1996 Buick Roadmaster Limited 5.7 LT-1 from North America

Summary:

One of the best cars of the 90s

Faults:

Coolant temperature sender.

General Comments:

I love these cars. This is my second; my first being a 1995.

I picked this car up from the second owner, who had never had it on the road, for 725$.

These cars are fast becoming hard to find, as people see them for what they are. I think this car will be one of the few collectible cars of the 90's.

These cars have amazing ride quality and very nice seating.

Performance for the time is awesome, and aftermarket support for the B-body is huge.

What I like about the RM, is with the 2.53 rear, you can pull 1000km to a tank or about 6.5L/100km on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th April, 2014

13th Feb 2021, 12:16

Good gas mileage with a LT-1 is wishful thinking. I've owned several, including two 1996 models from new. They are thirsty on the highway, 10-11L/100km is as good as it gets. Around town in winter, 20+L/100km. They are really good cars and a lot of fun (or I wouldn't have owned so many), but gas mileage is not a strong point.

1996 Buick Roadmaster from North America

Summary:

Final classic car update

Faults:

Heater core had been sitting too much, and the red anti-freeze plugged things up. So a new heater core and many flushes, and it's fine, and changed to the good anti-freeze. And that's it... runs like a champion.

General Comments:

This is an almost perfect 96 with the trailer package on it also. That means HD everything. And has the Mach fan instead of electric fans, and has the top on it, which doesn't help the looks at all. White/blue, and perfect and all stock, except I took the home plate off the engine, and used the chrome Buick plug to seal it off.

Use it only in winter with posi and all. Run a 1996 Caddy FWB, not even close to stock, for summer. The Roadmaster is a better car (with the HD stock), but not in the looks department, and all the cheap plastic interior rattles are bad. The caddy doesn't have this issue. The Caddy has 112,000, so both are in great running condition, and are going to stay that way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th December, 2012

14th Dec 2012, 16:16

I wish GM still built real cars.

4th Aug 2013, 18:11

Me too.

1996 Buick Roadmaster Collectors Edition 5.7 LT1 from North America

Summary:

What a rear wheel drive car should be

Faults:

Replaced the water pump, all four shocks and charged the A/C system.

General Comments:

I bought this Roadmaster because I have always driven large Buicks of the 60's and 70's. I finally realized that my 72 Riviera was not suitable for a daily driver anymore having served me since I bought it in 1996.

After much research I decided on one of GM's last rear wheel drive sedans, the 1996 Roadmaster. I have been nothing but impressed with this car, as the comfort and performance are outstanding. Gas mileage is also great for a car this large. I can average 20 MPG with four adults and the A/C running on a 90 plus degree day.

The only rough spot on these cars is the poor quality and design of the door panels. The fake wood strips tend to break where they fasten to the door. The front and rear bumpers may also start to peel where the chrome tape is. I can find no other fault with these cars.

They are usually much sought after, and low mileage examples can fetch impressive money. One of the reasons these cars were discontinued along with the Chevy Caprices and Cadillac Fleetwoods was that the average buyer for these models is in their late 60's, so they weren't moving too many. That's a real shame because there is one thing the General builds very well and that is big rear wheel drive automobiles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th July, 2010

15th Sep 2011, 20:20

I agree with this comment very much so, I have a 96 Buick Roadmaster Limited Collector's Edition, and it rides terrific. Curious how a 2011/2012 would look, if it could be brought back into production.

16th Sep 2011, 17:47

My guess would be that it would be a much less desirable car. Just look at the Buick LaCrosse. That car is now considered the flagship of the Buick line. I had one as a rental car with a four cylinder, and it felt very cheap. The interior had a few nice details, but by and large this car is much too small and cheap feeling to be a flagship for the Buick line-up.