A manual convertible top becomes a benefit when the vehicle starts to age. Few things get more expensive quicker than a malfunctioning powered convertible top.
Cannot agree more. I had a BMW E93 with the folding hardtop roof fail. The dealer quoted $6k to repair it. I had two options: treat the car as a permanent coupe or fix it myself. I somehow fixed it, despite no mechanical skills. Manual roofs allll the way.
I have a 1991 (!) Peugeot 205 Roland Garros Convertible with an Electric roof … let that sink in, a French car made in Italy (by pininfarina), but the power roof has NEVER been an issue.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think that was one of the best looking Buicks of the era. As someone that wasn’t yet old enough to drive when this car came out, and with parents that owned a ‘78 Century that was in the shop more than on the road, this car made me think that Buick was finally cool again.
@@hadjiioke the 90s Buicks had the 3800 & are still on the road today. Some of the most reliable cars built. Not sure where you're coming from here. Lol
I studied mechanical engineering in college with the hopes of becoming a car designer, but I was never able to get into the field. Due to inexperience. How did you get in?
I went to college back in the late 80s/early 90s with a guy who had the Riviera with the touchscreen. He was an older student who had been a GM factory worker and got the employee discount on his Riviera. I was mesmerized by the electronics at the time. He said sometimes he would be driving and all the screens would shut off. He couldn't tell how much fuel he had left nor even how fast he was going until he could get the screens to turn back on.
I'm still a fan of digital gauges and that Buick touch screen blew me away back then. I've always liked the Reatta and the Rivera along with the Olds Toronado.
I remember being 14 years old waiting with my family to board a ferry off of Long Island. Someone pulled up in a brand new Reatta and I was amazed by the look (of a Buick!) Then the driver opened the door and I saw all the green screen displays and was blown away by the tech! I thought it was the coolest car ever!
What's truly surprising while watching this review is just how quickly the screen reacts to inputs. My 2017 Accords screen is a total slug compared to a mid-late 1980's GM product. In some regards, GM was truly ahead of everyone else.
That's the thing that screen was so simple it was instant commands rather than loading so much data, it was one or zero not billions of ones and zeros like we have today.
Since you mentioned the wedge shape and your avatar is a Lancia badge, let me ask you: did you know about one of the most bonkers FWD sedans ever: the Lancia Thema 8.32? Yes, the one with a Ferrari engine and a retractable rear wing!
At 5:45. Those hidden headlights that came down from underneath the hood. I've never seen anything like that before in my life. I have seen the clamshell headlights. That was cool. Bad a**!
My first black on red Reatta I bought new in 1990 for 29k MSRP. I sold the 90 and years later I found a black on red 91 that I had for many years. These were a couple of the best cars i’ve ever owned and loaded with luxury accessories. These cars had a 17 way power bucket seats, digital speedometer, CD player, and all the power accessory for the time, not to mention the sporty feel and comfortable ride. Great car, good times.
I own an 1989 red coupe. I haven’t met anyone who knows what it is yet. The front badge and rear name doesn’t give any hints either. I drove it down from Seattle to SF along the coast and it was amazing. Quiet, slow, smooth. Great video, and fun to learn that the car is in cursed company like the cavalier and SSR.
Wow. Thanks a ton! Not only did you do the episode but a special shout out? I can die happy now. Love all the videos, man. Keep up the awesome work - this channel is definitely a favorite. I'll stop pestering you now. ;)
Someone has one of these about a block from my house. Dark blue and a bit worn, street parked. Every time I walk by I think to myself, "that would make a nice project car".
@@kevindavis5966 oh yeah its been done before.some people have also done northstar swaps with them and they are surprisingly very fast with the northstar.
Wanted the toranado on the lot, instead had to settle for the cutlass supreme, but it had a 5 speed! If only the 3.8 were under the hood. :) but the 2.8 was fun enough.
Back then, my teenage self loved the Reatta styling. Nowadays I prefer the Allanté. So, I'm a living prooof that 80's Cadillac were targeted for old people!
@@Oonagh72 yes, not many of them, probably a handful left. last year I traded a rotten towncar to a scrapper for a super clean 96 cut supreme 3.4 24V slushbox though.
just got my Riviera outta winter storage and back on the road again, god i missed it so much, ofc being a Buick its going straight to service thanks to some electrical problems but god damnit i could not be happier finally getting to drive it again
Another great review! I enjoyed the video. I again like the effort that went into the video. I liked seeing at GM vehicles. I liked how you explained things. I loved the graphics and photos. I hope to see episodes on Oldsmobile Toronado, Ninety Eight, Eighty Eight, Regency, Intrigue and Pontiacs, Buicks, and Cadillacs. I recall your Lincoln Mark VIII and Oldsmobile Cutlass episode I appreciate your videos. Thank you.
I remember Kenny Berenstein went to a Reatta body on his funny car in 1988. That's when the bodies still slightly resembled the actual production car. The shape was striking and stood out among all of the competition.
It's a shame that Buick now has to rely on SUVs and crossovers to stay afloat. I was seriously considering purchasing a Regal Sportback but it was canceled so quickly.
The Lacrosse Super was the last Buick worth owning. Buick was never known for a being cool cars to own but there were several models that disproved that. Starting with the turbo Regals in the 80s to the Supercharged models in the 90s and ending with the LS4 -powered Lacrosse Supers in the 00s. I hate to say it but Buick has been dead to me since they switched to re-branded Opels. The longer time goes on, the more apparent it becomes axing Pontiac over Buick was a mistake.
@@ironpanther2420 To me it doesn't matter if they're "real" Buicks. What mattered to me is that the Regal Sportback was one of a handful of cars that more or less match my needs. That is a comfortable, sporty sedan (sorta with the styling of a coupe) and with the practicality of a hatchback. The only other cars that match this description are the Audi A5 sportback and the Kia Stinger. Out of those the Regal had the best cargo space. Good enough to throw in a couple of surfboards or a bike. Sadly all Buick offers now are SUVs which I really don't like.
My Neighbour had one, he liked it, and it was a pretty car given the time. One quirk he mentioned that as one of the early adopters of 4 wheel disc brakes, they had an issue with the "parking brake" slowly letting go as pressure would not stay.... hard being an early adopter.
Early adopter of 4 wheel disc brakes? In 1988? Maybe for GM, because 4 wheel disc brakes had been around since the late 60s in European marques, even on budget family cars, like the Fiat 124 sedan. American manufactures were that far behind?
@@BigNews2021 I think he meant the ABS these cars had, which was an electronic Teves system. Disc brakes starting popping up in cars around the early 70s in America.
GM sure did get the use out of that shifter knob @ 7:07. If first appeared in 1987 on the Camaro's and Corvette's and was used all the way until the C5. It last appeared in the 2005 Corvette before it was changed for 2006. I'll never forget seeing the newly released C5 for the first time, looking in the window, and my eyes being drawn directly to the 18 year old shifter knob. I think that shifter knob deserves its own episode.
I like the design of the Reatta! With the new more rounded dashboard, the interior finally matched the exterior too. Also, the proportions make it remind me of the Matra 530 and the front reminds me of the Volvo 480ES. With mid engine RWD, the drivetrain would have matched the body design a lot better though.
I"m the exception to your commentary. I purchased a 1989 Buick Riviera at 24 y/o and LOVED the car. I especially loved the graphic control center "the green screen". Found it easy to use and agree it was ahead of it's time.
Hated the Reatta when it first came out (didn’t think much of the Riviera of that generation either), I’ve come to really like it today and wouldn’t mind owning one. Nice review! 👍👍👍
Born in 82, growing up in a Buick dealership, this was my favorite luxury Buick sporty fwd model. Not putting down the Grand National, Park Avenue Ultra, or my dream machine, every year of the RIVIERA! Had the privilege of my brother restoring a Reatta and being able to drive her around, he also had a mint 96 Bubble Riveria which I was able to sport around in. I also had an 89 regal coupe, and a 94 regal sedan of myown . These Buicks have a special place in my heart and before I'm dead, I'm going to own my one of those again! My brothers high school quote in the yearbook was "GOD BLESS THE BUICK!" He graduated in 98. I in 2000. Times change and I can't believe how the brand has had to appeal to younger buyers buy appalling people like me. I will say I did think the 2020 Regal wagon tour x was a bit sexy though.
Wow, I'm surprised I saw any with such low volume production. I always liked them as they seemed so unique. I met a guy who collected them back in 2000, he 5 or 6 them. Loved them that much!
Got a 1990 Reatta. The best and most reliable car I have ever own. 250,000 still runs no problem but I hit a deer and that’s y it’s no longer on the road
I did my apprenticeship at Buick during that time and worked on many Reattas I now own two an 89, and a 90 .. even by todays standards they are high quality cars with many advances that are still cutting edge today , and one of the last two American Buicks it’s unfortunate we will never see cars like that again made in this country
There’s an episode that I’d love to see you make: my dad owned a 1898 Pontiac 6000 LE from 1989 to 2003, and a 2004 Buick Century afterwards. Can you do an episode on the GM A-Body cars of the mid-late 80s? (Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Buick Century)
The Reatta's exterior design was so radical for its time. I hardly ever saw any on the road. A preserved Reatta with a tuned 3800, including a turbo, would make a great classic cruiser. I'm still waiting for that Chevy Avalanche video!
@@JayBee3237 I don't think Bill lives there. Peter is the owner of that gated property that Bill is always ranting about and it absolutely looks like the same house. I don't recognize the woman driving though and don't think Bill ever did a Reatta so I don't know where the footage came from. *edit* I just checked the bottom of the clip at that time and it does say autohaus of naples which IIRC Peter used to own so perhaps this video was before Bill started making videos there, but it is definitely the house Bill uses for his curious cars videos. And yeah I just searched RUclips for that car/video and it's definitely an autohaus video without bill. There is a different man's voice in the video. The infamous Peter perhaps.
This car frustrated the crap out of me. It could have been so much more; it had a lot going for it and if they'd just made a smidge more effort it might have been a credible premium GT. Wasted CRT / digi-dash money should have been spent on the the engine (how close was the supercharged 3800 in development time, or wasn't there something else they could have done with it?) How the heck were they supposed to sell a captivating, but anemic 30k 2-seater - 9 seconds (absolute best) wasn't going to cut it in that segment. It needed to be a consistent sub-8, even if only a hair. FWD - obviously a given b/c of the platform - doesn't easily lend itself to really sharp handling, and the whole thing just felt inoffensive (to soulless if being harsh) and heavy for its size. The kind of car a 1983 loaded Nissan 200 SX owner might move up to 5 years later on. which doesn't say much. Still, I knew a guy who picked up two 1991 after production ended; more or less mothballed one and drove the other sparingly. Guy's still waiting to recoup.
That sad ass 80's Vette they made such a big deal about avoiding the gas guzzler tax like it would've mattered to anyone buying a vette. and also could you imagine a cable throttle OBD one supercharged V-6 front wheel drive trans with no torque management? it would've been a warranty nightmare.
@@leadfoot8593 I've driven my 8th gen SC Riviera with the traction control off. It will torque steer on a wet road but generally isn't that bad. I haven't heard of anyone driving off the road although I've been on a forum where many modded their cars for more power. One guy has over 500 hp at the wheels IIRC.
I miss when general motors took risks and it's sad the risks hardly ever turned out well. From the reatta to the SSR or Aztek or even the HHR SS I think a lot of those vehicles would have had success at a different time. Hot hatches are popular now, the Aztek was one of the earliest crossovers and is now no uglier than most the crossovers being built and it was much less soulless than what's being put out today. Even the Chevy avalanche was a good truck. The Escalade version was a fail but most avalanche owners I talk to today absolutely love them.
One of the church ladies we would ride with on Sunday to service had one of these with the digital display. She never really had problems with hers, but there was a lot of concern back then if it was prone to the y2k bug.
Interesting little tidbit - When the program was first started it was going to either a Cadillac or Buick,. Cadillac didn't like the rounded look and decided to go with Pininfarina for their two-seater. So Dave McIntosh added the lower waterfall grill early in sketch phase to make it Buick. There is a great interview with the Reatta designer on RUclips - BONUS: Dave McIntosh talks Buick Reatta design
I can't help but think about a Reatta interior with a GNX power train. Cool interior plus credible sport car power would have been a killer combo. Whatever package you would put it into is another question.
I had a family friend that worked at the plant. Later in life he collected them he left one at my house well he was out of state for a few months. I asked if I could drive it and he said yes so it wasn't sitting still for months. It was fun to drive and when you put your foot into it it would suck down to the the road.
Around 2:20 during the Buick Riviera commercial you can see the passenger having to keep the window straight with her hand. My mom's Pontiac had that problem, only it wasn't new.
Very cool detailed episode! I was nice to see GM at least try to give luxury coupe buyers something back then to have something like the German drop tops and coupes. I loved the Reatta and all of those 80’s coupes, Riviera , Allante , Eldorado , and Toronado. Looking forward to the EV1 episode. I feel like I’m fortunate to be able to own my Tesla Model 3 because they crushed the EV1.
Love pop-up headlights my dad and me had a Corvette and I always love the Firebirds with a smooth front with the pop-up headlights they look so much better than their Camaro twin
I actually love the look of those last El Dorados despite not being remotely in the target demographic and not particularly attracted to Cadillac, in general.
Always thought theses were beautiful cars. Loved the convertible when I first saw it at the ny auto show. Great video. Still waiting for a fiero video. If you need a car to film I have a pristine 1988 fiero with the rare t top option.
My vote for best and worst family sedan is the Chevy lumina. I owned a 98, it was the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. Also the most boring . It did every thing just good enough but nothing great. Only got rid of it because the white paint was falling off the body. Other than that the only problem it had was a starter that went out at 100k miles.
I never knew the Pontiac Fiero offered a T top option,it sounds like you have a really cool collectors item that is fun to drive,I was always a fan of the 2M6 model.
Such great cars! Sure we get them from time to time, either been sitting due to time or wrecked, but crazy enough, most still run and every single one I've seen, personally, dash and accessories, STILL WORKED
I've always liked the look of the Reatta. But as I hate modern touch screens (no tactile quality, one can't operate them by feel), I'd have hated that touchscreen in the Reatta.
Buick was always great for their affordable sedans but man their sporty side was also pretty cool but sadly not appreciated by most..... the Reatta looks great IMO, convertible model though? no....but T tops or Sunroof woulda been cool.....eh
I actually saw one of these on the road two weeks ago in red. I saw it from a distance but instantly recognized it because of its unique shape and soft top. I have to say other than the touchscreen, the overall design was very ahead of its time. It's very smooth and aerodynamic considering it's a late 80s car when most domestics and foreign imports were still using a three-box design. I would say 1990-92 was when most automakers finally ditched the razor sharp box design and went for aerodynamics to start off the new decade. Buick was one of the first other than the original Ford Taurus, Mazda Miata, Acura NSX, Lexus LS400, Mitsubishi 3000G/T, fifth gen Toyota Celica, and so on.
Interesting fact. Buick moved the assembly line to car shows in I believe 1988. It was really neat to see final assembly while visiting the Minnesota car show in the HH Humphrey Dome. Also, pop up headlights are banned on new cars due to pedestrian safety regulations so we will never see them on a new car in the future.
There are a good healthy few of these in the Atlanta area, wasn’t really aware of them until a year or so ago I ended up commuting home and seeing one most week days heading down 285 with me, every single day I wanted one a little more lol
Ford Explorer Sport Trac next please! I loved the design on the Reatta since I was a kid- they looked like a UFO amongst the 90s boxes I grew up with, thank you for bringing these back.
3:24 it rides on a nine inch shorter wheelbase Riviera platform. There are many interior similarities between Riviera and Reatta. Studying those reveals the car's true origins.
It's so sad to me that we have reached a point in the automotive landscape that the only vehicles that seem to sell are trucks and SUVs / crossovers, and therefore more and more automakers have been building less and less of any other option. Don't get me wrong, I get that people value space, utility, and ruggedness, and that's usually the selling point of trucks and suvs, but it just seems like the future has been doomed to everything becoming either an SUV or a pickup, and anybody who may want a sports coupe, or a convertible, or even a nice sports sedan might unfortunately be met with either only being able to purchase a used car, or deal with a market of "either a truck, and SUV / crossover, or get nothing and ride the bus."
I flatter myself thinking I know my way around old american cars, admitting that even '90 cars are getting old by now, and there are quite a few Buick models I really love, even beside the '65 Riviera. But I had NEVER even heard about the Reatta until now!! What is this sorcery!!?? Thank you for uploading, very interesting! :)
Loved my ‘89 Reatta. Not a fan of the touch screen, but being 6’ 3”, I had no problem getting comfortable with room to spare. It did ride a little harsh going over pavement seems and pot holes, but loved the design and for years, people would stop me to ask what it was. I’d definitely consider picking another one up if I found a ‘90 or ‘91 with low-ish miles. Thanks for the video.
I own one of these... a 1990 Reatta convertible, in black with a red interior. It is a great looking car AND is also reliable. Mine has less than 60K miles on it, and I am the 2nd owner. it's super comfortable and is still one of the best-looking cars on the road, 30-plus years later! The manual top is a pain in the neck, but you do get used to it after a while. Still, a decent power top would have been better, especially in a car that cost about $35K when new!
The Chevy SSR should get a my old car episode. I kind of remember seeing these things when I was little, but God they were hideous. Too bad GM couldn't have just abandoned the retro-classic trend of cars, clean up the lines, and give us an American Ute. Though I suppose the El Camino takes the cake as the American Ute.
I always thought it was a pretty cool car. I really wanted an Oldsmobile Trofeo. I thought it was such a beautiful car. I did get a 1991 Cutlass Supreme coupe as my second car though. It was definitely a cool car to have in high school 20 years ago.
Your channel makes me feel nostalgic. I've decided to subscribe. I almost purchased a Buick Skyhawk back on high school for $500, but I ended up getting a 90 mustang instead (this was back in 1997) Can you do a show about the w body from GM. I liked the 1988 regal.
@Bo Blu The Buick Reatta was a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988-1991) and convertible (1990-1991) - both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine and shortened version of the GM E platform, shared with the seventh generation Buick Riviera. As Buick's first two-seater and its first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, the Reatta was manufactured in a highly specialized assembly program at the Reatta Craft Center (later known as the Lansing Craft Center) in Lansing, Michigan.
When this came out, I was only 24, but I was in love with the design. Always dreamed of owning one, finally bought a one-owner, early ‘88, with leather & suede 16-way power seats, in 2014, my 50th birthday gift to myself. Still have it, only has 38K miles on it. The design is still sleek & looks very current. The unique rear window looks so much better than the convertible roofline. I love the touchscreen, so many people who see it can’t believe it was standard that far back!
Think I saw one of these and an SSR at the local car meet where they usually just have lowered condos and stuff and I was the only one to like really get excited seeing it xD
I remember when this car came out there was a computer ad program we got on disk mailed to us that showed you all the features of the car. My friend and I thought it was pretty cool at the time. Would love to see it again.
My first car was the 1988 Dodge Daytona. It had a manual crank moonroof that was removable and a really cool black louvre on the rear hatch window. I'll always love that car. It even had pop-up headlights, which I really wish would make a comeback. I hope to see the Daytona on a future episode!
I have a 2007 HHR. I find it to be hideous but it’s paid for. Lol. I have the loaded version. It’s slow and the ride and handling are questionable even after changing out most front end components. And who the hell puts a 4 speed auto in a 07 with rear drum brakes. Chevy.
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A manual convertible top becomes a benefit when the vehicle starts to age. Few things get more expensive quicker than a malfunctioning powered convertible top.
Might depend upon the mechanism. My 2002 Honda s2000's electronic top is working great (fingers crossed) still :-)
Cannot agree more. I had a BMW E93 with the folding hardtop roof fail. The dealer quoted $6k to repair it. I had two options: treat the car as a permanent coupe or fix it myself. I somehow fixed it, despite no mechanical skills. Manual roofs allll the way.
@@LaytonKnightt holy smokes, how did you do that?
I have a 1991 (!) Peugeot 205 Roland Garros Convertible with an Electric roof … let that sink in, a French car made in Italy (by pininfarina), but the power roof has NEVER been an issue.
@@flori5548 They were built better back then.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think that was one of the best looking Buicks of the era. As someone that wasn’t yet old enough to drive when this car came out, and with parents that owned a ‘78 Century that was in the shop more than on the road, this car made me think that Buick was finally cool again.
If they would just have made it rear wheel drive and a turbo 2.8 , It would have been a luxury super car.
I loved everything Buick made, man.
@@louyork8379 Buick made some absolute trash cars. That Century I previously mentioned, and the early 90s Park Avenue was trash too.
@@hadjiioke the 90s Buicks had the 3800 & are still on the road today. Some of the most reliable cars built. Not sure where you're coming from here. Lol
RWD, analog dash, balanced suspension between sport and comfort
I started designing cars in '87 and when I saw the Reatta in magazines I was very impressed with it's design.
I studied mechanical engineering in college with the hopes of becoming a car designer, but I was never able to get into the field. Due to inexperience. How did you get in?
I went to college back in the late 80s/early 90s with a guy who had the Riviera with the touchscreen. He was an older student who had been a GM factory worker and got the employee discount on his Riviera. I was mesmerized by the electronics at the time. He said sometimes he would be driving and all the screens would shut off. He couldn't tell how much fuel he had left nor even how fast he was going until he could get the screens to turn back on.
Pretty soon we will get there with digital dashes. Just like the 05 Dodge trucks, when it went out, driving blindly.
As soon as I see a review, I immediately click and watch. They are so informative and so well done. Keep it coming!
Me too !!! I LIKE it before I even watch it.
I had this car in white!
Reatta's are sweet. I'm always on the lookout for a diamond in the rough, but gotta be the 88/89 with the touchscreen and airbagless steering wheel.
I agree,the early dash with the sporty tri spoke steering wheel is far more appealing.
I have one of those. Not currently running, but not complicated problems.
One with the L67 Series 1 swapped in would be the perfect blend of luxury and power.
I got a white 89 for sale on OfferUp 😊
I have a red 88. All original. Working touch screen. Love it.
I'm still a fan of digital gauges and that Buick touch screen blew me away back then. I've always liked the Reatta and the Rivera along with the Olds Toronado.
I remember being 14 years old waiting with my family to board a ferry off of Long Island. Someone pulled up in a brand new Reatta and I was amazed by the look (of a Buick!) Then the driver opened the door and I saw all the green screen displays and was blown away by the tech! I thought it was the coolest car ever!
What's truly surprising while watching this review is just how quickly the screen reacts to inputs. My 2017 Accords screen is a total slug compared to a mid-late 1980's GM product. In some regards, GM was truly ahead of everyone else.
That's the thing that screen was so simple it was instant commands rather than loading so much data, it was one or zero not billions of ones and zeros like we have today.
I think that the wedge shape of the Reatta has aged really well. Too bad that it was FWD
Since you mentioned the wedge shape and your avatar is a Lancia badge, let me ask you: did you know about one of the most bonkers FWD sedans ever: the Lancia Thema 8.32? Yes, the one with a Ferrari engine and a retractable rear wing!
@@curbowman yeah, that was certainly an oddball. An AWD version was also in the works but unfortunately it got canceled.
The Reatta should’ve been given the LS/Small block or the Turbo V6 from the Regal T-Type/GNX and a 6 speed manual with RWD or AWD.
At 5:45. Those hidden headlights that came down from underneath the hood. I've never seen anything like that before in my life. I have seen the clamshell headlights. That was cool. Bad a**!
Never change that background music! It's addictive and iconic.
My first black on red Reatta I bought new in 1990 for 29k MSRP. I sold the 90 and years later I found a black on red 91 that I had for many years. These were a couple of the best cars i’ve ever owned and loaded with luxury accessories. These cars had a 17 way power bucket seats, digital speedometer, CD player, and all the power accessory for the time, not to mention the sporty feel and comfortable ride. Great car, good times.
I own an 1989 red coupe. I haven’t met anyone who knows what it is yet. The front badge and rear name doesn’t give any hints either. I drove it down from Seattle to SF along the coast and it was amazing. Quiet, slow, smooth. Great video, and fun to learn that the car is in cursed company like the cavalier and SSR.
Wow. Thanks a ton! Not only did you do the episode but a special shout out? I can die happy now. Love all the videos, man. Keep up the awesome work - this channel is definitely a favorite. I'll stop pestering you now. ;)
Stalker alert!!!
Persistence is key! Haha... happy for you man!
Hell yeah dude congrats
Someone has one of these about a block from my house. Dark blue and a bit worn, street parked. Every time I walk by I think to myself, "that would make a nice project car".
I wonder if the supercharged 3800 would fit under the hood?
@@kevindavis5966 oh yeah its been done before.some people have also done northstar swaps with them and they are surprisingly very fast with the northstar.
I liked the Reatta more than the Allantè. They were much cooler.
Wanted the toranado on the lot, instead had to settle for the cutlass supreme, but it had a 5 speed! If only the 3.8 were under the hood. :) but the 2.8 was fun enough.
@@leadfoot8593 manual cutlass supreme?? Be still me beating heart.
The Allante was also a very problematic car, expensive and unreliable was not a great combo.
Back then, my teenage self loved the Reatta styling. Nowadays I prefer the Allanté. So, I'm a living prooof that 80's Cadillac were targeted for old people!
@@Oonagh72 yes, not many of them, probably a handful left. last year I traded a rotten towncar to a scrapper for a super clean 96 cut supreme 3.4 24V slushbox though.
By far one of the best car channels on RUclips.
just got my Riviera outta winter storage and back on the road again, god i missed it so much, ofc being a Buick its going straight to service thanks to some electrical problems but god damnit i could not be happier finally getting to drive it again
Another great review! I enjoyed the video. I again like the effort that went into the video. I liked seeing at GM vehicles. I liked how you explained things. I loved the graphics and photos. I hope to see episodes on Oldsmobile Toronado, Ninety Eight, Eighty Eight, Regency, Intrigue and Pontiacs, Buicks, and Cadillacs. I recall your Lincoln Mark VIII and Oldsmobile Cutlass episode I appreciate your videos. Thank you.
One of these, in mint condition came into the shop with tires from the 90's and about 17,000 miles on the dash.
Found two for sale in Wisconsin and wanted to take one home to Australia. The parts issue stopped me but its still an attractive car.
I remember Kenny Berenstein went to a Reatta body on his funny car in 1988. That's when the bodies still slightly resembled the actual production car. The shape was striking and stood out among all of the competition.
An old boss of mine bought one for his wife. She was VERY proud of it.
Interesting story. I remember the Buick Reatta. I remember hoping that it would replace the aging Buick Riviera.
It's a shame that Buick now has to rely on SUVs and crossovers to stay afloat.
I was seriously considering purchasing a Regal Sportback but it was canceled so quickly.
Go get a used one and put in a LS swap under the hood...you will not be disappointed.
I got a 2018 regal sportback essence. Nice, fun car. Has the premium sound system and stuff.
The Lacrosse Super was the last Buick worth owning. Buick was never known for a being cool cars to own but there were several models that disproved that. Starting with the turbo Regals in the 80s to the Supercharged models in the 90s and ending with the LS4 -powered Lacrosse Supers in the 00s. I hate to say it but Buick has been dead to me since they switched to re-branded Opels. The longer time goes on, the more apparent it becomes axing Pontiac over Buick was a mistake.
Buick does very well in China, which is why Pontiac got axed and Buick survived.
@@ironpanther2420 To me it doesn't matter if they're "real" Buicks. What mattered to me is that the Regal Sportback was one of a handful of cars that more or less match my needs. That is a comfortable, sporty sedan (sorta with the styling of a coupe) and with the practicality of a hatchback. The only other cars that match this description are the Audi A5 sportback and the Kia Stinger. Out of those the Regal had the best cargo space. Good enough to throw in a couple of surfboards or a bike. Sadly all Buick offers now are SUVs which I really don't like.
My Neighbour had one, he liked it, and it was a pretty car given the time. One quirk he mentioned that as one of the early adopters of 4 wheel disc brakes, they had an issue with the "parking brake" slowly letting go as pressure would not stay.... hard being an early adopter.
Early adopter of 4 wheel disc brakes? In 1988? Maybe for GM, because 4 wheel disc brakes had been around since the late 60s in European marques, even on budget family cars, like the Fiat 124 sedan. American manufactures were that far behind?
@@BigNews2021 American automakers have been pretty far behind on safety features and emissions until fairly recently
At least farther behind than one might think seeing as America is the epicenter of car centric urbanism
@@BigNews2021 I think he meant the ABS these cars had, which was an electronic Teves system. Disc brakes starting popping up in cars around the early 70s in America.
GM sure did get the use out of that shifter knob @ 7:07. If first appeared in 1987 on the Camaro's and Corvette's and was used all the way until the C5. It last appeared in the 2005 Corvette before it was changed for 2006. I'll never forget seeing the newly released C5 for the first time, looking in the window, and my eyes being drawn directly to the 18 year old shifter knob.
I think that shifter knob deserves its own episode.
Love listening to these every Saturday . Thanks for the hard work
I like the design of the Reatta! With the new more rounded dashboard, the interior finally matched the exterior too. Also, the proportions make it remind me of the Matra 530 and the front reminds me of the Volvo 480ES. With mid engine RWD, the drivetrain would have matched the body design a lot better though.
I"m the exception to your commentary. I purchased a 1989 Buick Riviera at 24 y/o and LOVED the car. I especially loved the graphic control center "the green screen". Found it easy to use and agree it was ahead of it's time.
Hated the Reatta when it first came out (didn’t think much of the Riviera of that generation either), I’ve come to really like it today and wouldn’t mind owning one. Nice review! 👍👍👍
enjoyed this review and can't wait for the Riviera episode!
Another great video. I didn't know that the reatta and the Riviera were the same, even if the reatta was smaller. Great information.
I always thought it would be highly collectable. Thanks Pat
Nope . Had one and practically had to give it away.
Your reviews are my very favorite right next to MW retro reviews!!!
Keep it going!!! Big fan!!!
Born in 82, growing up in a Buick dealership, this was my favorite luxury Buick sporty fwd model. Not putting down the Grand National, Park Avenue Ultra, or my dream machine, every year of the RIVIERA! Had the privilege of my brother restoring a Reatta and being able to drive her around, he also had a mint 96 Bubble Riveria which I was able to sport around in. I also had an 89 regal coupe, and a 94 regal sedan of myown . These Buicks have a special place in my heart and before I'm dead, I'm going to own my one of those again! My brothers high school quote in the yearbook was "GOD BLESS THE BUICK!" He graduated in 98. I in 2000. Times change and I can't believe how the brand has had to appeal to younger buyers buy appalling people like me. I will say I did think the 2020 Regal wagon tour x was a bit sexy though.
Wow, I'm surprised I saw any with such low volume production. I always liked them as they seemed so unique. I met a guy who collected them back in 2000, he 5 or 6 them. Loved them that much!
Love the channel I would love to see you do 1 on a Lexus GS early 90s model sweet ride keep it going bro👍🏿
Good pick. Fairly rare, and sadly now out of production...
Got a 1990 Reatta. The best and most reliable car I have ever own. 250,000 still runs no problem but I hit a deer and that’s y it’s no longer on the road
Beautiful machine.
@@fitfogey I love my reatta
Oh deer!
@@jeffrobodine8579 ruclips.net/video/RAhnLP38xeo/видео.html
Yep got it on dash cam
I did my apprenticeship at Buick during that time and worked on many Reattas I now own two an 89, and a 90 .. even by todays standards they are high quality cars with many advances that are still cutting edge today , and one of the last two American Buicks it’s unfortunate we will never see cars like that again made in this country
There’s an episode that I’d love to see you make: my dad owned a 1898 Pontiac 6000 LE from 1989 to 2003, and a 2004 Buick Century afterwards. Can you do an episode on the GM A-Body cars of the mid-late 80s? (Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Buick Century)
There is someone in my town that owns 2 Reatta's. Both red. Both hard top. Has had them for years
The Reatta's exterior design was so radical for its time. I hardly ever saw any on the road. A preserved Reatta with a tuned 3800, including a turbo, would make a great classic cruiser.
I'm still waiting for that Chevy Avalanche video!
I saw one of these yesterday. Instantly brought me back to this video.
7:54
That looks like the house in Naples, Florida that Bill of Curious Cars films at. His videos are hilarious.
It would be hilarious if this was his neighbor he's always on about
@@JayBee3237 I don't think Bill lives there. Peter is the owner of that gated property that Bill is always ranting about and it absolutely looks like the same house. I don't recognize the woman driving though and don't think Bill ever did a Reatta so I don't know where the footage came from.
*edit* I just checked the bottom of the clip at that time and it does say autohaus of naples which IIRC Peter used to own so perhaps this video was before Bill started making videos there, but it is definitely the house Bill uses for his curious cars videos.
And yeah I just searched RUclips for that car/video and it's definitely an autohaus video without bill. There is a different man's voice in the video. The infamous Peter perhaps.
@@pdennis93
"Woman"? No, that's Peter with no hair.
@@johna.4334in the video I watched, it was a women's voice. I thought that was her driving too. Oops.
This car frustrated the crap out of me. It could have been so much more; it had a lot going for it and if they'd just made a smidge more effort it might have been a credible premium GT. Wasted CRT / digi-dash money should have been spent on the the engine (how close was the supercharged 3800 in development time, or wasn't there something else they could have done with it?) How the heck were they supposed to sell a captivating, but anemic 30k 2-seater - 9 seconds (absolute best) wasn't going to cut it in that segment. It needed to be a consistent sub-8, even if only a hair. FWD - obviously a given b/c of the platform - doesn't easily lend itself to really sharp handling, and the whole thing just felt inoffensive (to soulless if being harsh) and heavy for its size. The kind of car a 1983 loaded Nissan 200 SX owner might move up to 5 years later on. which doesn't say much. Still, I knew a guy who picked up two 1991 after production ended; more or less mothballed one and drove the other sparingly. Guy's still waiting to recoup.
Gotta protect the 'Vette. It would be a disaster if GM had another GNX on their hands.
That sad ass 80's Vette they made such a big deal about avoiding the gas guzzler tax like it would've mattered to anyone buying a vette. and also could you imagine a cable throttle OBD one supercharged V-6 front wheel drive trans with no torque management? it would've been a warranty nightmare.
@@leadfoot8593 I've driven my 8th gen SC Riviera with the traction control off. It will torque steer on a wet road but generally isn't that bad. I haven't heard of anyone driving off the road although I've been on a forum where many modded their cars for more power. One guy has over 500 hp at the wheels IIRC.
YES one step closer to the Buick Park Ave/Lesabre
I miss when general motors took risks and it's sad the risks hardly ever turned out well. From the reatta to the SSR or Aztek or even the HHR SS I think a lot of those vehicles would have had success at a different time. Hot hatches are popular now, the Aztek was one of the earliest crossovers and is now no uglier than most the crossovers being built and it was much less soulless than what's being put out today. Even the Chevy avalanche was a good truck. The Escalade version was a fail but most avalanche owners I talk to today absolutely love them.
Look forward to your videos each Saturday! Thanks!
This channel is so awesome everything old movie clips , commercials LOVE IT THANK YOU keep up the excellent work
7:31 it has a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge! John Davis is sold on it.
One of the church ladies we would ride with on Sunday to service had one of these with the digital display. She never really had problems with hers, but there was a lot of concern back then if it was prone to the y2k bug.
Interesting little tidbit - When the program was first started it was going to either a Cadillac or Buick,. Cadillac didn't like the rounded look and decided to go with Pininfarina for their two-seater. So Dave McIntosh added the lower waterfall grill early in sketch phase to make it Buick.
There is a great interview with the Reatta designer on RUclips - BONUS: Dave McIntosh talks Buick Reatta design
I can't help but think about a Reatta interior with a GNX power train. Cool interior plus credible sport car power would have been a killer combo. Whatever package you would put it into is another question.
Unfortunately, the Corvette people wouldn't have allowed that. Talk about obsession.
I had a family friend that worked at the plant. Later in life he collected them he left one at my house well he was out of state for a few months. I asked if I could drive it and he said yes so it wasn't sitting still for months. It was fun to drive and when you put your foot into it it would suck down to the the road.
Around 2:20 during the Buick Riviera commercial you can see the passenger having to keep the window straight with her hand. My mom's Pontiac had that problem, only it wasn't new.
Great work Sir thank you
Very cool detailed episode! I was nice to see GM at least try to give luxury coupe buyers something back then to have something like the German drop tops and coupes. I loved the Reatta and all of those 80’s coupes, Riviera , Allante , Eldorado , and Toronado. Looking forward to the EV1 episode. I feel like I’m fortunate to be able to own my Tesla Model 3 because they crushed the EV1.
Love pop-up headlights my dad and me had a Corvette and I always love the Firebirds with a smooth front with the pop-up headlights they look so much better than their Camaro twin
I actually love the look of those last El Dorados despite not being remotely in the target demographic and not particularly attracted to Cadillac, in general.
Always thought theses were beautiful cars. Loved the convertible when I first saw it at the ny auto show. Great video. Still waiting for a fiero video. If you need a car to film I have a pristine 1988 fiero with the rare t top option.
My vote for best and worst family sedan is the Chevy lumina. I owned a 98, it was the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. Also the most boring . It did every thing just good enough but nothing great. Only got rid of it because the white paint was falling off the body. Other than that the only problem it had was a starter that went out at 100k miles.
I never knew the Pontiac Fiero offered a T top option,it sounds like you have a really cool collectors item that is fun to drive,I was always a fan of the 2M6 model.
@@corvetcoyote443 t top was only offered as a factory option in 88. I love the car
Such great cars! Sure we get them from time to time, either been sitting due to time or wrecked, but crazy enough, most still run and every single one I've seen, personally, dash and accessories, STILL WORKED
I've always liked the look of the Reatta. But as I hate modern touch screens (no tactile quality, one can't operate them by feel), I'd have hated that touchscreen in the Reatta.
I worked with someone who had one of these. She loved that damn car.
Best family sedan:
GM A-bodies (Celebrity/6000 etc)
Worst family sedan:
Any three - Ford Fairmont, Ford Tempo, Ford Contour
Buick was always great for their affordable sedans but man their sporty side was also pretty cool but sadly not appreciated by most.....
the Reatta looks great IMO, convertible model though? no....but T tops or Sunroof woulda been cool.....eh
New one on me but I actually like it. Something of a Honda Prelude about it.
I actually saw one of these on the road two weeks ago in red. I saw it from a distance but instantly recognized it because of its unique shape and soft top. I have to say other than the touchscreen, the overall design was very ahead of its time. It's very smooth and aerodynamic considering it's a late 80s car when most domestics and foreign imports were still using a three-box design. I would say 1990-92 was when most automakers finally ditched the razor sharp box design and went for aerodynamics to start off the new decade. Buick was one of the first other than the original Ford Taurus, Mazda Miata, Acura NSX, Lexus LS400, Mitsubishi 3000G/T, fifth gen Toyota Celica, and so on.
Interesting fact. Buick moved the assembly line to car shows in I believe 1988. It was really neat to see final assembly while visiting the Minnesota car show in the HH Humphrey Dome. Also, pop up headlights are banned on new cars due to pedestrian safety regulations so we will never see them on a new car in the future.
Another great video. Looking forward to the Riviera video.
There are a good healthy few of these in the Atlanta area, wasn’t really aware of them until a year or so ago I ended up commuting home and seeing one most week days heading down 285 with me, every single day I wanted one a little more lol
Ford Explorer Sport Trac next please! I loved the design on the Reatta since I was a kid- they looked like a UFO amongst the 90s boxes I grew up with, thank you for bringing these back.
Do the suzuki samurai/sidekick my good sir thanks for the videos
You're getting into niche vehicles of the 80s and 90's at this point. Please do a segment on the Pontiac Bonneville.
This car would have been a success if they made it rear wheel drive, gave it the GNX engine and a proper set of analog gauges.
3:24 it rides on a nine inch shorter wheelbase Riviera platform. There are many interior similarities between Riviera and Reatta. Studying those reveals the car's true origins.
It's so sad to me that we have reached a point in the automotive landscape that the only vehicles that seem to sell are trucks and SUVs / crossovers, and therefore more and more automakers have been building less and less of any other option. Don't get me wrong, I get that people value space, utility, and ruggedness, and that's usually the selling point of trucks and suvs, but it just seems like the future has been doomed to everything becoming either an SUV or a pickup, and anybody who may want a sports coupe, or a convertible, or even a nice sports sedan might unfortunately be met with either only being able to purchase a used car, or deal with a market of "either a truck, and SUV / crossover, or get nothing and ride the bus."
I flatter myself thinking I know my way around old american cars, admitting that even '90 cars are getting old by now, and there are quite a few Buick models I really love, even beside the '65 Riviera. But I had NEVER even heard about the Reatta until now!! What is this sorcery!!??
Thank you for uploading, very interesting! :)
Loved my ‘89 Reatta. Not a fan of the touch screen, but being 6’ 3”, I had no problem getting comfortable with room to spare. It did ride a little harsh going over pavement seems and pot holes, but loved the design and for years, people would stop me to ask what it was. I’d definitely consider picking another one up if I found a ‘90 or ‘91 with low-ish miles. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for such a wonderful review of a bygone era. I actually really liked his car, and appreciated the bold move by Buick.
I own one of these... a 1990 Reatta convertible, in black with a red interior. It is a great looking car AND is also reliable. Mine has less than 60K miles on it, and I am the 2nd owner. it's super comfortable and is still one of the best-looking cars on the road, 30-plus years later! The manual top is a pain in the neck, but you do get used to it after a while. Still, a decent power top would have been better, especially in a car that cost about $35K when new!
Hi, love the video! I would love to see my first bought car a 1982 Nissan 200SX featured on your show.
The Chevy SSR should get a my old car episode. I kind of remember seeing these things when I was little, but God they were hideous. Too bad GM couldn't have just abandoned the retro-classic trend of cars, clean up the lines, and give us an American Ute. Though I suppose the El Camino takes the cake as the American Ute.
I always thought it was a pretty cool car. I really wanted an Oldsmobile Trofeo. I thought it was such a beautiful car.
I did get a 1991 Cutlass Supreme coupe as my second car though. It was definitely a cool car to have in high school 20 years ago.
I’d appreciate it very much if you made a video on the Buick Rivera eventually
Your channel makes me feel nostalgic. I've decided to subscribe. I almost purchased a Buick Skyhawk back on high school for $500, but I ended up getting a 90 mustang instead (this was back in 1997)
Can you do a show about the w body from GM. I liked the 1988 regal.
The Reatta remains one of my favourite styled American cars.
@Bo Blu The Buick Reatta was a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988-1991) and convertible (1990-1991) - both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine and shortened version of the GM E platform, shared with the seventh generation Buick Riviera.
As Buick's first two-seater and its first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, the Reatta was manufactured in a highly specialized assembly program at the Reatta Craft Center (later known as the Lansing Craft Center) in Lansing, Michigan.
When this came out, I was only 24, but I was in love with the design. Always dreamed of owning one, finally bought a one-owner, early ‘88, with leather & suede 16-way power seats, in 2014, my 50th birthday gift to myself. Still have it, only has 38K miles on it. The design is still sleek & looks very current. The unique rear window looks so much better than the convertible roofline. I love the touchscreen, so many people who see it can’t believe it was standard that far back!
Contour. Contour. Contour. I'll ask for the contour until you do it, especially the SVT that I grew up learning how to drive.
Think I saw one of these and an SSR at the local car meet where they usually just have lowered condos and stuff and I was the only one to like really get excited seeing it xD
Dropping the ride height makes those condos handle almost like cape cods. 🤣
I remember when this car came out there was a computer ad program we got on disk mailed to us that showed you all the features of the car. My friend and I thought it was pretty cool at the time. Would love to see it again.
I saw one of these last summer while out to eat with my mom. It was a very interesting sight!
My first car was the 1988 Dodge Daytona. It had a manual crank moonroof that was removable and a really cool black louvre on the rear hatch window. I'll always love that car. It even had pop-up headlights, which I really wish would make a comeback. I hope to see the Daytona on a future episode!
ruclips.net/video/fuG2YJtBXl4/видео.html
Please do episodes about the Chevy HHR and the GM EV1.
I have a 2007 HHR. I find it to be hideous but it’s paid for. Lol. I have the loaded version. It’s slow and the ride and handling are questionable even after changing out most front end components. And who the hell puts a 4 speed auto in a 07 with rear drum brakes. Chevy.
I do like the look of these with the longer front overhang, short rear and the soap bar styling
Believe it or not they weren't LCD screens but rather CRT I do believe.
Imagine this car with the Supercharged 3800 they put in about everything in the late 90s. That would have been a fun little car.
They, as in gm, made them with the supercharged 3800...they are extremely rare, and very fast
Please do a Buick Century video, or the whole 1980 GM A-Body in general
This video now makes me a fan of the buick reatta so much now its one of my future dream cars.