1995 Buick Riviera review from North America

My transmission went at 60,000 miles at a cost of $2200. These '95 transmission are not designed to handle the supercharger in my opinion. Also, many of the plastic trim pieces in the cabin broke off: the rear passenger air vent, the drivers side power lumbar support button, the Traction control button, the door spring on the center console storage bin. Other features just stopped working, like the trunk release and the fuel release. The temperature gauge control needs to be pressed really hard to work. The steering wheel has an unsafe jiggly movement side-to-side. Sometimes the climate control system goes blank for no reason. The glove compartment light and engine compartment light do not work unless the car is running, a feature/defect which makes these convenience lights useless when your having car trouble.

Also, the sunroof leaked because the rubber drainage tubes simply got disconnected inside the A-pillars. The aluminum finish on the wheels is wearing off, and the paint on the hood of the car seems to chip whenever a knat hits it. I don't want to hear about the fact that it's an 8 year old car to justify this kinda of wear-and-tear, because our '84 Audi 4000, which had a lot more wear and tear, but had no plastic pieces brake off or paint/wheel finish fading, even 10 years later. Unfortunately, this car has been unreliable a drain on the wallet.

It spite of all the problems I have had with this car, it is an absolute joy to drive. It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It is the most beautiful car I have ever driven. I get compliments from every person who has sat in the car (they especially like the after market genuine wood dash I put in). I don't quite understand the online criticisms I've read about this car driving like a boat. It handles corners very well and keeps you firmly in your seat. With a G-Force gauge, I clocked this car doing 6.81 seconds from 0 to 60 (power braking). The tracion control handles well in the snow, as does the ABS.

I agree that the cabin is monotonous (everything inside is blue!), but the aftermarket wood dash turns it into a show car. I like the design and the gauges, especially with high center console. Its also very room (I managed to fit diagonally, 8 foot plastic building corner beads in the cabin.