| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 Supercharged Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
9.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 28000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 78500 miles |
| Previous car | Cadillac Seville |
Summary:
It is a keeper!
Faults:
Radio was replaced under warranty at 29,000 miles.
Brake Rotors Warped about 60,000 miles.
Supercharger Idler mechanically froze.
General Comments:
The supercharger gives the car some kick. You can feel the power surge.
Handles somewhat ponderously and you learn to look for wide parking spaces.
The design of this car is impressive and I have received many compliments.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th February, 2005
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | super charger Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
5.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 54000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 146000 miles |
| Previous car | Buick Riviera |
Summary:
Very Showy, But Very Disappointing, the 96's were better
Faults:
My Buick is a real gem, unfortunately it likes to break down. Quite often. And when it comes time to repair it, my car spends weeks and even months in the shop while they desperately try to order parts. Which is a real inconvenience , for a car that is six years old it has had a lot of repairs, the supercharger belt frayed at 120,000 miles, the transmission has started slipping recently, and the router and brake pads, thru no fault of my own wear out very quickly. But probably the biggest problem is the door mechanics, when I got the car it was two years old, and then the passenger door mechanism didn't always work, now it has completely stopped working. The interior, though nice looking, is very cheaply made, the leather seats tear even with proper maintenance, and the plastic dashboard warps. After five years I had to have the interior of both doors replaced, and the back of the passenger seat.
General Comments:
The car is nice to look at and makes a beautiful show piece, but it is just no meant to be a sturdy car. Also there is no cheap repair on a Buick Riviera, ie the bumper cost $1,400 new, and $800 refurbished. For those prices you could go out and buy a used Toyota that would be more reliable. But as for me I still prefer my 20 mile to the gallon, accident prone, money sucker. Because if it ain't a Buick, I ain't going to drive it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th July, 2004
There is absolutely no difference between the 1996 Riviera, and the 1998 Riviera. Everything remained the same for the life span of that body style, other than a few interior options becoming standard.