Buick LeSabre, and I can tell you that its biggest fault is atrocious gas mileage. Expect about 11 mpg with this car, but that’s still better than the probably 8 mpg from the previous year with its Buick-built 455 V8. All the seller says about this one’s mechanical condition is “it runs,” but that’s about the best you could expect from any 1977 model year car, even in 1977.
The interior is the saving grace of a car like this. The ride may be too floaty for some tastes, but these seats are more comfortable to sink into than most people’s living room sofas. The padding looks a little beaten down, but the upholstery is in fine shape. This car has no cupholders, but it does have five ashtrays, which says a lot about priorities in the ’70s. Hopefully this one’s ashtrays remain untainted by the ghosts of Marlboro Reds past.
It’s pretty well preserved outside as well, with just a few blemishes in the paint. The seller says the vinyl roof is “showing its age,” which I assume means cracks. It has opera lights on the C-pillars, like any self-respecting ’70s barge, and the front fenders have Buick’s famous “Ventiports,” though they became rectangular when the headlights did. I like the fact that it has the sporty Rally wheels instead of fake wire wheel covers; you see these more often on Skylarks than on Park Avenues.
1992 Buick Riviera – $3,000
Engine/drivetrain: 3.8 liter OHV V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Clarkston, MI
Odometer reading: 211,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The personal luxury coupe is a category of car that I still miss. The idea of a comfortable car that’s just for you and your significant other, and maybe occasional passengers, feels decadent. It’s a little treat for yourself. And few cars ever did it better than the Buick Riviera. Starting as a trim level on the Roadmaster in 1949, the Riv became its own model in 1963, and continued for eight generations, not a bad run for a two-door coupe. This is the seventh generation Riviera, which was restyled in 1989 to make it look less like a humble Regal coupe and more like its own thing.
The Riv’s style may be unique, but Buick was wise enough to stick with a tried-and-true drivetrain. Yes, it’s our old friend the 3800 V6, driving the front wheels through a four-speed automatic. This engine is known for longevity, and this one has already done well over 200,000 miles. It was daily driven by the previous owner, and the seller just took it on a 2,000-mile road trip. A bunch of work was done to get it ready for that trip, and it runs and drives great. One thing I did notice is that the ABS warning light is on. If I remember right, that’s a common problem with Rivieras and Toronados, and there’s a part that’s no longer available; the computer, maybe? It does have new brakes, but they’re no longer anti-lock, and probably never will be again.
Inside, it’s a strange mix of high tech (for 1992) and traditional American luxury car elements. It has acres of fake woodgrain on the dash, but a digital instrument cluster. Unfortunately, not all the power doodads work; the power locks have left the chat, and the passenger-side window only goes down part of the way. It’s also missing the key for the locks and trunk, which there’s no excuse for. A locksmith should be able to re-key it cheaply and easily; that’s something that should be taken care of before putting it up for sale.
Outside, its looks are dominated by the aftermarket Dayton wire wheels, which I personally don’t like. I do like the deep blue paint, and it looks like it has held up well. The clearcoat is failing in a few spots, but it’s hardly noticeable in the photos.
If your dream car is, say, a Miata, or something else that actually goes around curves well, I can forgive you for not wanting either of these. No one is going to autocross these two (though I’d applaud anyone who tried). But if you’re tackling a choppy Interstate at 75 miles an hour, you’ll appreciate the soft suspension and cushy seats. On one hand, you have a traditional body-on-frame dinosaur of a sedan, and on the other, a more modern FWD unibody take on the personal luxury coupe theme. They’re the same price; which one appeals to you more?
We had the Riviera and after the transmission stranded my wife twice, and the constant fear of overheating when driving up hills on hot days (never resolved), we traded it in and never looked back. It was a beautiful car, though…
Riviera I would prefer the gen after. But still old man couch luxury with a 3800. Looks in good condition.
Went with the luxy 2 door coupe since I think the point of these exercises is to consider actually driving the thing.
That other crap heap? I can see parking it wayy out back and using it as a guest house; it’d be reasonably comfortable to sleep in. There’s a reason it’s unrestored; nobody in their right mind should do so.
I’d buy the rivera, sell the Daytons, find some GM alloys that fit (that look decent) and drive it. I like the Electra way more, but I’m trying to be practical and that 3800 is going to keep going long after the digital dash craps out.
Today, I’ll take ’em both! Everything’s coming up Luxobarge!
BTW, as a former owner of a Buick with the 455 engine, I can confirm it got about 8 mpg. Premium gas, no less.
The Electra is easily the better car, but the Riv is in better enough condition that I’d take it, despite the wheels. First order would be put some OE wheels on it and second put a Delco radio back in.
Downers Grove isn’t far, but even with Daytons (which, to be fair, are actually wire wheels and not just covers like many Buicks of the era had,) I think I like the idea of the Riviera better. It’s just going to be overall easier to care for.
Incredibly, both seem like alright buys. If I was in the market for one, I’d probably spend up a little more for a nicer one, but you can’t go wrong with either. I went with the Riveria due to its smaller size, and better looking paint.
Both of these cars are perfectly suited for Michigan’s roads. Went with the newer personal luxury car, because (A) it can fit in a modern garage and (B) fuel mileage.
Not sure about the Buick ABS but my Isuzu ABS had the same issue all that was needed was sending it out for a rebuild
Voted for the Electra, the name and chassis is ripe for an EV swap
These are two very fine choices for the money. Today I went Riviera (I happen to like the wheels).
I always thought that gen of Electra was ugly. And it will have shitty handling, a shitty power-to-weight ratio and shitty fuel economy. The only thing I like about it are the plush velour seats. But I would prefer if they were Royal Blue or Whorehouse Red.
The Riviera is actually nicer looking and looks to be in better condition even with double the miles. And you’ll get better power, performance and fuel economy.
So the Riviera is an easy choice for me.
The Buick Electra definitely was the ugly duckling of the B/C-bodies. To me, the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight was the prettiest.
Not happy about it but I voted for the Buick.
I don’t know, man, the Buick probably is a better choice.
There is no ‘better’ choice today, just two different flavors of ‘ugh!’
But wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?
Riviera for me. I might even keep the wire wheels on it for a bit.
I do wonder if a 1979 Riviera with a turbo 6 would have been more interesting in this comparison.
The Electra has more class and character, but the person selling the Riv really did a nice job of cleaning it up for the photos. It seems that a lot of people don’t care to even wash the car these days, much less vacuum the trunk when they list a car, and I feel I need to reward that Riviera seller with a vote that they don’t care about and will never know of.
Gotta go big or go home on this one. I’ll take to old Electra anyday. This is an ideal LS driveline swap candidate.
I was thinking much the same way. My parents had a ’78 with the Buick 350 when downsizing from a ’73 with the 455. I’d keep the Olds 403 in this one, but have some fun with fuel injection.
I could see fuel injection with a Holley Sniper or similar, the big thing is adding an O/D and better axle ratio for around town. This probably has highway gears, a set of 3.27’s would wake it up a lot.
That blue car with gold wheels is like a Subaru 😛
I voted for the white car because the blue one has too much shit that doesn’t work, and only 2 doors. The other car at least has 4 doors and is also easier to swap with something more powerful *and* more economical at the same time 🙂
As the mantra goes: a GM will run poorly longer than many other cars will run at all.
The Riviera wheels are a little tacky but they also work? I wouldn’t ever put them on of my own volition, but I don’t hate ’em. Anyways the Riviera was an easy vote, provided it’s clean underneath. Never know with Michigan, but if that thing has any rust it sure hides it well.
I’ll take the Electra and use its generous white panels for some Jolly Rodger decals. If you buy a boat you may as well lean into the aesthetic. Also, piracy might be the only way to keep that massive lump of America iron fueled up these days.
I can’t today, I just can’t. The 11 mpg, 250 mile range on a $120 fill up, Milase-a-thon Electra or the mostly used up, electrical gremlinfest 90’s GM with pimp wheels.
Just no.
Have you ever tried being a pimp??? Try it before you say you don’t like it!!!
If I was going to be a pimp, I would hope I could do better than an 90’s GM shitbox with peeling clearcoat.
Gotta start somewhere.
Well someone has to serve the ‘budget-friendly’ end of the market!
Bucking the trend and going Electra today, but my excitement level is far from electric. If it’s not about to crumble into a pile of iron oxide and doesn’t reek of cigarettes inside, it could be a good candidate for an LS swap. The 3800 in that Riv might purr forever, but it’ll be impossible to replace the gimmicky digital bits in the dash as they continue to fritz out.
I do like the color of the Riv though, both outside and in, and the gold Daytons, while not my cup of tea, actually look kind of decent on it. That Electra’s upholstery, on the other hand, has the look of a worn-out futon in a frat-house basement.
I would think—and there’s good evidence to support this—that someone with a reasonable knowledge of electronics could keep the Riviera working. A TV/small electronics repair shop would be a great resource here.
Beyond that, it seems like quite a few of its electrical issues are easily remediated, and remain because of indifference on part of the owner.
That’s a fair point, and I remember reading this a while back:
https://www.theautopian.com/gms-futuristic-80s-digital-displays-are-dying-but-this-man-is-fighting-to-keep-them-alive/
I’m sure the bits for the power locks and window are still obtainable. Nevertheles, I’ll stick with the Electra, even as I look askance at that seat fabric yet again.
“One thing I did notice is that the ABS warning light is on. If I remember right, that’s a common problem with Rivieras and Toronados, and there’s a part that’s no longer available; the computer, maybe? It does have new brakes, but they’re no longer anti-lock, and probably never will be again.”
That’s a good thing. These early ABS systems were unfixable even 25 years ago when a failure in the system sent my ’89 Toronado to an early grave. It wasn’t the computer. I believe the problem was the modulators, but don’t quote me on that. The problem with these systems, is when they failed you didn’t just lose ABS, you lost roughly 85% of your braking force. They only way to fix the system, is to delete it completely. New non-abs master, lines, etc. Today if I had that Trofeo I would have the wherewithal to do that, but as a 20 year old college student I did not. Off to the junkyard it went with only 103k miles on it.
As for these two, Electra all day every day. I always hated the way that generation of Riviera looked, and I’d always know I should have bought another Toronado instead. The Electra is the slightly more luxurious cousin to the Caprice everybody loves. This one is local to me and tempting, but there’s a green ’78 two door with a Buick 350 also available locally for only slightly more that’s been calling to me.
Many years ago, we estate-inherited a bright metallic red 2-door version of the Electra featured, same 403. Bright white button-rolled vinyl interior with red dash and carpets. Bright white Landau roof. Absolute peak 70’s brougham. Drove two years as a daily driver in the early 2000s. Not going to lie, I LOVED driving that car. With new shocks, nowhere near as floaty and boat-like as everyone likes to assume. Super-comfy. Quick enough, it had less than 200hp, but gobs of torque. And the fuel mileage, manageable at the time. Could never get out of a fuel stop without engaging with admirers. If taken care of, they could last a while. If nothing else, it made a statement.
Tough choice. The Riviera is cool. It is one of few nice looking ’90s American cars. This particular Riviera gets 10 bonus points for the quantity and quality of blue. Also, those wheels look great. Those are tacky wheels, but this is a tacky car and I’m a tacky guy. I’m almost talking myself into voting for this thing.
But not quite. I am a sucker for 1970s cars. I can’t in good conscience pass up a proper land yacht, even if it is slightly downsized from its previous iteration. It is a lousy car, but it is a lousy car with size and presence. Malaise forever! Viva malaise!