1993 Buick Roadmaster Limited review from North America

Actually, the only thing mechanical to go wrong after a quarter million miles is a bad alternator. The electrical system is shot (automatic heater, radio, power seats, power mirrors, interior lights don't work, but it is a Buick so that is to be expected, they just don't do well in that area). There is an exhaust leak which is driving me crazy, the UV joint is about to go out, rusting a little, but overall for 249K, with the original motor and tranny its holding up okay. Except for some rust along the bottom it still looks showroom new, so...

Well, after the smashing success of my 1987 LeSabre review and the subsequent smashing of the LeSabre into a Suburban at 30 mph that pulled out in front of me (the thing broke in half it was so rusty, but I seriously didn't feel a thing, I saw the hood hit the windshield and was like 'oh, I crashed' opened the door and walked out). So safety and solidity were the things I was looking for and this delivered. I'll be honest though, I bought this after it had been retired and sat in a field for 3 years and its really on deaths doorstop. The mileage has not been kind. It still runs and drives like a dream on the highway though, just floats down the road. The V8 gives a lot of push once you get it going, but getting this barge moving occupies the engine up until 35 mph, then what I like to refer as the rocket effect takes over. The tranny shifts really smoothly. I have the leather seats with the lumbar support and that's nice and all, but I still miss my old Lesabre. This is really too much car for a downtown urban environment. Parallel parking can be a test of wills. The only thing that really bothers me about this car is that there is no rear visibilty outside the mirrors. Everything behind your head is a blindspot. This has led to a couple of very close calls already. I would seriously consider getting a caprice with leather interior (same thing) instead as that doesn't have the formal roofline. This probably wouldn't be a problem on the interstate, but in cramped downtown environments, its something to think about. Also, this tends to catch the wind like a semi, so keep your hands on the wheel (some people say 'drives straight at highway speeds with both hands off the wheel', try this and you might end up in a ditch, what with the signature overactive Buick powersteering. This thing is great in snow. I just loaded the trunk with concrete blocks and plowed through whatever. However, the heater blower motor seized up so its not really a good winter car for me. The trunk is huge, but not that usable because of the full size spare. The styling is great from the side, but it kind of looks like a bloated walrus from all other angles. Still, it carries itself well, this is not a car to be inconspicous in (especially after a wash and wax). But, then again it averts attention in the nicer areas (as opposed to the old white car with the grey doors and red trunk lid). For the price I paid (900) its not too bad. If everything worked this would be a sweet car. Just be forewarned, this is a boat, and if you have no parking skills (especially with the pathetic rear visibilty), this might not be the car for you. It looks huge because it IS huge.